Cedar County board closes public hearing on FY26/27 property tax levy after residents voice concerns about rising taxes

The Cedar County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing March 24 on the proposed FY26/27 property tax levy, during which residents raised concerns about rising property taxes and county officials discussed assessment methods and budget-cut options.

Chairperson Jon Bell read the public hearing notice at the start of the meeting and county staff including Finance Director Dauber, Recorder Bahnsen and Treasurer Delaney were present to answer questions. Deputy Auditor Hamdorf recorded the minutes.

Members of the public expressed concern about increases in property taxes during the hearing; the transcript records general public concern but does not attribute specific remarks to individual attendees. The board discussed how assessments and the distribution of tax revenue affect individual tax bills and noted budget cuts as one potential response, but no new budget decisions were adopted at the hearing.

Supervisor Kaufmann moved to end the public hearing and Supervisor Barnhart seconded. The motion passed with all present voting aye; Supervisor Bixler was recorded as absent. The board closed the hearing at 8:39 a.m.

The board received a written complaint from Stacy Hutt during the meeting; the transcript does not record disposition or board action on that complaint. Attendees recorded in the meeting minutes included department directors and residents who were present for the hearing. No ordinance, resolution or levy rate decision is recorded in the transcript.