Madison County supervisors discuss $176,414 levy increase, staff to publish proposed rate and schedule hearing

Madison County supervisors reviewed calculations showing the county could be authorized to collect $176,414 more in property-tax levy revenue this fiscal year and discussed offsetting that increase by reducing the general supplemental levy.

At the meeting, a participant identified in the transcript as Speaker 1 said, "The maximum we could raise it for these 2 levies is a $176,414," and proposed using cuts to the general supplemental levy to offset the rise tied to higher maximums for the general basic and rural basic levies. Speaker 1 added they would like to find an additional $100,000 in reductions "if we can" to ease pressure on taxpayers.

The proposal matters because certain county allocations — including a share for secondary roads and some sheriff funding — are calculated as percentages of general basic and rural basic levy totals. Speakers warned that lowering those base levies could reduce those tied allocations. Speaker 2 cautioned that trimming the general supplemental could be effectively permanent because of statutory caps, saying lowering the levy now could "hamstring next year" and force service cuts if inflation rises.

Speaker 1 read specific maximum-levy dollar limits from the Department of Management figures used in the discussion: rural basic was cited as increasing from $4,150,972 (fiscal 26) to $4,247,758 (fiscal 27); another levy figure rose from about $3,000,093.88 to $3,173,509. Together those increases account for the roughly $176,414 total cited by speakers.

On process, Speaker 2, identified in the transcript as the staff lead on levy mechanics, told supervisors that staff will prepare and publish proposed tax-levy statements and the supporting worksheets before the next meeting and aims to return balanced numbers by the end of the week. Speaker 2 outlined the procedural schedule: the board must set a hearing date by March 5, mail proposed tax-levy statements by March 15, and hold the levy hearing on March 20; Speaker 2 reiterated the order that the board first sets levy rates and then holds the public hearing.

Speakers also noted a broader push to move some materials online so mailing requirements might be reduced in future years; one participant said they hoped this would be the last year requiring mailed statements.

Revenue verification remains incomplete: staff reported verified revenues only through Aug. 31, and departments continue contributing to budget preparations.

No formal motion or vote was recorded in the transcript. The practical next steps recorded were staff preparing a proposed levy-rate worksheet showing options that offset the $176,414 increase with cuts to the general supplemental line and presenting those figures for supervisor review at the next meeting, after which the board will set levy rates and schedule the hearing under the deadlines described above.