Bremer County Board hears concerns as FY27 property tax levy rates proposed to rise
April 01, 2026 | Bremer County, Iowa
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The Bremer County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing on March 24, 2026, at the Bremer County Courthouse in Waverly to consider proposed FY27 property tax levy rates. Finance Director Kassandra Johansen presented the county’s recommended rates and supervisors recorded written and oral public comments.
Johansen told the board the proposed levy adjustments would change the General Basic rate from 3.39806 to 3.50 and keep General Supplemental at 1.22. The proposed Debt Service rate would fall slightly from 0.616 to 0.6004, and the Rural Basic rate would rise from 3.87255 to 3.95. The presentation did not include enactment language or an immediate vote to adopt the rates; the hearing provided an opportunity for public input.
A resident, Brandon Bain, entered the hearing and spoke to raise concerns about rising property taxes. The board also reported receiving written comments from Ron Rudebeck, Amy Remley, Kris Milnete and Jami Holthaus and noted that supervisors had spoken with other residents, including Judy Rinnels and Rajesh Patel, about the levy and the hearing.
Supervisors discussed the sustainability of the county budget going forward in light of the proposed rates and the public feedback. The transcript and minutes record no motion to amend the proposed rates during the hearing.
Procedural business recorded in the minutes shows Supervisor Hildebrandt moved and Supervisor Cerwinske seconded to approve the meeting agenda at the start of the session. Chairman Bob Brunkhorst opened the public hearing at 9:04 a.m.; later Hildebrandt moved and Cerwinske seconded to close the hearing. The board then moved to adjourn at 9:21 a.m. The published minutes note that, unless otherwise specified, actions were approved unanimously.
The hearing record does not show adoption of the proposed levy at this meeting; the minutes preserve the public comments and the board discussion on fiscal sustainability for further consideration in the levy-setting process.
Johansen told the board the proposed levy adjustments would change the General Basic rate from 3.39806 to 3.50 and keep General Supplemental at 1.22. The proposed Debt Service rate would fall slightly from 0.616 to 0.6004, and the Rural Basic rate would rise from 3.87255 to 3.95. The presentation did not include enactment language or an immediate vote to adopt the rates; the hearing provided an opportunity for public input.
A resident, Brandon Bain, entered the hearing and spoke to raise concerns about rising property taxes. The board also reported receiving written comments from Ron Rudebeck, Amy Remley, Kris Milnete and Jami Holthaus and noted that supervisors had spoken with other residents, including Judy Rinnels and Rajesh Patel, about the levy and the hearing.
Supervisors discussed the sustainability of the county budget going forward in light of the proposed rates and the public feedback. The transcript and minutes record no motion to amend the proposed rates during the hearing.
Procedural business recorded in the minutes shows Supervisor Hildebrandt moved and Supervisor Cerwinske seconded to approve the meeting agenda at the start of the session. Chairman Bob Brunkhorst opened the public hearing at 9:04 a.m.; later Hildebrandt moved and Cerwinske seconded to close the hearing. The board then moved to adjourn at 9:21 a.m. The published minutes note that, unless otherwise specified, actions were approved unanimously.
The hearing record does not show adoption of the proposed levy at this meeting; the minutes preserve the public comments and the board discussion on fiscal sustainability for further consideration in the levy-setting process.
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