Winneshiek County board opens and closes public hearing on proposed FY27 levy rates

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing on the proposed FY27 levy rates and heard a staff presentation explaining the packet of proposed rates and supporting valuations.

A county staff member explained that the general fund and federal fund levy rates are at the maximum allowed by law and that the proposed change reduces the supplemental rate because property valuations increased. A board member summarized the long-term trend, saying the rate has "only raised up point 79%" over the last 11 years.

The board invited questions; none were raised by members or people online. By voice vote the supervisors moved to close the public hearing and the motion carried unanimously. The clerk reminded the board that after the public hearing the board may only lower levy rates before final budget adoption, not raise them.

Why it matters: the levy-setting process determines property tax rates that fund county services. Board members emphasized the countywide valuation increases as the reason the supplemental rate can be reduced while still meeting budget needs. The public hearing completes a required step in the FY27 budget and levy schedule; the board will take additional budget actions at the scheduled budget hearing on April 27 at 9:30 a.m.

Next steps: the board set the FY27 budget public hearing date (April 27 at 9:30 a.m.) and will consider the full budget and final levy adoption at that hearing. No formal change to the proposed levy was made at this meeting.