(Pottawattamie County) As Pottawattamie County finalizes its budget for fiscal year 2024, County officials are using the opportunity to describe tax contributions of its residents.
This month, Pottawattamie County residents will begin receiving updated valuations of properties from the Pottawattamie County Assessor’s Office. The Assessor’s Office is a separate government entity, established to classify and value all properties within the jurisdiction of the County. Valuations of properties are not determined by the County, but instead by the independent County Assessor. Properties are assessed as of the first of the year and reassessed every two years thereafter.
Pottawattamie County officials have emphasized the goal to continue to set its levy rate as low as possible, while valuations tend to increase. Within the County, there are multiple agencies that have taxing authority. These agencies include the County, Ag Extension, the Assessor’s Office, local school districts, area colleges, city or township, and the State for Brucellosis.
“While the County’s Treasurer’s Office is tasked with sending statements and collecting taxes on behalf of all these entities, no more than 47% of any taxpayer’s contributions go to the County,” said Mitch Kay, Pottawattamie County Budget and Finance Director. “We work diligently to be good stewards with the funds we’re able to utilize and maximize their potential impact.”
For rural areas, where the county is responsible for all services and infrastructure, such as roads, the County collects a higher percentage of taxes (not a higher dollar amount). However, for most residents who live within one of Pottawattamie County’s 14 cities, less than 20% goes to the County.
Pottawattamie County is challenged with balancing the cost of providing essential county services and the contributions requested of property owners. The task is increasingly difficult primarily due to the rising cost of materials, labor, and insurance.
The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to approve the budget for FY24 on April 18th.
