(Atlantic) District 9 State Senator Tom Shipley discussed the property tax proposals during a legislative coffee in Atlantic Saturday morning.
Iowa lawmakers are considering three different property tax proposals. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ plan would cap city and county revenue growth at 2% plus new construction, freeze property taxes for some seniors, and move to three-year property assessments. A Senate proposal would provide broad tax exemptions for seniors, phase in a homestead exemption, and eliminate the rollback to assess homes at full value. The House plan also caps local revenue growth at 2% but instead offers a $25,000 exemption for all residential properties.
Tom Shipley said this has been big battle for quite some time and it’s going to be a big battle this year.
Shipley said there is one interesting provision in this bill that deals with fuel taxes.
Shipley said that has a lot of merit, given what it takes to build a bridge and the number of bridges that need to be addressed.
Shipley said he hears many comments from people about their property taxes, especially after homes were revalued. He said there is no doubt it is a problem, as Iowa ranks in the top ten states with the highest property taxes.
Shipley heard from several individuals who had concerns about he property tax legislation, including Atlantic Mayor Rob Clausen.
Atlantic City Councilman Jeremy Butler…
County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas…
Shipley also heard from constituents who were not in favor of proposals to freeze property taxes for homeowners aged 65 and older.
District 21 House Representative Tom Moore was unable to make it to the legislative coffee Saturday morning.
