At its March 24, 2021 meeting, the Linn County Board of Supervisors approved a $130.7 million budget for fiscal year 2022 following two public hearings. The newly approved budget does not raise the countywide or rural services levy (property tax) rate.
The FY22 budget maintains the countywide levy rate of $6.40 per $1,000 of taxable value. The rural levy rate, which is in addition to the countywide levy rate for residents who live in unincorporated Linn County, also remains unchanged at $2.71 and includes a reduction of one dollar for rural residents from the Local Option Sales Tax allocation. This reduction is a result of 25 percent of the Local Option Sales Tax revenue that provides property tax relief in the unincorporated areas.
Commercial and industrial property taxes also remain unchanged. Agricultural property taxes will increase approximately 3 percent in FY22 due to a change in the state agricultural rollback.
Even with no change in Linn County’s countywide levy rate, homeowners could still see a 2.3 percent increase in their county property taxes due to the increase in taxable value as a result of a change in the state residential rollback.
Ending fund balance in Linn County’s general fund remains at 25 percent, as prescribed in Linn County’s financial policies.
Overall, the FY22 budget continues Linn County’s funding priorities of public health and safety, physical and mental health, roads and transportation, the environment, and necessary capital improvements. The budget also includes funding for priorities identified by the Board of Supervisors that will have a positive impact on the County’s ability to serve residents. This includes the new Linn County Mental Health Access Center, diversity training for County staff, and funding for the Emergency Management Agency. These priority areas reflect Linn County’s strategic plan, which focuses on customer satisfaction, high quality of life, and financial health.
“The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the August 2020 derecho made this a challenging budget year,” said Linn County Board of Supervisors Chair Stacey Walker. “We are ever-mindful of our responsibility to provide critical services to our residents in a way that is fiscally responsible. We are proud that we have been able to be there in a time of great need and deliver critical services without having to raise the tax levy. These are tough times, but like our community, the Linn County government has found a way to persevere.”
Linn County’s FY22 budget planning began in November 2020 led by Linn County Finance Director and CPA Dawn Jindrich and Budget Director and CPA Sara Bearrows. The budget was developed through more than 20 public meetings between the Linn County Board of Supervisors, other Linn County elected officials, and department heads.
Linn County taxes account for approximately 16 percent of the overall tax bill paid by Linn County property owners in incorporated areas. The remaining 84 percent of property taxes goes to the property taxpayer’s city of residence, school district and other taxing bodies in the county. Linn County taxes represent slightly more than one-third of property taxes for rural residents. FY22 runs July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
FY22 Linn County Budget Summary:
- Budget of $130.7 million – a decrease of 1.4 percent from last year
- No increase in the countywide levy rate of $6.40 per $1,000 of taxable value
- No increase in the rural levy rate of $2.71; rural levy rate includes a reduction of one dollar for rural residents from the Local Option Sales Tax allocation
- Impact to homeowner: An increase of 2.3 percent due to the increase in taxable value as a result of a change in state residential rollback
- Commercial and industrial property taxes remain unchanged
- Farmland taxes will increase approximately 3 percent due to a change in state agricultural rollback
- Property taxes levied: $79.5 million, an increase of 2.3 percent from FY21
- Property taxes account for 61 percent of Linn County’s budget
- Local Option Sales Tax revenue of $2.7 million is budgeted for road construction; $1.5 million for Conservation projects; and $1.5 million in property tax relief for rural residents
- No salary increase for Linn County elected officials and their deputies
- Achieves goal of general fund ending balance of 25 percent
- Linn County’s 2022 fiscal year runs July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022
View FY22 Budget Presentation PowerPoint (PDF)
Watch the Budget Presentation Public Hearing video