Levy Rate Decreased in FY 2023
Linn County’s fiscal year for 2023 began July 1. Linn County's countywide levy rate decreased to $5.85 in fiscal year 2023 from $6.24 in 2022. Most taxpayers will pay approximately 10 percent less for their Linn County portion of taxes in fiscal year 2023 than they did in 2022, resulting in a decrease of $53 for a $150,000 home. Linn County has the second lowest countywide levy rate among the six largest urban counties in the State of Iowa.
Linn County’s budget is guided by the County's strategic priorities, financial policies, legal mandates, and long-range fiscal sustainability. The FY23 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 cost of County services for the owner of a home valued at $150,000 is $39.60 per month, based on the countywide levy rate.
The Budget Process & Public Meetings
Linn County's budget process begins each year with planning sessions in early November to determine budget initiatives for the next fiscal year. The Board of Supervisors holds a public budget forum in November, giving Linn County residents an opportunity to contribute ideas and feedback on the budget initiatives and overall process. On or before December 15, each County officer and department head submits budget estimates to the Budget Director, using the goals and initiatives established in the strategic planning session as a framework. The Budget Director compiles the budget estimates received from the elected officials and department heads. The Budget Director and Finance Director then review this information and present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors by the second week of February. Between November and February, the Board of Supervisors holds more than 20 public meetings to review budgets from each department. Linn County then holds two more public hearings before the Board of Supervisors votes to certify the budget.
Learn More
As a steward of taxpayer dollars, Linn County prides itself on providing transparency and accountability in its budget. Learn more about the FY 2023 budget, the budget process, and how Linn County works to prevent unnecessary growth in budgets and taxes in Linn County’s FY 2023 Budget in Brief (PDF).
View a digital version of Linn County's FY 2023 Budget in Brief.