Property Tax Reforms Coming To Dubuque County

Dubuque County officials have started budget discussions earlier than usual this year after state officials explained the likely local impacts of recent state property tax reforms. Dubuque County Auditor Kevin Dragotto and Budget Director Stella Runde told Dubuque County supervisors at a recent meeting that property tax limits passed with bipartisan support this session by the Iowa Legislature could reduce county revenues for the next budget year by more than $500,000. However, state officials said they will not know the scope of the impacts until they know the county’s taxable valuation growth, available early next calendar year. That left supervisors eager to begin budget development as early as possible.