State orders rollback on property values; more

State orders rollback on property values

Today the Iowa Department of Revenue issued an Assessment Limitations Order, or ?rollback,? on property values in Iowa.

The order adjusts the property values used by local governments to compute property taxes for agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial property used by local governments to compute property taxes. State law allows no more than a 4 percent increase in taxable values for these property classes from year to year in order to cushion the impact of inflation.

The order sets forth the following taxable values:

? The taxable value for residential property is 50.7518 percent of the assessed value. This is an increase from the 2010 level of 48.5299 percent. (Residential assessed value in Iowa is $135.8 billion; the taxable value is $68.9 billion, which is 50.7518 percent of the assessed value.) Residential property includes farm dwellings.

? The taxable value for agricultural property is 57.5411 percent of the assessed value. This is a decrease from the 2010 level of 69.0152 percent. Agricultural property is assessed at its productivity value. (The 2011 assessed value is $47.6 billion; the taxable value is $27.4 billion, which is 57.5411 percent of the assessed value.)

? No adjustments were ordered for the commercial, industrial, railroad, and utility classes, because their assessed values did not increase enough to qualify for reductions. Utility property is limited to an 8 percent annual growth. Railroad property is adjusted by the lowest percentage applied to commercial, industrial, and utility property.

County auditors will apply the adjustments to each property class to compute the taxable values used for property taxes. Tax liabilities based on the 2011 taxable values and payable in fiscal year 2012-13 will not be determined until local taxing bodies establish their property tax needs early next year.

Additional information about the rollback can be found at: www.state.ia.us/tax/locgov/propequalroll.html

Linn County considers wind garden proposal

CEDAR RAPIDS (AP) ? Linn County could see ?wind gardens? begin to sprout up under a plan proposed by a Texas company.

The Gazette reported that a system developed by Viryd Technologies uses small turbines on short towers to generate electricity at lower wind speeds.

Officials with the Austin, Texas-based company says the smaller turbines can produce power other, larger ones don?t.?

If a study finds the area?s average wind speed is sufficient, the county is willing to look at building wind gardens near several county buildings.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider moving forward with a feasibility study at its meeting Wednesday.

Omaha man found dead in West Des Moines

WEST DES MOINES (AP) ? Authorities say an Omaha man has died in the back of his sport utility vehicle, which he?d parked in the lot of a West Des Moines church.

The Des Moines Register reports that police suspect James Twadell died of carbon monoxide poisoning. He?d been using a charcoal grill to keep warm Friday night.

The 39-year-old Twadell had traveled to West Des Moines to trim trees for a friend. When Twadell couldn?t find an open campground near the friend?s home, he parked in the church lot because it was adjacent to his friend?s property.

Twadell didn?t show up for more tree work on Saturday, and his body was found that evening in his vehicle.

Iowan gets prison for carjacking with syringe

DUBUQUE (AP) ? A Dubuque man accused of attempting a carjacking with a syringe has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

The Telegraph Herald in Dubuque says 32-year-old Richard Kennedy was sentenced on Monday in Dubuque County District Court on charges of third-degree kidnapping and second-degree robbery.

Kennedy was accused of getting into a woman?s car in September 2010, displaying a syringe and demanding that she drive. The woman jumped out of the car and escaped without injury.

Kennedy entered an Alford plea to the charges in August. Under an Alford plea, he didn?t admit guilt but agreed that evidence likely existed for a conviction.

Burlington man gets 52 years in crowbar attack

BURLINGTON (AP) ? A Burlington man has been sentenced to 52 years in prison for attacking a woman with a crowbar outside a bar in 2010.

The Hawk Eye reported James Dixon was sentenced Monday in Des Moines County District Court. He was found guilty last month of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and attempted third-degree burglary. He must serve at least 17.5 years in prison before being eligible for parole.

Authorities say the victim thwarted a burglary when she drove up to the Crazy Coyote Tavern, where she was a cleaning lady. She was hit in the face with a crowbar as she sat in her car.

The victim testified the 33-year-old Dixon also hit her with his fist and tried to strangle her before she was able to drive off.

Coralville firefighters save dog from blaze

CORALVILLE (AP) ? A dog has been treated for smoke inhalation after being rescued by firefighters in Coralville.

Authorities say the dog?s owner wasn?t home on Tuesday afternoon, and the dog was trapped inside the burning duplex.

The Gazette says firefighters got inside and saved the dog, which was taken to a veterinarian for treatment.

The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen. The cause is being investigated.