Supervisors’ cast tie vote on tax levy, second vote planned

The Iowa County Supervisors held a public hearing for their maximum tax levy at the March 24 meeting. There were no written comments or questions, but one member of the public asked, “So we're going to see a property tax increase this year?”

Board Chair Kevin Heitshusen answered, “Yes.” He explained they needed to keep up with other counties or they would lose workers to surrounding counties who paid more.

“We are doing the best we can with what we have,” Heitshusen explained.

Rural property owners will see an 8.83 percent increase. After defending and explaining the increase to the member of the public, Supervisor Abby Maas voted “nay” and Supervisor Alan Schumacher followed with another “nay.” With Jon Degen absent, that left a tie vote with both Heitshusen and Supervisor Chris Montross voting “Yes.”

“I'm sorry guys,” stated Maas, “This is what I ran on. I can't vote for it.”

With the budget deadline looming, the board has to pass the tax levy and publish a public hearing notice for the next fiscal year budget, and schedule it. They decided to meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 27, and hope everyone can be there.

“You understand if this doesn't pass on Monday we will have to use last year's budget and we're screwed,” Heitshusen stated.

Maas replied, “I understand, I'm just not putting my name on it.”

Heitshusen told the board that anyone who couldn't make it in person on Monday morning better be available by phone.

Other business at the meeting included approving the Iowa County Sheriff Union contract, officially recognizing Public Health Week, and signing an opioid settlement agreement.

During his time with the meeting, Engineer Nick Amelon had the board sign a final pay voucher for work on V52, and discussed improving the internet speed at the temporary office. Amelon told the board the slow speed affected both how their computers “talk” to the server, and that it was affecting their AutoCAD, as well as photo uploads.