Property tax relief rules Eggs & Issues discussion

One of Iowans' biggest gripes served as the main dish last Saturday during the first Eggs & Issues forum of 2025.

Local legislators agreed that high property taxes were the top complaint from voters over the past year. Framing it as a local issue, they were unsure if state-level intervention could ease the burden on the tax-paying public.

"This is not our pig; this is not our farm," said Rep. Megan Jones (R-Sioux Rapids). "But when people come to us with a problem, we try to fix it."

The trio – which also included Sen. Lynn Evans (R-Aurelia) and Rep. John Wills (R-Spirit Lake) – believed it was incumbent on the Legislature to look at all angles of the property tax issue and find ways to improve the system. Whether that means simplifying the tax code or providing aid to local governments to lower levies, they said all ideas are on the table in Des Moines.

"We need to make it so easy a third grader understands it, because it is so complicated it takes almost a doctoral degree to understand how property taxes work," Wills said. "No wonder people think their property taxes are out of control. I don't even understand them and I've been on the Ways and Means Committee for several years."

Evans rejected the idea that property taxes were a totally local issue, noting the Legislature has the power to change the rules.

"It is our responsibility, because cities and counties have no direct effect on what's in Iowa Code," he said. "They can only operate based on what we allow."

Evans agreed that simplifying the tax code could be a good starting point, noting it was important to reduce the burden on residents while maintaining the services their taxes finance. Wills agreed, but again pointed out that local governments hold the power over levy rates.

"If you want gold-plated bricks on your sidewalks here in Spencer, than you should have gold-plated bricks on your sidewalks. The state shouldn't step in to tell you shouldn't do that," he said. "But, it is something we're going to have to deal with because so many people came and talked to us about it."

Neither Jones, Wills nor Evans believed property tax reform would come this session, instead framing it as a two-year issue.

"It is something we have to look at," said Wills.

Other topics of weight during the forum included flood recovery and future mitigation. Jones, who now chairs the House Local Government Committee, said lawmakers from across the state are interested in providing aid to flood-ravaged cities like Spencer, Sioux Rapids and others.

"This time we're going to need some help," she said.

Evans said he's focused on passing legislation that would allow county boards of supervisors to implement better flood mitigation measures. Additionally, Wills believed the state needed to utilize its natural resources to mitigate future floods.

"The best time to do that is right now," he said. "We need to change how we do things in the state of Iowa, because these floods aren't going to stop."

The next Eggs & Issues forum is slated for Saturday, Feb. 15 from 9-10:30 a.m., at Spencer City Hall.