LEE COUNTY – The sponsor of a bill that could lead to the consolidation of Lee County to one county seat shed light on the bill and why the amendment was proposed.
The amendment would wipe out an 1848 law that required the county to keep two county courthouses. Lee County is the only county in Iowa that still has two recognized county seats, and two judicial districts – North and South Lee County.
An amendment offered on what was Senate Study Bill 1124, which is now Senate File 356, after passing out of the Iowa Senate’s Ways and Means Committee, refers to Lee County specifically, and its author State Sen. Dan Dawson (R-Council Bluffs) said the amendment was added after talking with representatives of Lee County last week.
“Property tax relief is a primary focus for us at the Capitol. We have heard from Iowans all over the state that property taxes are too high, and they are looking for a better seat at the table,” Dawson wrote in an email to Pen City Current Thursday afternoon.
The bill is the Senate Republicans' property tax reform proposal. Part of the process is gathering public input and Lee County Supervisor Chairman Garry Seyb, Supervisor Tom Schulz, and Sheriff Stacy Weber testified as part of a Ways and Means hearing, and then had a follow-up conversation with Speaker Pat Grassley.
“It was clear from this conversation the Lee County court system was causing issues. After listening to their concerns and taking some time to do some research, it was clear a clarification and state change would provide Lee County and local government officials the tools necessary to help with their budget and potentially reduce expenditures and ease the burden on property taxpayers in Lee County,” Dawson wrote.
He said an email from Lee County Auditor Denise Fraise advocating for change in the county added to the action.
“The need to proceed with the amendment was further bolstered by an email all the Senate Republicans on the Ways and Means committee received from Denise Fraise. The email expressed similar points as earlier conversations with the other local officials. To help with property tax reform and budget constraints in Lee County, there needed to be a change in Iowa law to allow the county to consolidate the two court systems in Lee County.”
Former State Senator Rich Taylor had requested an opinion from the Iowa Attorney General regarding the 175-year-old law. The opinion stated that the AG believed Lee County could consolidate to one county seat by ordinance, but the action could not result in the closure of the two courthouses.
The amendment in 375 would also now repeal the 1848 act which “in part required Lee County to maintain a district court at Fort Madison and the city of Keokuk, required the clerk of district court to keep an office at Fort Madison and the city of Keokuk, and required the sheriff of Lee County to keep an office at Fort Madison and the city of Keokuk.”
Dawson said the elimination of the act of 1848 would pave the way for consolidation.
“It appears a law enacted in 1848 was standing in the way of consolidating the courts in Lee County. From this AG Opinion, it would appear Lee County can designate a single county seat by ordinance under Home Rule. Also, the AG Opinion seemed to say it would be the elimination of the 1848 law change that would allow for the consolidation of the courts.”
Seyb said earlier this week that he was surprised by the amendment and that an amendment wasn’t mentioned during discussions in Des Moines.
Dawson said the amendment was a direct result of the conversations with county officials.
“The amendment put forward in the Ways and Means Committee on Monday was a direct result of the conversations I had with the officials from Lee County and from those who work at the local level directly with the local budget,” he wrote.
“In the subcommittee for this bill, I had stated I was looking to start a conversation on how we can provide property tax relief for Iowans and I would be happy to take input on how to improve the bill from interested parties. Lee County officials told me their two court systems increased their cost of government, so I decided to do something about it.”
Dawson said the Senate’s bill is focused on prooperty tax rate limits.
“The bill works to regroup or consolidate general levies back under one levy and then bring down the levy rate over time, if needed. Property taxes need to be clearer, simpler, and easier for the property taxpayer to understand. We need to go back to basics and begin to diversify the system to help both taxpayers and local governments,” Dawson wrote.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here