Farm Bureau members say Iowa’s unprecedented property tax growth impacts all Iowans.  

“Property taxes have increased by over $2 billion since the year 2000, an increase of over 75 percent,” IFBF president Craig Hill said. “Farm Bureau members believe the primary objective of property tax reform should be to reduce the property tax burden on all classes of property. As lawmakers address issues such as commercial property tax reform, Iowans need to be assured that any reform affecting one class of property would not bring a shift to other classes of property. In addition, reasonable property tax growth limitations are needed so property tax collections do not continue to outpace the economy and family wages.”

Controlling growth of property taxes is just one of several priorities named by IFBF.  Members also support using the state’s one-time ending fund balance, which will total hundreds of millions of dollars on one-time expenditures such as property tax relief or infrastructure, as opposed to being used for ongoing expenses.