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DNR Discourages Swimming at Emerson Bay Due To Bacteria Levels

DNR Discourages Swimming at Emerson Bay Due To Bacteria Levels

Aug 29, 2022

Spirit Lake, IA (KICD 107.7 Radio)– A public beach in the Iowa Great Lakes has a swimming advisory headed into the last weekend before labor Day. The Iowa DNR does periodic tests at public beaches, and the last test on Wednesday indicates a higher than normal level of...

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Iowa Great Lakes Association

5 days ago

Iowa Great Lakes Association
NO RELIEF IN SIGHT.8 April 2025Property tax concerns raised at Dickinson County budget meetingDickinson County News - Staff Photo - Create ArticleByStewart Chisham -- News EditorResidents urged the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors to reduce the proposed property tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year during a county budget meeting Monday, March 31.Representatives from the Dickinson County Taxpayers Association (DCT) presented data showing that property tax in the county has increased 76.4% from 2016 to 2025, outpacing the statewide average of 40.2%."Property tax growth is not just a county issue — Dickinson County property owners face challenges from cities and schools as well," DCTA spokesperson Dan Croft said. "These property tax increases are not sustainable."DCTA members specifically asked the supervisors to reduce the proposed general levy rate from 2.83% to 2.45%, which would decrease tax revenue by approximately $1 million. They feel the reduction would still maintain what was described as a "conservative revenue" position.Curtis Rouse, a DCTA member and retired tax director for John Deere said that the county is projected to have a $22.6 million beginning surplus for fiscal year 2025-26, nearly equal to the entire projected annual revenue of $26.9 million."Only four counties in Iowa had a surplus of over 50% and ours is approaching 84%," Rouse said.He additionally noted that the Iowa Department of Management guidelines recommend county reserves between 15-30% of revenue.Several community members expressed concerns about the impact of high property taxes on housing affordability and the county's ability to attract younger residents."We can't have people coming in and being able to rent or buy houses in the future; we will become an aging community," said Orleans resident Barbara Clayton.County officials responded that, while they understand residents' concerns, many factors affecting property taxes are outside of their control, including property valuations and pending state legislation."We can't throw this money into a soup pot and dish it out as we wish," Supervisor Steve Clark said.He explained that many of the county funds were restricted, and cannot be reassigned to other purposes.County Treasurer Kris Rowley noted the county has benefited from investment income and said that state lawmakers are working on property tax reforms, including potential exemptions for elderly residents.The board took no immediate action on the tax levy request, but indicated that they would consider the information presented before their April 22 meeting, when they plan to finalize tax rates ahead of the April 30 deadline.SUPERVISORS SPLIT ON WIND ENERGY TAX PROPOSALA proposed ordinance to eliminate special tax valuations for wind energy properties ended in a 2-2 vote and failed to advance during the April 8 Dickinson County Board of Supervisors meeting. Clark abstained from voting to avoid any potential conflict of interest.Ordinance 25-4 would have denied future special valuation requests from wind energy conversion property owners. It also would have required existing wind energy properties to pay full property tax valuations after their 19th year of assessment.The ordinance's failure comes just a week after county officials heard extensive public comments about rising property taxes."It doesn't say shall, it says may. You guys have an option to put our county taxpayers first," Clayton said.Supervisor Levi Markwardt, who voted in favor of the ordinance, said that it "makes a lot of sense" to move to a standard taxation method now that existing agreements have been honored.Supervisor Bill Leupold opposed the measure, citing concerns about discouraging economic development."One of the biggest mistakes we made was this county turned down having a casino," he said.Leupold is referring to a July 8, 2003, gaming referendum that was rejected by 72.4% of the special election voters. All 10 Dickinson County precincts at the time opposed the measure by at least 65%.Mike Fergen, a Spirit Lake resident, presented supervisors with information suggesting that switching from the current Tax Increment Financing (TIF) method to standard taxation for wind energy properties could generate "three-to-six times more" property tax revenue for the county."I don't think it's the taxpayer's duty to help them out so significantly that it hurts the local taxpayer," Fergen said.Supervisor Kim Wermersen, who voted against the ordinance, noted that he had reached out to 27 other counties that have made similar tax structure changes.During public comments, Patrick Kelly of Okoboji thanked supervisors for their transparency and urged collaboration with state lawmakers to address rising property taxes."It's a sad situation when people are being forced off their property, and properties that have been in their families for decades," Kelly said.The tied vote means the ordinance will not proceed to second and third readings required for adoption. ... 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Iowa Great Lakes Association

7 days ago

Iowa Great Lakes Association
Local residents speak up against the outside interests who seek to disrupt our county.We can not allow this out of state corporation to benefit at the rest of our expense. ... See MoreSee Less

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