Budget & Taxes (Debt & Bonds)

SSB 3001 modifies Iowa county property tax rates for general and rural services. It sets a base rate of $3.50 per $1,000 assessed value for general county services (effective 2024-2027) and $3.95 for rural services, with adjustments tied to inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The bill requires counties to maintain tax revenue at 101.5% of the prior year's actual levy, while allowing rates to adjust if assessed property values grow by over 2% annually. This directly affects all Iowa counties collecting property taxes for local services, with changes applying to fiscal years starting July 1, 2024, through 2028.

SF 97 amends Iowa law to expand the definition of "general county purpose" to include purchasing vehicles or vehicle equipment for specific county departments: sheriff's offices, county attorneys, jails, maintenance, conservation, and public health. This change means counties can acquire these vehicles without needing voter approval for bond issuance, which is typically required for general county purposes. The bill directly affects county governments by simplifying funding for essential equipment across multiple departments. It makes no other policy changes beyond this specific administrative adjustment to bond authorization rules.

SF 82 requires school districts in Iowa to hold a voter election for bonds issued in anticipation of revenue if the amount is $5 million or more, changing current law where elections were only required upon receiving a petition. It mandates that such bonds must receive approval from at least 60% of voters casting ballots on the issue, rather than a simple majority. The bill also specifies notice requirements for public hearings (10-20 days prior) and applies to bonds tied to the SAVE fund. This directly affects school districts planning large bond issuances, ensuring voter approval is mandatory for these significant financial decisions.