County levy goes up 2.88 percent

Rock County Commissioners formally approved the 2016 county tax levy at $5,153,362, which is 2.88 percent more than last year’s levy.
The county’s preliminary levy had been set to increase 3.88 percent, but at their Dec. 22 meeting, commissioners decided to allocate $50,000 from the county reserves of $105,000 in order to keep the levy lower.
No programs were affected by the reduction, and economics in the ag community were cited as the reason for the lower levy. For example, commodity prices are at or below the cost of production in 2015.
“If there is any way we can drop it a point, I am in favor,” said Commissioner and Rock County farmer Stan Williamson about the levy increase.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to increase the levy 2.88 percent (rather than the proposed 3.88 percent). Chairman Ron Boyenga cast the only dissenting vote, a gesture meant as a message to keep spending within budget limits.
 
Net taxes on ag land drops 7.25 percent for 2016
Agricultural properties continue to comprise the majority of the tax base in Rock County, although the percentage for 2016 is slightly lower than previous years.
The information, presented at the county’s annual annual Truth in Taxation hearing on Dec. 1 showed agricultural properties comprise 60.8 percent of total taxes paid next year, an increase of 3.71 percent from 2015. The other 39.2 percent is divided between residential (20.4 percent) and commercial/industrial (18.8 percent).
However, ag land’s net taxes payable in 2016 decreased 7.25 percent, according to Tom Houselog, Rock County Land Records director.
The county receives about half of its annual budget monies from local property taxes. The tax burden is spread over three property classifications with the net taxes payable in Rock County shared between government entities.
While ag land saw a decrease for 2016 in net tax capacity, residential and commercial/industrial properties increased 4.65 percent and 5.63 percent respectively.
Rock County’s 2016 net property taxes will generate just over $13.3 million, a 2.4-percent increase over 2015.
Annual Truth In Taxation meetings are required by each governmental entity that utilizes property taxes for funding. At these meetings, upcoming budget information is presented and the public is allowed to make comments.
No one from the public attended the county’s required meeting.
 
County reserves still within state guidelines
The state auditor’s office recommends that a county keep at least five months of expenditures within its general fund.
According to Rock County’s audit ending Dec. 31, 2014, it has 6.6 months in reserve, down from an average of 10.59 months over the past two years.
The reduction is due to the flooding events in 2014 and the expenses involved in repairing the county’s infrastructure. Many of these expenses have since been reimbursed from the state and federal governments’ emergency management funds.