Budget: Lowest tax rate in 5 years

CLARINDA, Iowa — The Page County tax levy will be at its lowest rate in five years based on a budget approved this week by the Board of Supervisors.

The 2011 county budget will feature a tax levy of $8.58 per $1,000 of assessed valuation and a tax asking of $4 million.

“The good is that we were actually able to come up with a reduction in the levy of 23 cents,” Supervisor Chairwoman Elaine Armstrong said.

The levy rate for the current fiscal year was $8.81 per $1,000 of assessed valuation and the tax asking was $3.9 million.

Armstrong said the Rural Basic Levy was reduced by 8 cents to $2.63355 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Page County Compensation Board Chairwoman Tammie Driftmier said the board recommends a 3 percent increase in salary for the county attorney, auditor, recorder and treasurer. The staffs of each of these elected officials would also receive a 3 percent salary increase.

The Board of Supervisors approved the salary recommendations made by the Compensation Board.

Farmland owners can expect to see higher tax bills because the value of that land has greatly increased. Landowners will see an approximately 13 percent increase in their tax bill next year.