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Despite rising property valuations, many central Iowa cities are keeping last year’s property tax rates to help balance out losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Several Polk County cities surveyed by the Register credit the recently passed local option sales taxes for the ability to maintain or lower their property tax rates. Revenues from the 1-cent tax on retail and restaurant purchases was less than expected as a result of the pandemic last year, though.
State law requires that 50% of local option sales tax revenue be allocated toward property tax relief. Des Moines, which passed a penny sales tax in 2018, lowered its property tax rate by 60 cents in 2019. This year, the city plans to maintain its rate at $16.61.
Most of the Des Moines metro maintained or lowered property tax rates this year. Here s how 17 central Iowa cities compare. Sarah Kay LeBlanc, Melody Mercado, George Shillcock and Shelby Fleig, Des Moines Register
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Despite rising property valuations, many central Iowa cities are keeping last year’s property tax rates to help balance out losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Several Polk County cities surveyed by the Register credit the recently passed local option sales taxes for the ability to maintain or lower their property tax rates. Revenues from the 1-cent tax on retail and restaurant purchases was less than expected as a result of the pandemic last year, though.