Floyd County Supervisors Table Tax Levy Decision, 20 People Attend Public Hearing

How much the proposed property tax levy will be in Floyd County for the 2022-23 fiscal year won’t be known for another week.

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the proposed max tax levy Monday morning and about 20 taxpayers were in attendance in the EOC room of the new law enforcement center to speak against increases of property taxes that could go up by almost 24%. 

Jeff Hawbaker told the board that Floyd County taxpayers can’t afford to “keep up with the Joneses” when it comes to spending in the county budget.

Supervisor Roy Schwickerath said there are several factors that go into the budget, including available and unavailable resources, like the 10% industrial tax backfill payment the county received from the state.

Schwickerath voted against passing a resolution to set the max tax levy as proposed, noting that the number of people who came to the hearing warrants a closer look at what that rate should be.

The board decided to table the issue until next Monday to provide time for more budget examination in hopes of reducing the tax rate number. Supervisor Linda Tjaden said its possible that relaxed restrictions on how municipalities can spend American Rescue Act COVID-relief funds could also help cover more expenses and lower the tax rate.