CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Linn County began planning its fiscal year 2028 budget Thursday night, but only one member of the public attended its first public forum. The meeting marked the start of months of discussions about how the county will collect and spend tax dollars. The budget will cover July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028.
Supervisors will also have to consider how Iowa’s new property tax reform law will affect the county’s finances. Fairfax Mayor Jo Ann Beer offered brief comments during the forum, while Linn County Finance Director Sara Bearrows outlined the upcoming budget process.
“One of the biggest things the board will discuss next week would be any sort of wage increase, non-contractual wage increase for elected officials, non-bargaining union employees, confidential employees,” Bearrows told supervisors…