DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch/KCRG) – Iowa Republican lawmakers and the governor reached an agreement on property tax legislation Sunday, sending a measure to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk to cap local revenue growth, change how multi-residential properties are taxed and make other changes aimed at lowering property tax costs for Iowans. Senate File 2472, amended with the compromise language, passed 41-1 in the Senate and 61-22 in the House. The amendment incorporates portions of all the proposals released by House and Senate Republicans, as well as the governor, during various points during the legislative session. The final proposal limits local government revenue growth with a 2% cap. The provision falls in a middle ground between the “soft” cap proposed by the Senate that would have allowed for adjustments based on inflation, and the “hard” cap proposed by the House and governor that would not have allowed for any inflation. The proposal has a “hard” cap on most general levies, but contains a 3% increase for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit and Iowa Emergency Management Association with no new growth, and a 4% cap for county hospitals. Several specified funding streams, such as debt servicing, school funding, county supplemental, city special revenue levies and community college variable levies are all exempt from the cap. Additionally, local governments’ general fund reserves are limited to 35% of their budgeted expenditures each year, with new auditing requirements.
CENTER POINT, Iowa (KCRG) – A person has been airlifted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a crash just outside Center Point Saturday night. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle accident around 7:30 Saturday at 3869 N Center Point Rd. Upon arrival, deputies found a UTV had rolled into a field off Center Point Road. A passenger was airlifted to a local hospital. The driver, 60-year-old Danny Perrin of Center Point, and another passenger were not hurt. The accident is under investigation. The sheriff’s office says to expect more information on this case on Monday.
BUCHANAN COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Walker man was arrested Thursday and charged with multiple sex crimes. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s office arrested 68-year-old Jay Michael Balcom on Thursday, around 1:00 p.m. During an investigation, the sheriff’s office said Balcom communicated with an individual he believed to be an underage male. Authorities said that communication went on for several weeks on various social media platforms. During communications, the sheriff’s office said Balcom requested lewd images and arranged a meeting for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. Authorities said Balcom traveled to an undisclosed rural location in Buchanan County to meet the individual he believed to be a minor. Deputies said Balcom was arrested upon arrival. He’s charged with Grooming, a Class D Felony and Enticing a Minor, also a Class D Felony.
MILES, Iowa (KCRG) – An 18-year-old died Friday afternoon in a crash near Miles, just east of Maquoketa. Officers responded to the crash at the intersection of 17th Street and 484th Avenue around 3 p.m. According to police, the driver was heading eastbound when the vehicle lost control. The vehicle left the roadway, struck agricultural equipment, hit a building, and came to rest inside. The driver’s name has not been released at this time.
