HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-27 City Conference Board PacketOFFICE OF THE
IOWA CITY ASSESSOR
JOHNSON COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
BRAD COMER
ASSESSOR
MARTY BURKLE
CHIEF DEPUTY
MARY PAUSTIAN
DEPUTY
913 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET IOWA CITY IOWA 52240
TELEPHONE 319-356-6066
January 27, 2021
Dear Conference Board Member:
The annual meeting of the Iowa City Conference Board for the consideration of the Iowa City Assessor’s
FY 2022 budget is scheduled for Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 5:00 P.M. through the Zoom meeting platform.
Enclosed for your review before the meeting are:
1. The Agenda.
2. A copy of the February 18, 2020 minutes.
3. The Proposed Budget.
4. Annual performance review responses provided to the Assessor Evaluation Committee
(completed by the Assessor)
5. A salary survey.
6. A Board of Review Application.
7. The 2020 Iowa City Assessor’s Annual Report.
There is an increase in the amount to be raised by the Assessment Expense Fund from last year’s amount.
The increase consists of:
a. $ 14,768 for a 2.50 percent increase in salaries
b. $ 10,629 for merit increases.
c. $ 1,944 for an increase in FICA.
d. $ 2,397 for an increase in IPERS.
e. $ 13,646 for an increase in health insurance.
f. $ 300 for an increase to publications & subscriptions.
g. $ 2,100 for a first time expense to Johnson County Human Resources to pay for services.
h. $ 4,000 for an increase to the auto replacement reserve fund.
$ 49,784 Total Increase
This increase is offset by the following decrease:
i. $ 5,600 to decrease postage, an alternate year expense
j. $ 2,500 to decrease printing, an alternate year expense
k. $ 300 to decrease dues.
$ 8,400 Total Decrease
$ 41,384 Net Increase
2
The Assessment Expense Fund levy rate will change from 0.25979 to 0.25664.
The increase for salaries is based on a 2.50 percent adjustment within the range that Johnson County uses,
similar to a cost of living increase. The enclosed salary survey indicates that our salaries fall below those of
the most comparable assessment jurisdictions in Iowa. The City Assessor Evaluation Committee met on
January 7, 2021 to review the performance of the Assessor and the proposed budget.
Merit increases allow step increases similar to the pay plans used by the city, the county and the schools.
The increases above are also reflected in FICA and IPERS.
Health insurance was increased due to a projected increase in rates for the next fiscal year.
An increase to publications & subscriptions was offset by a similar decrease to dues. These changes were
made to reflect the actual expenses in each category.
Postage and printing were decreased, because 2022 will not be a reassessment year and we will not be mailing
assessment rolls to all property owners.
There is a new $2,100 expense to pay the Johnson County Human Resources office for their services
provided. This expense is similar in theory to the fee that is paid to the County Information Technology
Department for data processing services.
The auto replacement reserve fund was increased by $4,000. This account builds each year and carries over
until a new car is needed.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about individual items or wish to see any of the supporting
documents for this budget.
Sincerely,
Brad Comer
Iowa City Assessor
bcomer@johnsoncountyiowa.gov
(319) 356-6066
JOHNSON COUNTY IOWA CITY IOWA CITY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY
SCHOOL BOARD
The Conference Board votes as three voting units, with a majority of the members present for each unit
determining the unit’s vote. At least two members of a voting unit must be present in order to vote. A quorum is
reached when at least two members from two units are present.
Iow a City Conference Board Ag enda
Electronic
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 – 5:00 PM
Zoom Meeting Platform
Electronic Meeting
(Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is
impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of Board
members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
You can watch the meeting on cable channel 4 (118.2 QAM) in Iowa City, or
you can watch it online at any of the following websites:
https://citychannel4.com/live
https://www.youtube.com/user/citychannel4/live
https://facebook.com/CityofIowaCity
The meeting can also be view ed by going to:
********zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lRYWRs2ZSa6ABCgFXWZosg to visit the
Zoom meeting’s registration page and submit the required information.
Once approved, you will receive an email message with a link to join the
meeting. If you are asked for a meeting or webinar ID, enter the ID number
found in the email.
If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a
microphone, you can call in by phone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering
the meeting ID 915 1173 0561 when prompted. Providing comment in person
is not an option.
A. Call meeting to order by the Chairperson (Mayor).
B. Roll call by taxing body.
C. Motion to approve minutes of February 18, 2020 Conference Board
meeting.
Action: ___________________
JOHNSON COUNTY IOWA CITY IOWA CITY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY
SCHOOL BOARD
The Conference Board votes as three voting units, with a majority of the members present for each unit
determining the unit’s vote. At least two members of a voting unit must be present in order to vote. A quorum is
reached when at least two members from two units are present.
D. FY 22 Budget
Comment The purpose of this meeting is to set a date for a public
hearing on the Iowa City Assessor’s proposed budget for FY 2022.
1. Assessor presents proposed budget (included in packet)
2. Discuss proposed budget. (Possible closed session, pursuant
to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i), to evaluate the professional
competency of individuals whose appointment, hiring,
performance, or discharge is being considered. A motion
must be made to adjourn to executive session.)
3. Motion to approve publication on proposed budget.
Action: ___________________
E. Motion to set date for public hearing.
(Suggested date: March 2, 2021)
Action: ___________________
F. Present Board of Review applications
1. Appoint Board of Review member
Action: ____________________
H. Board comments
I. Adjournment.
Action: ____________________
IOWA CITY CONFERENCE BOARD
MINUTES
February 18, 2020
Cit y Conference Board: February 18, 2020 at 5:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at the
Iowa City City Hall, Mayor Bruce Teague presiding.
Iowa City Council Members Present: Bergus, Mims, Salih, Taylor, Teague, Thomas, and
Weiner.
Johnson County Supervisors Present: Green-Douglass, Rettig, and Sullivan.
Iowa City School Board Members Present: Eastham.
Others Present: Burkle, Comer, Paustian, Fruin, Monroe, Dilkes, and Fruehling.
Digital Recording: February 18, 2020.
Chair Bruce Teague called the meeting to order. Clerk Comer called roll and stated that a
quorum was present.
The County (Sullivan) moved to accept the minutes of the last conference board meeting,
January 21, 2020, the City (Salih) seconded and the motion carried unanimously 2/0.
The Iowa Cit y School Board, having only one member present, did not have a vote
recorded.
Chairman Teague declared the public hearing on the FY 21 Budget open. After no
comment from the public, the public hearing was declared closed.
At the last conference board meeting, Mims asked whether the City Assessor is audited
by an outside firm. Comer read an email from the County Finance Director stating that
the City Assessor is technically not included in the county audit that is performed by an
outside firm. The county is the fiscal agent for the City Assessor’s Office and they
present some limited financial information in their annual financial report that reflects the
year-end agency fund financial position and a summary of the changes in the various
assets, liabilities and fund balance for the year. Comer also stated that his office does not
handle any money. Claims are submitted to the County Auditor who pays them out of
the assessor budget after proper documentation has been provided.
The City (Mims) moved to accept the proposed budget as published in the Iowa City
Press-Citizen on January 31, 2020 and the County (Green-Douglass) seconded. The
motion carried unanimously 2/0.
There being no further business it was moved by the County (Green-Douglass) and
seconded by the City (Salih) to adjourn at 5:05 P.M. Motion carried unanimously 2/0.
Brad Comer
Clerk, Iowa City Conference Board
EMPLOYEE EXPENDITURES FY 2021 FY 2022 INCREASE
SALARIES Current Proposed
CITY ASSESSOR 121,370 126,225 4.00%
CHIEF DEPUTY ASSESSOR 106,196 110,837 4.37%
DEPUTY ASSESSOR 98,560 102,867 4.37%
OTHER PERSONNEL 264,607 276,201 4.38%
MERIT INCREASES (have been added to salaries above)(10,354) (10,629)
SUBTOTAL $590,733 $616,130 4.30%
Proposed salaries include merit increases and cost of living adjustments.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
EMPLOYER SHARE: FICA 48,340 50,284 4.02%
EMPLOYER SHARE: IPERS 59,636 62,033 4.02%
HEALTH INSURANCE 178,619 192,265 7.64%
SUBTOTAL 286,595 304,582 6.28%
TOTAL EMPLOYEE COST $877,328 $920,712 4.94%
OTHER EXPENDITURES
LEAVE CONTINGENCY $20,000 $20,000 0.00%
BOARDS
BOARD OF REVIEW 21,000 21,000 0.00%
BOARD OF REVIEW EXPENSES 200 200 0.00%
CONFERENCE BOARD 0 0
EXAMINING BOARD 30 30 0.00%
SUBTOTAL $21,230 $21,230 0.00%
OFFICE EXPENSES
MILEAGE & AUTO 4,500 4,500 0.00%
OFFICE SUPPLIES 3,500 3,500 0.00%
POSTAGE 8,000 2,400 -70.00%
TELEPHONE 1,300 1,300 0.00%
PUBLICATIONS & SUBSCRIPTIONS 700 1,000 42.86%
PRINTING 4,000 1,500 -62.50%
INSURANCE 5,000 5,000 0.00%
EQUIPMENT PURCHASE 3,400 3,400 0.00%
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE 200 200 0.00%
UNEMPLOYMENT 2,000 2,000 0.00%
DATA PROCESSING SERVICES 18,000 18,000 0.00%
HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES - 2,100 NEW
SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE 18,000 18,000 0.00%
BONDS & W ORKER'S COMPENSATION 1,900 1,900 0.00%
COMPUTER REPLACEMENT 2,500 2,500 0.00%
SUBTOTAL $73,000 $67,300 -7.81%
PROFESSIONAL EXPENSES
SCHOOLS & CONFERENCES 13,500 13,500 0.00%
DUES 2,300 2,000 -13.04%
SUBTOTAL $15,800 $15,500 -1.90%
TECHNICAL SERVICES
LEGAL FEES & EXPERT W ITNESSES 75,000 75,000 0.00%
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY 10,000 10,000 0.00%
APPRAISAL SERVICE 1,000 1,000 0.00%
SUBTOTAL $86,000 $86,000 0.00%
TOTAL OTHER EXPENDITURES $216,030 $210,030 -2.78%
SUBTOTAL EXPENDITURES $1,093,358 $1,130,742
RESERVES
AUTO REPLACEMENT 19,000 23,000
TOTAL RESERVES 19,000$ 23,000$
TOTAL ASSMT EXPENSE FUND BUDGET $1,112,358 $1,153,742 3.72%
UNASSIGNED BALANCE $38,401 $70,156 82.69%
TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION $1,073,957 $1,083,586 0.90%
IOWA CITY ASSESSOR'S OFFICE
ITEM IZED BUDGET - ASSESSMENT EXPENSE FUND
MAXIMUM ASSESSMENT EXPENSE FUND 4,222,203,857 X .000675 $2,849,987
IPERS & FICA FUNDS $112,317
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION & TORT LIABILITY $4,000
MAXIMUM ALLOW ED W ITHOUT STATE APPROVAL $2,966,304
MAXIMUM EMERGENCY FUND 4,222,203,857 X .00027 $1,139,995
(requires State Appeal Board approval)
MAXIMUM THAT COULD BE RAISED BY TAXATION FOR FY 2022 $4,106,299
ASSESSMENT EXPENSE FUND TOTAL LEVY
FY AMOUNT LEVIED LEVY RATE AMOUNT LEVIED LEVY RATE
1996-97 319,513 0.20450 17,000 0.01088 0.21538
1997-98 318,270 0.19946 52,834 0.03311 0.23257
1998-99 318,699 0.19269 184,357 0.11146 0.30415
1999-00 341,910 0.19784 352,508 0.20398 0.40182
2000-01 359,341 0.19823 180,293 0.09946 0.29769
2001-02 396,829 0.20636 6,442 0.00335 0.20971
2002-03 403,136 0.20694 4,426 0.00227 0.20921
2003-04 412,379 0.20818 10,051 0.00507 0.21325
2004-05 470,398 0.22926 15,728 0.00767 0.23693
2005-06 472,050 0.22525 25,995 0.01240 0.23765
2006-07 529,702 0.23164 0 0 0.23164
2007-08 603,916 0.25868 4,792 0.00205 0.26073
2008-09 611,955 0.24917 1,540 0.00063 0.24980
2009-10 600,013 0.23848 0 0 0.23848
2010-11 621,785 0.23147 8,730 0.00325 0.23472
2011-12 680,786 0.24538 2,608 0.00094 0.24632
2012-13 700,997 0.24164 8,384 0.00289 0.24453
2013-14 769,744 0.25873 N/A N/A 0.25873
2014-15 732,073 0.23866 N/A N/A 0.23866
2015-16 754,689 0.24325 N/A N/A 0.24325
2016-17 804,099 0.24339 N/A N/A 0.24339
2017-18 859,971 0.25141 N/A N/A 0.25141
2018-19 838,975 0.23187 N/A N/A 0.23187
2019-20 743,518 0.19747 N/A N/A 0.19747
2020-21 1,073,957 0.25979 N/A N/A 0.25979
2021-22 1,083,586 0.25664 N/A N/A 0.25664
IOWA CITY ASSESSOR'S OFFICE
MAXIMUM LEVY ALLOWED
PRIOR YEARS LEVIES AND RATES
SPECIAL APPRAISERS FUND
2020 SALARY SURVEY
JURISDICTION
01 02
SALARY
11 12
SALARY
12 13
SALARY
13 14
SALARY
14 15
SALARY
15 16
SALARY
16 17
SALARY
17 18
SALARY
18 19
SALARY
19 20
SALARY
20 21
SALARY
% RAISE
1 YEAR
% RAISE
5 YEAR
% RAISE
19 YEAR
1ST
DEPUTY
AMES 79,959 113,938 116,662 120,322 123,943 127,668 131,300 137,770 143,302 150,472 156,208 3.81%22.35%95.36%124,982
POLK COUNTY 93,867 122,330 122,330 125,157 127,974 131,493 135,437 138,822 142,639 146,204 149,859 2.50%13.97%59.65%139,829
POTTAWATTAMIE 74,764 104,919 108,067 111,307 115,087 118,155 123,526 127,868 131,609 135,613 139,474 2.85%18.04%86.55%118,966
CEDAR RAPIDS 74,378 109,328 114,015 117,171 120,083 122,484 125,546 128,057 130,618 134,521 138,556 3.00%13.12%86.29%119,711
JOHNSON 63,500 99,455 101,616 106,976 111,297 114,640 117,506 122,206 127,094 132,178 136,141 3.00%18.76%114.40%115,206
STORY 69,300 102,435 104,485 106,575 108,705 111,670 116,150 123,000 126,690 130,490 135,710 4.00%21.53%95.83%108,570
DALLAS 57,200 87,150 88,904 91,572 93,403 102,650 105,730 112,074 118,747 124,738 130,931 4.96%27.55%128.90%108,018
SIOUX CITY 68,294 84,840 86,537 91,000 93,730 96,073 98,955 101,429 122,990 126,672 130,146 2.74%35.47%90.57%104,117
LINN 65,472 91,477 93,581 95,764 99,563 102,550 105,622 109,685 122,000 125,660 129,430 3.00%26.21%97.69%116,728
DAVENPORT 67,836 97,648 97,189 98,160 100,756 104,453 106,135 107,842 109,998 125,399 128,664 2.60%23.18%89.67%116,039
IOWA CITY 63,340 91,510 94,970 99,010 103,340 100,000 104,500 108,680 112,755 116,983 121,370 3.75%21.37%91.62%106,196
WOODBURY 63,600 87,050 89,660 94,080 97,840 95,000 97,850 100,790 105,000 105,150 115,180 9.54%21.24%81.10%100,206
DUBUQUE CITY 66,083 87,317 89,937 92,635 95,414 98,276 101,224 106,295 108,430 111,683 115,033 3.00%17.05%74.07%95,477
CLINTON CO 102,478 146,017 146,525 150,188 152,790 154,341 157,640 161,730 110,000 112,200 114,725 2.25%-25.67%11.95%88,651
BLACKHAWK 66,200 88,630 90,420 92,457 95,004 97,854 100,790 103,813 106,928 110,136 113,440 3.00%15.93%71.36%79,408
BOONE 45,000 90,000 88,000 93,380 95,719 100,724 102,990 105,305 107,674 110,097 112,300 2.00%11.49%149.56%67,550
MUSCATINE 66,432 89,309 91,540 94,280 96,166 99,060 102,280 105,200 108,360 108,360 110,100 1.61%11.14%65.73%76,677
DUBUQUE COUNTY 62,500 83,410 85,912 88,489 91,144 93,878 100,413 100,079 103,081 106,173 109,358 3.00%16.49%74.97%90,767
SCOTT 62,666 91,486 93,316 95,183 97,087 99,890 96,000 98,100 101,100 106,500 108,850 2.21%8.97%73.70%68,580
WARREN 55,000 72,263 73,800 75,046 76,500 80,413 86,600 88,332 91,000 93,275 95,609 2.50%18.90%73.83%76,787
Iowa City Rank 15 8 8 7 7 12 10 9 10 11 11 5 7 7 10
MEDIAN 66,142 91,482 93,449 95,474 98,702 101,637 105,061 108,261 111,378 120,861 125,017 3.00%18.40%86.42%105,157
2001-02 JOHNSON AND IOWA CITY HAD NEW ASSESSORS STARTING WITH A SIMILAR RATE
2020-21 JOHNSON AND IOWA CITY ASSESSORS HAVE A 12.17% DIFFERENCE
CLINTON COUNTY COMBINED CITY AND COUNTY ASSESSORS FOR THE 2018-19 YEAR.
LINN CO AND SIOUX CITY BOTH HIRED NEW ASSESSORS FROM OUTSIDE OF THEIR OFFICE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS WHICH RESULTED IN LARGE INCREASES.
POTTAWATTAMIE, CEDAR RAPIDS & MUSCATINE HIRED A NEW ASSESSOR FROM WITHIN THEIR OFFICE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS.
2020 COMPARISON OF OFFICES
JURISDICTION STAFF
2019
Taxable
Value
Taxable
Value Per
Employee
Taxes
Budgeted
2019
Budget Per
Employee
Population
of
Jurisdiction
Population
Per
Employee
2020-21
Assessment
Expense Levy
Taxes Per
Capita
Residential
COD 2019
Commercial
COD 2019
Yrs in
Office
Appraisal
Experience
AMES 8 $3,107 388$ 1,307,379$ 163,422$ 66,258 8,282 0.34504 $19.73 9.63 38.55 14 33
POLK COUNTY 38 $26,271 691$ 6,977,214$ 183,611$ 490,161 12,899 0.24836 $14.23 15.71 22.99 6 40
POTTAWATTAMIE 13 $5,106 393$ 1,801,459$ 138,574$ 93,206 7,170 0.35575 $19.33 20.58 26.94 3 32
CEDAR RAPIDS 15 $6,957 464$ 2,327,340$ 155,156$ 133,562 8,904 0.27311 $17.43 12.62 30.06 2 22
JOHNSON 10 $4,695 470$ 1,548,273$ 154,827$ 76,010 7,601 0.28010 $20.37 8.17 18.73 5 29
STORY 7 $1,966 281$ 948,112$ 135,445$ 30,859 4,408 0.44753 $30.72 10.68 17.30 42 47
DALLAS 11 $6,427 584$ 1,868,186$ 169,835$ 93,453 8,496 0.24430 $19.99 8.16 65.25 17 27
SIOUX CITY 9 $3,078 342$ 1,251,836$ 139,093$ 82,651 9,183 0.38116 $15.15 16.91 29.34 18 27
LINN 13 $4,888 376$ 1,886,971$ 145,152$ 93,144 7,165 0.27103 $20.26 10.23 29.89 12 27
DAVENPORT 12 $4,790 399$ 1,648,046$ 137,337$ 101,590 8,466 0.26758 $16.22 16.86 23.70 6 29
IOWA CITY 7 $4,174 596$ 1,093,358$ 156,194$ 75,130 10,733 0.25979 $14.55 6.87 16.87 6 25
WOODBURY 5 $1,718 344$ 823,772$ 164,754$ 20,456 4,091 0.47953 $40.27 19.12 39.73 5.5 27
DUBUQUE CITY 6 $2,585 431$ 825,294$ 137,549$ 57,882 9,647 0.24949 $14.26 16.86 21.74 2 14
CLINTON CO 6 $2,383 397$ 1,402,544$ 233,757$ 46,429 7,738 0.38085 $30.21 25.13 41.54 6 13
BLACKHAWK 14 $5,657 404$ 1,630,937$ 116,496$ 131,228 9,373 0.22095 $12.43 18.62 33.73 6 20
BOONE 7 $1,615 231$ 827,211$ 118,173$ 26,234 3,748 0.44300 $31.53 20.41 42.42 14 32
MUSCATINE 5 $2,063 413$ 687,476$ 137,495$ 42,664 8,533 0.34500 $16.11 16.74 17.65 2 23
DUBUQUE CO.8 $2,457 307$ 871,597$ 108,950$ 39,429 4,929 0.30756 $22.11 13.58 27.62 15 40
SCOTT 9 $4,589 510$ 1,082,800$ 120,311$ 71,353 7,928 0.17432 $15.18 10.64 22.59 4.5 16.5
WARREN 7 $2,364 338$ 877,500$ 125,357$ 51,466 7,352 0.49501 $17.05 13.24 16.60 4 19
Iowa City Rank 13 10 2 9 15 10 2 6 4 1 2 8 13
MILLIONS MILLIONS YEARS
MEDIAN 8.5 3,641$ $398 $1,279,608 $138,833 63,889 8,105 0.29383 $18.38 14.65 27.28 6 27
IOWA CITY ASSESSOR'S OFFICE HAS HAD THE LOWEST RESIDENTIAL COD IN THE STATE FOR 7 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
TAXES BUDGETED FOR THE OFFICE DIVIDED BY 2019 POPULATION SHOWS IOWA CITY AT THE 4TH LOWEST AMOUNT.
IOWA CITY RANKS 2ND TO POLK COUNTY IN TAXABLE VALUE/STAFF AND POPULATION/STAFF WHICH REFLECTS OUR OFFICE EFFICIENCY.
POPULATION NUMBERS ARE BASED ON 2019 ESTIMATES FROM WWW.CENSUS.GOV
NOTICE
THE CITY CONFERENCE BOARD IS CONSIDERING APPOINTMENT TO THE FOLLOW ING BOARD:
BOARD OF REVIEW
One vacancy – Six-Year Term
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2026
It is the duty of members of the Board of Review to: equalize assessments by raising or lowering
the individual assessments of real property, including new buildings, personal property or monies
and credits made by the Assessor;
to add to the assessed rolls any taxable property which has been omitted by the Assessor.
Members of the Board of Review shall be residents of the Assessor’s jurisdiction. Iowa City-appointed
mem bers of boards and commissions must be 18 years of age. The City of Iowa City encourages diversity
in the appointment of citizens to boards and commissions
Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 1, 2020. An application can be
completed and submitted on the City of Iowa City website at www.icgov.org or by contacting the City
Clerk’s office
Questions about the Iowa City Board of Review should be directed to Brad Comer at 356-6066.
20 21
bcomer@johnsoncountyiowa.gov
IOWA CITY ASSESSOR
01/01/2021
IOWA CITY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
1
C o n t e n t s
2020-2021 IOW A CITY CONFERENCE BOARD ................................................................. 2
IOW A CITY CITY COUNCIL ............................................................................................. 2
IOW A CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD ................................................................... 2
JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS .......................................................... 2
IOW A DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND FINANCE ......................................................... 2
OTHER BOARDS AND SUPPORT STAFF ......................................................................... 3
IOW A CITY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE STAFF ..................................................................... 3
IOW A CITY BOARD OF REVIEW ..................................................................................... 3
IOW A CITY EXAMINING BOARD ..................................................................................... 3
LEGAL COUNSEL ............................................................................................................ 3
ANNUAL REPORT ............................................................................................................... 4
MISSION STATEMENT .................................................................................................... 4
GOALS .............................................................................................................................. 4
OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................... 4
VALUATIONS ................................................................................................................... 5
COURT CASES ................................................................................................................ 5
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT APPEAL BOARD ................................................................ 5
BOARD OF REVIEW ........................................................................................................ 6
EQUITY VERSUS MARKET IN ASSESSMENT ............................................................... 6
WEB PAGE ....................................................................................................................... 6
ROLLBACKS ..................................................................................................................... 6
NEW LEGISLATION ......................................................................................................... 7
CONTINUING EDUCATION ............................................................................................. 8
ASSESSMENT DATA .......................................................................................................... 9
2020 ABSTRACT OF ASSESSMENTS FOR IOW A CITY ................................................ 9
EXEMPT PROPERTY IN IOW A CITY FOR 2020 ............................................................. 9
VALUE COMPARISONS W ITH ROLLBACKS APPLIED ................................................ 10
COMPARISON OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL VALUES TO
TOTAL ASSESSED AND TOTAL TAXABLE VALUE ................................................... 12
2019 TOP REAL ESTATE TAXPAYERS ........................................................................ 13
COMPARISON OF TAX RATES TO CITIES WITH A CITY ASSESSOR ....................... 14
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS ................................................................................ 14
RESIDENTIAL SALES STATISTICAL ANALYSIS .......................................................... 14
COMMERCIAL SALES STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ......................................................... 16
HISTORICAL COMMERCIAL SALES STATISTICS ....................................................... 16
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
2
2020-2021 IOWA CITY CONFERENCE BOARD
IOW A CITY CITY COUNCIL
2021 Council 2020 Council
Bruce Teague, Mayor Bruce Teague, Mayor
Mazahir Salih, Mayor Pro Tem Mazahir Salih, Mayor Pro Tem
Laura Bergus Laura Bergus
Susan Mims Susan Mims
Pauline Taylor Pauline Taylor
John Thomas John Thomas
Janice W einer Janice Weiner
IOW A CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD
2020-21 School Board 2019-20 School Board
Shawn Eyestone, President Janet Godwin, President
*Ruthina Malone, Vice President Shawn Eyestone, Vice President
J.P. Claussen J.P. Claussen
Dromi Etsey *Charlie Eastham
Janet Godwin Ruthina Malone
Lisa Williams *Paul Roesler
*Charlie Eastham Lisa W illiams
*Conference Board Designee
JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
2021 Board 2020 Board
Pat Heiden, Chairperson Rod Sullivan, C hairperson
Royceann Porter, Vice chairperson Pat Heiden, Vice Chairperson
Lisa Green-Douglass Lisa Green-Douglass
Janelle Rettig Royceann Porter
Rod Sullivan Janelle Rettig
IOW A DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND FINANCE
Kraig Paulsen – Director, Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
3
OTHER BOARDS AND SUPPORT STAFF
IOW A CITY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE STAFF
Brad Comer – Iowa City Assessor Date of Employment: 14 Jan, 2002
Appointed 2015 thru 2019 (remainder of prior
assessor’s appointment)
Re-appointed: 2020 thru 2025
Marty Burkle – Chief Deputy Assessor Date of Employment: 01 Feb, 2006
Hired as Chief Deputy 9 Mar, 2015
Mary Paustian – Deputy Assessor Date of Employment: 05 Jan, 2011
Hired as Deputy 8 June, 2015
Mark Fedler – Appraiser/Clerk Date of Employment: 20 Jun, 1994
Diane Campbell – Accounting Clerk Date of Employment: 16 Feb, 1998
Todd Kruse – Real Estate Clerk Date of Employment: 14 May, 2001
Bruce Sodahl – Appraiser Date of Employment: 29 May, 2018
IOW A CITY BOARD OF REVIEW
Ernie Galer Appointed 2018 through 2023
Mike Hahn Appointed 2019 through 2024
Ryan O’Leary Appointed 2020 through 2025
Sara Meierotto Appointed 2016 through 2021
Phoebe Martin, Appointed 2015 through 2020
IOW A CITY EXAMINING BOARD
Karin Franklin for Iowa City Appointed 2018 through 2023
Mike Kennedy for Johnson County Appointed 2017 through 2022
Chace Ramey for Iowa City Schools Appointed 2019 through 2024
LEGAL COUNSEL
Eleanor Dilkes – City Attorney
Eric Goers – Assistant City Attorney
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
4
ANNUAL REPORT
To: Members of the Iowa City Assessor’s Conference Board
From: Brad Comer – Iowa City Assessor
Subject: 2020 Annual Report – Issued December 31, 2020
The following report covers the activities of this office from January 1, 2020 to date of issue.
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the Iowa City Assessor’s Office is to find, list and value for tax purposes, all
real property in Iowa City and maintain records for all parcels in Iowa City.
GOALS
To establish values according to Iowa law on all commercial, industrial, agricultural,
residential and multi-residential property within the City of Iowa City; to achieve equitable
assessments across all classes of property based on actual physical aspects of the
property and all pertinent sales data available; to improve the efficiency by which these
assessments are made; to provide prompt and courteous response to all inquiries for
information.
OBJECTIVES
1. Receive calls and inquiries and dispense information efficiently and in a timely manner.
2. Complete all daily record changes and related duties as they are received.
3. On a quarterly basis, inspect and review all new construction and demolition, and make
final review of said construction and demolition by January 1 every year.
4. Notify all new homeowners of potential eligibility for the homestead and military credits
by July 1 every year.
5. Notify all owners of commercial and industrial property of potential eligibility for the
business property tax credit (BPTC) by July 1 every year.
6. Remove all homestead exemptions, military credits and business property tax credits
from the permanent file for those who are no longer eligible to receive the credit by July
1 every year.
7. Efficiently process all other new and routine annual filings, making sure they are in
compliance with all laws and rules, and filed by their statutory dates.
8. Send out assessment notices to all properties requiring assessment notices, by April 1 st
every year.
9. Accept formal written protests for the Board of Review from April 2nd to April 30th,
inclusive, every year and coordinate the Board of Review meetings during the month of
May.
10. Receive and review tentative equalization orders from the State Department of Revenue
and Finance in August of reassessment years.
11. Receive final equalization orders by October 1 of reassessment years.
12. Accept formal written protests for the Board of Review Special Session from October 9
thru October 31 inclusive of reassessment year and coordinate the Board of Review
Special Session from October 10 to November 15 of reassessment years, if needed.
13. Prepare and distribute the annual report by December 31 every year.
14. Hold preliminary Conference Board and public hearings to adopt the annual budget by
March 15 every year.
15. Prepare and submit annual abstract to the Department of Revenue & Finance by July 1
every year.
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
5
16. Maintain assessment information on website at http://iowacity.iowaassessors.com and
make improvements based on input from the public. The site went online February 15,
2001 and has over 2 million hits since that time.
17. Provide online access to application forms for Homestead Credits, Military Exemptions,
Commercial Property Tax Credits, Charitable Exemptions, Business Property Tax Credits,
and Board of Review petition forms which are available on our Johnson County website at
**********.johnsoncountyiowa.com .
18. Review sales as they occur and compare selling price to assessments.
19. Review selling price/assessment ratios by neighborhood, age, size, building type and
other relevant criteria.
20. Make adjustments to assessed value as indicated by the sales review and land value
review at least every 2 years.
21. Physically inspect properties with selling price-to-assessment ratios outside acceptable
standards.
22. Utilize GIS for quality control of assessment data and analysis of valuation.
23. Update recording information (book & page) on our website for older sales.
24. Maintain in-house re-appraisal of all Commercial properties in Iowa City.
25. Annually inspect/re-appraise 10% of residential properties in Iowa City.
26. Continue to cross-train employees for tasks or skills that are outside their specific job
descriptions.
VALUATIONS
Although 2020 was not a real estate revaluation year, some revaluation occurs each year
as part of our ongoing reassessment efforts, especially in residential property. Residential
new construction added approximately $114 million and revaluation about $33 million.
Commercial new construction added approximately $26 million and revaluation added
about $5 million. There was $11 million of Multi-residential new construction and $3 million
of revaluation.
1015 residential deed sales in 2020 give us a median ratio (assessed value/sale price) of
93.27% compared to 95.22% for 1034 sales in 2019 at the time of sale. This tells us that
the selling prices of homes have increased since last year and the number of sales has
remained stable. The number of sales above does not include new construction completed
during the past year. When including new construction there were 1098 sales.
It should be kept in mind that when a jurisdiction is at the State mandated sales ratio level
of 100%, a full one-half of home sales will be for less than the assessed value. Sales for
less than the assessed value tend to result in appeals to the Board of Review.
COURT CASES
There are six active District Court appeals that were filed in 2019 and one that was filed in
2020.
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT APPE AL BOARD
There were 13 commercial properties and 1 residential property appealed to PAAB for
2020. The residential property has been settled. Eight commercial parcels that appealed
to PAAB for 2018 and 2019 are still active.
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
6
BOARD OF REVIEW
The Board of Review was in session from May 1 through June 12, the day of adjournment.
397 protests were filed, with 21 being upheld and 376 denied. The total value of real estate
being protested was $157,227,510. The Board allowed a total reduction of $9,056,340.
EQUITY VERSUS MARKET IN ASSESSMENT
It is difficult to be both equitable among assessments and in tune with the market. Similar
properties do not always sell for similar prices, so the market is not always equitable and
sometimes a long way from it. Most assessors would lean toward equity if they could
choose between the two. Our first priority is equity since it is not always possible to have
every assessment match the selling price. Our statistics show that we are doing a good job
in this regard.
WEB PAGE
The Iowa City Assessor’s web page went online during the spring of 2001. Internet
availability of comparable sales and comparable assessments has been very helpful to
taxpayers concerned about the fairness of their assessments. Links are also provided to
the Johnson County Treasurer for tax information and to the Johnson County GIS for
online maps and aerial photography. We continue to look for ways to get more of our
information accessible online and to increase the ability to query our data. In recent years,
historical property record cards were added to our website. All of this has, and continues
to reduce traffic at our counter, and frees up personnel to focus on our core function of
equitable assessment of property.
There have been over 2 million hits on our web site since it went online. It can be seen at
*******iowacity.iowaassessors.com. We also have an internet presence through the
Johnson County website at http://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov . Electronic forms for the
Homestead Credit, Military Exemption, Business Property Tax Credit, Charitable
Exemptions, and Board of Review appeals are available to the public on this web page
site.
ROLLBACKS
The residential rollback will increase from 55.0743%, for the current taxes, to 56.4094% for
taxes payable in 2021-2022.
The rollback for agricultural property will increase from 81.4832% to 84.0305%.
The commercial rollback will stay at 90% for the foreseeable future.
Multi-Residential is a newer class of property that started with the 2015 assessment year
(taxes payable 2016-2017). This class of property will have a rollback of 67.50% for the 2020
assessment year (taxes payable 2021-2022) and continue to decrease until the 2022
assessment year, when it will equal the residential rollback.
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
7
NEW LEGISLATION
The 2020 Iowa Legislative Session produced two property tax law changes.
HF 2641 – This bill gives the Director of Revenue the power to deny an assessor’s
appointment. Does not allow an assessor or deputy to personally assess their property or
property of an immediate family member. Requires the assessor to receive approval from
city or county counsel in order to get outside counsel to assist the city or county attorney in
assessment matters.
HF 2382 – This bill relates to the confidentiality concerning individuals allowed a disabled
veteran tax credit and military tax exemption. This act provides that the name and address
of an individual allowed a Disabled Veteran Tax Credit or a military property tax exemption
maintained by the county recorder, county assessor, city assessor, or other entity are
confidential. However, the Act allows the sharing of this information upon request to a
county veteran’s service officer for purposes of providing information on veterans’ benefits.
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
8
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Continuing education is a requirement for the assessor and deputies for re-appointment to
their positions. Over a six-year term, assessors must complete one hundred-fifty hours of
classroom instruction, including at least ninety hours from courses requiring a test.
Deputies must complete ninety hours of classroom instruction, including at least sixty
tested hours over their six-year terms. It is also beneficial for other employees to attend
classes so they can update their skills and stay current with assessment practices.
The Assessor attended the following courses and conferences during 2020:
ISAC Spring School of Instruction
(Iowa State Association of Counties ) 5.5 C.E. Hrs.
IAAO Annual Conference on Assessment
Administration – webinar
(International Association of Assessing Officers )
12 C.E. Hrs.
ISAA Annual School of Instruction - webinar
(Iowa State Association of Assessors) 2.00 C.E. Hrs.
Iowa Assessment and Taxation Review 18.50 C.E. Hrs. (Tested)
The Chief Deputy attended the following courses and conferences during 2019:
ISAA Annual School of Instruction - webinar 2.00 C.E. Hrs.
The Second Deputy attended the following courses and conferences during 2019:
ISAA Annual School of Instruction - webinar 2.00 C.E. Hrs.
ISAC Annual Conference 5.50 C.E. Hrs.
Other staff attended classes and seminars related to operation and maintenance of various
third party software utilized by the assessor’s office.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My staff and I would like to thank the Conference Board, the Board of Review, the City
Attorney and her assistants, and the City Staff along with Johnson County and the Iowa
City School Board for their assistance, cooperation and confidence during the past year. I
would also like to recognize and thank my staff at this time for their part in establishing and
maintaining the professional standards of the office.
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
9
ASSESSMENT DAT A
2020 ABSTRACT OF ASSESSMENTS FOR IOWA CITY
Value of Agricultural Land and Structures $1,738,200
Value of Residential Dwellings on Agricultural Realty $806,690
Value of Residential Lots and Buildings $5,142,332,820
Value of Commercial Lots and Buildings $1,119,633,176
Value of Multi-Residential Lots and Buildings $549,493,092
Value of Industrial Lots and Buildings $80,001,410
Actual Value of All Real Estate* $6,894,005,388
*All of the above values are based on the 2020 abstract as reported to the Iowa
Department of Revenue on August 7, 2020. The values for Railroad and Utility Property
are supplied to the Auditor by the Iowa Department of Revenue. The taxable (post roll-
back) value of utilities and railroads in Iowa City for 2020 is $48,537,117.
EXEMPT PROPERTY IN IOWA CITY FOR 2020
Religious Institutions $115,037,580
Literary Societies & Educational Institutions $7,197,240
Low Rent Housing $6,263,790
Associations of War Veterans $633,141
Charitable and Benevolent Societies $189,795,861
Forest and Fruit Tree $1,383,870
Partial Industrial, Urban Revitalization, Recycling, Mobile Home
Storm Shelter, Public TV & New Jobs, Geothermal, Historical $5,414,375
Sub-Total $325,725,857
University of Iowa (As Reported by U of I as of 4/30/2020) $4,331,287,369
TOTAL EXEMPT $4,657,013,226
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
10
VALUE COMP ARISONS WITH ROLLBACKS APPLIED
STATE STATE ADJUSTED
YEAR ORDER TYPE VALUE ROLLBACK VALUE
2020 Agricultural 1,738,200 84.0305 1,460,619
Ag Dwelling 806,690 56.4094 455,049
Residential $5,142,332,820 56.4094 2,900,759,090
Commercial $1,119,633,176 **90.0000 1,007,669,858
Multi-Res $549,493,092 67.5000 310,157,837
Industrial $80,001,410 **90.0000 72,001,269
TOTAL $6,894,005,388 $4,292,503,722
2019* Agricultural 1,758,220 81.4832 1,432,654
Ag Dwelling 806,690 55.0743 444,279
Residential 4,997,152,490 55.0743 2,752,146,754
Commercial 1,108,642,407 **90.0000 997,778,166
Multi-Res 548,235,541 71.2500 390,617,823
Industrial 80,669,700 **90.0000 72,602,730
TOTAL $6,737,265,048 $4,215,022,406
2018 Agricultural 2,541,960 56.1324 1,426,863
Ag Dwelling 765,530 56.9180 435,724
Residential 4,432,353,660 56.9180 2,522,807,056
Commercial 1,001,176,523 **90.0000 901,058,871
Multi-Res 502,245,262 75.0000 376,683,947
Industrial 79,351,860 **90.0000 71,416,674
TOTAL $6,018,434,795 $3,873,829,135
2017* -10% Agricultural 2,949,150 54.5580 1,608,997
Ag Dwelling 1,019,410 55.6209 567,005
Residential 4,280,031,980 55.6209 2,380,592,307
Commercial 966,669,459 **90.0000 870,002,513
Multi-Res 482,528,656 78.7500 379,991,316
Industrial 74,023,380 **90.0000 66,621,042
TOTAL $5,807,222,035 $3,699,383,180
2016 Agricultural 3,484,890 47.4996 1,655,309
Ag Dwelling 1,015,050 56.9391 577,960
Residential 4,012,070,900 56.9391 2,284,437,062
Commercial 879,281,368 **90.0000 791,353,231
Multi-Res 420,708,451 82.5000 347,084,472
Industrial 79,489,600 **90.0000 71,540,640
TOTAL $5,396,050,259 $3,496,648,674
2015* Agricultural 3,814,000 46.1068 1,758,513
Ag Dwelling 1,120,840 55.6259 623,477
Residential 3,893,910,250 55.6259 2,166,022,622
Commercial 859,076,798 **90.0000 773,169,118
Multi-Res 415,794,401 86.2500 358,622,670
Industrial 80,349,550 **90.0000 72,314,595
TOTAL $5,254,065,839 $3,372,510,995
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
11
VALUE COMP ARISONS WITH ROLLBACKS APPLIED - CONTINUED
STATE STATE ADJUSTED
YEAR ORDER TYPE VALUE ROLLBACK VALUE
2014 Agricultural 3,784,570 44.7021 1,691,782
Ag Dwelling 1,202,940 55.7335 670,440
Residential 3,616,765,260 55.7335 2,015,749,866
Commercial 1,158,203,990 **90.0000 1,042,383,591
Industrial 78,113,470 **90.0000 70,302,123
TOTAL $4,858,070,230 $3,130,797,802
2013* Agricultural 3,708,350 43.3997 1,609,413
Ag Dwelling 1,190,610 54.4002 647,694
Residential 3,494,886,480 54.4002 1,901,225,235
Commercial 1,160,168,050 **95.0000 1,102,159,648
Industrial 80,897,070 **95.0000 76,852,217
M & E 0 0
TOTAL $4,740,850,560 $3,082,494,207
2012 Agricultural 2,743,540 59.9334 1,644,297
Ag Dwelling 1,190,610 52.8166 628,840
Residential 3,371,349,260 52.8166 1,780,632,053
Commercial 1,122,041,780 1.000000 1,122,041,780
Industrial 78,576,040 1.000000 78,576,040
M & E 0 1.000000 0
TOTAL $4,575,901,230 $2,983,523,010
2011* +6.1% Agricultural 2,566,040 57.5411 1,476,528
Ag Dwelling 1,313,570 50.7518 666,660
Residential 3,264,269,180 50.7518 1,656,675,366
Commercial 1,182,516,370 1.000000 1,182,516,370
Industrial 80,153,050 1.000000 80,153,050
M & E 0 1.000000 0
TOTAL $4,530,818,210 $2,921,487,974
2010 Agricultural 2,317,426 69.0152 1,599,376
Ag Dwelling 1,256,350 48.5299 609,705
Residential 3,182,677,000 48.5299 1,544,549,965
Commercial 1,170,960,470 1.000000 1,170,960,470
Industrial 81,786,730 1.000000 81,786,730
M & E 0 1.000000 0
TOTAL $4,438,997,976 $2,799,506,246
The adjusted values given are not exact but are meant to give a representation of the
growth of Iowa City’s tax base.
* Reassessment Year
** Commercial and Industrial Rollback Loss is to be replaced by the State of Iowa, based
on 2014 replacement amounts.
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
12
Total Assessed Value over time and Year to Year change in Total Assessed Value
COMPARISON OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL VALUES TO
TOTAL ASSESSED AND TOTAL TAXABLE VALUE
ASSESSED VALUES
Year Residential % Commercial % Multi-Res % Industrial % AG %
2020 5,143,139,510 74.6 1,119,633,176 16.2 549,493,092 8.0 80,001,410 1.2 1,738,200 <0.03
2019 4,998,894,480 74.2 1,108,642,407 16.5 548,235,541 8.1 80,669,700 1.2 1,758,220 <0.03
2018 4,433,119,190 73.7 1,001,176,523 16.6 502,245,262 8.3 79,351,860 1.3 2,541,960 <0.05
2017 4,281,051,390 73.7 966,669,459 16.6 482,528,656 8.3 74,023,380 1.3 2,949,150 <0.1
2016 4,013,085,950 74.4 879,281,368 16.3 420,708,451 7.8 79,489,600 1.5 3,484,890 <0.1
2015 3,895,031,090 74.1 859,076,798 16.3 415,794,401 7.9 80,349,550 1.5 3,814,000 0.1
2014 3,617,968,200 74.5 1,158,203,990 23.8 NA 78,113,470 1.6 3,784,570 0.1
2013 3,496,077,090 73.7 1,160,168,050 24.5 NA 80,897,070 1.7 3,708,350 0.1
2012 3,372,539,870 73.7 1,122,041,780 24.5 NA 78,576,040 1.7 2,743,540 0.1
2011 3,265,582,750 72.1 1,182,516,370 26.1 NA 80,153,050 1.7 2,566,040 0.1
TAXABLE VALUES
2020 2,901,214,139 67.6 1,007,669,858 23.5 310,157,837 7.2 72,001,269 1.7 1,460,619 <0.04
2019 2,752,591,033 65.3 997,778,166 23.7 390,617,823 9.3 72,602,730 1.7 1,432,654 <0.04
2018 2,523,242,780 65.1 901,058,871 23.3 376,683,947 9.7 71,416,674 1.8 1,426,863 <0.04
2017 2,381,159,312 64.4 870,002,513 23.5 379,991,316 10.3 66,621,042 1.8 1,608,997 <0.05
2016 2,285,015,022 65.3 791,353,231 22.6 347,084,472 9.9 71,540,640 2.1 1,655,309 <0.1
2015 2,166,646,099 64.2 773,169,118 22.9 358,622,670 10.6 72,314,595 2.2 1,758,513 0.1
2014 2,016,420,307 64.4 1,042,383,591 33.3 NA 70,302,123 2.2 1,691,782 0.1
2013 1,901,872,929 61.7 1,102,159,648 35.7 NA 76,852,217 2.5 1,609,413 0.1
2012 1,781,260,893 59.7 1,122,041,780 37.6 NA 78,576,040 2.6 1,644,297 0.1
2011 1,657,342,026 56.7 1,182,516,370 40.4 NA 80,153,050 2.8 1,476,527 0.1
Commercial-Industrial Rollback Loss is to be replaced by State of Iowa at FY 2017 levels.
$157
$719
$211
$412
$142
$396
$117
$165
$45
$92
$59 $59
$105
$325
$119
$505
$107
$243
$62
$241
$106
$193
$61
$180
$55
$285
$60
$198
$40
$137
$34
$68
$17 $34 $20
$73
$48
$157
$-
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$-
$1
$2
$3
$4
$5
$6
$7
MillionsBillionsTotal
Abstract
Value
Total
Change In
Value
(Millions)
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
13
Percentage of Taxable and Assessed Value – Past 15 Years
2019 TOP REAL ESTATE TAXPAYERS
(Excluding Utilities & Credit Unions Assessed by the State)
Rank Contract or Title holder
2018
Assessed
Value
# of
Parcels
Actual
2018 Taxes
1 ACT INC $50,293,630 18 $1,730,916
2 RISE AT RIVERFRONT CROSSING OWNER LLC $55,704,910 332 $1,182,556
3 BBCS-HAWKEYE HOUSING LLC (Apartments) $50,166,360 522 $1,064,952
4 MIDWESTONE BANK $26,711,670 6 $932,736
5 TAILWIND IOWA CITY, LLC (The Quarters) $42,542,070 352 $903,210
6 ANN S GERDIN REVOCABLE TRUST (Warehouses) $25,349,770 4 $873,512
7 GRADUATE IOWA CITY OWNER, LLC (Sheraton) $22,750,680 1 $830,216
8 DEALER PROPERTIES IC LLC (Billion Auto) $22,802,690 4 $785,148
9 RIVERFRONT CROSSING HOSPITALITY OWNER LLC $19,755,190 3 $685,346
10 PROCTER & GAMBLE HAIR CARE LLC $18,627,320 3 $643,258
11 NATIONAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS INC $18,602,980 2 $642,412
12 IOWA CITY HOTEL ASSOCIATES LLC (Hilton Garden Inn) $17,305,550 1 $628,400
13 WEBBER-IOWA LLC (Apartments/Condos) $28,279,210 120 $600,368
14 VESPER IOWA CITY LLC (Hawks Ridge Apartments) $27,604,980 201 $586,116
15 ALPLA INC $15,664,760 2 $540,480
16 FSC HEALTHCARE IV DST $15,368,720 1 $530,210
17 WAL-MART REAL ESTATE BUSINESS TRUST $14,486,400 1 $499,602
18 MENARD INC $13,844,970 1 $477,348
19 MCLAUGHLIN, MICHAEL T (Retail/Apartments) $20,662,140 77 $449,428
20 OC GROUP LC (Old Capitol Town Center) $12,297,880 2 $445,660
21 CORE SYCAMORE TOWN CENTER LLC $12,392,400 1 $426,956
22 CHRISTIAN RETIREMENT SERVICES INC (Oaknoll) $18,854,380 15 $401,330
23 MERCY FACILITIES INC $11,504,440 8 $393,190
24 PLAZA TOWERS LLC $11,553,230 66 $381,634
25 THE CHAUNCEY LLC $11,032,811 73 $374,222
* Utilities and railroads actual taxes billed for the 2019 assessment year were $1,965,854.
* If MidAmerican Energy were included, it would rank 2 nd with $1,436,211 Taxes Billed.
** These figures do not include the money state has paid to the county for the BPTC.
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Residential
Assessed
Commercial,
Multi-Res, &
Industrial
Assessed
Residential
Taxable
Commercial,
Multi-Res, &
Industrial
TaxablePercentage of Total Value
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
14
COMPARISON OF TAX RATES TO CITIES WITH A CITY ASSESSOR
(Sorted by Assessor levy - Low to High)
City
18-19
Assessor
Levy
19-20
Assessor
Levy
20-21
Assessor
Levy
19-20
Total Levy
20-21
Total Levy
DUBUQUE .27535 .27080 .24949 32.66554 32.29306
IOWA CITY .23187 .19747 .25979 38.60077 38.54661
DAVENPORT .32800 .31997 .26758 39.41990 39.44684
CEDAR RAPIDS .29933 .25546 .27311 37.86961 39.00813
AMES .29989 .35032 .34504 31.52258 31.48724
SIOUX CITY .31049 .42948 .38116 39.67376 36.98537
MASON CITY .40998 .38530 .45811 35.54903 36.16948
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS
The median sales ratio (median) is the middle sales ratio and a measure of the percent of
our assessment to the actual sales prices. The coefficient of dispersion (C.O.D.) is a
measure of assessment uniformity based on the degree to which individual sales ratios
vary from the median sales ratio. The goal of the Iowa City Assessor is to keep this C.O.D.
below 10. A C.O.D. of 10 is considered excellent.
RESIDENTIAL SALES STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
The following statistics are for Residential sales, and below are tables of the ranking of
Iowa City in comparison to the other 106 assessing jurisdictions in Iowa. For brevity, only
the top 10 are shown. Data is for 2019 sales which is the last complete year available.
These tables show that Iowa City is still one of only a few jurisdictions in Iowa with a C.O.D.
of less than 10. Iowa City also has a large number of sales as could be expected by its
size and mobile population.
SORTED BY COD
Rank Jurisdiction Mean Median W eighted C O D PRD
1 IOWA CITY 95.22% 95.27% 95.81% 6.87% 99.4%
2 DALLAS 95.13% 94.92% 91.13% 8.16% 104.4%
3 JOHNSON 93.37% 93.36% 92.67% 8.17% 100.7%
4 AMES CITY 95.22% 94.69% 88.43% 9.63% 107.7%
5 LINN 94.97% 93.23% 93.85% 10.23% 101.2%
6 SCOTT 94.56% 93.00% 94.52% 10.64% 100.0%
7 STORY 94.65% 94.95% 93.60% 10.68% 101.1%
8 BREMER 96.57% 94.36% 94.22% 11.94% 102.5%
9 CEDAR RAPIDS 97.22% 93.95% 93.98% 12.62% 103.5%
10 CHEROKEE 95.00% 93.49% 91.22% 12.84% 104.1%
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
15
The Regression Index, also known as the Price Related Differential (PRD), is an indicator
of the degree to which high value properties are over or under assessed in relationship to
low value properties. An index of 100 indicates no difference in assessments of high value
properties in comparison to low value properties based upon that year’s sales. An index
over 100 indicates that high value properties are under assessed in relation to low value
properties. As you can see in the following table, Iowa City’s regression index is still close
to the ideal 100 level. For brevity, only the top 15 are shown.
SORTED BY REGRESSION INDEX (URBAN RESIDENTIAL)
Rank Jurisdiction Mean Median W eighted C O D PRD
1 SCOTT 94.56% 93.00% 94.52% 10.64% 100.0%
2 IOWA CITY 95.22% 95.27% 95.81% 6.87% 99.4%
3 JOHNSON 93.37% 93.36% 92.67% 8.17% 100.7%
4 STORY 94.65% 94.95% 93.60% 10.68% 101.1%
5 LINN 94.97% 93.23% 93.85% 10.23% 101.2%
6 SIOUX 95.62% 93.29% 93.39% 13.94% 102.4%
7 SIOUX CITY 91.98% 88.35% 89.79% 16.91% 102.4%
8 BREMER 96.57% 94.36% 94.22% 11.94% 102.5%
9 DAVIS 94.52% 93.65% 92.07% 17.95% 102.7%
10 WARREN 94.61% 92.31% 92.12% 13.24% 102.7%
11 CHICKASAW 93.89% 93.87% 91.31% 17.41% 102.8%
12 CLAY 96.09% 94.70% 93.44% 15.30% 102.8%
13 DUBUQUE (COUNTY) 96.21% 93.65% 93.35% 13.58% 103.1%
14 GRUNDY 98.55% 95.68% 95.55% 18.72% 103.1%
15 DUBUQUE (CITY) 96.86% 92.61% 93.92% 14.77% 103.1%
Below is a tabulation of year by year sales statistics for Iowa City Residential Property
over time.
Year Median C.O.D # Of Sales Average Sale Price Total Price
Estimate #2020 93.27 7.90 1015 271,887 275,965,305
#2019 95.22 6.87 1034 275,980 285,363,320
#2018 88.73 7.84 1020 266,715 272,049,300
#2017 91.35 7.60 1069 246,289 263,282,941
2016 92.44 7.69 1064 224,879 239,271,256
*2015 94.20 7.30 999 219,886 219,666,114
2014 92.62 7.49 974 209,633 204,182,923
*2013 95.18 6.72 937 204,632 191,740,184
2012 96.55 8.02 826 195,585 161,553,210
*2011 97.57 7.32 740 191,701 141,858,740
2010 95.92 9.99 745 182,635 136,062,994
*2009 95.42 8.29 796 191,459 152,401,156
2008 95.92 7.92 833 188,873 157,331,213
*2007 95 7.88 856 192,294 164,603,799
2006 88.70 9.67 665 197,878 131,588,850
*2005 90.50 8.61 717 186,437 133,675,410
2004 84.50 9.57 751 176,136 132,277,978
*2003 88.30 7.93 809 159,766 129,250,592
2002 94.32 8.03 777 152,219 118,274,003
*2001 94.60 7.83 682 144,912 98,830,294
2000 89 9.16 675 137,725 92,964,467
*1999 93.30 9.38 691 134,200 92,732,093
1998 91.60 8.24 699 129,556 90,559,435
* All odd numbered years are re-Assessment year
# - Starting in 2017 avg sale price includes new construction. Previously did not include new construction.
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
16
COMMERCIAL SALES STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
The Coefficient of Dispersion for Commercial properties varies from 3.88 to 189.20 with a
median of 28.46 for all Iowa jurisdictions while Residential C.O.D.’s vary from 6.87 to 43.79
with a median of 21.06. Commercial properties are typically more difficult to appraise than
residential properties because of the wide variety of building types and fewer comparable
sales. For this reason, only jurisdictions with at least 10 sales are included in table below.
COMMERCIAL SALES SORTED BY C O D (2019 Sales Analysis)
No Jurisdiction # of Sales Mean Median C O D PRD
1 CHEROKEE 12 98.76% 99.75% 15.77% 108.8%
2 JASPER 11 80.49% 80.56% 16.49% 101.1%
3 WARREN 13 79.78% 87.50% 16.60% 111.3%
4 IOWA CITY 22 91.28% 94.05% 16.87% 105.1%
5 DICKINSON 68 95.48% 94.83% 17.01% 110.1%
6 STORY 11 112.20% 124.40% 17.30% 105.6%
7 MUSCATINE 21 93.00% 96.20% 17.65% 105.4%
8 JOHNSON 31 93.50% 91.04% 18.73% 98.0%
9 HARDIN 10 82.48% 74.83% 20.58% 106.0%
10 SIOUX 17 95.44% 98.37% 20.78% 101.5%
11 CITY OF DUBUQUE 37 91.50% 94.16% 21.74% 130.0%
12 SCOTT 24 90.59% 93.03% 22.59% 103.8%
13 POLK 130 92.60% 93.38% 22.99% 106.1%
14 DAVENPORT 37 97.57% 98.59% 23.70% 120.1%
15 WASHINGTON 15 106.80% 104.30% 24.34% 121.7%
16 MASON CITY 21 96.77% 95.22% 25.61% 132.8%
17 POTTAWATTAMIE 30 86.99% 88.38% 26.94% 119.9%
18 BUTLER 10 83.45% 76.27% 28.52% 92.3%
19 BUENA VISTA 14 86.15% 85.89% 29.18% 91.1%
20 SIOUX CITY 49 105.40% 96.86% 29.34% 119.4%
HISTORICAL COMMERCIAL S ALES STATISTICS
Below is a tabulation of year by year sales statistics for Iowa City commercial properties.
Because of the small number of sales, one or two bad sales can greatly influence the
performance measurements, therefore creating greater fluctuation in the numbers. See data
above to illustrate this and to show Iowa City’s standing
Year Median C.O.D.
# of
Sales Year Median C.O.D.
# of
Sales
Estimate 2020 94.90 18.86 11 1999 87.50 14.14 33
2019 91.28 16.87 22 1998 89.10 11.68 25
2018 78.88 14.13 9 1997 87.80 11.57 21
2017 95.25 12.03 6 1996 89.50 15.78 24
2016 92.54 21.77 19 1995 90.10 12.76 22
2015 90.67 13.13 12 1994 87.90 12.44 24
2014 90.82 15.39 12 1993 90.35 14.24 26
2013 92.98 18.15 20 1992 89.90 14.86 21
2012 93.51 12.84 14 1991 87.85 8.38 8
2011 90.83 27.99 18 1990 89.60 19.53 13
2010 97.77 12.82 29 1989 94.40 13.81 13
2009 89.21 13.60 29 1988 95.40 19.77 20
2008 95.29 21.32 36 1987 87.65 17.27 16
2007 91.80 23.24 35 1986 98.20 14.21 15
2006 87.55 17.05 26 1985 82 12.63 16
2005 85.65 15.52 34 1984 76.80 18.30 13
2004 80.90 17.82 17 1983 87.85 10.58 26
2003 89.22 15.08 39 1982 78 10.25 8
2002 92.40 16.81 17 1981 87.55 10.07 14
2001 93.50 15.04 23 1980 80.85 22.69 12
2000 96.85 14.99 28 1979 78 16.66 15
Iowa City Assessor’s Office 2020 Annual Report
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MULTIRESIDENTIAL SALES STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
The Coefficient of Dispersion for Multiresidential properties varies from 1.95 to 164.50 with
a median of 20.53 for all Iowa jurisdictions. Only jurisdictions with at least 5 sales are
included in table below.
MULTIRESIDENTIAL SALES SORTED BY C O D (2019 Sales Analysis)
No Jurisdiction # of Sales Mean Median C O D PRD
1 POTTAWATTAMIE 12 80.02% 81.00% 10.84% 103.4%
2 IOWA CITY 7 87.90% 88.81% 10.87% 101.4%
3 MARION 9 87.93% 82.26% 14.12% 101.3%
4 DES MOINES 7 84.99% 79.63% 17.49% 101.2%
5 MARSHALL 11 80.63% 76.77% 17.63% 119.0%
6 MUSCATINE 5 79.35% 81.27% 17.76% 126.2%
7 DUBUQUE CO. 14 79.64% 69.62% 18.02% 95.4%
8 SCOTT 20 84.61% 79.44% 19.13% 105.1%
9 POLK 56 84.12% 84.96% 19.50% 124.9%
10 JOHNSON 9 95.08% 94.11% 20.20% 94.0%
11 CLAY 8 98.87% 94.41% 20.40% 108.5%
12 CITY OF DUBUQUE 30 98.54% 93.63% 21.56% 127.4%
13 STORY 6 96.92% 88.51% 22.37% 72.7%
14 SIOUX CITY 27 95.24% 93.57% 22.77% 125.3%
15 PLYMOUTH 7 68.74% 65.79% 23.31% 103.5%
16 CLAYTON 5 80.72% 77.87% 24.66% 115.3%
17 WAPELLO 6 72.70% 67.37% 25.14% 85.8%
18 LINN 16 92.48% 85.12% 25.74% 160.2%
19 WEBSTER 6 63.50% 68.53% 25.95% 213.4%
20 CEDAR RAPIDS 27 92.95% 86.91% 26.90% 127.8%
HISTORICAL COMMERCIAL S ALES STATISTICS
Below is a tabulation of year by year sales statistics for Iowa City commercial properties.
Because of the small number of sales, one or two bad sales can greatly influence the
performance measurements, therefore creating greater fluctuation in the numbers. See data
above to illustrate this and to show Iowa City’s standing
Year Median C.O.D.
# of
Sales
Estimate 2020 100.55 8.12 14
2019 87.90 10.87 7
2018 77.42 9.93 6
2017 80.47 15.87 8
2016 84.69 14.01 9
2015 86.46 14.16 8