Elected to Lead, Not Ask: “Where Should We Cut?” Isn’t Accountability

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and Sarah Curry give a real-time update on Iowa’s local property tax hearings, what they’re learning from the numbers coming in, and why taxpayer engagement is more important than ever. They walk through what’s happening on the ground during local budget season—and how Iowans can show up and push back on excessive local spending.Sarah shares early results from her county-by-county property tax tracking, highlighting that while some counties like Cass, Cherokee, and Dickinson are cutting year-over-year property tax collections, others—including Lyon, Wapello, and Henry—are proposing double-digit increases. She emphasizes that the real number to watch is not the levy rate, but the actual dollars collected from taxpayers.The conversation covers the common excuses given by local officials, like “there’s nothing else to cut” or “you tell us where to cut.” Chris calls out the arrogance of flipping that question back on taxpayers, reminding elected officials that it’s their job to make the hard budget decisions—not the public’s responsibility to do the math for them.They also tackle the confusion around assessment notices, explain how those differ from the actual property tax bills, and encourage listeners to attend the upcoming budget hearings. Tools and templates from ITRLocal.org are highlighted to help Iowans speak confidently about their concerns, track how much their county is spending, and push for smarter budgeting.