(Atlantic, Iowa) – A Public Hearing was held Wednesday evening at the Atlantic High School, with regard to the proposed Property Tax Levy. Two women spoke to the board, opposing the proposed FY26 property tax rate of nearly $12.53/$1,000 assessed valuation. One of those who spoke, also appeared at last year’s property tax hearing. Barbara Stensvad is a property and business owner in Atlantic, and long-time resident.

Stensvad said the tax rate is too high for a declining Atlantic population.

The State’s population meanwhile, has been growing, according to Stensvad. She asked why then, is Atlantic’s population shrinking?

The other person who spoke was Lori Ulrich, who lives in rural Atlantic. She also mentioned the population decline in Cass County. Ulrich said her property taxes went up by 27-percent, and that she has “not heard good things about Vanguard (The company tasked by the Cass County Assessor’s Office with conducting property assessments), or other such companies, who she says “Own a lot, and [are] trying to take over everything.”

The proposed tax rate is up about a penny from last year. No action was taken on the proposed property tax rate following Wednesday’s public hearing.