Along with cities and counties, Iowa’s community colleges are preparing for the impact of the state’s new property tax law.
The 2 percent cap on revenue growth will also apply to three property tax levies that generate funding for community colleges.
That could be an estimated $4 million hit to community colleges in the first year, and there could also be an impact from other changes in the law.
Emily Shields is executive director of Community Colleges for Iowa. She said colleges are starting to look at how to handle less revenue growth, which could affect tuition and program offerings.
"We’ll have to think about positions across the college – if people leave, do we fill those? Really taking a look at everything and ensuring that it’s all necessary as we think about how to make this work," Shields said.
Shields says the 1.4 percent state funding increase approved by the Legislature also puts pressure on community colleges because it’s not enough to keep up with rising costs.
