Madison County residents who expected to receive their property tax statements by the end of August are still waiting, even though the September payment deadline has passed. The delay stems from a required reconciliation between the county auditor’s office and the county treasurer’s office.
Auditor’s office says it has done its part
County Auditor Michele Brant told local media that her office has completed all of the work it can to move the tax‑statement process forward. “We have to balance between the treasurer’s office and the auditor’s office,” Brant said. “We close out the year‑end, and then we’re ready to go in July, when we start the tax process.”
According to Brant, the auditor’s side of the reconciliation is finished. The next step requires the treasurer’s office to balance the county’s accounts before the statements can be printed and mailed.
Impact on homeowners
Long‑time resident Steven Nelson, who has lived in Madison County for about 12 years, expressed frustration. “We travel a lot, and so I’d like to be able to take care of that,” he said. Nelson noted that while a single delay might be understandable, a second consecutive year of late statements is concerning. “The county should be able to take care of things and have things ready when they’re supposed to be,” he added. “You can have a lot of excuses for why you don’t have them ready, but it shouldn’t be that hard.”
Board of Supervisors to address the issue
Both the county auditor and the county treasurer are scheduled to provide updates during the Tuesday evening Board of Supervisors meeting. County officials are expected to explain the reconciliation timeline and outline steps to prevent future delays.
Historically, Madison County property tax statements are ready by the end of August, with payments due in September. The current delay has left homeowners uncertain about when they can fulfill their tax obligations, potentially affecting budgeting and financial planning for families and small‑business owners alike.
What residents can do now
While the county works to finalize the statements, residents are encouraged to monitor the Board of Supervisors meeting for the latest information. Homeowners who have already paid their taxes based on prior estimates should retain proof of payment and be prepared to reconcile any differences once the official statements are issued.
Madison County officials have emphasized their commitment to transparency and to resolving the issue promptly. They ask for patience from the community as they complete the necessary accounting steps.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
