New Iowa Homestead Exemption for Owners 65 years of age and older

On May 4, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed House File 718, establishing a homestead tax exemption for claimants 65 years of age or older.

In addition to the homestead tax credit, eligible claimants who own the home they live in and are 65 years of age or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year are now eligible for a homestead tax exemption. For the assessment year beginning on January 1, 2023, the exemption is for $3,250 of taxable value. For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value. An exemption is a reduction in the taxable value of the property rather than a direct reduction in the amount of property tax you pay.

Please come to our office at 913 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, to apply for the new exemption. Applications are due July 1. If the exemption is granted, the exemption will be allowed for future years without future filing as long as the claimant continues to qualify.

Iowa City residents can find a form at https://iowacity.iowaassessors.com/ under important news , and everyone else in Johnson County can find the form on the Beacon site A blank form is also available at the Department of Revenue's website.

Johnson County Residents may email completed forms to cellery@johnsoncountyiowa.gov (Johnson County, Outside of Iowa City, City Limits.) Please call us with questions at 319-356-6078.

Iowa City residents inside the city limits of Iowa city may email completed forms to cityassr@johnsoncountyiowa.gov 

Both offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday

TRAIL of Johnson County, the local aging-in-place nonprofit, is hosting a Senior Housing and Services Fair on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Kirkwood Regional Center, 2301 Oakdale Blvd., in Coralville. The event is free and open to the public.

According to TRAIL Executive Director Bob Untiedt, the fair is in response to the growth in senior housing options in Johnson County, as well as the increased need for at-home services, including medical and non-medical care.

“TRAIL members, their friends and families are curious about these new senior living communities and their amenities,” Untiedt says. “This event allows attendees to sample the features of many local facilities all in one place. Fair visitors also will learn more about the many at-home service agencies, including TRAIL, that help older adults continue living in their own homes as they age.”

Fair attendees also will be able to take home a free copy of TRAIL’s new 2023 Johnson County Senior Housing and Services Guide (while supplies last), a 60-page booklet that includes descriptions of more than 30 senior living facilities (independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing), 17 at-home medical and non-medical care providers and more.

Juneteenth Virtual Book Discussion- How the Word is Passed" by Clint Smith

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 6:00PM to 7:30PM

In honor of Juneteenth, the City of Iowa City Office of Equity and Human Rights and the Iowa City Public Library are hosting a virtual book discussion of How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith.

The virtual discussion will be facilitated by Abena Sankofa Imhotep, Director of Sankofa Literary and Empowerment Group of Des Moines.

The event will take place via Zoom, register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrdO-grTkpH9Ew-WhyuxGDAnvpOg5WjG_h

For those without Zoom access, join Adult Services Librarian, Jason, in Meeting Room D of the Iowa City Public Library, 123 South Linn Street, Iowa City, IA 52240.

The Iowa City Public Library has copies of the book available for checkout in various formats and will have a limited number of paperback copies for giveaways as well. Call 319-356-5200 or chat/email via https://icpl.org/ask with any questions.

The Office of Equity and Human Rights is offering a limited number of complimentary copies of the book to persons who reside in Iowa City and who would not financially otherwise be able to participate in the book discussion. To request a copy, please email humanrights@iowa-city.org or call 319-356-5022.



If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this event, please contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at 319-356-5022 or stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

Johnson County Summer Events

Click below for the Iowa City Downtown District Summer Calendar.

Visit the Summer of the Arts website for more details on summer events.

The Johnson County Fair

Iowa City Pride Festival

June 17th, 2023

STRONGER TOGETHER

from noon until 10 pm in downtown Iowa City.

Stanley Museum of Art Events

by Amanda Lensing, Senior Living Communities Program Coordinator, Stanley Museum of Art

ARTZPhilly, Dementia Unplugged: ARTFul Insights with the Stanley Museum of Art

Monday, June 26, 2023 at Noon on Zoom (register here)

A partnership with the Dementia Society of America

Amanda Lensing, Senior Living Communities Program Coordinator at the Stanley Museum of Art, will lead a discussion and close looking of objects in the Stanley's collection and on display now as part of the inaugural exhibition Homecoming, which reintroduces the Stanley collection to the public.

Stanley Sage with Alicia Velasquez

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 10:30AM in Stanley Museum of Art Lobby

Stanley Sage is a program with older adults in mind. We've invited a local older adult to tell their art story and connect it to the Stanley collection.

Alcia Velasquez is a local artist and the first Indigenous woman to open a boutique in Iowa City. The House of DOTŁ’IZHI features art and jewelry inspired by Velasquez's Apache culture.

2023 Older Americans Month Wrap-Up

Volunteers from the Johnson County Livable Community Policy Board and from the Housing Action Team accepted Proclamations at all of the municipalities within Johnson County during the month of May.

5/1- Lone Tree City Council (Pictured Bottom Middle)

5/2- Iowa City City Council

5/2- Tiffin City Council

5/3- Solon City Council (Pictured Top Right)

5/8- Hills City Council

5/8- Swisher City Council (Pictured Bottom Left)

5/9- Shueyville City Council

5/9- North Liberty City Council (Pictured Middle Left)

5/9- Coralville City Council (Pictured Bottom Right)

5/9- Oxford City Council (Pictured Center)

5/9- University Heights City Council

5/18- Johnson County Board of Supervisors Meeting (Pictured Top Left)

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