Home Care In Homestead, IA

A 148-year-old barn in south Story County has witnessed generations of stories. Now with an events venue called 1850 Homestead, the new owners are embracing the stories of the history, architecture and decor of the structure.

And they want to add to those stories as weddings, birthdays, concerts and other special occasions take place there.

“1850 Homestead is a beautiful venue,” Katie Clement, owner of Something Blue bridal shop in Nevada, told the Ames Tribune this summer. “It was built in the 1800s and they have renovated the barn so it’s completely sealed and air conditioned.

“They have a groom’s lounge in the basement, and the bridal suite upstairs is just perfect.”

The venue opened recently, so there are no weddings booked for this season.

“We do have other events planned — food truck nights, music nights. I believe music is good for the soul, so we’re starting out with things people love,” said manager Michelle Riesberg.

What music nights are planned at 1850 Homestead?

“We’re trying to provide an affordable place where the community can come and have background music and dance and visit with their neighbors,” Riesberg said. “We want it to be a fun indoor or outdoor setting, depending on the weather.”

She said the indoor-outdoor opportunity is a great feature for weddings, too, and offers an alternative plan for outdoor weddings if the weather gets bad.

There is a Sip and Shop event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 18. It will feature several local vendors and will be free admission.

Music nights planned for the near future include:

What does 1850 Homestead look like inside?

The interior of the barn has been renovated to accent the original charm of the building, while adding some other decorative pieces, Riesberg said.

The original features include a section of the original floorboards, original walls and rafters, and an impressive foundation in the basement that shows off the split stone and concrete work that’s still intact almost a century and a half after being installed.

New details include a large, crystal chandelier that hangs from the rafters in the main room, a groom’s lounge in the basement and a bridal suite upstairs.

What local connections can be seen at 1850 Homestead?

Historic items have been added that will appeal to local residents’ sentimental side, including a 15-foot cabinet that creates the bar.

The cabinet was in the Twelve Bells bar in Boone when it burned and was salvaged from that wrecked building. It still shows signs of charred wood in places, which the owners left visible to honor the story of the architectural detail.

In the groom’s lounge, the TV stand is a vintage workbench that came from the childhood home of Dr. Kirk Peterson of Huxley.

Arguably the coup de gras of sentimental items are two things from The Fjord restaurant, a beloved Norwegian-themed eatery in Huxley that closed in 1987. A large painting of the fjords of Norway can be found in the basement in the TV room.

The Viking ship from The Fjord is also on the property. The dragon-headed Viking ship was used as the buffet at the restaurant and is now in the yard of the venue.

“It’s a perfect place for taking photos,” Riesberg said.

The Huxley Historical Society donated the items from The Fjord. The family of Fritz and Bonnie Erickson, who owned the restaurant for more than 20 years, will maintain the paint and weather seal on the ship annually.

Where is 1850 Homestead located?

The big white barn that’s home to 1850 Homestead is located at 57304 Highway 210, Cambridge.

The property also has a house and smaller barns, with the venue at the south end of the acreage.

It’s located just east of the intersection of Interstate 35 and Iowa Highway 210, on the south side of the road.

Who owns 1850 Homestead?

Larry and Kay Thompson own the property, and it’s managed by Larry’s daughter and her husband, Michelle and Bill Riesberg. The Riesbergs live in the house on the acreage.

Michelle and Bill were longtime owners of a junk shop, Old New & Things 2 Redo, in Boone for 12 years prior to moving back to the Ballard school district community, where Michelle was raised.

Her time as a shop owner enhanced her interest in the stories that are intrinsic to places and things, she said.

The Thompsons purchased the acreage from Margaret Nelson, one of the great-great-granddaughters of Ole Apland, who immigrated to the United States with a church group from Norway. Ole hired Jens Russell, a local carpenter, to construct the “largest and finest barn in the township” on the highest point on the farm in 1875.

What’s the story of Ole Apland?

In 1854, Ole Apland and three other scouts came to Iowa to check it out for their group of fellow Norwegian immigrants, who had a settlement in Lisbon, Illinois.

“They made claims to the land here and then they returned to Illinois, where they told their group to prepare their food, animals and wagons to travel to Iowa,” Riesberg said. “They left on Norwegian Independence Day, May 17.”

When they arrived in Iowa on June 7, they circled their wagons and had their first worship service the following Sunday. The group founded Palestine Lutheran Church, which is still active in Huxley and one of the oldest churches in Story County.

In 1855, Ole and Anna Apland homesteaded the land where 1850 Homestead is located and had the barn constructed in 1875.

“So that’s how we got our name, 1850 Homestead,” Riesberg said. “The cool factor is that the barn has been preserved so well.”

Nelson, who sold the property to the Thompsons, calls the barn and others like it “cathedral barns.”

The purchase by Larry Thompson, a former schoolmate of Nelson, is the first time the property has been owned by someone outside Ole Apland’s family since it was homesteaded. But the Thompsons and Riesbergs are adamant about maintaining the original structure and honoring the history of the barn.

More:Former Ankeny bridal shop Something Blue moves to Nevada, now sells new wedding dresses

They want to keep the stories alive and add to them, Riesberg said.

“We added a new roof and siding to protect the building from deterioration,” she said. “But we kept the magic on the inside.”

Ronna Faaborg is a reporter for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at [email protected].

A rush to enact new property tax breaks for Iowa seniors has led to confusion and concerns of fraud among county and city assessors, who say they are struggling to verify applicants’ age.

Iowa seniors can begin applying for a new property tax break created by legislation signed into law three weeks ago by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Read More: Iowa seniors, veterans can apply for new property tax break. Here’s how.

The new property tax law, House File 718, was approved with near-unanimous support in the Iowa Legislature during the last days of the legislative session.

The law took effect immediately and provides a $3,250 exemption on the taxable value of a home owned and lived in by Iowans age 65 and older. The exemption applies for the assessment that began Jan. 1 that would have associated taxes due in fall 2024 and spring 2025. The homestead property tax exemption then increases to $6,500 for the 2024 assessment year.

In order to claim the new tax exemption, seniors must file applications with their local assessor offices on or before July 1.

The Iowa Department of Revenue last week amended an existing homestead tax credit exemption form to allow seniors to also apply for the new exemption. To claim the new exemption, applicants must provide their date of birth and certify information on the form is correct.

However, ambiguity in guidance provided by the Revenue Department — as well as the quick timeline for implementation — has caused confusion and consternation among assessors over what documents they can request and examine from Iowans to verify they’re 65 or older and qualify for the tax break, said Linn County Assessor Jerry Witt.

Witt said his office has been inundated with calls, email, letters and in-person questions from seniors about the new property tax exemption.

“The media a good job of getting the word out and we’re doing what we can to try to simplify” the process, Witt said. “It doesn’t seem to be going the best, so far.”

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Witt said his office was given permission by the Department of Revenue to automatically approve Iowa seniors currently receiving the homestead tax credit to also receive the new exemption — so long as they can verify that they’re 65 or older.

However, Department of Revenue Deputy Administrator Jon Wolfe in a memo to assessors and auditors responding to questions wrote that they are “not allowed to require any additional documentation not on the form” to verify age eligibility.

“Additionally, several of you have inquired about requiring additional documentation to verify age eligibility (such as a driver’s license),” Wolfe wrote. “You are not allowed to require any additional documentation that is not requested on the form. The Homestead form does not require any additional documentation, nor does chapter 425, subchapter I require additional documentation.”

Witt, the Linn County assessor, and others interpreted that to mean they were prohibited from verifying an applicant’s age, sparking concerns that many younger Iowans who do not quality will take advantage.

A spokesperson for the Department of Revenue clarified to The Gazette on Wednesday that assessors can ask for a photo ID — but cannot reject an application if one was not provided. Additionally, the Iowa Secretary of State recently issued an opinion stating that assessors may use voter registration lists to determine the age of property owners qualifying for the new exemption.

“The assessor can use other available data to verify age and there is nothing preventing the assessor from examining a document such as a driver's license,” said Department of Revenue spokesman John Fuller. “They just cannot recommend disallowance or refuse to accept a claim because the claimant doesn't provide additional documentation not required by law.”

Fuller said documentation requirements to establish age eligibility for the new homestead exemption are consistent with other property tax credit programs that have been in operation for years. He gave the example of the Elderly Credit Homestead program, which has age-based eligibility requirements and requires an attestation to establish age eligibility.

Witt and other Iowa assessors, however, say they’re concerned about fraud, particularly with applications submitted electronically in an email. Iowans who file a fraudulent claim are subject to a 25 percent penalty plus interest.

Given the ease of verification of ownership through property tax records “and the availability of claimant age in other data sets, it is unlikely that there will be systemic fraud,” Fuller said.

Cross referencing property records with voter records, however, is not as straightforward as it may seem, Witt said.

“You have two different sets of data used for two completely different purposes, and it’s difficult to match up,” he said, adding not all Iowans are registered to vote.

Wolfe, the Revenue Department deputy administrator, in his memo wrote that “because of the short timeline for implementation, we are concerned about possible unintended consequences of making more substantive changes without careful consideration.”

Witt said assessors are frustrated by state lawmakers asking local officials to immediately implement the legislation with little time to adjust and educate the public.

“Hopefully, legislators will have an open ear“ next year to passing changes to make the law more workable, he said. But while there have been hiccups, overall, Witt said the process “has been positive.”

“People are patient and extremely nice and thankful … they do get this relief,” he said.

Comments: (319) 398-8499; [email protected]

Iowa seniors and veterans can begin applying for a new property tax break created by legislation signed into law earlier this month by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The new property tax law, House File 718, was approved with near-unanimous support in the Iowa Legislature. The bill is designed to limit the amount of new property tax revenue growth that local governments can use in their budgets.

Republican legislative leaders estimate the legislation will result in a $100 million property tax cut statewide.

Read More: Iowa governor signs property tax constraints into law

What does the new property tax law do?

The new law limits growth of property tax on individual residential and agricultural properties to 3 percent annually.

Under the new law, when property assessments increase between 3 percent and 6 percent, the tax levy growth is limited to 2 percent. When assessments increase 6 percent or more, the levy growth is limited to 3 percent.

Those provisions will be in effect for four years, after which state lawmakers will need to determine whether to continue with the structure or change it.

It also provides new property tax exemptions for Iowans age 65 and older and increases an existing tax exemption for military veterans.

What do the tax breaks provide and how do they work?

The law provides a $3,250 exemption on the taxable value of a home owned and lived in by Iowans age 65 and older. The exemption applies for the assessment that began Jan. 1 that would have associated taxes due in fall 2024 and spring 2025. The homestead property tax exemption increases to $6,500 for the 2024 assessment year.

The exemption is a reduction in the taxable value of the property — not a direct reduction in the amount of property taxes owed.

The new law also more than doubles an existing property tax exemption for veterans. It increases the military service tax exemption to $4,000 in taxable value from the current $1,852 in taxable value, starting with the current assessment year that began Jan. 1.

How can Iowan seniors apply for the property tax exemption?

The Iowa Department of Revenue announced Monday it has amended the homestead tax credit exemption form to allow seniors to apply for the new exemption.

Applications are due July 1 to local assessor offices.

Forms turned in after July 1 of the year in which the credit or exemption is claimed will count as a claim for the following year.

Iowans can find the application at tax.iowa.gov/forms under the form Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption 54-028. The form is also available at the bottom of this story.

To claim the new exemption, applicants must provide their date of birth and certify that the information on the form is correct.

A qualified claimant receiving the homestead credit must be 65 or older on or before Jan. 1 of each assessment year to receive the exemption.

How can Iowa veterans apply for the military service property tax exemption?

The exemption is available to "an honorably separated, retired, furloughed to a reserve, placed on inactive status or discharged veteran."

However, military veterans currently receiving the exemption do not need to file a new application as long as the veteran or the veteran's spouse is the legal or equitable owner of the property on July 1 for which the exemption is allowed, said John Fuller, a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Revenue.

If not currently receiving the military service tax exemption, as with seniors, applications are due July 1 to the local assessor.

The application can be found at tax.iowa.gov/forms under Military Service Property Tax Exemption 54-146. The form is also available at the bottom of this story.

Can I still claim the homestead tax credit?

Yes.

Current law already exempts the first $4,850 of a qualifying home from property taxes through the homestead tax credit.

Beginning with the 2023 assessment year, Iowans age 65 years or older may claim a homestead tax exemption in addition to the homestead credit.

But, unlike the current tax credit, local governments will not be reimbursed for the loss in revenue from this part of the new law.

Do I need to reapply for the tax exemption?

No.

If granted, the exemption will be allowed for future years without future filing as long as the claimant continues to qualify, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Iowans who already receive a homestead tax credit — but are not eligible for the new exemption for seniors — do not need to reapply for their credit.

HomesteadTaxCreditAndExemption(54028) (1) by Gazetteonline on Scribd

MilitaryServicePropertyTax(54146) (1) by Gazetteonline on Scribd

Comments: (319) 398-8499; [email protected]

DES MOINES, iowa — Iowa seniors and Veterans can now apply for the new property tax exemptions.

The new property tax bill, that we passed, is it reduces for seniors and military personnel the amount of taxable income that their property is taxed at," State Rep. Gary Mohr said.

Iowans 65 and older have until July 1st to apply for the new property tax exemption.

Once accepted, they'll receive an exemption worth $3,250 in the first year, and it doubles in the second year to $6,500.

On top of that relief, seniors can still qualify for the homestead tax credit, which they receive if they own and live in their home.

If their property costs 1$0,000 and you qualify for the homestead act tax credit your taxable base right now under current law would be $10,000 minus $4,850," Paige Yontz the state advocacy manager for AARP Iowa said. "With this new law and code, you would see the $10,000 minus 4$,850, minus $3,250 and that would be your taxable base.

Veterans would also need to apply by July 1st, unless they already receive the current property tax exemption.

Their exemption will now increase from roughly $2000 to $4,000.

The Veterans who fought for us, served for us deserve to live in the state where they would like to," State Rep. Dave Jacoby said. "Iowa is a state that they choose to, and we want to make sure that they can afford to live here.

Lawmakers hope this relief will allow aging Iowans and those who have served to not only stay in Iowa but remain in their homes.

Rep. Mohr said he applied for the senior exemption at his county assessor’s office, and it only took him minutes.

"We don't want increased value of seniors or military personnel on their properties to be forced to sell it and move somewhere else simply because the value of their property goes up when they may not have made any improvements to it," Rep. Mohr said.

Iowans 65 and older, that are also Veterans, can qualify for both.

Once you apply this year, you will automatically get the benefits each year after.

You can find the military property tax exemption form on the Iowa Department of Revenue's page under Military Service Property Tax Exemption 54-146.

To apply for the senior property tax exemption, you can find it under Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption 54-028.

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DES MOINES, Iowa — Property tax assessments shocked many Iowans who received them. In Polk County, for example, the average assessment rose 22% (although, actual property tax increases are capped at 3%). Those higher assessments fueled bipartisan work on a $100 million property tax cut package. The cuts, when fully phased in, provide the biggest benefits to seniors and military veterans.

How much can Iowans expect their property taxes to drop? Jeff Robinson, senior fiscal legislative analyst at the Iowa Legislative Services Agency, compiled estimates of the average share of the $100 million reduction.

Here’s his analysis:

Military Exemption: Division VI of the bill

Under current law and for almost all military property tax exemption beneficiaries, the exemption removes $1,850 from the value subject to tax. He calculates for FY 2023 the average property tax rate for residential property is $33.65 per $1,000 of taxed value, so the benefit on average is worth $62 per year.

The Bill raises the exemption value to $4,000 starting with FY 2025 (property taxes due in the fall of 2024 and the spring of 2025). Using the same $33.65 rate the average annual benefit will now be $135.

Homestead exemption for homeowners 65+: Section 30 of the bill

Under current law homes that qualify as homesteads are allowed a property tax credit for up to $4,850 in value subject to tax. The credit means the State pays the property tax in place of the homeowner through an annual General Fund appropriation. With an average residential property tax rate of $33.65 the homestead credit is worth $163 per year on average.

The Bill adds a $3,250 homestead exemption for qualified homeowners age 65+ for FY 2025 taxes and $6,500 for FY 2026 and after taxes. This will be on top of the homestead credit. The FY 2025 benefit on average is $109 and the average for FY 2025 and after is $219.

The average benefit is based on the statewide average tax rate. If a particular home is subject to a property tax rate higher than the $33.65, their benefit will be higher. Lower than $33.65 means a lower tax benefit.

Divisions I and II

Divisions I and II will also reduce property taxes although there is no way to predict for a given home. It will depend on the current level of their county and city tax rates and further depend on how quickly the tax base grows for their county or city.

Division III

Division III will reduce property taxes for those areas that currently utilize the Public Education and Recreation Levy as part of their school finance.