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Polk County administrator reports strong fund balance, Moody’s rating and budget priorities ahead of 2026 process
Summary
County administration reported an approximately $8 million available general fund balance, an AA2/AA Moody’s rating, investment holdings of about $34 million and budget priorities including public safety, broadband and parks.
Polk County’s administration told the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 19 that the county’s financial position is strong heading into the 2026 budget process, with an available general fund balance of roughly $8,000,000 and a Moody’s rating in the AA2/AA range.
County staff said part of that $8 million is already committed or reserved, and noted the balance rose by about $500,000 year over year. The administration reported roughly $34,000,000 in investments (about $10 million liquid and $24 million fixed long-term) yielding approximately 4 percent, and sales tax receipts 11.4 percent above last year — about $304,000 higher to date — which the county will treat conservatively during budgeting.
The administrator summarized board priorities for the 2024–25 term — public safety, substance-abuse reduction, expanded broadband access, parks and tourism investment, housing support and infrastructure — and listed recent work under each heading. Examples included upgraded dispatch, new patrol staffing, Narcan training and diversion-program planning; a reported 93 percent county fiber availability along roadways; and park improvements such as upgraded restroom facilities and play equipment at DD Kennedy Park. Staff said the actuator issue at Clam Falls Dam was resolved by adjusting factory pump settings.
Capital items flagged for the coming budget cycle include a Justice Center HVAC/boiler replacement project estimated at $2.2 million to be completed in two phases and additional highway and facility projects under the county’s five-year CIP. The administrator said compensation increases for the 2025–26 budget are currently forecast at 2.5 percent.
Why it matters: The figures and priorities presented guide the county’s draft 2026 budget and affect decisions on borrowing, levy stability and capital project timing.
Board discussion included questions about project timing and whether specific CIP items would be funded; the administrator confirmed the boiler project will go out for bids next year and be completed in two phases. Supervisors said they expect staff to return with more detailed budget numbers in September and cautioned that the county should maintain a prudent balance between consumption of fund balance and preserving borrowing capacity.
