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Iowa DOC says revenues are on target as expenditures run below projected pace; vacancies shrinking
Summary
Department of Corrections officials told the board April 11 that revenues are near forecast while major expense lines — including salaries, food and utilities — are running slightly below the expected 75% mark for nine months into the fiscal year. Officials also reported reductions in overall vacancies and steps taken to recruit medical staff.
The Iowa Department of Corrections reported to the Iowa Board of Corrections on April 11 that revenues and expenditures are tracking differently through nine months of the fiscal year, and that vacancy rates have declined from earlier in the year.
"We are currently at 71% of our expenditure budget, which is beneath where we would anticipate being, and 99% of our revenues," a department finance official identified in the meeting as Steve said during the finance update. The official told the board the department receives most of its revenue via state appropriation "day 1," which helps explain the revenue-to-expenditure gap.
Why it matters: the department’s financial position determines whether planned capital work, staffing increases and program funding can proceed without supplemental appropriations. The board was told managers would reallocate within the budget where necessary as the fiscal year ends.
Key details from the briefing
- Salaries: The department-wide salary line was reported at about 69% of budget for the prisons and about 67% for community-based (CBC) totals, figures the department said are slightly below the expected 75% due to timing and accruals.
- Pharmacy/drugs and biologicals: The pharmacy line — described as "just under $10,000,000" in the annual budget — was reported at roughly 76% spent so far.
- Food and utilities: The food budget was listed at about $16,700,000 with 72% spent; utilities showed an overall budget of about $12,500,000 with 69% spent.
- Capital spending: Officials said a large share of recent appropriations has been committed to capital projects including a kitchen project in Clarinda, an electrical upgrade at Oakdale, and an apprenticeship building at Mount Pleasant.
- Land‑sale proceeds and capital plan: The department reported it used proceeds from recent land sales to fund the remaining Clarinda kitchen work and moved about $7.4 million to finish that project, leaving roughly $6.6 million in the account. Staff said additional parcels remain to be sold and proceeds are being held until the department can firm up a list of priorities for future projects.
Vacancies and pay
The department told the board it had made measurable progress on vacancies. The staff update listed approximately 223 total vacant positions as of the prior Friday and referenced a reduction in correctional officer vacancies from a higher level in July. The department attributed part of the improvement to a $24-per-hour starting rate for correctional officers adopted July 1 and to other recruitment and retention efforts. Officials also said registered nurse and LPN vacancies remain a challenge and that recruitment bonuses and higher starting rates are in use for medical staff.
Board questions and responses
Board members asked about the capital plan for land‑sale proceeds and technology and infrastructure requests in the governor’s budget (covered separately by the legislative staff). Finance staff said the department is still developing a prioritized list of projects and that the remaining parcels are expected to sell by the end of the calendar year, which would clarify available funding.
Ending
Department leaders said they would continue monitoring the major spend areas and would reallocate internally if needed as the fiscal year closes. The board received the report and moved on to the next agenda item.
