Linn County approves FY26 state welfare budget; HHS officials outline system redesign and phone-cost changes

The Linn County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 8 approved fiscal year 2026 appropriations of $297,257 and estimated revenues of $98,659 for the county—s state welfare budget, after a presentation by county budget staff and representatives from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Sarah Barrows, Linn County budget director, told the board there are no changes to total appropriations this year and that line-item adjustments were made to match the bills the county expects to receive. "No changes to this budget this year; appropriations are at $297,257," Barrows said during the meeting.

Laurie Frick, acting service area manager and child protective services director for the state of Iowa, described several statewide changes that could affect local operations. Frick said Iowa is reorganizing behavioral health into seven regions effective July 1 and that the Division of Family Well-Being and Protection is conducting a review of child-protective-services (CPS) structure and processes under a program they call the Safe Kids portfolio.

"We are taking a really good deep dive at that," Frick said, describing work with outside consultants (Change Innovation Agency and Sellers & Dorsey) to review staff structure, supervisory roles and casework steps with the aim of improving service efficiency and increasing time staff spend with families.

Frick also highlighted a budget detail: telephone and maintenance costs were reduced in prior years in anticipation of a countywide move to Microsoft Teams-based phones, but the county and state remain accountable for actual telephone expenses in the current fiscal year. Frick said the telephone line (line 19 on the spreadsheet) was $17,440 for fiscal year 2025 and had been $31,004.40 in fiscal year 2024; she told the board the line is likely to be overspent this year but that the county—s overall budget remains within appropriations.

Supervisors asked whether the state welfare obligations are mandatory; Barrows said the county has limited discretion and historically has not been able to avoid paying certain operating costs for state staff housed in county facilities. A supervisor confirmed that the county had the option to adjust dollar amounts in the past and had achieved efficiencies when state staff moved into the Community Services Building.

The board voted unanimously to approve the appropriation and revenue figures.

Separately, the board removed the Board of Supervisors budget presentation from the afternoon agenda because the presenter, Darren (county staff member), was ill; supervisors voted to reschedule that item, tentatively to Jan. 13.

County staff said revenues are estimated because a formal reimbursement rate from the state was not yet available when the budget was prepared. Frick and county staff said they will continue to coordinate on phone-system transitions, anticipated efficiencies and the timing of regional behavioral-health realignment.