Story County adopts FY26 budget, approves modest raises for elected officials
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Summary
The Story County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal 2026 budget and approved cost-of-living increases for elected officials after a public hearing and staff presentation that outlined revenue, levy and ARPA spending plans.
The Story County Board of Supervisors on April 29 adopted the county's fiscal year 2026 budget and approved a compensation resolution for elected officials, following a public hearing and a detailed presentation of revenues, levies and American Rescue Plan Act spending.
County staff presented revenue and expenditure projections that reflected valuation increases, continued ARPA spending and proposed levy changes. Lisa, a Story County staff member who presented the budget, said the official budget had been published in three newspapers on April 17 and noted that the adopted budget cannot exceed the published document but can be reduced at the hearing: "The budget that you adopt today cannot be higher than the published, but it can be lowered at this public hearing." The presentation also explained rollback factors used by the state to determine taxable values for residential, agricultural and commercial properties.
The presentation showed 61% of revenues coming from property taxes and reported that overall revenues are down 5.9% from the amended FY25 budget while budgeted expenses are down about 14.2%. Lisa said the county has budgeted to spend remaining ARPA funds through Dec. 31, 2026, and listed capital projects and bond proceeds planned for FY26, including right-of-way work, dam and beach improvements and equipment purchases.
The board voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 25-81, setting elected-official compensation adjustments, and to adopt Resolution 25-82, the FY26 budget as published with the salary changes from 25-81. The board also directed the auditor to certify taxes as published.
Why it matters: the adopted budget sets levy rates, funds county operations ranging from public safety to roads and conservation, and formalizes elected-official pay increases that affect the county's salary structure going forward.
Details from the presentation: - Proposed adjustments included a 2.6% increase for supervisors and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for other elected officials as reflected in Resolution 25-81. - Debt service and bond proceeds are included for projects approved previously by voters; the presentation stated $5,000,000 of borrowing is budgeted in FY26 out of a $25,000,000 authorization for conservation bonds. - The revenue mix presented: 61% property taxes, 19% intergovernmental, 7% local option sales tax, 5% fees and services, 2% TIF, 6% interest/rent.
Quotes and attribution are limited to meeting speakers and staff who participated in the presentation and vote.
Ending: The board completed the budget certification process required by Iowa law and moved on to other agenda items. The adopted budget and resolutions will be certified by the auditor as directed by the board.
