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Pottawattamie County board adopts FY2025–26 budget, approves FY24–25 amendment
Summary
After public comment and brief discussion, the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors approved a midyear amendment to the current fiscal-year budget and adopted the county’s FY2025–26 budget; officials and a public commenter pressed for clearer public-facing budget information.
The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a resolution amending the current fiscal year budget and adopted the county’s budget for fiscal year 2025–26 following public hearings and unanimous roll-call votes.
Finance and tax officer Becky Linehan presented the amendment and the FY2025–26 budget. Linehan told the board the amendment covers multiple departments and that the total amended expense for the current year is $161,007.26. She said the FY2025–26 budget reflects a levy change the board set “by 45 cents” and noted the county has not issued debt since 2022.
The budget hearing drew public comment from Fran Mearsla of Council Bluffs, who urged more transparency in the county’s budget materials. Mearsla compared the county’s published forms with other counties and said the required state forms make year‑over‑year comparisons difficult for taxpayers; she recommended more explanatory narratives and built-in context so residents can see what is “at risk” in the numbers. County Attorney Matt Wilbur also spoke briefly in favor of the amendment but clarified a budget detail relating to a collections fund: Wilbur said he had added $20,000 to the collections fund, which he described as not normally subject to board appropriation and not a request for additional general‑fund tax dollars; he said he disclosed it for transparency.
After public comment, the board voted on a series of motions. The board approved Resolution 18‑2025, amending the county budget for fiscal year 2024–25; approved Resolution 19‑2025 to appropriate funds from the amended budget; and approved Resolution 20‑2025 adopting the Pottawattamie County budget for fiscal year 2025–26. All votes were recorded by roll call and carried by unanimous “aye” votes.
Why it matters: County budgets set property tax levies, control department spending and determine how local infrastructure and services are funded. Public questions about clarity and comparability of budget documents may affect future outreach and how the county presents budget recasts and capital plans to residents.
What’s next: Linehan and staff said the county will continue routine budget recasts and that additional budget materials are available in the packet; a public commenter and several supervisors asked staff to prepare more user‑friendly explanatory materials.
Votes at a glance: • Resolution 18‑2025 — Amend FY2024–25 budget. Motion to approve made and seconded; roll call unanimous; outcome: approved. Clarifying detail: amended expense reported as $161,007.26 (presented by finance officer). • Resolution 19‑2025 — Appropriate funds from amended FY2024–25 budget. Motion to approve made and seconded; roll call unanimous; outcome: approved. • Resolution 20‑2025 — Adopt FY2025–26 county budget. Motion to approve made and seconded; roll call unanimous; outcome: approved.
Ending: Supervisors thanked staff for work on the budget and acknowledged additional outreach and documentation would help residents interpret the county’s finances.
