Polk County Conservation presents 2025 budget; Sleepy Hollow enterprise grows, Brenton Slough acquisition advances

Rich Leopold, director of Polk County Conservation, presented the department’s 2025 budget to the Board of Supervisors and said the department expects variable revenues and significant bond‑funded spending. Leopold said the department’s revenue estimate is about $3,000,000 (variable year to year), with recurring contributions to the county of roughly $1,400,000 annually from camping, shelter rentals and program fees; requested expenses appear large because they include bond‑funded project capacity.

Why it matters: Polk County Conservation manages parks, trails, land acquisition and water‑quality programs paid largely through the Polk County Water and Land Legacy Bond and partner grants; those investments shape recreation, water quality and conservation across the county.

Leopold explained that the department’s requested expense total is elevated because it includes unused bond lettings that the department can spend on eligible projects; he said the conservation office typically requests the full capacity so it can respond…