Page County supervisors debate 2026 budget as public raises tax and reserve concerns; courthouse roof and jail bond draw attention

Page County Board of Supervisors members met for a budget work session and routine business in a meeting that included public comment on county taxes, an update from the county engineer on winter road work and bridge timing, and discussion of major anticipated costs for the courthouse roof and an upcoming jail bond sale.

Cindy Van Fossen, a resident who spoke during public comment, asked how the county’s fiscal 2026 levy and valuation changes would affect property owners and urged the board to limit recurring salary and benefits increases to the amount of “new money” available. "Do you recognize that salaries and benefits are recurring costs that are accumulative?" Van Fossen asked, and later said, "Do you agree that taxpayers work hard for their money and every dollar they send to public government ... is 1 less dollar they have in their own budget?" The board responded that budget work was not complete and staff were still compiling totals.

The supervisors then moved into a detailed review of Department 99 and numerous line items across the proposed fiscal 2026 budget. Commissioners and staff discussed fiscal items including annual dues and contributions (for example, a Western Iowa tourism line item), postage and shared courthouse supplies, insurance and self-funded health coverage, the county wellness program stipend, and ARPA-funded obligations the county is contractually committed to pay in the coming year.

County Engineer JD (identified in the record as the engineer) summarized winter operations and equipment issues, reporting plow trucks were deployed during recent snow and that parts and repairs were under way for several vehicles ("Got 1 that towed to Omaha today"). JD said temperatures delayed work on the Essex North Bridge and that contractors plan to return the week of the 20th to set south-span beams so deck forming can begin while crews finish the north pier. JD also said Page County will host a safety workshop the following day with invited county, law enforcement and first-responder representatives to identify road-safety projects and priorities.

Budget conversations also covered personnel and compensation items. Supervisors discussed janitorial and maintenance work now performed in-house by an employee named Troy and asked staff to compile pay comparisons for other county road and secondary-road positions. The board discussed a proposed raise schedule and the effect on payroll lines and related FICA and benefits costs.

A significant capital concern raised during the session was hail damage to the courthouse roof. Staff said insurance proceeds would cover part of the cost but that estimates indicated a large expense requiring hiring an architect because of project size. One staff member told the board the estimate for roof replacement work was large — noting both "over a hundred thousand" and later an estimate that "the last 1 was over 900,000" in the discussion — and that the county will be evaluating multiple contractor estimates.

Supervisors also discussed the county’s jail project and an upcoming bond sale and award scheduled for the 20th/25th; attendees noted the county had earned a strong credit rating for the issue (the record reported a "3 triple a"/AAA rating). Board members said earlier budget decisions had anticipated using local option tax revenue if jail costs exceeded levied amounts, and they reiterated those revenues remain available to cover overages if necessary.

Formal business on procedural items produced three routine approvals. The board approved the meeting agenda, approved claims, and approved minutes from the previous meeting; each action passed by voice vote (record shows unanimous “Aye” responses). The meeting adjourned with the board scheduling its next meeting for Tuesday, the 20th/25th at 4 p.m.

Why it matters: The session focused on the early, line-by-line phase of the fiscal 2026 budget, and included both a resident’s call to limit recurring expenditure growth and staff identifications of several large, potentially one-time capital needs that could affect reserves and levy decisions. The courthouse roof estimates and the jail bond schedule are likely to shape subsequent budget decisions as staff finalize revenue estimates and recommend any transfers or levy changes.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve the agenda — outcome: approved (voice vote: unanimous “Aye”). - Motion to approve claims — outcome: approved (voice vote: unanimous “Aye”). - Motion to approve minutes from February meeting — outcome: approved (voice vote: unanimous “Aye”). - Motion to adjourn — outcome: approved (voice vote: unanimous “Aye”).

Next steps: Staff said they will finish entering revenue projections and totals in the county’s budgeting software and expected to have a more complete draft for review by the board next week; the board also expects contractor estimates for the courthouse roof and will hold the scheduled bond sale/bond-award events on the date announced in the meeting.