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Public health lays out FY26 budget; overdose grant adds $160,000 in annual revenue
Summary
Black Hawk County Public Health presented a proposed FY26 operating budget of $6.57 million, with a $4.05 million property tax ask, planned vehicle replacements and a new five‑year staffing and software approach; staff noted some state grants are ending while a federal 'overdose data to action' grant adds $160,000 annually.
Rick (last name not specified), presenting for Black Hawk County Public Health, told the Board of Supervisors that the department’s proposed FY26 budget totals $6,568,164, an increase of 4.89% from the amended FY25 budget. Public Health projects $2,513,796 in revenue and a property‑tax ask of $4,054,961, a 5.35% increase compared with FY25.
The department highlighted several revenue changes: several grant programs are ending or winding down (including a physical activity access project and certain Iowa Department of Health and Human Services disease surveillance and partner services funds for sexually transmitted infection work), while the department has secured a new federal “Overdose Data to Action” award that provides $160,000 per year for five years. Staff said the overdose grant supports a program coordinator and includes required subcontracts for peer-recovery services.
Caitlin (last name not specified), and other public health staff (Todd Burkhart, deputy director; Todd Persons, fiscal staff; and program managers named in the presentation) described operational metrics: direct clinical services declined in FY24 largely because the I-Smile dental consent returns from schools were lower; environmental inspections were slightly down; communicable disease cases were up slightly; and community health coordination (programs such as First 5, breast and cervical cancer screening support, and Medicaid presumptive eligibility) continued.
For expenditures, the department plans to stabilize recurring replacement costs by budgeting cyclically for items that were previously requested as one-time items. Staff said they will budget phones on a three-year rotation, computers on a five-year rotation, and vehicles on a seven-year rotation. Salaries and benefits comprise the bulk of the budget: total salaries were shown as $5,921,295, representing about 90% of departmental expenses. The department factored a 3.5% wage increase for Bargaining Unit 8 on July 1, 2025, and added one FTE for the overdose grant; staff also anticipate one public health nursing retirement in December 2025, reducing disease‑surveillance nursing FTE midyear (the department’s FTE total was presented as 59.8, falling to about 58.8 after the retirement).
On capital requests, Public Health operates a fleet of 20 vehicles and asked to replace three 2010 Ford Fusions (vehicle tags ending in 050, 051 and 054). Staff said two of those three vehicles have been declared undrivable or are parked on mechanic recommendation; the department noted that replacing the three would leave two remaining 2010 models in the fleet. Public Health noted previous purchase timing (2010–2016) and said the next concentration of replacements is anticipated to be later in the five-year cycle.
Operating lines that moved in the FY26 request include software (department consolidated multiple software-related charges into one software line and budgeted an approximate 7% increase), subscriptions and accreditation fees shifted line items, and a small increase in food budget for grant-related nutrition or outreach activities. Staff also noted a potential cost-saving change to copier costs by purchasing equipment outright instead of leasing; that option was not yet reflected in the FY26 request.
Presenters answered supervisory questions about the overdose grant staffing requirements, whether vehicle leasing had been considered (staff said leasing is possible but typically includes interest and the analysis is not yet complete), and specifics about how many vehicles remain in older vintages. No formal budget vote or adoption was recorded during this session; the presentation was provided for board review and later inclusion in the county budget process.
Caitlin concluded by summarizing the proposal: FY26 requested budget of $6,568,164; $2,513,796 in anticipated revenue; and a property-tax ask of $4,054,961. Staff said they would continue to refine vehicle and hardware decisions and follow up with finance on copier-leasing options.
