Johnson County Council adopts 2026 budget, approves bond, salary and recorder ordinances

The Johnson County Council on Oct. 13 adopted the county's 2026 budget, approved an ordinance authorizing general obligation bond issuance and passed related salary and recorder funding measures after a series of roll-call votes.

The council convened a public hearing on an ordinance (Ordinance 2025-O9) authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds to acquire vehicles, install equipment, complete projects and adopt additional appropriations of bond proceeds. No members of the public spoke during the hearing, and the council moved to approve the ordinance by motion. The council then voted to adopt the county's 2026 budget.

Why it matters: adopting the budget sets spending levels and salary ranges for county government for 2026 and authorizes bond proceeds that will fund vehicle and capital projects. Council members stressed procedural compliance, including a state law cited during the meeting that requires members adopting final budgets to be physically present to vote.

The council approved several technical changes read into the record before the vote. Jonathan Myers (council member) read seven line-item adjustments that were incorporated into the final adoption, including changes to FICA/Social Security, PERF, principal and interest, fleet and specific department salary lines. Among the adjustments Myers read: FICA Social Security for the commissioners was reduced from $1,950,000 to $1,800,000; PERF for the commissioners was increased from $2,240,000 to $2,300,000; a new $300,000 principal-and-interest line was added for the commissioners; a fleet line was adjusted to $60,930; an animal shelter deputy warden salary was increased to $52,269; and other technical updates were recorded for WIC and specialty pay lines.

Council members conducted roll-call votes for the budget and for the associated salary ordinance (Ordinance 2025-12) and the recorder's request ordinance (Ordinance 2025-11). The council also approved the bond ordinance (Ordinance 2025-O9) during the same set of actions. Council President (presiding) explained the votes were done by roll call when a member was attending electronically to ensure an official audible record.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2025-O9 (general obligation bonds and appropriation of bond proceeds): Motion to approve (including additional appropriations) carried on roll call (unanimous ayes recorded). Motion by Michelle Ann Graves; second Ron Bates. - Adoption of 2026 county budget: Motion by John Mallers; second by Jonathan Myers. Roll-call vote: ayes recorded, motion passed. - Ordinance 2025-12 (2026 salary ordinance): Motion by Michelle Ann Graves; second by John Mallers. Roll-call vote: ayes recorded, motion passed. - Ordinance 2025-11 (recorder's use of Records Perpetuation Fund for operating expenses): Motion by Jonathan Myers; second by Michelle Ann Graves. Roll-call vote: ayes recorded, motion passed. - Consent agenda (routine matters including adding Johnson County Veterans Services item G11 for a new $189.98 line): Motion by Jonathan Myers; second by John Dittmers. Roll call: ayes recorded, motion passed.

Council members cited state statute language during the meeting when discussing voting rules for budget adoption; legal staff referenced "state law 5-14-1.5-3.5 (as cited in the meeting)" to explain that final-budget votes require in-person attendance. The council recorded the adjustments Myers read into the record as part of the final-adoption motion.

The meeting concluded with routine business motions such as adoption of the 2026 council meeting schedule.

Lesser details and next steps: The adopted budget and ordinances will be incorporated into the county's final paperwork and posted with the county clerk as required. Several line-item and grant adjustments described during the hearing will be implemented by staff as described during the meeting.