Polk County adopts budget calendar, appoints budget officer; re-elects chair for 2025

Polk County commissioners at their Dec. 31 meeting accepted the county’s budget calendar for fiscal year 2025–26 and appointed Greg Hansen as the county budget officer for the 2025–26 budgeting cycle. The board also affirmed its chair for 2025; all motions were passed by unanimous voice vote.

Greg Hansen summarized key dates and steps in the calendar before the board vote, including a compensation committee meeting on Feb. 25 (staffed by three lay budget committee members), initial budget hearings tentatively scheduled for Apr. 22–24, and a final budget hearing on May 21, after which the commissioners will set the tax rate and adopt the 2025–26 budget to allow county operations beyond June 30, 2025. Hansen told the board the county typically holds two of the three blocked hearing dates as needed.

On the appointment, a commissioner moved to designate Greg Hansen as the budget officer for the 2025–26 budget cycle; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. Commissioners also moved to accept the presented budget calendar and voted unanimously to approve it.

During the meeting the board briefly discussed the budget officer role and candidates. Caitlin (last name not provided) was mentioned as expressing interest; commissioners noted that whoever is appointed will be closely involved in the budget process. The board chair verbally offered to continue serving as chair for 2025; the board confirmed that selection by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment of Greg Hansen as budget officer for fiscal year 2025–26: motion made and seconded; approved by unanimous voice vote. (Mover/second not specified in the transcript.) - Acceptance of the 2025–26 budget calendar as presented: motion made and seconded; approved by unanimous voice vote. - Board chair selection for 2025: motion made, seconded, and approved by unanimous voice vote.