Johnson County finance director outlines proposed FY2026 budget; public hearings held, no public comments

Dane Ashenbrenner, the Johnson County finance director, presented the county's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at a public hearing April 16 and outlined revenue, spending and debt plans that the board will consider for final adoption on April 24, 2025. "My name is Dane Ashenbrenner. I am the finance director here," he said when introducing the staff presentation.

Ashenbrenner told the Board of Supervisors the county expects taxable-value growth to continue and plans about $20.8 million in expenditures that qualify for financing via loans or bonding next year. He itemized roughly $12.3 million for joint emergency communication and insurance purposes, $5 million for bond-eligible construction and renovation projects, about $1.25 million for equipment and technology, $745,000 for the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County and $1.5 million for conservation bond projects.

Projected revenues for FY2026 total about $121.5 million, Ashenbrenner said, an increase of roughly $8.3 million (7.4%) from the current year's original budget. Expenditures were presented at about $166.5 million, a decrease of about $3.3 million (2%) from the current year's original budget. Capital expenditures were listed at $34.2 million; personnel costs were forecast just under $71 million.

The finance director described ARPA-funded initiatives and housing investments as a continuing priority. He said the county recently purchased and is renovating 15 affordable housing units—an investment he framed as nearly $2.25 million—and that ongoing ARPA programs total roughly $14 million, supporting housing rehabilitation, eviction diversion, child care programs and other community projects. Ashenbrenner also noted transfers planned for secondary roads and listed major road and bridge projects included in the capital program.

Board members thanked staff for the work on the budget and asked no substantive follow-up questions during the hearing. The chair opened the floor for public comment multiple times and, after receiving none, closed the public hearing. Ashenbrenner reminded the board that the county will hold a final discussion and consider adoption of the proposed FY2026 budget at its formal meeting on April 24, 2025, and that detailed budget documents are available on the county website.

In addition to the budget hearing, the board opened and closed a series of public hearings required by state law on proposed loan agreements for county purposes, including: - an essential-county-purpose general-obligation loan (principal not to exceed $13,064,000) to cover various county insurance program costs and a $745,000 grant to the Housing Trust Fund; - an emergency building repairs loan (up to $3,356,000); - a loan for Americans with Disabilities Act improvements (up to $75,000); - an information-technology improvements loan (up to $875,000); - a county farm building renovations loan (up to $200,000); - a garage addition and lift loan for the county fleet (up to $1,100,000); - a general county repairs loan (up to $300,000); and - a peace-officer emergency communications equipment loan (up to $370,000). No members of the public spoke on any of the loan items during the hearings.

The board approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session; Supervisor Ficksmoor Reis moved to approve and Supervisor Remington seconded. The board recorded a 5-0 vote in favor.

The board adjourned following brief remarks of thanks. The next formal meeting was announced for April 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., and budget adoption is scheduled for April 24, 2025.