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Polk County outlines $73.5 million 2026 budget, proposes 3% levy increase
Summary
County staff presented a draft 2026 budget just over $73.5 million, including a proposed gross levy of $29,249,178 (roughly a 3% increase) and plans to formalize a fund-balance policy. Officials said Tri County Community Corrections and health-insurance cost increases are key drivers.
Polk County officials on Wednesday previewed the draft 2026 budget and a proposed levy that county staff said would total $29,249,178. Speaker 2 told commissioners the overall budget is just over $73.5 million, excluding solid waste, and that the preliminary levy increase shown is 3%.
The presentation focused on where the money would come from and how the county is managing larger cost pressures. "The levy itself is $29,249,178," Speaker 2 said, and noted the non-debt levy increase would be about 4.4% when debt levies are excluded. He identified Tri County Community Corrections — which requires a nearly $464,000 levy increase — and rapidly rising health-insurance caps as the largest uncontrollable drivers.
County finance staff also highlighted changes to how the budget is prepared. Officials described the rollout of the Questica budget system and closer links to payroll/timekeeping systems such as Kronos and UKG. Staff said Questica has reduced manual spreadsheet work and will allow more automated, auditable reporting going forward.
Commissioners discussed fund-balance management and whether to set a formal target. "Fund balance is cash," Speaker 7 said, urging a formal policy to avoid volatility and to guide whether excess reserves should be used for capital projects or to lower levies. Staff proposed setting a multi-month target and preparing a written policy for the board to consider at a future meeting.
Next steps: staff will present the formal budget resolutions and levy at the upcoming public hearing and the board will consider adopting the budget and levy at a later meeting. The board recessed to reconvene at 6 p.m. for the public hearing.
