Polk County previews $73.5M 2026 budget, proposes 3% levy increase

Polk County finance staff on Tuesday presented a draft 2026 budget just over $73.5 million and a preliminary levy proposal that would increase the levy by 3%, bringing the total levy to $29,249,178.

The presentation, led by county finance staff, outlined four draft resolutions that will return for formal consideration at the next meeting: the budget, the levy, commissioners’ wages and per diems, and non‑represented employee wages. The board was told the draft preserves a 3% levy increase and uses about $4.9 million in reserves in the proposed numbers.

Staff said key drivers include an unpreventable Tri‑County Community Corrections levy increase (roughly $464,000), health insurance increases (Blue Cross Blue Shield capped at a 15.8% rise for next year), and targeted wage adjustments for certain positions. The county attorney’s assistant positions were moved in grade as previously discussed; commissioners approved those salary changes after removing the item from the table.

Finance staff described progress integrating Questica with payroll and HR data to improve accuracy of personnel budgeting. They said the county plans to invest approximately $3.8 million of reserve cash in short‑term instruments to earn interest while managing liquidity, and to develop a formal fund‑balance policy to guide future use of reserves.

The presentation also flagged capital and personnel items under review, including a $75,000 placeholder in finance for a new position, two proposed supervisory roles in social services, and a corrected cost for a facilities man‑lift. Staff said final budget and levy resolutions will be presented for approval at an upcoming meeting after the public hearing.

The board recessed for a 6:00 p.m. public hearing on the budget; no final vote on the resolutions was recorded during the morning session.