Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Polk County reviews 2025 finances, adopts contracts and hires steps for accounting overhaul
Loading...
Summary
County finance staff reviewed year-end accounting changes and investment diversification, the board approved equipment rental and crack-filling contracts, and authorized posting for an Assistant Finance Director to support audit prep, payroll oversight and upcoming ERP work.
Finance staff presented the county’s year-end and quarterly review, including reclassification of debt service out of the general fund (a change from the 2025 budget) and the adoption of a new investment policy. The county has begun diversifying a roughly $42 million portfolio into CDs and municipal securities and expects improved returns and liquidity tracking in 2026.
The board approved a regional equipment-rental abstract awarding multiple bidders for use by highway and ditch operations, and awarded a crack-filling maintenance contract to Lot Pros Incorporated (Fergus Falls) as the lowest responsible bidder for $149,520. The board also approved a joint hauling contract and granted two hauler licenses that had paid late-penalty fees.
On technology and staffing, IT staff received approval to renew Splunk for log monitoring ($28,332.20). The finance director received board approval to post for an Assistant Finance Director (grade 17) to provide payroll supervision, internal-control checks, audit preparation and help with ERP readiness; the position was included in the 2026 budget. Staff said they will continue monthly bank reconciliations and transition previously outsourced functions back to county control as capacity allows.
The board voted on these items by motion and voice vote; minutes show no recorded dissents on the contracts and staffing actions.
