Wapello County adopts FY2026-27 budget after veterans ask for certified part‑time aide
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Summary
The Wapello County Board adopted its FY2026-27 budget on April 7, 2026. Veterans Services Officer Tim Evans and the Veterans Affairs Commission urged funding for a certified part‑time assistant after reporting 1,434 veterans helped since June 2025; the board approved the budget as departments absorbed cuts.
Wapello County’s Board of Supervisors on April 7 adopted the FY2026‑27 budget after a public hearing that included appeals from the county’s Veterans Affairs Commission for additional staff support.
At the hearing, Eric Livingston, speaking for the Veterans Affairs Commission, and Veterans Services Officer Tim Evans described an expanded caseload since Evans began work June 2, 2025. Evans said the office has assisted 1,434 veterans and recorded FY2026 direct assistance totals of $1,836 for food, $1,618 for rent and $484 for utilities. The commission had requested $117,000 but the line item was reduced to $103,000 in the submitted budget; commissioners and commission members discussed whether part of the office’s existing funds could be applied toward paying a certified part‑time assistant (20 hours per week).
The appeal for staffing came as resident Dennis Willhoit questioned whether the board’s prior meetings had been properly posted. Willhoit said he could not locate notices for the March 24 or April 7 meetings; county staff and board members told the hearing the March 24 agenda had been posted on the Wapello County website and published in the Ottumwa Courier, that the county Facebook page was not yet fully operational, and that the April 7 meeting had been posted on April 3 with a revision posted April 6.
After discussion the board closed the hearing and voted to adopt the FY2026‑27 budget (Resolution 6‑2026). Vice Chair Carrie Teninty moved to approve the resolution; Supervisor Bryan Ziegler seconded and the motion carried by voice vote ('All ayes'). The board recorded that departments had absorbed reductions to balance the budget.
Board members and Veterans Affairs representatives said they would continue to press for a certified part‑time assistant, noting certification constraints and state rules that can affect whether volunteer or commission funds may be used to pay staff. The board did not adopt separate funding specifically earmarked for a part‑time VSO assistant at the meeting.
The board’s action makes the FY2026‑27 budget effective as adopted; any departmental allocations or follow‑up staffing requests would be addressed in subsequent board actions or budget amendments.