Polk County board approves labor contracts, budget carryovers and joins opioid settlement

The Polk County Board approved several financial and administrative items at its April 21 meeting, including labor contracts, a budget carryover resolution and participation in an opioid-related settlement.

Resolutions 15-26 (labor contracts) were presented as negotiated agreements with the sheriff's field services association and the sergeants association; staff said the agreements are identical except for wage provisions and that the contracts are two-year agreements running retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026. The board approved the labor agreements by voice vote.

Resolution 17-26 amends the 2026 budget to carry forward funds from 2025 for ongoing projects. During discussion staff and supervisors noted that $80,000 from the recycling carryover is earmarked for the purchase of a skid steer; supervisors questioned whether that purchase was an appropriate use of the special per-household recycling charge, and staff clarified the funding source as recycling carryover funds rather than the special $35 per-household charge.

Resolution 18-26 authorizes Polk County to participate in a remnant-defendant opioid settlement. Staff and counsel said the settlement would provide additional funding for programs the county already operates (prevention and CJCC-related services); counsel also advised that suing the defendants individually would be costly and is not recommended. During discussion transcript figures for the total amounts mentioned were inconsistent in remarks, and the record reflects different amounts cited in committee discussion.

The board also confirmed the county administrator's reappointment of Joseph H. Loso as corporation counsel.