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Story County adopts FY2027 budget, certifies tax levies
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Summary
The Story County Board of Supervisors on April 28 approved Resolution 26-84 to adopt the fiscal year 2027 budget and certify tax levies. The budget presentation said revenues are estimated at $50.8 million and proposed expenses total $59.5 million; the board also approved a compensation resolution for elected officials.
On April 28, 2026, the Story County Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 26-84 to adopt the county's fiscal year 2027 budget and certify local tax levies.
County Auditor Lucy Martin presented the budget and its assumptions to the board, saying, “The budget we're adopting today has revenues of $50,800,000,” and that the board was proposing expenses totaling $59,500,000. She outlined levy and service-area allocations, noting countywide taxable value rose 4.62% and described the proposed levy rates: a general fund levy of $3.43, a supplemental levy of $0.785, and a county debt-service component near $0.12. Martin also said schools would receive roughly 46% of the tax distribution in an example based on a $100,000 house.
Why it matters: The budget sets where Story County will allocate tax revenue across public safety, administration, roads, health and social services, conservation and capital projects for the coming year. Board members confirmed a 3% cost-of-living increase was included in the salary request and noted ARPA funds embedded in some program lines must be expended by mid-FY27.
Board action and vote: After the public hearing and presentation, Supervisor (motion) moved approval of Resolution 26-84 (fiscal year 2027 budget adoption and tax certification) and a second was recorded. The board approved the resolution by voice vote; the call recorded the votes as: Bridal — Aye; Heddens — Aye; Merkin — Aye. Earlier in the meeting the board also approved Resolution 26.83 on elected officials’ salaries as recommended.
Details and next steps: The auditor provided breakdowns by service area: public safety and legal services account for about 31% of expenses, administration about 16%, roads and transportation about 15%, environment and education about 13%, capital projects 11% and health/social services 8%. Martin noted that the county’s revenue mix is approximately 62% property tax, 19% intergovernmental (grants and state replacements), 7% fees and 7% local option sales tax. The board certified the levies as part of adopting the budget; any further adjustments would be handled through the county's established budget amendment processes.
The board adopted the budget during its April 28 meeting and recorded the procedural votes; no additional public hearings on the budget were scheduled at the close of the meeting.
