Dickinson County supervisors adopt FY2027 budget, approve elected-official pay increases after public hearing

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors on April 14 adopted the county's fiscal year 2027 budget and approved modest salary increases for elected officials following a public hearing in which taxpayers urged officials to rein in spending.

At the hearing, public commenter Mike Fergen told the board, "Spending is what drives taxes, always has and always will," and presented a 10-year snapshot of department budgets and a county fund balance he described as unusually large. Fergen urged a 10% reduction in discretionary spending, use of cash fund balances, and publicizing an 11-item action plan in response to recent audit findings.

The board voted to approve Resolution 2026-6, which sets the recommended compensation schedule for elected officials for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2026. The Compensation Board had recommended various increases; the board approved a 3.5% increase on most offices (details were read into the record). The motion to approve was moved, seconded and carried by roll-call voice.

Later in the meeting the supervisors approved Resolution 2026-10, formally adopting and certifying the Dickinson County fiscal year 2027 budget as published and directing that the certified budget be filed with the Iowa Department of Management. Board members recorded their votes by name; the measure carried.

During public comment other residents asked for clearer line-item explanations and for the county to address what some described as an excess fund balance. Board members said they would consider additional detail and follow-up reporting.

Next steps: the county will file the certified FY2027 budget with the Iowa Department of Management as required, and the board indicated staff will prepare additional materials in response to requests for more detailed budget metrics.