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Audubon County supervisors outline staff cuts and set budget hearing amid taxpayer concerns about rising taxes
Summary
At the April 1 meeting, Audubon County supervisors announced unfilled positions and other budget reductions, heard taxpayers pressing for more transparency about cuts and E911 tower costs, and set the FY26 budget hearing for April 29, 2025.
Audubon County supervisors on April 1 approved multiple short-term budget measures and told residents they will continue developing cuts to address the county deficit.
At the meeting Chairman Heath Hansen and Supervisors Kent Grabill and Don Mosinski said the county will not backfill a Conservation position and will replace only one of two recent vacancies in Secondary Roads as part of efforts to lower expenses. Concerned taxpayers at the meeting urged the board to publish specific cuts and actions so residents can see how higher taxes are being addressed.
The discussion included questions about the county’s role in E911 communication towers. Chairman Hansen said state legislators are pursuing repayment for counties that did not receive assistance with tower construction; Sheriff Todd Johnson and EMA Director Tyler Thygesen answered questions about the limited local options for communication systems.
Taxpayers also alleged that union negotiations conducted in December may not have complied with open-meeting requirements; supervisors said they will contact HR attorney Galloway to verify compliance with Iowa Code. The board did not take a final legal position at the meeting.
The board approved routine items by unanimous vote, including a motion to approve the March 24, 2025 minutes and to submit Master Matrix scoring to the Iowa DNR for Opperman Bluebird #69531. Supervisors set the FY26 budget hearing for 10:00 a.m. on April 29, 2025.
Next steps: supervisors said they will continue to refine budget reductions and staff will provide additional details at an extra meeting later in the week when an ETI engineer is on site. The board adjourned at 2:39 p.m.
