— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Tyler Anderson.

Around this time of year, counties across the state of Iowa are making sure that their budgets are just about set for the upcoming fiscal year.

Traditionally, county auditors and supervisors have these moves in their back pocket by late March and early April. In 2023, they were given a little more time, thanks to fine tuning at the state level.

In their latest meeting, which took place at the Hamilton County Courthouse, 2300 Superior St., Webster City, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors made the first step toward finalizing their budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, passing a resolution for maximum property tax dollars.

Most counties stay below the max tax dollars allotted, balancing out county needs with keeping taxes low for residents. Hamilton County is no exception to that rule.

The levy and budget will be set by the board’s final meeting of April, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. on April 25.

Within the 47-minute meeting, the supervisors signed a proclamation for National Public Health Week, received the latest updates from the ISU Extension and Outreach of Hamilton County and approved of a resolution that allows jailers to sign off on checks.

Following the approval of the agenda, previous meeting’s minutes and claims, the board signed off on the proclamation for National Public Health Week.

National Public Health Week spans from April 3 to April 10. To properly observe the week, Hamilton County Public Health will host an open house from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 6, at the Hamilton County Courthouse.

Along with light refreshments, free blood pressure checks will be available.

Moments after signing off on the proclamation, the board met with Sue Schmitz, Program Coordinator for the Hamilton County’s ISU Extension and Outreach branch. Schmitz’s updates included workshops, data from the U.S. Census Bureau, resources and upcoming plans.

One of those plans include cleanup around the Boone River, which is a cooperative effort with Hamilton County Conservation. Schmitz also provided the supervisors with “Data for Decision Makers,” a proverbial county snapshot with population numbers, trends and demographics.

“I really appreciate the information that you gave us on the county profile,” said Jerry Kloberdanz, board chairman.

Supervisor Dan Campidilli offered praise for the Clover Kids program, while Supervisor Rick Young commended the extension on its resources regarding parliamentary procedure.

The board then moved into their public hearing on the 2023-2024 fiscal year maximum property tax dollars. There were increases, however, with General Services going up by 6.99 percent and Rural Services went up by 3.09 percent.

“The reasons for these proposed budget increases are due to increases in taxable value, increases in operating costs, payroll costs and insurance costs,” said Kloberdanz. “Our fees for insurance went up 25 percent, in both property and worker’s comp.”

Kloberdanz shed some light behind the concept of maximum property tax dollars.

“What we did is set our levy at $4.25 per 1,000, we put that maximum in there,” Kloberdanz said. “What happened at the state level is that there was an issue with assessments. We didn’t know where that was going to be, and we had no idea on how that was going to affect us. We had to put a number in to get going and start working on our budget. So, we put it at $4.25. But we do not believe that it’s going to be at $4.25. We believe that it will be substantially lower than that.”

“This is what we have to put in, to give people the notice to let them know what’s going on,” Kloberdanz continued. “So they have an opportunity to look at it.”

The actual levy will be set for April 25.

“We want people to know what we’re doing,” Kloberdanz said. “It’s nice to have somebody here asking questions.”

With no further comments, the supervisors closed the hearing and passed Resolution 2022-20. The resolution opens the door for public hearings and the 2023-2024 budget.

In personnel actions, Catie Peterson was named the new Executive Director of Hamilton County Central Iowa Community Services. Peterson will take over for Patti Treibel Leeds, who will be retiring from her position this summer.

The board then gave the collective thumbs up for a liquor license for Backcountry Winery and Brewery, located outside of Stratford.

“They’re building a great tax base in rural Hamilton County,” said Young.

The board also addressed slough bill exemption applications. In Hamilton County, there were 30 applicants. It’s an annual permit that the landowners can apply for.

Resolution 2023-21 was passed, which addressed an opioid settlement with distributors. The potential funds from the settlement would be geared toward opioid intervention.

For example, Narcan can be purchased with the funds, along with public education and training for law enforcement.

Next up was Resolution 2023-22, which allows the jailers and supervisors in Hamilton County to sign checks with the bank.

“To give a little clarification on that, assume that we arrest somebody and the property they have on their person, which could be $14.25, for example,” said Doug Timmons, Hamilton County Sheriff. “We will take that money, put it in our records management system. When they’re released, we write them a check for that $14 or whatever they had in their pocket. We have two jailers sign each check, so there’s accountability.”

Changes to a utility permit application were brought up from Ryan Weidemann, Hamilton County Engineer/Secondary Roads, which was approved by the board. The board also reviewed the five-year construction program and budget for the 2024 fiscal year from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

A total of 18 projects are in the program, and a map of these programs are available on the county engineer’s website.

The board then set the 2023-2024 fiscal year Hamilton County budget hearing for 9 a.m. on April 25.

Schaa reported that progress is being made on the budget, before Pam Harklau of Hamilton County Public Health relayed that there will be an open house in regards to National Public Health Week.

Timmons provided updates from his department, from responding to active shooting situations in school buildings to performing various training exercises.

Brian Lammers of Hamilton County Conservation touched on chipping and trimming on county trails, along with providing the opening date for Briggs Woods Golf Course and Campgrounds.

“The weather was not going to let us (open this week),” Lammers said. “So, right now, we’re anticipating next Monday to open everything up, get water turned on and get things rolling.”

The pumphouse project is still being planned out, but the department will know this week if the project is given the green light.

Campidilli touched on secondary roads, asking for patience on the road work done on the gravel roads.

“People just have to be patient,” Dan said. “Those roads will be back in good shape. But with a possible wet spring ahead, it’ll be a challenge for secondary roads. They’re doing the best they can.”

Young brought up a proposed project in Stanhope, which is a wetlands area within city limits. The proposed eight and a half acre lake will be located on southside of the coop, and on both sides of Highway 17.

According to Young, it’s optional. However, Young plans to meet with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to consider other recommendations.

“The people upstream and downstream are struggling against this,” Young said. “There’s too many details to release right now, but people should know that they can put these wetlands in.”

“It’s a great thing, to reduce our nitrates, but when they do this, it goes off of the tax bases,” Young added. “So we lose tax base every time one of these projects goes in.”

Before adjourning, Kloberdanz also touched on the state of the gravel roads this spring.

“Take care when you’re out there driving around,” Kloberdanz said.