Departmental budgets were due to the supervisors in December 2025. Legislation from the Iowa House and Senate limited increases to the property owners in the state, which reduces county revenue. During a year that the inflation rate is over 3% and material costs continue to increase, a mandatory limit to a 2% increase made most of the department heads face cuts in areas no one wanted.

“We had to make some pretty bad presentations to the departments,” said Chairman Rick Young. “This has been one of the most challenging things I’ve seen in 25 years.”

Salary increases to the employees were the only concession, with a 3% increase recommended by the compensation board at the end of the evening.

The Supervisors themselves reduced their salaries by 2%.

“These are cuts that hurt,” said Young. “We realize that they hurt the people we walk amongst.”

The department reductions are as follows:

Economic Development $150,000

Public Health $125,000

Conservation $125,000

Sheriff $25,000

Secondary Roads $130,000

Secondary Roads $150,000 (Project delay)

Libraries $17,000

County Fair Board $10,000

Elderbridge $6,650

UDMO $7,500

Conference Center $138,000

Veterans Affairs $48,000

Supervisors $4,000

Jail $5,000

The total of the reductions came just short of $900,000 in cuts, said Young.

Both County Engineer Ryan Weidemann and County Conservation Director Brian Lammers spoke briefly.

Supervisor April Ely was appreciative of the work it took to complete the budget.

“First and foremost I want to recognize Kim (Schaa).” Ely said. “She was put in a very difficult position, and we need to recognize her and her team.”

The budget cuts will be in place starting July 1, 2026.