The Greene County supervisors at their April 27 meeting held a public hearing at which there were no comments and then approved the budget for the coming fiscal year 2027, (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027).
Of all the various levies, the general supplemental levy is the only levy not decreasing; it will remain at $2.39 (per $1,000 of taxable valuation). Other levy rates are as follows: general basic, from 3.49 to 3.42; debt service from 1.07 to 1.07; and rural basic from 2.99 to 2.96. Total countywide rates are decreased from 9.94 to 9.79.
Property owners will not pay less in taxes, though. The decrease in levy rates is possible because of increases in property valuations. Total valuations increased 4.49 percent over the current year. Rural valuations increased 4.43 percent and urban valuations increased 4.67 percent. The valuations are determined by the county assessor. He works independently from the supervisors.
Auditor Billie Hoskins explained service area budgets as follows:
Public safety – Expenses increas 8.49 percent due to wage increases in the sheriff’s office and Greene County Ambulance, and increases in the cost of care for jail prisoners not being held in Greene County. The cost of housing prisoners out-of-county will decrease when the new jail opens.
Physical health and social services – Expenses decrease 4.34 percent.
County environment and education – Expenses increase 3.22 percent, reflecting a 3 percent increase in funding for libraries, a 3.25 percent increase in salaries in the conservation department, and a decrease in funding for the Bell Tower Festival and The Children’s Center.
Government services – Expenses increase 12.48 percent due to 3.25 percent salary increases in the treasurer’s office for drivers’ license services, the recorder’s office, and the portion of wages in the auditor’s office related to elections. One-half of the fulltime IT director’s wage will come from this budget rather than 25 percent as in past years. There is increased expense for election security as well. Hoskins reminded the supervisors expenses in this service area will decrease in FY28 as there will not be a state or federal election that year.
Administration – Expenses decrease 10.99 percent due primarily to the bulk of the courthouse HVAC project being included in the current year budget. Salaries for the board of supervisors, and the portion of wages paid in the treasurer’s and auditor’s office not related to elections or drivers’ licenses increase 3.25 percent. The cost of liability insurance is also increased.
Non-program current – An increase 288.39 percent because the county is serving as fiscal agent for the Paton-Churdan Early Learning Center’s $600,000 Community Development Block Grant. That amount must be shown somewhere in the county budget. Flow through funds for Greene County public health are shown in this budget area, as well as grants awarded to the Greene County Fair Association.
Debt service – Increase of 30.43 percent related to Phase 2 of the urban renewal roads project. This is offset by TIF funds but still must be listed on the expense side of the budget.
Capital projects – An increase of 23.91 percent, with finishing the new county jail during the summer (ahead of schedule and under budget, according to sheriff Jack Williams), and the urban renewal roads project.
Ending fund balances are estimated at $705,599 in the general basic fund; $861,126 in the general supplemental fund; $794,620 in rural basic (includes secondary roads); and $78,521 in the debt service fund.
Prior to holding the public hearing and approving the budget, the supervisors approved resolutions increasing the salaries of county elected officials. Elected officials except for the sheriff will see a 3.25 percent increase in annual salaries as follows: attorney, $146,056; auditor, $86,780; recorder, $82,526; treasurer, $83,886; and supervisors $38,605 each.
Sheriff Williams will receive a 7 percent increase, bringing his annual salary to $127,195. The salary resolution refers to a state law that the sheriff’s salary must be comparable to salaries paid to professional law enforcement administrators and command officers of the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and city police chiefs employed by cities of similar population of the county. The resolution names the salaries of an Iowa State Patrol captain, a chief in the Iowa State Patrol, and police chiefs in Pella, Sergeant Bluff, Lake Mills and Clear Lake. Williams’ increase places him at the bottom of the pay range required by the Iowa Code. The supervisors approved increasing the hourly wage paid to election poll workers. Precinct election officials will see an increase from $175 to $200 for a full day; from $11 to $13 hourly; and $25 for training.
