LINN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN COUNTY, IOWA
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2023 2:30 P.M.
(These are the minutes in their entirety. Archived minutes can be found at www.linncounty.org).
The Board met in session at the Linn County Jean Oxley Public Service Center. Present: Chairperson Zumbach, Vice Chairperson Rogers and Supervisor Running-Marquardt. Board members voting “AYE” unless otherwise noted.
Chairperson Zumbach called the meeting to order.
Chairperson Zumbach stated that the Board is meeting today to discuss SF 181, a correction bill resulting in approximately a $1.7 million loss in revenue for the county. He stated that the bill will probably be approved early next week and an order will go to the Auditor’s Office to recalculate the valuations. The Board will review possible budget items they can do without but made it clear that no decisions have been made.
Sara Bearrows, Budget Dir., presented a list of discretionary items which include Board of Supervisors nonessential travel, trainings and Interns in anticipation of the bill being signed. The Board will meet again on Feb. 22nd & 24th. The deadline to adopt budgets has been extended to April 30 which will allow for republishing the budget. A possible revenue source is ARPA lost revenue in the amount of $10 million.
Dawn Jindrich, Finance Dir., stated that there is no guarantee about next year and they will have another year of cost increases (like this year) which will probably pass into 2025.
Supervisor Running-Marquardt stated that the three of them are working very hard to find things that are external and not hitting core services provided by the county. They are looking at grant programs and will decide if they can go on for another year or not. External discretionary funds need to be looked at every year. She appreciates that the ARPA lost revenue is something they can look at and she has that as an option for things that are not ongoing. She would like to see a balanced approach and consider looking at areas where making cuts makes sense without harming programs and people.
Supervisor Rogers also stated that he is agreeable to look at using ARPA funds to give them a year to look at each discretionary item subject to cuts. This would also give more time to see if the Sheriff’s revenue estimates will make an impact or the Treasurer’s proposed legislation that may bring in an extra $1 million/yr. He too agrees with a balanced approach noting that once they make a cut, it is hard to put it back in the budget.
Jindrich reminded the Board that they must cut $1.7 million out of the general fund even without this bill. They are at a break-even point, including an 11-cent increase in the levy rate.
Bearrows asked the Board to look at the list of discretionary items that she has provided and to make sure everything is there. She would like the Board to provide her with their individual list of cuts by 5 p.m. on Feb. 20 with the intent to finalize on the 22nd.
Chairperson Zumbach advised the department heads present at today’s meeting that they may be contacted to specifically attend the meeting on the 22nd. He also asked for a list of unfilled positions, interns and out of state travel required to keep CEU’s.
Pramod Dwividi, Public Health Dir., stated that this is massive and a significant change because they are talking about $1.7 million. He stated that Public Health provides a public service and they are there for their neighbors. He asked the Board if they have used all their connections with the legislators to see if they can somehow help the county come out with this turmoil.
The Board assured Dwividi that they have done everything that they possibly could, including asking that it not be made retroactive.
Supervisor Running-Marquardt stated that they are making tough budget decisions so if anyone has any ideas, let them know, but for now this is the list of areas that will not harm any programs that anyone has. The Board is trying to focus as much on discretionary funds for the Board and things in their department to cut before going into other departments, programs and people.
Public Comments: John Zakrasek, 531 Lawndale Dr. SE, thanked the Board for their deep thoughtful consideration in the budgeting situation. Seeing the $10 million and being a business owner himself, he would look at every capital cost in the future and use that money against those. He appreciates the balance approach and keeping core operation intact while dealing with this surprise.
Adjournment at 3:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
JOEL D. MILLER, Linn County Auditor
By: Rebecca Shoop, Deputy Auditor
Approved by:
LOUIS J. ZUMBACH, Chairperson
Board of Supervisors
Published in the MVL Sun, Feb. 23, 2023.
Linn BoS Feb 10 minutes
February 23, 2023