Story County board approves 4% boost for FY27 asset funding

The Story County Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 23 to increase general basic and local-option funding for FY27 asset requests by 4 percent, after a brief presentation from county staff and short discussion among supervisors.

County presenter Speaker 2 told the board the requests before them were agency submissions for FY27 asset funds and asked the board for direction on what percentage increase to apply. Speaker 2 said no increase was requested for public health or asset administration and that the figures presented were preliminary. "When I come back in February, I'll have some additional detail for you on the recommendations," Speaker 2 said.

Board members discussed whether to match other funders, who Speaker 1 noted were looking at about 3 percent. Speaker 3 said they were "torn" but argued for a higher increase given cuts in federal and state funding to local social service agencies and pointed to the material impact a slightly larger percentage would have on providers. "I would make a motion that we, increase by 4%," Speaker 3 said, and the motion was seconded.

The motion to increase the county’s contribution to the asset process by 4 percent was approved in voice vote; recorded 'I' responses were given by Bridal and Edens. Speaker 2 said the January allocation process would narrow requests and that staff would return in February with detailed recommendations.

Next steps: county staff will proceed with the January allocation process and present a recommended distribution of the FY27 asset funds in February for final action.