Webster County supervisors preview budget: variable leases considered, salaries held flat

Supervisor (Speaker 2) told fellow Webster County supervisors during a meeting that the county is still finalizing land-lease terms with Iowa Central and is considering variable-rate leases to even out year-to-year revenue swings. He said supervisor salaries would remain unchanged in the proposed budget and that staff would bring final lease numbers to a future agenda.

The discussion focused first on rental income tied to agreements with Iowa Central. "We're looking at variable rate leases to help with the ebbs and flows," Supervisor (Speaker 2) said, explaining the change aims to reduce peaks and valleys in revenue so the county can continue supporting the community college's agricultural program. Speakers noted Iowa Central helps keep agricultural training and scholarships local, and that only a small number of community colleges in the state operate similar arrangements with local governments.

The supervisors discussed operating costs and small capital items: Speaker 2 raised the worn chairs in the meeting room and asked whether to budget the purchase under office supplies or miscellaneous. "Well, we usually steal from the auditor," Speaker 1 quipped in response to coding questions. County staff (Speaker 3) advised that miscellaneous typically covers taxes and drainage assessments and that, because no supervisors have submitted mileage for the current fiscal year, "we wouldn't even have to do an amendment because it's within your department and within the general fund," allowing an internal adjustment rather than a formal budget amendment.

Other specific items noted in the discussion: supervisors proposed keeping pay at 0% raises (the same as recent years), reducing mileage reimbursements for most members while one member remained at prior levels because of frequent external meetings, and setting aside $5,000 for school instruction/ISAC conference attendance. No formal motions or votes were recorded on these items in the transcript.

Supervisor (Speaker 2) said he is awaiting final numbers from the college and expects to bring a more finalized proposal back to the board for placement on a future agenda. The supervisors closed the discussion and moved on to the next agenda item.