Chickasaw supervisors advance budget, set EMC funding pending public hearing and propose $1.5M capital transfer

The Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors spent the bulk of its Feb. 2 meeting on a budget work session that included levy-rate modeling, nonprofit funding requests and a proposed large transfer to capital projects.

EMA Director Jeff Bernice presented the EMC’s FY 2026–27 request and explained the funding mechanism tied to a special levy. Board discussion centered on two figures: the full request modeled at roughly $113,755 and a rural-share option of $65,172. Several supervisors raised legal and representation concerns about Chapter 29C and the EMC’s voting structure, saying it can place rural taxpayers at a disadvantage. The board moved — and on a roll call vote approved 3–2 — to include $65,172 in the draft budget for EMC pending a public hearing, and to continue lobbying state lawmakers about statutory issues raised in the discussion.

County fiscal staff walked the board through levy-rate options and fund-balance projections required for the March and April budget deadlines. Supervisors reviewed requests from county departments and nonprofits — including the Council on Aging, Northeast Iowa Community Action, the Big 4 Fair, libraries, soil conservation and foster-grandparent programs — and agreed preliminary funding levels for the public‑hearing draft.

During the session members also discussed a proposal to move $1,500,000 from the general basic fund into a capital projects account to allow immediate work on courthouse infrastructure (window and other repairs were mentioned). Board members signaled support in principle to model that transfer and see how it affects levy and fund-balance projections; staff will present updated schedules at the next meeting.

The board and staff also reviewed vehicle and equipment requests (a sheriff vehicle and county conservation heat-pump/ truck), and discussed timing for publication of budget hearing notices. The board directed staff to prepare the draft for publication and to include the EMC amount as described above pending the required public hearing.