Washington County gives budget directive

WASHINGTON — As local governments’ budget season kicks off, the Washington County Board of Supervisors asked department heads Tuesday morning to plan for 0% operational budget growth in the next fiscal year, but said they’d entertain exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

The directive repeats the county’s operations budget approach for the last several years.

“Zero operating procedures has really served us well,” said Supervisor Stan Stoops, who made the motion for the directive, which carried on a 5-0 vote. “Unless they come present it to the board. It’s served us well.”

While county personnel are scheduled to receive a 3% raise Jan. 1, per resolutions passed earlier this year, Board of Supervisors Chair Richard Young said the group was waiting on guidance for payroll directives in FY 2024, which begins July 1 of next year.

“Salary, we don’t know yet because the compensation board’s not met … we haven’t got a date yet,” Board of Supervisors Chair Richard Young said. “We have no idea what they’re going to come out with.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com