Washington County supervisors select leadership, ask departments for 5% cuts

WASHINGTON — The Washington County Board of Supervisors selected its leadership for 2026 and set an early tone of fiscal restraint, asking county departments to plan for spending reductions as officials begin work on the next budget cycle.

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At the board’s first meeting of the year on Jan. 2, the group elected Jack Seward Jr. as chair and Marcus Fedler as vice chair. Seward previously served as chair in 2020, returning to the position after several years in which other supervisors held the role.

The new year also came with an announcement that signals upcoming change on the board. Former chair Richard Young, who served two of the past three years in that role, said 2026 will be his final year as a supervisor and confirmed he will not seek re-election. His departure will open at least one seat on the five-member board in the next election cycle.

The leadership vote came only days before supervisors turned their attention back to continued longer-term financial planning. At the Tuesday, Jan. 6 meeting, the board unanimously approved a budget directive recommending that department heads and elected officials identify ways to reduce overall expenses by 5%, excluding labor costs, for fiscal year 2027.

Fedler made the motion, which sets the framework for budget discussions scheduled throughout January.

Supervisors will meet individually with department heads over the coming weeks to review proposed budgets and examine where savings may be possible. County budgets must be filed by April 30 for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and runs through June 30.

The new directive marks a shift from last year, when supervisors asked departments to hold spending steady with a 0% increase. The 5% reduction target applies to expenses other than labor.

The request for cuts reflects broader financial pressures facing counties across Iowa, including rising operating costs and limited flexibility under state property tax laws. County officials typically begin budget planning months in advance to allow time for revisions before formal adoption in the spring, particularly when departments must adjust to new spending targets.

With leadership selected and budget planning underway, supervisors now turn to a series of January meetings that will shape county spending priorities ahead of the next fiscal year.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com