Formal Complaints
Formal complaints to the fiscal year 2023 – 2024 county budget have been received from:

• John & Cheryl Walston
• Jerry & Teresa Murphy
• Cindy & Don Cox

1. 1. There has been $72,534 deposited from the general fund for secondary roads. Never before has money been given out of the general fund. Who can answer why this decision has been made?

1. 1. The EMA budget has gone from $50,000 to $80,000 in one year. Why the dramatic increase?

1. 1. DHS and Public Health have merged, what other services besides the registered dental hygienist have they lost? Or do they expect to lose? Who can answer this question?

1. 1. What amount of money is Adams County contributing to the Adams/Taylor public health partnership? Who can answer this question?

1. 1. In the budget, there is a line item amount of $400,000 for secondary roads. Is this for new equipment and what is the equipment? Who can answer this question?

1. 1. There is a 3 million capital project in the budget. We are being told it’s for bridges. Is this guaranteed money? Who can answer this question?

1. 1. There is $100,000 in the budget for the county’s Workmen’s Compensation. This amount should be reduced to $60,000 which was the amount before the accident at the county garage. This amount has cycled out and the WC budget needs to reflect the reduction. Why has this not been addressed?

1. 1. Why with the increase of valuations going up so high why is it necessary for the county levy to be raised? The levy should remain the same as last year not be increased!. What is the justification for this?

Formal Complaint Response – Question 1
Q. There has been $72,534 deposited from the general fund for secondary roads. Never before has money been given out of the general fund. Who can answer why this decision has been made?

R. Please consider the following:
• Iowa Code 331.429(1)(a); Secondary Road Fund.
• Iowa Code 331.429(2)(a) and 331.429(2)(b); Secondary Roads Services
• This amount has been budgeted for FY24 pursuant to Iowa Code and not disbursed (or deposited).

Formal Complaint Response – Question 2
Q. The EMA budget has gone from $50,000 to $80,000 in one year. Why the dramatic increase?

R. Please consider the following:
• The EMA Budget Hearing occurred on 2/27/23 at 4:10 pm in the EMA Building.
• Expenditures have increased for items such as:
• Utilities.
• Equipment, maintenance & related insurances.
• The EMA budget is available on the DOM website.

Formal Complaint Response – Question 3
Q. DHS and Public Health have merged, what other services besides the registered dental hygienist have they lost? Or do they expect to lose? Who can answer this question?

R. Please consider the following:
• DHS and Public Health have only merged at the state level, and this does not impact Taylor County Public Health.
• The registered dental hygienist position was grant funded, and the grant no longer resides with Taylor County Public health.

Formal Complaint Response – Question 4
Q. What amount of money is Adams County contributing to the Adams/Taylor public health partnership? Who can answer this question?

R. Please consider the following:
• Home Health, Public Health and Emergency Preparedness services are offered in Adams County.
• Adams County pays for the expenses associated with the services they receive.

Formal Complaint Response – Question 5
Q. In the budget, there is a line item amount of $400,000 for secondary roads. Is this for new equipment and what is the equipment? Who can answer this question?

R. Please consider the following:
• This is for the replacement of equipment that is nearing end of major component life.
• There are several options being evaluated to determine the most cost-effective option for addressing these needs.

Formal Complaint Response – Question 6
Q. There is a 3 million capital project in the budget. We are being told it’s for bridges. Is this guaranteed money? Who can answer this question?

R. Please consider the following:
• This reimbursement is expected and anticipated based on the assumption that the government remains solvent.

Formal Complaint Response – Question 7
Q. There is $100,000 in the budget for the county’s Workmen’s Compensation. This amount should be reduced to $60,000 which was the amount before the accident at the county garage. This amount has cycled out and the WC budget needs to reflect the reduction. Why has this not been addressed?

R. Please consider the following:
• The budget for FY23 was also set at $100,000.
• Based on increases in premiums and usage, this is a conservative and appropriate amount to budget.

Formal Complaint Response – Question 8
Q. Why with the increase of valuations going up so high why is it necessary for the county levy to be raised? The levy should remain the same as last year not be increased!. What is the justification for this?

R. Please consider the following:
• The levy adjusts each year based on valuations and county requirements.
• See next slide for details…