Budgets, Let the Fun Continue

Last week I began sharing with you the process that the Supervisors & Department Heads go through during the budgeting process, here at Franklin County. Continuing with that

this week, let’s talk about the funding of outside entities.

There are several outside entities that request funding from the Supervisors each fiscal year. Let’s talk about library support first. The Iowa Code states that Counties MUST provide financial support. This is determined by calculating 6.75 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value within the unincorporated (rural) parts of the county. For the current fiscal year (FY2025)

that equated to $59,568.18 in Franklin County. The Supervisors then chose to match that amount by using the LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) dollars giving them a total of $119,136.36.

This is then divided amongst all the libraries in Franklin County and those that serve residents of Franklin County (Dows & Ackley). The libraries themselves choose how that amount will be

Divided.

Other outside entities that the Supervisors choose to support are the Franklin County Fair, Franklin County Historical Society, Hampton Senior Center, CAL Over 60’s, NIACOG

Housing Trust, Health Harvest of North Iowa, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Access, Inc, & Franklin County Development Association. These are funded by LOST taxes. Back in 1996, the voters of Franklin County voted to allocate LOST funds in the following manner: 1/3 to rural property tax relief (these flow into the rural fund), 1/3 to county infrastructure (roads), and 1/3 to community betterment. It is that last 1/3 of community betterment that is used to fund outside organizations.

Now, it’s not as simple as a handout. The organizations are required to fill out an application for funding each year giving information to the Supervisors as to what they will spend the money on, how their group is funded, what their entire budget is, where else they get funding, etc. The Supervisors review each application and sometimes meet with the organization, if they deem it necessary, and then make their determination. And, I will tell you that the Supervisors spend considerable amount of time discussing requests and deciding how much each group will get. Groups do not always get every dollar that they’ve asked for. And some groups aren’t given any funding. I also want to point out that any group is welcome to apply for funding and the Supervisors entertain all applications, but can’t fund every group.

The Supervisors take their job very seriously in finding the balance of supporting our community and organizations and making sure that every dollar is spent well and benefits as many

residents of our community as possible.

Don’t worry, the budget process isn’t over yet, make sure to come back next week for more! Until next time…