–The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the current fiscal year budget that restores funding to certain agencies during their meeting Tuesday. The amendment reverses cuts to the county’s libraries and emergency management commission that had been approved with little or no prior discussion by the board. Nobody spoke during a public hearing Tuesday, but Supervisor Jack Plathe did voice his frustrations with the budgeting process this year.
Plathe, who is not seeking reelection in November, says future boards need to do better.
After Plathe’s comments were reiterated by Supervisor Roger Tjarks, who is also not seeking another term this fall, Board Chairman Kyle Stecker responded.
Tjarks had attempted to include a slight pay increase for county employees not covered by a union contract into this budget amendment, but the matter was dropped on the advice of legal counsel. The county did not offer their employees any cost-of-living wage increase this year, while also making them pay $250 a month towards health insurance if they take the county’s family plan.
