County approves annual budget, aerial photo contract
HARTINGTON – The Cedar County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s annual budget with little fanfare last week.
No additional discussion was had. No one attended the budget or tax asking public hearings and the budget was unanimously approved at its regular meeting.
Cedar County Clerk Jessica Schmit said the whole budget process went smoothly in her first year as county clerk, from working with the commissioners to each county department.
“The commissioners were on the same page as me out of the gate, desiring to be within the threshold of the joint public hearing and believing the county had the ability to operate with those means,” she said, referring to Truth in Taxation legislation which forces tax entities to appear at a public hearing if its budget exceeds an allowable growth lid. “All of the elected officials are fiscally responsible and do not turn in an estimation of expenditures that is out of line.”
And for that she’s thankful, Schmit said. The county’s operating budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year comes in at nearly $28.6 million, a marked 11 percent decrease when compared to the year prior. County valuations also increased by more than 12 percent.
The tax levy was set at slightly more than 24 cents on every $100 of assessed valuation, down nearly two cents from the previous year.
There are no road projects planned for next year which was the biggest difference in keeping costs low, she said.
“The commissioners may wait until a bridge match program is available again through the state before planning another major project, as the state will help pay a portion of an approved project,” Schmit said.
Most budgets remained the same or increased slightly due to inflation, and the approved budget includes a slight bump for the county’s cash reserves.
“I think Cedar County is being very responsible with taxpayer dollars while still having to be prepared for expenditures which are out of our control such as the ongoing (Laurel murder) trials,” Schmit said.
At its last meeting, commissioners also approved a contract with a New York-based aerial photography company, Eagle View, after months of discussion and some time for Cedar County Attorney Ron Temple to review contract terms.
The business provides aerial imagery, geospatial data and related software that will be used by the Cedar County Assessor’s Office, and the highway and emergency management departments.
Eagle View’s cameras are attached to airplanes flying at low altitudes to capture photographs at multiple angles for three-dimensional views.
Cedar County Assessor Becky Dresden previously recommended Eagle View as surrounding counties use the company’s services. The county formerly used gWorks, an Omaha-based company, for its mapping system software. However, gWorks no longer provides aerial imagery.
The assessor’s office regularly updates pictures of properties in each community in the county as well as rural properties for a visual inspection of each parcel. For example, photos of Randolph properties will be taken one year; the next year, Hartington and Coleridge property photos will be taken; then the third year, rural properties and those in other villages may be taken.
The commissioners agreed to enter into a six-year contract with an annual payment of $58,000.