(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission Monday adopted the 2017 county budget as published after approving additional funding for economic development.

The Commission voted 2-1 to take $26,000 from the county’s general fund in order to provide an additional $13,000 each to the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development and the Horton Industrial Development Corporation.  Commissioner Warren Ploeger cast the lone no vote.

The action came after HFED President John Moore urged the Commission to reconsider the budget allotment for industrial development for 2017, which was $12,000 for each organization. 

Moore said the proposed 54 percent decrease in industrial development funds not only jeopardizes their ability to foster a stronger county tax base but it also places current programs funded both locally and by the state, which are managed by HFED, in a precarious position.

Several others also spoke in support of HFED--including Hiawatha USD 415 Superintendent Penny Hargrove, Stacey Simmer with Rainbow Communications and Dave Overdick with Crosswind Petfoods.  

The county had provided $27,000 to HFED the last three years.  Commissioner Ploeger said the funding was cut for 2017 to match what the city of Hiawatha provided.  

As adopted, the 2017 county budget contains a 3.4 mill property tax levy decrease.  The county was able to lower the levy due to a more than $12 million increase in the county’s assessed valuation.