Courier Staff Writer

WATERLOO -- The Black Hawk County Health Department will request a 9.8 percent increase in tax revenue from the county.

The decision comes despite a request from the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors for departments to freeze operational expenses for the upcoming fiscal year.

More than half of the $157,000 proposed increase would pay for the county's home care aide program.

It serves fewer people than in past years, but the program's operating expenses have been increasing as people grow older, said Tom O'Rourke, the health department's director.

"We deliver services to fewer clients, but those that remain have a greater need," he said. "It's my responsibility to at least ask for the money to reflect the realities of our programs."

Tax money would also pay for more modest increases that would address rising demand for mental health services and to combat lead poisoning in Waterloo's African-American community.

The department also hopes to increase hours at its sexually transmitted disease clinic. They were cut back two years ago because of budget constraints.

Black Hawk County had the highest per capita rate of reported cases of chlamydia, syphilis or gonorrhea in 2007, according to a June report from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Under the department's budget proposal, overall revenues would increase by 11.7 percent, and its budget would jump by 11.1 percent.

Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad

at (319) 291-1580 or

jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.