A bill for an act concerning county budgets including employee contracts.

HF 678 requires Iowa counties to include dedicated funds for employee contracts (negotiated under Chapter 20) in their annual budgets. It mandates that any raises for these employees must be accounted for in the certified budget before taking effect, and such raises cannot begin until after the new fiscal year starts. This bill directly affects county governments as they prepare budgets, ensuring compensation changes align with budgeted timelines. The key change prevents counties from authorizing raises outside the formal budget process.