Sawyer County finance committee reviews 2026 budget proposal, reduces requested fund-balance draw

County finance officials presented the proposed 2026 budget to the Sawyer County Finance Committee, reporting a steep reduction in requested use of fund balance and outlining levy components, proposed fee changes and staffing assumptions.

The committee heard that the proposed fund-balance draw for 2026 had been reduced from more than $3,000,000 at initial department requests to $382,000 after recommended cuts and adjustments, a change staff attributed to departmental discussions and targeted reductions. County staff also presented a levy-rate projection that would move the county tax levy rate from 2.46 to about 2.43 under the administrator’s proposal.

The budget presentation emphasized several assumptions and highlights. Net new construction used in the levy calculation was listed at 1.457%, the largest in about 15 years. The plan includes proposed general pay increases of 2% in January and 1% in July plus step increases where applicable. Finance staff said they had budgeted conservatively for a 5% health-insurance increase but subsequently received a flat renewal, which reduced projected costs. The county forest stumpage account had already reached 100% of its budgeted revenue for the year, and overall county revenues were reported at roughly 79% of the annual total with expenses at about 71%.

Staff also reviewed department-level items analysts said affected the recommended budget: ambulance services posted net income of about $57,000 year to date and ambulance fees were tracking at 105% of budgeted collections; highway and human services timing of grant reimbursements was noted as a reason some revenues lag expense recognition; sales-tax receipts were tracking ahead of last year and were expected to finish a touch above $3 million for the year.

Several proposed fee changes were highlighted for committee review: the operating-while-intoxicated (OWI) assessment would rise from $250 to $300; an amended driver-safety plan fee from $50 to $75; a proposed $600 fee for adoption home studies under children and families; a $300 notice-of-commencement administrative fee requested by the treasurer to help cover costs in tax-foreclosure cycles; and zoning permit fee increases (some $25–$50 adjustments) along with a proposal to triple the fee for beginning work prior to receiving a permit. County staff described these as recommendations to be considered at the public hearing.

Committee members raised the Senior Resource Center’s $9,000 shortfall relative to its funding request. Committee members and staff noted that the senior center operates as a nonprofit independent of county operations and that decisions about additional county funding would be addressed at the next committee meeting and before the full county board. County Administrator Mike (no last name provided in the record) told the committee the budget hearing would be held on the 16th and that the full board would consider the budget in November.

Discussion vs. decisions: the committee reviewed the administrator’s recommended budget and fee changes; no final budget adoption occurred at the meeting. Two formal actions recorded during the meeting were approval of minutes and a separate motion (see actions array).