County administrator to propose defunding at least 15 positions as budget tightens; fees under review

County Administrator Leonard told the Human Resources, Finance and Property Committee the administration is deep into 2026 budget development and anticipates proposing that at least 15 currently vacant positions will not be funded in the proposed budget as part of efforts to align revenues and expenses. Leonard said department heads have met with administration and staff are reviewing fees, revenue streams and line items "line by line" to find efficiencies and mitigate levy impacts. He said the sheriff’s office remains a focal point for follow-up because it is the largest department by personnel and levy impact. Nut graf: Administrator Leonard framed the upcoming proposed budget as a mix of aligning revenue to expenses, implementing the recently completed wage study and seeking efficiencies. He said some small departments will experience shared sacrifice; example departments named were Register of Deeds (one position in a staff of four would be unfunded) and Facilities and Capital Management (one position unfunded). Parks, Recreation and Forestry and other departments also have positions under review. Leonard said staff are taking another pass through fee schedules and that some statutory constraints require legislative changes to permit certain fees; he cited medical examiner staff who testified at a legislative hearing about statutory amendments needed to allow new fees. Leonard said the proposed budget will be presented to the County Board later this month and committees will have opportunities to weigh in during October and November before final adoption. Committee members endorsed budgeting through attrition as reasonable and noted there will be opportunities to amend the budget during the public hearing process. Decision/direction: Staff will return a proposed budget later this month for committee review and then present it to the County Board; committees will have opportunities in October and November to propose amendments prior to final adoption. Ending: Administrator Leonard said additional follow-up meetings with departmental leadership (including the sheriff) are scheduled and finance staff will present refined fee schedules as part of ongoing budget work.