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Stearns County previews 2026 budget: levy rise trimmed to 5.2% after cuts, staffing adjustments planned
Summary
After earlier proposals above 14%, county staff and the board trimmed the 2026 levy increase to 5.2% through cuts, fund shifts and position changes. The proposal includes public safety additions partially grant-funded, a sanitarian paid from fee revenue, and a parks maintenance hire starting mid‑year.
County administrators told commissioners the preliminary 2026 budget has been reduced from an initial proposal above 14% to a 5.2% levy increase through a mix of spending cuts, revenue updates and shifting one highway project from levy to fund balance.
Jill (assistant county administrator) and Sarah Uch, finance director, reviewed the changes that produced the reduction. Among the actions were dropping a previously planned $1.7 million capital-item levy from the levy package, moving a highway construction project from the levy to fund balance after reviewing highway reserves, and…
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