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Administrator says 2026 budget will rely on holding vacant positions; estimates about 15 positions may be unfunded
Summary
County Administrator Leonard told the Executive Committee that to balance the 2026 budget staff vacancies will be held open where feasible, with an estimated impact equivalent to about 15 positions; he listed planned and proposed budget items and said net new construction revenue totals $837,000.
County Administrator Leonard told the Marathon County Executive Committee the 2026 budget will rely on holding vacant positions open and other shared‑sacrifice measures to balance the county’s books.
Leonard said the county is well into budget development and that department heads have been asked to identify savings. He said the county will hold vacant positions and that the approach may result in the equivalent of approximately 15 unfunded positions across departments, either through attrition or targeted hold‑open decisions.
Leonard said the county’s available net new construction revenue is $837,000 but that “cost to continue” staff and service levels outpace that amount. He listed several items that will be included in the proposed 2026 budget: funding a minimum revenue guarantee program at the airport, a partnership allocation with the City of Wausau for emergency shelter operations in 2026, and several human resources classification changes including a 0.75 FTE to 1.0 FTE increase in the Veterans Service Office. He also said some reclassification and a defunding of one position in the Health Department to move resources to homelessness work are included in proposals under consideration.
Leonard said he understands holding positions open can be a “significant hardship” for smaller offices (he cited the Register of Deeds as an office of four with a vacant position) and described the budget approach as shared sacrifice across departments. He said the county will continue to evaluate department needs, pursue efficiencies, and attempt to preserve critical services while addressing workforce retention and recruiting challenges.
Committee members asked clarifying questions; no formal policy changes were made at the meeting. Leonard said the administration will bring a balanced proposed budget to the county board that reflects committee guidance and the department‑by‑department review.
