Chippewa County board adopts $124.5 million 2025 budget; tax rate falls to $2.28

Chippewa County Board of Supervisors members on Nov. 7 approved the county’s 2025 budget totaling $124,512,398 and set the county tax amount at $21,713,416, resulting in a county tax rate of $2.28 per $1,000 of equalized valuation.

County Administrator Randy Schultz presented the budget at the public hearing, told the board the levy amount and rate and walked through budget drivers and priorities. "The proposed property tax for 2025 would be $21,713,416," Schultz said, and noted the county’s tax rate decrease reflects an 8.28% rise in equalized valuation.

The approved budget reduces the county tax rate from $2.40 in 2024 to $2.28, a roughly 5% decline, while increasing the levy by about 2.85% in nominal dollars. Schultz said the change in the rate results primarily from increasing property valuations, not a large tax increase by the county.

Schultz framed the budget as fiscally conservative and consistent with the county strategic plan. He recommended maintaining current service and funding levels for 2025 while building levy capacity for a 2026 market analysis and anticipated wage adjustments tied to an upcoming WPPA contract negotiation. The recommended wage increases built into the budget include a 3% general increase and a 1% grid adjustment to help keep salaries competitive.

The presentation highlighted several specific cost areas and reserves: the county added funds in recent years for out-of-home placements related to mental-health care and has seen that budget pressure ease somewhat since mid-2023; guardianships and emergency protective placements have increased this year (the corporation counsel division handled 37 guardianships and 15 emergency protective placements through August 2024); and the ongoing closure of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital remains under study and may affect future budgets. Schultz also noted the county’s fourth-highest-in-state net new construction for the valuation year, which bolstered revenue capacity.

On benefits and insurance, Schultz said the county’s fourth year of self-funded health insurance is expected to remain within the budgeted 5.5% target; the county continues to fund programs such as Care Navigator and physical-therapy partnerships to reduce long-term health costs. The 2025 budget also includes additions for courtroom attorney fees, cybersecurity ($30,000), and expanded jail mental-health staffing ($30,000) to add 10 hours of coverage.

The public hearing produced no public comments. After discussion, the board made no substantive changes and voted to approve the budget during the meeting. The board’s action finalizes budget appropriations for calendar year 2025 as presented by staff.

Votes at a glance: The board voted to approve the 2025 budget during the Nov. 7 meeting; the vote was taken by voice and recorded as approved.