Sherburne County departments outline 2026 strategic priorities as state and federal funding remains uncertain

Sherburne County department heads reviewed strategic priorities for 2026 and told the county board that ongoing state and federal budget uncertainty — combined with the county’s transition off American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds — will force difficult budget choices.

County administration and budget staff framed the discussion on fiscal constraint and the ARPA transition. Bruce and Dan Weber told commissioners that the county must decide which programs funded by ARPA to continue with levy dollars or allow to sunset. Dan Weber and administration staff called the county’s ARPA portfolio “one of the most complex programs in the country,” and said close accounting and federal reporting remain active tasks.

Department heads then described priority needs that will shape next year’s budget requests. HR highlighted three priorities: implementing the new state paid family and medical leave law effective Jan. 1, 2026; managing nine bargaining units’ negotiations for 2027 and beyond; and recruiting and retaining staff in a tight labor market. The county attorney said complex litigation, increases in jury trials (23 in 2024 vs a historical 12–14) and new statutory processes require additional professional services and digital records capacity. The county attorney’s office and administrators flagged rising costs for court‑appointed attorneys — described in the meeting as rising from roughly $80/hour to $150/hour — and new forensic and competency procedures that may increase county costs.

Other departments outlined needs tied to equipment lifecycles and statutory changes. The auditor‑treasurer said staff will build a replacement fund for voting tabulators (Dominion equipment; lifecycle ~10–12 years) and will develop processes for forfeited properties after the Tyler ruling; staff also flagged new cannabis license registration duties. Community corrections said legislative changes, including the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA), require new processes for early release planning and greater data reporting; the department requested Power BI licensing and training to meet reporting requirements. Health and Human Services said continued focus will be prevention and early intervention for children and families while pursuing non‑levy revenue and rate setting to manage mandated service costs.

Public works and facilities listed capital needs: continued road projects, two roundabouts in Zimmerman, parking lot repairs, masonry work and a planned redundancy upgrade for jail hot water systems. Information Technology identified automation, vendor partnerships (including renegotiation of the Microsoft enterprise agreement in 2026) and cybersecurity as major priorities. Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office summarized nine priorities, including recruitment and retention, wellness, a proposed jail remodel (booking, sally port and special housing space), and maintenance of PSAP redundancy (secondary 911 center in Zimmerman). Several commissioners noted that even with careful prioritization, “no one is going to get as much money as they think they need,” and that the county is entering a period of austerity as state and federal funding is reconsidered.

Board members and staff said they will use department strategic lists as the starting point for formal budget conversations; staff will return with detailed budget proposals and updated spreadsheets comparing state budget outcomes to county impacts.