Beltrami County adopts fiscal year 2026 budget principles; commissioners stress mental health, limit layoffs

Beltrami County commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a set of fiscal year 2026 budget principles and priorities after a short discussion of levy and program priorities.

"I would hate to see massive staff layoffs," Commissioner Gold told colleagues, urging the board to avoid large staffing cuts and saying she could accept "1 or 2 positions, maybe 3 maximum." Gold also said she could accept a 9.44% levy increase and urged preserving funding for KRLS library services rather than cutting to the state minimum.

The principles document was prepared by Tom and Jody and distributed to commissioners before the vote. Commissioner Carlson moved to adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget principles and priorities; Commissioner Wenger seconded. After discussion the board "call[ed] the question" and approved the principles by voice vote.

Gold also recommended several policy directions for implementation: a modest minimum 3% across-the-board increase in rates and fees, waiving fees for new residential construction, and prioritizing county-funded mental-health services including children's mental health programs, substance-use disorder services through Health and Human Services, and the sheriff's emergency medical/behavioral response program. She said exploring new revenue sources — including a county carbon sequestration program being investigated by staff member Shane — should be part of the strategy.

The action was a principles/adopted-policies vote; no specific budget appropriations or layoffs were approved at the meeting. Commissioners confirmed levy and budget committee work was largely complete and instructed staff to continue preparing the FY2026 budget under the newly adopted principles.