Sawyer County outlines 2026 budget with modest levy increase; libraries and Meals on Wheels seek more support

Sawyer County administrators presented a proposed 2026 budget on Oct. 28 that relies largely on modest net new construction and rising debt-service costs, while dozens of residents urged the Board of Supervisors to increase funding for public libraries and senior nutrition programs.

County staff said the county's only meaningful new revenue for 2026 is net new construction of about $1.457 million — "That equates to about $152,000," said Mike Marker, the county staff member leading the budget presentation. Marker told supervisors health-insurance renewals came in flat after the county budgeted a 5% increase, and that the county will budget the health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) expense at 50% of its 2026 cost because a prior buildup of reserve now covers remaining liabilities.

The presentation showed a modest operating-levy increase and a roughly $600,000 rise in the county's levy limit due to newly required debt-service levies, county officials said. Debt-service costs rose in part because of the county communications upgrade passed earlier this year and remaining courthouse work; county staff cautioned the five-year repayment schedule does not yet include future capital improvement projects.

Why it matters

The budget sets the levy and service levels that affect county programs from highways and emergency services to Health and Human Services (HHS). Supervisors heard public testimony urging larger allocations for community libraries and warned that the senior Meals on Wheels program faces state funding cuts that could force local service reductions.

Public comments and funding requests

The county held a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget during which multiple library directors and community members testified. Anne Larson, director of the Sherman and Ruth Weiss Community Library, said the Weiss library is asking the county for $245,000 annually and described heavy use: "Last year we welcomed more than 58,000 visitors," Larson said. She asked the board for a stable funding increase to avoid drawing down the library's capital-repairs reserve.

Donna Nucchi, director of the Winter Public Library, said her branch requested $78,253 — the same allocation as prior years — and described heavy local usage despite a small building footprint.

Several speakers said libraries serve a broad cross-section of county residents and visitors and deliver returns beyond the dollar amount requested. "Libraries are not a luxury. They are infrastructure," said Eileen Timmerman, who identified herself as president of the library foundation.

County staff recommended a lower increase than some libraries requested. Marker said the Weiss library had requested funding equal to roughly 140% of circulation; his recommendation was to fund Weiss at about 123% of circulation, noting the statutory minimum reimbursement for in-county libraries is 70%.

Senior services concerns

Julie Johnson, director of the Senior Resource Center, and other speakers warned that the Meals on Wheels program is under pressure from higher food costs and declining reimbursements. Johnson described rising food prices — "One box just to serve the Hayward site alone ... was $100. Last year ... that box of beef was $48.36" — and said local fundraising had produced substantial sums but remained unpredictable. She told the board: "The state of Wisconsin cut $21,000,000 from the Meals on Wheels budget for next year." Johnson said that state-level timing makes it difficult for the county to know whether a midyear adjustment will be needed and that program changes (reduced delivery days or prioritized clients) may be required if additional funds are not found.

County staff and committees

Marker reviewed departmental adjustments intended to reduce the original $3.2 million gap the administrator initially identified: trimming some department requests, re-evaluating HHS revenues and expenses, and reducing projected fund-balance draws. He noted a planned transfer to special funds (highway and HHS) and said the county continues to fund several levy-exempt items (bridge/culvert repair, countywide EMS, library payments and debt-service payments) while not using two possible exemptions: property and casualty insurance and court-ordered placements.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve a DOT pass-through grant resolution supporting a transportation grant for the Senior Resource Center (resolution referenced as the DOT pass-through grant item): motion by John Righeimer, second by Kay Wilson; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Motion to approve minutes of the Sept. 18 meeting: motion by Jim Evans, second by Tom Duffy; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Motion to keep county board supervisor per diem/salary for the 2026–27 term unchanged: motion by Jim Evans; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Motion to approve a county resolution supporting the Forestry Revitalization Act (separate item discussed during the meeting): motion by Buckles (mover), second by an unnamed second; outcome: approved (voice vote).

What the board will do next

County staff said they will present a final proposed budget and levy for board action at the Nov. 12 meeting. Marker asked supervisors to raise substantive change requests before that meeting so staff can prepare. The county administrator noted the board will have a final vote on the budget and levy at the November meeting.

Clarifying details and context

- Net new construction: $1.457 million, generating about $152,000 in additional levy capacity (as presented by Mike Marker).

- Health insurance renewal: county budgeted 5% but renewal came in at 0% increase (flat renewal).

- HRA funding: staff proposed recognizing 50% of HRA expense in 2026 after a prior buildup of fund balance to cover grandfathered liabilities.

- Levy limit: staff described a calculated increase of roughly $600,000 from the prior year reflecting added debt-service levies and net new construction.

- Weiss Library request: $245,000 annual request; administration recommended funding at approximately 123% of circulation (the library requested ~140% of circulation); statutory minimum is 70%.

- Winter Public Library request: $78,253 (same as prior years).

- Senior Resource Center fundraising cited in testimony: $6,500 (ongoing "treat a senior to a meal" campaign as of the morning of the meeting), Stone Lake Lumber donation $4,896.17, Cranberry Fest donation $1,000, recurring donor $1,115, and monthly bingo proceeds averaging about $1,600 (speaker provided these figures in public comment).

- Senior services uncertainty: director reported pending state-level decisions and recent state funding cuts referenced by witnesses that could require midyear changes to local service levels.

Speakers

- Mike Marker, staff member (budget presenter) - Anne Larson, director, Sherman and Ruth Weiss Community Library - Donna Nucchi, director, Winter Public Library - Julie Johnson, director, Senior Resource Center - Kathy McCoy, citizen and Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee member - Daniel Wheeler, resident and parent (public commenter) - Mindy Simons, director, Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau - Additional citizens and nonprofit representatives who provided public testimony (see provenance for excerpts)

Authorities referenced

- County policy/process documents: levy limit calculation (referenced in presentation; no ordinance number specified) - Resolution (DOT pass-through grant) referenced during the meeting in support of applying for state transportation aid for the Senior Resource Center (referenced at the meeting; resolution identifier as presented: "Resolution 85-21" / 2026 grant item)

Provenance

Topic intro excerpt: "Thank you, mister chairman. I will not spend quite as much time this month as we went through it pretty thoroughly last week. But this is the budget hearing, so I will give the highlights again. ... Our net new construction was 1.457. That equates to about $152,000" (presentation by Mike Marker; transcript time ~601.265).

Topic finish excerpt: "At this time, this concludes our public hearing of 2026 budget. Thank you. Yeah. We'll take a 5 minute recess." (closing of public hearing; transcript time ~4796.79).

Searchable_tags:["budget","levy","libraries","Meals on Wheels","senior services","DOT grant","Sawyer County","HHS","capital_improvements"]

Community_relevance

- Geographies: Sawyer County (countywide); Hayward area specifically mentioned - Funding sources: county levy, state transportation grant (pass-through), library donations and local fundraisers - Impact groups: library patrons (residents and tourists), senior residents who receive Meals on Wheels, HHS clients

Meeting_context

- Engagement_level: high public engagement on libraries and senior services (multiple public-comment speakers); budget item received extended presentation and review - Implementation_risk: medium — final budget and levy hinge on board action in November and on pending state funding decisions affecting senior services - History: libraries and senior resource funding have been long-running topics; county has funded libraries above statutory minimum in prior years

Salience

- overall:0.78 - overall_justification:Budget sets levy and service levels countywide; public comments indicated potential near-term service changes for seniors and requests for increased library funding.