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Preliminary 2026 Sawyer County budget shows modest draw, staffing proposals and partner funding debates
Summary
County finance staff presented a preliminary 2026 budget that reduces an earlier shortfall to a proposed fund balance draw of about $383,000, recommends selective partner increases, and flagged major drivers including sales tax, stumpage, ambulance revenue and HHS placement costs.
County finance staff presented preliminary 2026 budget figures to Sawyer County supervisors, reporting a narrowed budget gap, several staffing proposals, and recommended allocations to partner organizations.
The finance presentation identified several revenue strengths and pressures. Sales tax collections for the year were tracking well, the county expects net new construction valuation of about $1.457 million, and County Forest stumpage revenue has performed strongly (staff recommended budgeting $2,000,000 for stumpage based on recent history). Interest income has slowed but remains solid relative to recent years, and ambulance revenues are running above budget following billing changes.
The largest area of concern was Health and Human Services (HHS), where an initial departmental deficit of about $2.6 million (driven largely by out‑of‑county placements and contracted services) contributed to a countywide preliminary budget deficit that staff reduced to a proposed general fund draw of roughly $383,000 after revenue adjustments and expense reductions. Staff said the county has a comparatively healthy unassigned fund balance (about 54% of expenditures) and proposed using a portion of projected 2025 surplus to support HHS while implementing programmatic changes to reduce future placements. Staff also highlighted potential new revenue streams, including establishing a Consolidated Community Services (CCS) program and pursuing foster‑care revenue opportunities.
Staffing and program requests: Two notable staffing items were discussed. A full‑time grant writer requested through CJCC (Criminal Justice Coordinating Council) was not included in the preliminary budget pending further tracking of outcomes; staff proposed exploring an in‑kind arrangement with the tribe (LCO) that has strong grant capacity. Separately, ambulance leadership requested a half‑time administrative support position; staff recommended this position, noting ambulance operations are levied outside the revenue limit and the position would not adversely affect the general fund.
Partner organization funding and other recommendations: Staff reviewed partner requests and offered recommendations. The Wise Community Library requested a substantial increase; staff recommended a smaller increase than requested. Staff also presented the Senior Resource Center request (see separate article) and noted the center's gross request and staff recommendation to reduce the requested county allocation by $9,889, which would still be a $5,000 increase from last year's county allocation. Staff recommended that county funding be contingent on agreements or contracts being signed by partner organizations for 2026 where appropriate.
Property tax and levy: Staff budgeted a small increase in total levy dollars but said the county's mill rate is projected to fall because the property valuation base has grown (staff cited Sawyer County's mill rate as lower than neighboring counties). Staff noted the county has carried conservative revenue estimates historically and that, with the proposed adjustments, they expect a manageable draw on fund balance while working to address longer‑term HHS placement costs.
Votes at a glance: At the start of the meeting the committee approved the minutes of a prior meeting on a motion by Stacy Hessel, seconded by Tom Duffy; the approval was recorded as passed by voice vote.
Ending: County staff will finalize and publish the preliminary budget materials and the board will consider appropriation decisions in forthcoming meetings; no final budget vote occurred at this session.
