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County administrators propose budget adjustments, compensation schedule changes and additional LEC project scope
Summary
County staff outlined moves intended to reduce the 2026 preliminary levy, including recalibrating pay schedules for senior classifications, budgeting compensation at 98% to reflect normal turnover, and allocating capital funds to cover additional scope for the Law Enforcement Center renovation; staff said a preliminary levy near 7% is targeted.
County administration presented a series of budget and personnel adjustments to commissioners aimed at lowering the county's preliminary 2026 levy request and covering additional scope on the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) renovation.
Compensation and market adjustments: Personnel committee reviewed market adjustments for leadership‑level positions currently outside market ranges. The committee recommended recalibrating ranges for compensation grades 20–26 and adding a grade 27 to align certain classifications (for example, attorney and senior leadership) with market pay. Commissioners were also asked to consider expanding benchmark counties used for comparisons to include Crow Wing, Itasca and Otter Tail counties.
Budget maneuvers to lower levy: County administration proposed several technical changes to reduce the levy increase, including budgeting compensation at 98% of full pay (to reflect typical turnover), renegotiated health care contribution projections and deferring or reprioritizing items in the capital plan. Administration said those moves could reduce the preliminary levy projection from higher double digits toward a goal near 7% and that a preliminary levy of about $22.9 million will be presented next week.
LEC project scope and capital allocations: Staff described approved plan‑review change orders and unexpected scope items in the LEC renovation, including roof access and non‑skylight natural light requirements in some holding cells. Administration recommended allocating up to $250,000 from capital improvement funds to cover added scope or furniture and to replenish contingency to cover further change orders. Law enforcement said it could cover some furniture costs from available departmental funds.
Why it matters: Commissioners raised concerns about architectural oversights and the potential for further change orders. Administration said it will bring a formal preliminary levy figure and a capital allocation recommendation to the next meeting and will present supporting details on capital fund balances, project contingencies and recommended compensations adjustments.
Ending: County staff will present the proposed compensation schedule changes, supporting market study, and a refined preliminary levy in the next meeting; commissioners asked for additional capital allocation detail for the LEC work.
