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Griggs County begins 2026 budget work; treasurer flags levy cap and insurance questions
Summary
County staff presented preliminary budget worksheets, explained a 3% cap on many levies, and outlined insurance scenarios. The county will return with more complete levy calculations and supporting documents ahead of the August preliminary deadline.
Griggs County administration presented preliminary materials for the 2026 budget and described limits on levy increases and several insurance-cost scenarios.
County staff said the county may have about 7.28% of levy room overall (a multi-year running calculation) and noted the complexity of applying a 3% cap that affects some levies but not others; the county attorney and auditors’ guidance and prior years’ levy changes will factor into final calculations. The county auditor/treasurer said the water resource district is exempt from the 3% cap in this instance and that library levies follow different rules because they are not countywide in the same way.
Why it matters: the preliminary budget determines the county’s ability to raise property tax revenue in 2026 and sets the framework for department budgets and county services.
Staff also said department heads’ wage numbers were not yet finalized in the packet and that insurance assumptions were included in multiple scenarios (single policy, partial employer contribution, or full family coverage). The treasurer confirmed she will attend the auditor/treasurer convention and will bring back clarifications; the preliminary budget must be submitted by August 10 and the county’s budget hearing will occur before October 10.
Next steps: department-head meetings and additional worksheets are planned; the treasurer will provide updated levy calculations and new-growth figures after submitting assessment data to the state.
Ending: commissioners instructed staff to continue department-level meetings and to return with clearer levy worksheets before the August preliminary deadline.
