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Sawyer County finance report: sales tax ahead for year, budgets near midyear targets
Summary
Finance staff reported June sales tax slightly down from last year but the year-to-date total $40,000 ahead; general fund and expense lines are near budget midyear targets; CIP and investments updates were presented and ARPA funds are fully committed.
County finance staff presented the midyear financial review and department-level updates, reporting steady revenues and near-target spending through June 30.
The finance presenter said June sales tax was about $3,000 below June of the prior year, but year to date the county was roughly $40,000 ahead of 2024 and on pace for more than $3.1 million for the year. The presenter reminded the board that sales-tax settlements lag activity by about two months and noted the county was heading into its historically strongest months for sales-tax receipts.
On the general fund, finance staff reported revenue receipts at about 49% of budget through midyear (target about 50%) and expenses at roughly 48% after monthly transfers, concluding the general fund was “in really good shape.” Interest income was at about 51% of budget. Health and Human Services revenues were running behind at roughly 42% for the year, a pattern staff attributed to grant timing; HHS expenses were “right on pace.” Highway revenues were behind as some state reimbursements were pending, while expenses were slightly under budget during the construction season. Finance staff said they are moving more journal entries and transfers to monthly processing to reduce year-end adjustments.
Staff also briefed the board on the capital improvement program (CIP) and recent equipment transfers to Highway. The county completed several equipment transfers this month (including reimbursements to Highway) and is actively working on bidding for CIP items for next year. The presenter said some departments have submitted full 2026 budget requests and that the county will provide a fuller update in August.
On investments, the presenter said virtually all county funds were earning above 4%, and the most recent certificate of deposit yielded 4.17%. A PMA CD comes due in August and will be rebid; the county will place the result on next month’s agenda. The presenter also said ARPA funds previously committed have now been spent.
No new budget ordinances were approved during the report; the presentation was an informational midyear update and staffing and budgeting requests will be considered later in the budget process.
