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Sherburne County board certifies preliminary 2026 levy at $66.84 million; staff to pursue messaging on state cost shifts
Summary
The board adopted a preliminary 2026 property tax levy of $66,842,284 after a budget presentation that included the elimination of 6.41 full‑time equivalent positions and identified state cost shifts that account for roughly 1.3–1.4 percentage points of the levy increase.
Sherburne County commissioners adopted a preliminary property tax levy of $66,842,284 for 2026 following presentations by county administration and finance staff. Administrator Bruce summarized budget pressures including personnel costs, insurance, and inflationary activity, and noted staff recommendations to reduce authorized staffing by 6.41 full‑time equivalents across several departments.
Bruce and finance staff outlined cost‑shift items from the state and other deferred items the county had not yet budgeted for, and noted that without a particular community corrections funding shift for Sherburne County, the levy increase would be substantially lower. Commissioners asked staff to refine public messaging to clearly identify which portion of the increase stems from state‑driven cost shifts.
Commissioner comments during the meeting acknowledged the difficulty of the budget and praised staff efforts while expressing concern about the levy level. Commissioner Schumacher formally moved to adopt the preliminary levy resolution and Commissioner Felber seconded; the motion carried by voice vote. Administration said it would continue to explore options before the December final levy certification and produce clearer public materials on the drivers of the increase.
