Chippewa County approves 2026 administrator budget; tax rate falls to $2.12 as property values rise

The county administrator presented a balanced proposed budget for 2026 that the Chippewa County Board of Supervisors approved unanimously at the meeting.

The administrator said the proposed levy is $22,330,263, an increase from $21,713,416, but because the county's equalized value increased 10.39% (about $990 million), the tax rate would fall to $2.12. "So even though the overall levy is going up, the tax rate's gonna go down because it's being spread over a larger tax base throughout the county," the administrator said.

The presentation listed primary budget pressures and highlights: increases in youth out-of-home placements that are more costly because fewer placement options exist; impacts from recent hospital closures that affected use of the county morgue (the county is now using the morgue at the former St. Joe's Hospital under an agreement with the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative); and a county emphasis on EMS that will be studied by an ad hoc committee to be formed by resolution next month. The administrator said the budget also addresses rising employer health-care costs by moving to an employee premium contribution while increasing the county's portion of premiums and preserving market adjustments for wages (a previously approved 2% across-the-board increase on Jan. 1 and 1.5% on July 1 were noted).

On revenue and fund balances, staff reported total revenues projected just under $127 million and an audited general fund balance of about $23,000,009, or roughly 37.8% of annual budgeted expenditures; the county's bond rating was reported as AA1. The administrator emphasized conservative use of restricted funds, noting opioid settlement monies are held until available and used only when funds are on hand.

The board moved, seconded and unanimously approved the administrator's 2026 budget during the business portion of the meeting. The motion carried with no recorded dissent.

Looking ahead, county staff said they will monitor changes to state and federal funding that could require additional staff time for program administration or adjustments to the budget. The administrator repeatedly described the plan as sustainable into the following year and aligned with the county strategic plan.