County Administrator presented a balanced proposed budget and the Chippewa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the 2026 budget. The administrator said the proposed levy for 2026 is $22,330,263, up from $21,713,416, and gave the increase as $616,847 (2.84%). The presentation also stated the county's tax rate would decrease to $2.12.

The budget presentation said the primary reason the tax rate falls even as the levy rises is a 10.39% increase in the county's equalized value, which the administrator described as roughly a $990 million increase in the tax base. The administrator characterized the package as a "balanced budget" and described the plan as consistent with the county's strategic plan while allowing flexibility to address operational needs.

Key items included in the approved 2026 budget:

- Human services costs: The administrator highlighted higher out-of-home placement costs, particularly for youth, and said the human services budget has been adjusted to reflect those increases.

- Hospital closures and morgue services: The county is using morgue space at the former St. Joe's Hospital now operated by the Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative under an agreement; the budget does not yet include new capital spending tied to a county morgue replacement.

- EMS: The presentation said the county will bring stakeholders together via an ad hoc committee to examine countywide emergency medical services; no specific 2026 levy funding was included for EMS but the budget is intended to provide flexibility to act if desired.

- Employee benefits and wages: The budget reflects changes to the county's self-funded health plan including implementation of an employee premium and an increased employer premium contribution. Pay adjustments described in the presentation include a 2% across-the-board increase effective Jan. 1 and 1.5% on July 1; the budget also incorporates a collective bargaining agreement previously approved (the packet said that agreement included a 9% increase earlier in the year and 4% on Jan. 1).

- Positions and funding: New positions cited in the packet were generally funded by state or federal dollars or by fee revenue. The administrator noted an elder benefit specialist position will not be filled if expected state base grant funds do not materialize.

- Revenues and sales tax: The presentation showed projected total revenues just under $127 million and described allocations of sales tax dollars to property tax credits, debt service and previously approved capital projects. The packet listed roughly $10.45 million in sales tax-supported projects previously approved by the board.

- Fund balance and credit rating: The administrator reported an audited general fund balance of about $23,000,009, or roughly 37.8% of the annual budget, and stated the county carries a bond rating of AA1.

Board action and context: Following the public hearing and presentation the board moved and seconded a motion to approve the administrator's 2026 budget. The clerk called the vote and the motion passed unanimously.

What the budget does not specify: The presentation repeatedly noted that some state and federal funding changes are still unfolding and that the county would only use funds on hand. The packet and presentation did not specify certain implementation details for programs that depend on grant awards or state actions.

Ending: County officials said the adopted budget is intended to be sustainable into 2027 and to allow the board and staff to respond to evolving needs, including health and human services demands and potential EMS changes. The administrator thanked staff and department heads for their work on the budget.