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Pine County faces $156,000 general-fund shortfall; commissioners weigh options ahead of 2026 levy
Summary
County administrator Kelly Schroeder reported a $156,000 general-fund shortfall for the 2026 budget after using about $1.1 million in one-time funds; the HHS fund faces a $90,000 deficit. Commissioners discussed structural budget imbalances, overtime controls, and the need for substantive changes beginning in January rather than one-time fixes.
Pine County’s preliminary 2026 budget update showed a general-fund shortfall of about $156,000 and an HHS fund gap of roughly $90,000, County Administrator Kelly Schroeder told the board.
Schroeder said departments identified roughly $1.1 million in one-time revenues and savings—drawn from 2025 fund balance and ARPA funds—that reduce the immediate general-fund gap but will not recur in future years. “So those things will not flow into future years, and we're still sitting at a $156,000 deficit,” she said.
Commissioners discussed where to find structural savings, with several urging the board to begin January planning to avoid recurring reliance on one-time funds. Auditor-Treasurer Mary Jensen suggested tighter accountability for departmental overspending and more scrutiny of overtime. “You have a budget for a reason… holding them accountable to their budget,” Jensen said. Commissioners noted some counties have chosen to pursue higher levy increases; Pine County has not pursued that option and agreed substantive program-level work is needed to close larger structural gaps.
Board members agreed to begin work in January on structural changes to address projected multi-year shortfalls and to review overtime and other controllable costs. No formal budget vote was taken at the meeting; the board has about a month before needing to adopt a final levy and budget.
