Stearns County presented its proposed 2026 budget and opened a public Truth in Taxation hearing on Dec. 2; no decisions were made at the session, which was informational and will precede the board’s final levy adoption later in December.

County overview: An administrator explained the county budget totals roughly $212,000,000 and noted the county expects to collect just over $100,000,000 in property taxes. Presenters said about 75% of expenditures are for public safety, human services and roads and that board members set a number of priorities in 2025 for the coming year. Staff recommended a $1,000,000 general‑fund contingency to cover continuing uncertainty in state and federal human‑services funding, and they noted a $1,700,000 reduction in the debt levy. Presenters also said the county’s levy per capita is about $622 and that the county’s tax rate should decrease slightly (about 0.25 percentage points) because tax capacity growth outpaces the levy increase.

Capital items and timing: Staff highlighted the Justice Center project (a planned May groundbreaking if permitting and closings proceed), upcoming road construction where only 8% of those projects are funded by the county levy, and an expansion of the household hazardous‑waste program to accept small electronics at $10 per item. Staff also flagged that state plan review timelines for the Justice Center are about 6–8 weeks and recommended advertising bids in mid‑December to protect an early construction start.

Public testimony: The hearing drew multiple residents who raised similar themes. Peter Joseph Wilson (Sartell) asked how often physical audits are performed in human and health services and said, "If you tax our money, do your job." Several speakers urged audits and called for greater transparency about how funds are spent and whether improper payments have occurred. Sandy Clocker (Avon) proposed cost‑saving changes to elections, suggesting single‑day, in‑person voting and hand counts could reduce the county's roughly $502,000 election budget; she cited the county's failed 2024 logic and accuracy test as part of her rationale. Other speakers raised concerns about rising property taxes, the size of the Justice Center bond, and how county resources are directed to newly arrived residents and related services.

Why it matters: Staff said the board will formally set the final levy at its scheduled mid‑December meeting; tonight's hearing provides the public an opportunity to comment before the board finalizes tax and budget actions. Presenters emphasized that many county programs are mandated and compared Stearns's levy performance favorably against peer counties.

Next steps: The board will consider the final budget and levy later in December. Staff asked residents to submit written comments through Dec. 16 to the budget email if they could not speak at the hearing.