KOOCHICHING COUNTY, Minn. — The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 16 to approve a 6% county levy for 2026 and adopt a preliminary county budget designed to cover rising service costs and existing deficits in key departments.

Administration told the board that a 6% levy would set the county’s total levy at $8,118,548. The administration said planned allocations include $2,492,356 to general revenue, $2,203,185 to Public Health & Human Services, $1,522,558 to the highway fund, $260,449 to environmental services, $690,000 for the 2022 jail bond debt and $950,000 for the 2024 jail bond debt. The proposed budget lists revenues of $39,566,559 and expenditures of $39,723,971, with a reserve draw of $157,412.

“Most of the 6% is helping Public Health & Human Services this year to balance out services,” the administration said, noting the department has carried multi‑year budget deficits that were unsustainable without added levy support.

Commissioners discussed the need to shore up public health funding after repeated deficit spending in recent years and to keep the county’s capital and debt obligations manageable. The board approved the levy and budget by voice vote.

Next steps: the administration said the 2026 budget will remain open to adjustments to respond to changes in state and federal funding and other developments. The board did not specify a final public hearing date in the recorded remarks.