Blue Earth County certifies $51.9 million levy, adopts 2026 budget

The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners certified a $51,901,870 property tax levy and adopted the county’s 2026 budget at its Dec. 16 meeting. County staff told commissioners the levy represents an increase of about 8.5% over the 2025 levy and follows months of work sessions and a recent truth-in-taxation hearing.

County finance staff said the recommended budget reflects expenditures and a long-range capital program prepared under Minnesota statute and pointed to bonding proceeds for a new public works facility as a significant factor increasing recorded revenue this year. The finance presentation showed year-to-date (through Nov. 30) revenue at about $163 million and expenses near $151.4 million; staff warned some expenditures related to the new public works facility arrived earlier than projected and could push final-year spending above budget.

Commissioners thanked department heads for the work on the budget and, without recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript, moved and approved the levy certification and the budget resolution. The board also approved several administrative items that accompany the budget: a 3.5% general wage adjustment for nonunion employees and department heads effective Jan. 1, 2026, and an unchanged per diem schedule for board/commission meetings ($100 per day; $60 per half day). The recommended county commissioner salary for 2026 was stated at $53,217.

The board’s action completed the county’s formal budget certification steps; staff said the adopted levy will be transmitted to the county finance director for final processing in accordance with Minnesota law.