Sherburne County outlines $139.7M budget, warns state and federal cost shifts are driving future tax pressure

Sherburne County officials presented a proposed 2026 budget of $139,667,354 and a recommended levy of $66,842,284 — a 6.49% increase over last year — at a Truth in Taxation public hearing where residents pressed for explanations of steep valuation and tax jumps.

The hearing, opened by the county chair and led by presenter Bruce, aimed to explain how the county budget and the county portion of property tax bills are set. "The purpose of Truth in Taxation is to enhance public information, encourage public participation, and improve government accountability in the property tax system," Bruce said as he introduced the presentation and invited residents to speak and to meet with assessor staff afterward.

County officials said the proposed levy increase reflects several factors, notably state and federal "cost shifts" that transfer program costs to counties. Bruce told attendees the county absorbed roughly $865,000 in state cost shifts this year, the board declined another $1,660,000 in…