FOLEY, Minn. — After a December budget work session and the Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing, the Benton County Board on Tuesday adopted the final 2026 budget and certified levy of $27,280,413.

Staff described three principal adjustments from the proposed budget that reduced the levy slightly (roughly $25,000): (1) negotiated benefit increases (raising single‑coverage county health‑insurance share from 80% to 85% and altering the VEBA/HSA contribution), (2) the financial effect of adopted DDA appeals (about $20,000), and (3) a decision to use available cash in the debt‑service fund to cover a portion of a 2021 tax‑abatement bond payment instead of the previously planned fund‑balance drawdown. The combined effect reduced the final levy slightly versus the originally proposed figure.

The board adopted the levy and the 2026 budget by motion, then separately approved a resolution establishing 2026 elected‑official salaries and voted to leave county commissioner salaries unchanged. Commissioners also approved the county per‑diem policy at $70 with an elevated per‑diem of $100 for meetings that extend beyond four hours; the board clarified per‑diem is not paid for regular board meetings.

Board members discussed outreach and the prevalence of public misconceptions about county spending and asked for continued public education; staff and commissioners noted multiple outreach channels and offered to meet with residents who request detailed explanations.

With the levy and budget approved, department staff will proceed with implementation under the adopted appropriations and report back as required by county practice.