An unnamed member of the Chippewa County Board of Supervisors opened a lengthy discussion Dec. 29 about the county's proposed 2026–27 fiscal budget, telling colleagues that triggering the maximum general basic levy of 3.39806 could produce roughly $196,000 in new general basic revenue and that combined levy changes could yield about $400,000 in additional tax dollars.

The chair said the board's first step in January is to set a publication “max level” and asked department heads to return wage requests framed by the board's guidance. “If you leave the levy rates at the 3.39 and the 1.85 with the new evaluations, it'll bring in about $400,000 of new tax dollars,” the chair said, laying out the fiscal backdrop for the wage discussion.

Supervisors debated two approaches: a percentage increase for staff and elected officials, and a flat-dollar-per-hour addition targeted at lower-paid employees. Supporters of a flat add argued it narrows pay differences; proponents of a percent said it is simpler to administer. One option discussed extensively was a $1.50/hour flat increase (roughly 8.9% for supervisors on the county’s 20/80 pay calculation). Another, and the board’s preliminary consensus for budget worksheets, was a 4% guideline for elected officials and many departments.

Board members discussed pension and payroll impacts, noting the employer IPERS rate will rise from about 11.965% to 12.085% on July 1, and that deputies covered by the union have a negotiated 4% raise. Supervisors said aligning nonunion pay guidance with the deputies' 4% increase would support parity across public safety and county roles.

The chair asked staff to provide clearer comparisons of custodian and clerk pay, citing a custodian who appears paid nearly $2/hour less than comparable county employees, and asked departments to return budgets within the recommended guidance for review at upcoming budget work sessions. The board described the 4% recommendation as guidance for the work session, not a formal adoption; any final raises and budget totals will be set in later votes.

The board also noted the community betterment fund balance (reported at about $220,000 and growing roughly $7,500 monthly) as a possible source for capital needs in 2026–27, such as conservation equipment, but said use of those funds would be decided in future budget deliberations.

The budget conversation will continue at the board's next scheduled budget work sessions and in the short Friday organizational meeting the board set for 8:00 a.m.