Marquette County board adopts 2026 budget, directs administrator to cut $500,000

Marquette County Board of Supervisors approved a revised 2026 budget after a prolonged public hearing and extended debate on Nov. 12. The budget as amended shows total appropriations of $32,678,028, anticipated revenues of $15,258,202 (including $1,596,081 in sales tax) and a planned $1,520,423 draw from the general fund; the board directed County Administrator Ron Barger to implement $500,000 in reductions to the proposed plan.

County Administrator Ron Barger opened the hearing with a 30-minute presentation on assumptions driving the budget. Barger said the final proposal reduces a planned 4% cost-of-living adjustment to a 2% COLA, keeps a county share of 75% for qualified staff health insurance premiums and includes a substantial, forecasted increase in out-of-home placement costs. He told supervisors the 2026 draw would leave reserves at about 20%, inside the board’s target range of 17%–25% established under Resolution 42015, but warned sustained draws at that level would require “course corrections” in 2027 and 2028.

Barger identified three major upward pressures: employee compensation and health insurance, out-of-home placement costs (he cited a one-person placement with monthly costs of about $33,000), and rising public-safety operating costs. He also said some newly available shared revenue is restricted to law enforcement, highway, EMS and fire and therefore cannot be used for capital or arbitrary needs.

Public commenters urged the board to protect social services. Several seniors and ADRC meal-site users described the social and nutrition benefits of the county’s six meal sites and asked the board to spare those programs from cuts. Veterans and supporters urged the board to retain two full-time positions in the veteran service office, crediting those staff members with reducing a backlog of VA claims.

Board members debated multiple amendments at length. Some supervisors urged aggressive, immediate reductions and proposed cutting personnel or combining committees; others warned that trimming positions — especially in public safety, human services and veterans services — would likely shift costs into overtime, reduce mandated services or increase out-of-home placements and other downstream expenses. Multiple amendments to cut specific positions failed on recorded votes after department leaders and counsel described operational or legal drawbacks.

After an initial up-or-down vote on the budget ended in an 8–8 tie, the board developed a compromise. Supervisor Peggy moved to adopt the budget with a $500,000 reduction; the motion was seconded by Supervisor Abby. The motion passed (recorded vote: yes 9, no 7). Under that motion the board approved the budget as amended and authorized Administrator Barger to consult department heads and identify the $500,000 in cuts prior to finalizing implementation and updated budget documents.

Barger told the board he would return a prioritized list of reductions after consulting department heads and would aim to preserve mandated services where possible. He cautioned members that much of the $1.5 million draw reflected recurring, hard-to-control items — health insurance, COLA and out-of-home placements — and that cutting across-the-board without a strategic plan could shift costs into other areas.

The board also approved related fiscal items earlier in the meeting, including fee adjustments and a change to per-diems and chair/vice salaries; those votes were taken during the same session.

The budget adoption sets the county’s fiscal plan for 2026 but leaves an explicit assignment to staff to produce the narrowed-in budget figures; the board will see the administrator’s proposed cuts and revised documents as they are developed.