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Marathon County board previews tentative 2026 budget, signals levy pressure and wage adjustments
Summary
Marathon County administrators presented a tentative 2026 budget with a proposed levy of $61,425,481 and a $3.50 mill rate; the county reports a roughly 5.55% average increase in wage costs as it implements a wage study and removed the equivalent of about 15 FTEs to balance costs.
The Marathon County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 3 heard an overview of the tentative 2026 budget that proposes a $61,425,481 tax levy and a $3.50 mill rate, with final adoption scheduled for the board’s Nov. 11 meeting.
Administrator Lance Leonard told the board that "Marathon County continues to be a very well managed fiscal organization," citing local economic indicators — a 1.61% net new construction rate and 9% equalized-value growth — as factors that temper but do not eliminate budget pressures. Leonard said the county’s 2026 proposal reflects prioritizing employee compensation, protecting capital reserves and maintaining service levels.
Leonard…
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