County consultants project stable 2025 finances; $3 million earmark and innovation grant could ease future budgets

Consultants presenting a 2025 year‑end budget preview told Ashland County’s finance committee the county’s financial position appears stable relative to 2024, with only modest adjustments expected as late entries and receivables are processed.

Steve and Mike said the county’s self‑insurance fund shows roughly $217,000 in net activity expense and a reserve for incurred-but-unpaid claims of about $220,000, leaving the fund near balance after closeout. Mike and Steve also reported a recovered receivable of $146,001.11 from Bad River Tribe, which will post as revenue in 2025 after the receivable had been written off previously.

Consultants noted additional highway-related grants (an LRIP award of roughly $235,000 and a FEMA grant) remain outstanding; if recorded as receivables before closeout they will increase 2025 revenue. Sales tax receipts (recorded with a two-month lag) were slightly shy through October but are expected to improve when November and December collections post.

Administrator and staff updates included two notable funding opportunities: a reported $3 million earmark for sheriff radio equipment (pending final federal signature) and an application for a state innovation grant that would support converting joint dispatch to a commission; if awarded, the innovation grant could deliver roughly $1 million to the county over five years to offset dispatch costs.

Committee members asked staff to research a levy worksheet discrepancy before continuing a broader fund-balance policy discussion; consultants agreed to follow up with a corrected worksheet and additional detail at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will post receivables if funds arrive before audit closeout, follow up on the DOR/levy worksheet issue, finalize closeout transfers for the self-insurance fund, and pursue the earmark and innovation grant processes as appropriate.