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Sawyer County presents preliminary 2025 budget; proposes limited staffing and capital adjustments
Summary
County staff presented a preliminary 2025 budget showing modest net new construction growth (1.32% ≈ $140,000), staff pay increases and a proposed fund‑balance draw that was reduced in preliminary adjustments to about $630,000; the board discussed partner requests and capital priorities.
County staff member Mike Marken presented the preliminary 2025 budget to the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors, calling the packet a first look and explaining that the materials were pulled forward for board review. "Net new construction is 1.32% — that equates to about $140,000," Marken said, noting that figure is the largest in about 15 years.
Marken outlined proposed compensation changes incorporated into department budgets (a 2% increase on Jan. 1 and 1% on July 1, plus step increments and a move of the top step to step 15), and he estimated health insurance costs would rise roughly 5%. He described departmental requests that informed the preliminary numbers, including sheriff‑requested court security/administrative support (to avoid adding another sworn deputy), a zoning technician, and highway requests tied to a $250,000 highway B project and a $100,000 SE bridge item.
On balances, Marken presented an initial compiled structural deficit estimate of about $2.37 million if all requests were funded; after recommended adjustments (including moving some highway work to CIP and asking partner agencies to moderate requests), the presented fund‑balance draw was reduced to approximately $630,000. Marken described the presentation as preliminary and said the finance committee would review the budget further before the October public hearing and the November board vote.
Why it matters: The presentation sets early expectations for tax levy planning and capital projects and outlines several requests that could affect operational services and capital spending. Board members asked clarifying questions about partner requests (libraries, transit, senior services), fund balances, and the timeline for audited financials.
No formal budget actions were taken at the special meeting; staff said they will return to the board with refined numbers and materials in the coming months.
