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Sawyer County finance committee previews 2025 budget, proposes modest levy change
Summary
The finance committee reviewed a near-final 2025 budget presentation including a modest proposed property tax increase (about 3.46% proposed in the plan), a lower general fund draw than last year, and options to smooth an ambulance revenue shortfall using debt or CIP timing.
The Sawyer County Finance Committee reviewed a near-final draft of the 2025 budget and discussed options to smooth shortfalls without a large immediate tax increase. The presenter said sales tax receipts are tracking close to state projections, with a 2024 estimate of roughly $2.993 million and a projected 2025 figure in the $3.3M range; the presenter estimated actual 2025 receipts might reach about $3.5M while the draft budget remains conservative at $2.9M.
The committee heard that revenues overall are about 71% of the annual budget with expenses at roughly 62% through two-thirds of the year, and the presenter summarized that the general fund draw requested by departments would be lower than the prior year (about $681,000 planned versus $750,000 in 2024). The draft budget includes a proposed 3.46% increase in property taxes under the recommended scenario, while the mill rate projection would be essentially flat (a one-cent decrease from a prior presentation), largely because of a $50,605 increase in personal property aid that reduces the levy.
Committee members discussed strategies to address an ambulance revenue dip that would otherwise push higher levy pressure, including moving some CIP items from 2026 into 2025 or increasing debt service to smooth levy impact. The presenter outlined a potential transfer to cover an ambulance under-levy and suggested increasing debt issuance to cover a shortfall temporarily so that taxes need not spike in one year.
The committee also reviewed proposed compensation and benefits changes in the budget: a salary plan showing 2% and 1% pay adjustments, extension of step progression from 11 to 15 steps, and a 5% health insurance premium assumption. Capital purchases noted in the CIP include one additional squad vehicle outfitted for county use, completion of the jail camera project, and courthouse door-control upgrades.
The committee did not take formal votes at the meeting. Next procedural steps include the finance committee’s recommendations to the full county board and final budget hearings per the posted timeline; committee members discussed keeping the budget hearing within a regular County Board meeting to avoid the cost and scheduling burden of a separate special meeting.
The finance presenter emphasized that department revenues vary month to month, HHS grant claims can lag, and that investments in FDIC-insured CDs are used to earn interest on county funds rather than to speculate in markets.
The committee adjourned with no formal action recorded on the budget at this meeting.
