Sawyer County board approves 2027 budget timeline and budget parameters

The Sawyer County board on an administrative motion approved the county2027 budget timeline and the countybudget parameters, and heard a monthly financial update that showed mixed timing across departments.

A staff member reported, "Sales tax for May was $2.37. If we continue to track the way we are, we are scheduled to finish about 12% ahead of last year," saying May receipts typically reflect activity from about two months earlier. The same staff member presented the end-of-May budget performance, noting the county expects roughly 42% of the yearat this point in both revenues and expenses but that revenue timing varies by department.

On department specifics, staff said Criminal Justice was showing about 6% on the report while its first-quarter claim arrived after the report and a second-quarter claim is forthcoming; the District Attorney program was at about 1% with a first-quarter claim due at the end of June. Forestry was ahead at about 73% because a full-year grant had been received. Ambulance revenues were "running at least a month behind," staff said, largely because monthly reimbursement claims typically post around the 20th of the following month and a recent billing-software change introduced a temporary lag. Highway revenues were reported at about 29% with expenses near 30% as crews prepare for summer projects. HHS had recently moved from roughly 28–39% to about 34% after late receipts were processed.

At the meeting the board approved two action items required to move department work and budgeting forward: the 2027 budget timeline and the 2027 budget parameters. Motions were made and seconded and each motion passed by voice vote with an "Aye" and no opposition noted.

The staff presentation also covered smaller departmental items: Airport revenues were reported at about 4% for the year with recent repair and snow-removal costs increasing early-year expenses but staff expects revenues to recover by the end of June, and UW Extension reimbursements have not yet arrived because county billing flows through a contracted payment process with UWMadison; staff expects the first half of the contract billing in June.

The board was reminded departments will receive the prefilled salaries and benefits in the upcoming budget packet and are responsible for completing their own revenue and expense forecasts and five-year CIP requests for 2027. The meeting adjourned after housekeeping items and scheduling reminders.