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Bayfield County forestry staff flag roughly $1.0M stumpage shortfall; 2027 budget to address gap
Summary
County staff told the Forestry & Parks Committee that timber-sale (stumpage) receipts are down about 40% year-over-year, with roughly $270,000 received in June and approximately $1.2 million year-to-date; staff estimate a roughly $1.0 million deficit for 2026 and said the 2027 draft budget will address the gap.
Bayfield County’s Forestry and Parks Committee reviewed a staff report showing weaker-than-expected timber-sale revenue and discussed implications for the draft 2027 department budget.
The report said “a total of just over $270k was received in June,” putting year-to-date stumpage receipts at about $1.2 million, roughly 40% below the three‑year average and about 35% under budget. Staff estimated “a $1.0 million deficit in stumpage revenue this year,” and told the committee some of that shortfall may be offset by increased revenue elsewhere and reduced spending.
Committee members discussed the revenue shortfall’s effect on 2027 planning and directed that the draft budget be brought back as an action item next month for formal committee consideration and possible referral. The budget discussion singled out two pressure points: lower timber-sale returns and planned initiatives in the Carbon account (FCOR), which the department said will require funding to kickstart.
No formal budget votes were taken at the July 13 meeting; staff and the committee indicated the department will present a revised package at the August meeting and pursue routine intercommittee review as needed.
