At the August 12 meeting of the county board, several more departments reviewed their proposed 2026 budgets.
Jessica Erickson reviewed public health, WIC, and nursing service budgets. Most increases will be due to salary or insurance increases. Jason Marquardt reviewed the veterans budget. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery noted for budgeting purposes a 15% insurance increase is figured in. The actual increase will be known on August 29.
County Engineer Ron Gregg reviewed highway administration, maintenance, engineering, shop, and surveyor budgets. The airport budget was also reviewed. Overall, the road and bridge budget could increase substantially due to the need for updated equipment including two plow trucks, excavator, disc mower, skid steer and a durapatcher. These equipment purchases, if made, would cost a total of $1.12 million. The 2025 budget for equipment was $493,000. The board has been discussing the very real need for updated equipment. Admittedly, purchases have been put off over the last several years to keep levy increases as low as possible.
Sheriff John DeGeorge reviewed the proposed budgets for the sheriff’s office. Equipment purchases proposed include four replacement squad cars.
Hillery led the discussion regarding the 2026 budget and levy. The last of the departmental budgets will be reviewed on August 26. She provided budget/levy numbers based on all proposed budgets including those yet to be reviewed. The levy increase at this point could be 16%. Hillery noted possible adjustments that could be made to reduce the levy increase. These include a delay in a human services software upgrade, a reduction in equipment purchases, or reductions in the general fund. She said $1 million will need to be cut from proposed budgets to get the levy increase down to 8.89%. She asked the board for some guidance.
Commissioner Randy Dahl said they looking at a likely 10% increase. He maintained, they are way behind on equipment purchases; “This year we bought used equipment to replace dead used equipment.” Brent Kohn, maintenance superintendent, suggested they could try to find a good used excavator (new estimated to cost $250,000); the current excavator has 12,000 hours on it.
Other Business in Brief
- A memorandum of understanding was approved between social services and the sheriff’s office to establish cooperative procedures to investigate and enforce suspected violation of criminal law, including theft of public funds or welfare fraud. The program is funded by the state. It is a watchdog program attempting to make sure benefits only get paid out to those that are eligible for those benefits.
- Approval was given to add an assessment technician position to the assessor’s department. A request to transfer Kayla Pierce, accounting technician, to assessment technician was approved, effective August 15. A request to advertise for a replacement accounting technician was approved.
- The resignation of David Emery, highway maintenance specialist, after two and half years of service was approved with thanks, effective August 28. A request to advertise for a replacement highway maintenance specialist was approved. There currently are vacancies in both the Chatfield and Spring Valley shops.
- The final draft of the LELS (law enforcement labor services) contract was approved. The final draft included wording related to the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program; the employer and employee will split the premiums on a 50/50 basis.
- Allen and Victoria Dietz requested turnback of unused highway right of way on CSAH 2. The landowner assumes costs associated with the turnback; the turnback was approved.
- A change order was approved for the jail project for tile and asbestos removal. Environmental and Specialty Contracting will do the work at a cost of $4,200.
- The board approved a letter to be sent to Senator Miller and Representative Davids requesting action regarding Disparity Aid.