Wadena County Commissioners: Truth in Taxation hearing highlights 2025 budget challenges
by Trinity Gruenberg
The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Monday, November 25, followed by the Truth in Taxation meeting.
Truth in Taxation Public Hearing
Heather Olson led the Truth in Taxation meeting, explaining the 2025 budget and levy.
The total budget is $32 million, with $11.13 million levied, covering general revenue, sheriff, public health, building fund, road and bridge, and human services.
The proposed budget increase includes an 11.89% rise for general revenue, 7.43% for the sheriff, public health went down 15.91%, and the building fund has remained the same. Road and bridge are at 6.53% and 4.6%.
To mitigate a 7.96% preliminary levy, cash reserves in the general and public health funds were used. Since the preliminary levy was set in October, the full funding of the 4-H position increased the budget by $44,000, and Kitchigami Regional Library increased by $7000. They decided to fund the Sebeka Historical Society for $1000. Olson discussed using the cash reserve to help ease the blow this year, which only kicks the can down the road because they wouldn’t have that funding again next year, as well as payroll and health insurance increases and the loss of some revenue sources they had in prior years.
Future challenges include a 1% state mandate for paid family leave, health insurance bids, and an increase in payroll. One million in mandated expenses would come from the state, which would be an automatic 10% tax increase.
It was decided to split the cash reserve to help soften the blow this year and next.
DDA Ongoing Maintenance
Six departments were reviewed as part of this process, which included the assessor’s office, the auditor’s office, human services, IT, the recorder’s office, and planning & zoning....
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