Marshall County board adopts 5% budgeting guidance for 2027, cancels several lost warrants

The Marshall County Board of Commissioners on July 7 approved a budgeting goal asking county departments to present 2027 budgets with increases no greater than 5% over 2026, a step the board described as budgeting guidance rather than an absolute cap. The motion was made by Commissioner Gary Kiesow, seconded by Commissioner Jim Duckstad and passed 5-0.

Auditor-Treasurer Scott Peters presented a package of financial and administrative items including a midyear actual-versus-budget report, updates on blighted and forfeited property, an Enbridge valuation appeal update, procurement/audit exit interview plans, elections updates and changes to deputy registrar/drivers licensing agent appointees.

The board also approved multiple resolutions to cancel lost or unclaimed warrants and to allow the auditor’s office to reissue replacement warrants without requiring bonds. Resolution 07-07-02 directed cancellation of several lost warrants including: a warrant to Ava Novacek for $58.10, a warrant to Supermarket Foods for $1,071.53, a warrant to Auto Value for $1,095.85, and a warrant to Foldahl Township for $52,074.61; an additional lost warrant #346058 dated March 17, 2026 for $24.00 was also directed canceled. The board later approved Resolution 07-07-03 canceling check number 321950 for $121.28 payable to Kari Sulze. In each case the board authorized reissuing replacement warrants using new numbers and waived the bond requirement. Motions on the warrant cancellations carried on recorded voice votes (5-0).

The board previously reviewed and authorized payment of bills shown as Auditor warrants of $11,589.55 and Commissioner warrants of $296,462.43 under Resolution 07-07-01.

Why it matters: setting a department-level budgeting target gives departments direction as they prepare 2027 requests, and cancelling and reissuing lost warrants closes outstanding unclaimed-payable items on county records. The Enbridge valuation appeal and blighted-property updates indicate ongoing fiscal and property-management issues to be monitored by county officials.

What’s next: staff will incorporate the 5% guidance into department budget submissions for board review; replacement warrants will be issued as authorized and procurement/audit follow-up will be scheduled as described by the auditor.