St. Croix County staff outline $760,000 shortfall as budget review begins

St. Croix County staff told supervisors the county is facing a preliminary $760,000 shortfall as they move from department budget requests to a recommended draft. "When I add up all the expenses and I add in how much I'm anticipating for revenues, I'm still missing a couple revenues to finalize the budget. When I look at that, we have a deficit of $760,000," the staff presenter said.

Staff described a detailed review process: department heads submitted requests by the end of July and staff met individually with each department in August to review line items and identify areas for adjustment. The presenter said much of next month's Committee of the Whole meeting will show staff's recommended changes and called for supervisors to flag any items they strongly support or oppose. "I'll make some changes, generate the recommended budget, and that'll be presented then at the October committee of the whole meeting," staff said. The presenter asked supervisors to raise any flagged items then, noting that will be the last chance to influence the recommended draft.