Wright County adopts preliminary 6.54% levy after administrators present $228 million budget

Chair Veatch convened the board and introduced the administration's budget presentation for fiscal 2027. Kreiser, the presenting staff member, said: "I'm presenting to you the administrative proposed budget for 2027, the preliminary levy adoption." The board heard that the proposed total budget is $228,143,243 and that the recommended preliminary levy is $113,130,222, representing a 6.54% levy increase as presented.

Kreiser outlined budget drivers including federal and state cost shifts (about $1.5 million affecting Wright County), health insurance rate pressures (a 15% cap negotiated for 2027 and a projected 19% cap for 2028), bond proceeds to cover capital needs, and departmental reorganization in Health & Human Services that the presentation said produced a $1,148,000 net cost reduction while shifting staffing (eliminating 21 positions and creating 23, a net two FTE increase). He also described capital needs, including road and bridge investments (about $12.75 million planned) and a reduced CIP contribution intended to lower levy pressure.

Several commissioners thanked staff for lowering an initial, higher projection and asked follow‑up questions about timing, grant dependencies and program impacts. The board then took a resolution vote and adopted the preliminary levy unanimously; the chair noted that "this is just the preliminary number" and reminded the public the levy can only be lowered before final adoption. The board scheduled the Truth in Taxation public hearing for Dec. 3 at 6:00 p.m. to collect public comment before final levy action.