County finance report reveals improved tax collections and budget management strategies

Sawyer County officials reported significant progress in tax collection and budget management during a recent finance meeting held on July 12, 2025. The county has successfully reduced the number of delinquent tax parcels from 11 to 5, with a judgment date set for August 11, when the county will take possession of these properties. This improvement is attributed to proactive outreach efforts, including earlier reminder notices, which have resulted in approximately $200,000 more in real estate tax collections compared to the previous year.

The county is also in the midst of a delinquent property sale, having sold 6 out of 37 parcels, with a second round of bidding set to begin shortly. Discussions at the meeting highlighted ongoing challenges with contaminated parcels, which remain a significant issue for the county.

In terms of sales tax revenue, officials noted a slight decrease of $3,000 in June compared to last year, but overall, the county is on track to exceed $3 million in sales tax revenue for the year, marking a recovery from a flat year in 2024. The county's budget report indicated that revenue and expenses are closely aligned with projections, with the general fund performing well.

Looking ahead, the county is preparing for the 2026 budget cycle, with department requests due by the end of the month. The capital improvement plan (CIP) is also in progress, with several departments already submitting their budget entries.

The meeting concluded with positive news regarding the ambulance service, which is currently running at 71% of its budget halfway through the year, significantly ahead of last year's performance. This improvement is credited to effective billing practices and a new billing company, indicating a strong financial outlook for the county's emergency services.