The Marathon County Human Resources, Finance and Property Committee voted to authorize publication of the consolidated 2026 proposed budget summary Friday after the committee incorporated an amendment increasing projected sales-tax revenue to fund an HVAC capital improvement project.

County staff said the only change since the committee's prior review was the amendment to increase projected sales tax revenue to cover the additional capital improvement expense. "I believe the amount of that $525,580," the county administrator said when summarizing the amendment.

The committee's authorization directs staff to publish the consolidated proposed budget summary in local papers and on the county website. The published summary will include 2024 actuals, the 2025 budget, 2025 actuals through Aug. 31, 2025, a year-end projection and the 2026 proposed budget by fund. The finance director told the committee the notice will state the date and time of the public hearing and the anticipated final-approval meeting.

The committee set the public hearing for Nov. 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. and the formal budget approval for Nov. 11, 2025, at 6 p.m. The finance director said, "The next step once the approval happens is the notification to the papers and then also will be posted on our website." The finance director also described the standard publication format carried over from prior years.

Committee members asked about timing for state aid and valuation updates. Staff said general transportation aid figures typically arrive in mid-October and that equalized valuations had been certified earlier in late summer, noting there was some net new construction that affected the totals. One committee member asked whether those figures were final; staff replied they expected the general transportation aids in mid-October and that the equalized values had been certified in late summer.

A quorum was present for the vote; the motion to authorize publication was moved and seconded and carried without recorded opposition. The committee also held routine scheduling business and adjourned after the vote.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to authorize publication of the 2026 proposed budget summary, as previously approved by the committee with the additional sales-tax amendment for a capital improvement project (HVAC) of $525,580 — moved by a committee member, seconded by Supervisor Hart — outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote).
- Motion to adjourn — moved by a committee member, seconded by Supervisor Lemmer — outcome: approved (unanimous voice vote).

What this means: Publication of the consolidated proposed budget begins the formal public notice period. The published packet will allow taxpayers and other stakeholders to review the 2026 proposals and to comment at the Nov. 3 public hearing before the committee's scheduled approval on Nov. 11.

Meeting context: Committee members present included Chair Gibbs; Vice Chair Marshall and Supervisor Poole attended remotely; Supervisors Lemmer and Hart were present in person. Representative Reynolds was excused. Committee discussion was brief and technical, focused on a single amendment to increase sales-tax projections to fund a specific capital improvement and on publication logistics.