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   WALKER— After reviewing recommendations from the Citizens Budget Committee, the Cass County Board of Commissioners set a preliminary 2027 tax levy increase of 5.78% above the 2026 final levy at the regular meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 1.

   Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso stated the Citizens Budget Committee met Aug. 7 to review the preliminary 2027 budget and make a recommendation to the board. Department requests for expenditures totaled $102,783,706, an increase of 13.48% over the 2026 adopted budget. Non-levy revenues are projected at $62,677,307, including $430,000 in direct property tax relief from the county’s local option sales tax. Toso said the increase in non-levy revenues is largely related to anticipated funding for road and bridge projects, as well as projected investment earnings.

   The Highway Department is also anticipating using just under $5 million in local option sales tax fund balance for 2027. After reviewing the departmental requests, the budget committee initially faced an 8.43% increase in the levy. The committee was able to reduce that recommendation to 5.78% by not levying for a portion of salary expenses related to consistent open positions, using fund balances and reducing some probation expenses.

   The recommended 5.78% increase would raise the county’s levy by $2,042,226, from the 2026 final levy of $35,331,743 to $37,373,969 in 2027.

   Toso said growth from new construction and increased property values is projected to add just over $8 million to the county’s net tax capacity, a 5.68% increase. With the preliminary levy increase of 5.78%, the estimated tax capacity rate would increase only slightly, from 24.284% in 2026 to 24.308% in 2027. The figures include funding for Longville Ambulance and the Kitchigami Regional Library.

   It was also noted, Longville Ambulance is requesting $720,000 for 2027, compared to $622,000 in 2026. However, the levy request is $687,726, compared to $626,000 in 2026 which Toso explained the difference is due to state funding received in 2026 that was applied toward the 2027 budget.

   Kitchigami Regional Library’s minimum local support requirement is $286,080, while the library has requested $562,817 from the county for 2027, compared to $490,909 in 2026. An appointment has been scheduled with Kitchigami Regional Library for Oct. 2 to discuss the requested increase.

   Another goal discussed by the Citizens Budget Committee was increasing contributions to the county’s capital fund using existing budget requests or any savings identified between now and the final budget.

   The board unanimously approved setting the preliminary 2027 tax levy at a 5.78% increase over the 2026 final levy. The preliminary levy can still be reduced before the final levy is approved later this year.

   Kevin Lee, EMS Relationship Specialist at North Memorial Health, was on hand to share the Longville Ambulance’s second-quarter report. The ambulance service handled 171 patients during the second quarter, down from 195 during the same period in 2025.

   It was noted, staffing remained strong, with only five shifts during the quarter without a paramedic on duty. Lee said maintaining paramedic coverage can be challenging, but the service continues to make every effort to have one available. Year-to-date revenues were $7,000 below budget, while expenses were $17,000 under budget, primarily due to lower compensation expenses.

    Lee also stated, response times showed crews arrived within 20 minutes on 60% of calls and within 30 minutes on 92% of calls. Patient satisfaction remained high at 93.75%. Comments from patients praised the service for arriving quickly and providing professional, knowledgeable care.

Brainerd was the most common hospital destination, with 26 transports during the quarter, while Crosby was second with 20 transports.

   Lee also reported that the Sanford merger took effect Sept. 1. No changes are expected to Longville Ambulance’s current service area, and it was stated the ambulance division should see few significant changes as the transition takes place.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Recognized Randy Hahn, motor equipment operator; Kathleen Kordiak, eligibility worker and Cooper Severson, deputy sheriff all for one year of service with Cass County.

   • Accepted a donation of $3,000 from the Walker Spencer Ross Auxiliary Post 134 for the Veterans Transportation Program.

   • Received a report from Elections Administrator Pam Smith on the results of the 2026 Primary Election.

   • Approved $54,000 from the opioid settlement fund for life-saving monitoring devices at the Cass County Detention Center and $50,000 to Pine Mountain Gospel Church for infrastructure improvements to its Good News Recovery Men’s House sober housing project.

   The next meetings are as follows: 9/11 Observance, 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11 at Veterans Podium on the Courthouse Lawn in Walker; Walker Ambulance Service District board meeting, 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Fairview Township, 4508 108th St. SW, Pillager; AMC Fall Policy Conference, Sept. 16-18, Sanford Center, Bemidji and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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