Marinette County officials are getting their first look at a proposed budget shaped by staffing reductions, rising costs, and continued limits on how much the county can collect through its property-tax levy.

During a budget presentation, Marinette County Administrator Kevin Solway says developing the spending plan required difficult decisions across county departments.

The county took a more conservative approach when estimating revenue and is expecting nearly one-point-six-million dollars in additional state aid.

However, Solway says that funding does not fully cover the cost of county responsibilities, including law enforcement, the jail, zoning, and shoreline protection.

The county has also faced a capped operating levy for roughly ten years, limiting the amount of additional property-tax revenue available as expenses continue to rise.

Officials reviewed reductions involving county positions and other departmental expenses. Health-insurance costs are also expected to increase.

Solway said departments were asked to limit spending requests, while county leaders continue reviewing positions and services throughout the organization. Solway says the county’s goal is to maintain a structurally balanced budget while preserving essential services,  but warned future budgets will become increasingly difficult unless revenues, levy limits or other financial conditions change.

The proposed budget will continue through the county’s committee-review process before going to the full County Board.

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