With a Sept. 30 deadline approaching for setting the preliminary levy for 2025, the Faribault County Board of Commissioners held a budget work session on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The board took time to meet with various county department heads to review the current year’s spending and discuss budget goals for the upcoming year.

County auditor/treasurer Kari Jacobson provided the commissioners with a detailed spreadsheet report comparing 2024 budget figures with 2025 budget projections.

Though there are still some variables and unknowns to consider, the projected current preliminary levy increase is 9.347 percent. As is the case every year, once the preliminary levy is adopted it cannot be raised but it can be lowered, which is the goal of the board.

By state statute, the preliminary levy must be set by Sept. 30.

Board chairman Bill Groskreutz asked Jacobson if it would be possible to have a report on the projected 2024 expenses for the board to study.

“I would want that ahead of our December meeting when we are working on the final levy proposal,” Groskreutz explained.

“I am already working on it,” Jacobson replied.

The board met with Public Works director April Wellman and Building and Grounds supervisor Saxton Warmka during the morning session and were scheduled to meet with Veteran Services Officer Jenna Schmidtke, county attorney Cameron Davis and other department heads during the afternoon portion of the meeting.

Another budget work session is scheduled for Sept. 16, beginning at 10:30 a.m., in the County Board meeting room.