BROOKINGS Budget season has arrived in full force, and the Brookings County Commission dived right into it at Tuesdays meeting, giving a 5-0 thumbs up to a $28,860,822 provisional budget for 2026.
Its an increase of $1,279,838 from 2025s budget of $27,580,984. It could change a bit yet as well, being provisional in nature, if any amendments are introduced before the next county commission meeting.
Commissioner Doug Post, who is in his first year as a county commissioner, inquired about how amending the budget would work.
Being new to this process, what is the rest of the process on this budget before its finally approved, and what amendments can still be done at some point? he asked. What does that just look like?
Commission Department Director Stacy Steffensen said changes can be made until the county commissions next meeting on Sept. 16. If there are changes, a separate document is created, and those amendments are read into the meeting so that theyre noted in the minutes. Following that, the provisional budget document is updated to create the annual budget that incorporates those changes.
Once thats approved at the next meeting, then that becomes the annual budget for 2026, Steffensen explained. Statutorily, we have to have it done by the annual budget done and approved by the first of October, so thats why we handle this all in September.
She added that, oftentimes, centrally assessed utilities numbers arrive between now and the next county commission meeting.
For sure those changes will be brought forward. I think those come into the finance office and then I work with them to make those changes, Steffensen said. That usually affects the levy a little bit because its tax dollars that are coming in or being reduced, whichever.
Just what are centrally assessed utilities numbers? Well, in laymans terms, theyre basically tax dollars collected by the state from utility providers whose operations cross county lines. Those dollars are then divvied up among the counties. An estimate of that total is already included in the countys provisional budget, so when a final total arrives, it isnt likely to have a huge impact financially.
What is in front of you today is a balanced budget its kind of an honest to goodness balanced budget, Steffensen said. Revenues equal expenditures.
Oh, and theres another positive aspect as well: The countys mill levy is expected to decline from 3.929 to 3.870.
While not yet finished, a lot of effort has gone into putting together a provisional budget. Its a fact that wasnt lost on commissioners.
Id just like to thank the staff for all the hard work on this budget, Commissioner Kelly VanderWal said. Its great to see this come together.
Commissioner Larry Jensen agreed. It took us a little longer than usual, but it ended up in pretty good shape.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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