BROOKINGS A final 2026 budget priced at $28,946,335 was agreed to on a 5-0 vote at Tuesdays Brookings County Commission meeting an increase of $1,365,351 from the 2025 budget thats currently in effect.
We didnt have any surprises in the 2026 budget requests, Commission Department Director Stacy Steffensen told the Brookings Register. The major increase from 2025 is due to salaries, the new HVAC system for the (Brookings City & County Government Center) that will be replaced in 2026, and we (must) budget for elections in 2026, as well.
She said the HVAC project will be biggest item to tackle next year, and that the final cost will be shared with the city of Brookings. A price estimate isnt yet available, but thats expected to change in the months ahead.
This is truly a balanced budget where revenues equal expenses. The county isnt dipping into reserves to balance the 2026 budget, Steffensen noted.
Her views were shared by Finance Officer Lori Schultz, who spoke about salaries and election costs as well.
Salaries and supply costs go up every year. Employee changes were limited to one new part-time employee and one pay grade adjustment, she said. Next year is an election year and with the changes passed through from legislation, elections will probably cost more. Expect longer ballots this go around.
Schultz commended commissioners for their thoroughness when asking questions and going through the budget a months-long process that starts in March, involves multiple offices and personnel, and typically wraps up in September.
The commission took extra time this year to understand the process, look at the numbers and try to make responsible decisions, she said, while also singling out new commissioners Dave Miller and Doug Post. (They) did their due diligence and took their time making decisions that might increase the budget.
Some numbers from the 2026 budget include:
- Public works: $7,330,495 (highways and bridges)
- Brookings County Detention Center: $3,122,717
- Brookings County Sheriffs Office: $2,711,397
- Brookings County States Attorneys Office: $939,985
- Judicial: $779,000
- Finance office: $758,734
- Brookings County Outdoor Adventure Center: $432,754
- Weed control: $365,461
- Elections: $215,400
- 4-H: $155,791
- The budget document can be found in its entirety in PDF form at https://tinyurl.com/4fhpwrer
The total levy which includes the general fund, county building fund and the jail expansion will be $3.920 per $1,000. Its a slight tick up from the 2026 provisional budget estimate of $3.870, but still less than the $3.929 thats currently in effect. The highest rate in recent years was in 2022, when the levy was $4.225 per $1,000.
We are keeping consistent with no big increases. Growth in the county stays consistent and valuations continue to rise, making the budget process go smoothly, Commission Chairman Larry Jensen said. We want to continue to provide safe and reliable roads, bridges, and law enforcement to the county. So, we try to take advantage of any state or federal monies we can get and try to make sure we have the matching funds available. We also try to make sure we are staying competitive in the job market to retain our good employees.
Post chimed in with his satisfaction as well.
It looks like a very good budget going forward. Its very conservative in our spending and appropriately designated in many areas, he said. Its just my understanding that well still have an opportunity to look at major purchases as this budget plays out over the next year.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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