It’s been difficult developing a Marinette County Budget for 2023. County Administrator John LeFebvre told the County Board he has already cut $2 million dollars in expenditures, including $655,000 in cutting positions, and over $2 million in county road projects.  That still leaves a budget with a 4.6 increase in expenditures compared to a less that 1.4 percent increase in revenues.  State law caps the property tax levy at $16.8 million dollars, so the difference in revenue and expenditures will be made up using sales tax money, proceeds from the county’s loan to the city of Marinette, and tapping into some fund balances.

And there may be more pressure on the budget ahead, as the Carlson and Dettman Consulting will be looking at the County’s Wage Scale Plan.  LeFebvre expects the 2.5 percent increase now budgeted will not allow the county to be competitive in hiring and retaining employees.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at the next county board meeting on October 25th.  Details on the budget are posted on the county’s website.