Not quite double digits, but it’s close.
Lyon County Commissioners on Tuesday set the preliminary levy for 2026 at 9.9%. While this is much lower than the 14.7% floated earlier in the month, it is well above the 4.2% levy from last year.
Like last year, this preliminary budget is tapping into reserves. Last year, the county used $324,134 in reserves. The preliminary budget calls for $850,000 of the General Fund balance reserves.
“Overall, what I’m suggesting to the board as a place holder is use $850,000 out of reserves,” Lyon County Administrator Loren Stomberg said. “I think there are some different things we can do to get the reserve dollars out of there. If we keep it in we are at 9.9%. If we take it out were at 15% and I just cannot recommend that to the board.”
“What we do have in our back pocket is $1,264,000 in debt service,” he continued. “We have cash available to call that debt in. So that’s something the board can consider between now and December when you finalize the budget. Today all we’re looking at is a levy at 9.9%, we have our bases covered and get that $850,000 out of there when all is said and done. It may take some difficult decisions going forward, but I know we can get there.”
Part of the change in budget is a $40,000 loss in county programming aid.
The largest increase is in the general fund. The 2026 general fund levy is $10,472,299, an increase of $1,447,476. The roads and bridge department has an increase of $421,070 to $3,151,870. The SWHHS Human Service levy budget is $4,535,937, an increase of $335,995. The total 2026 levy is $18,574,706, and increase of $1,678,706 over 2025, which was $16,896,031.
The preliminary levy set in September can be lowered before the final budget is approved in December but cannot be increased.
A motion to approve the preliminary levy at 9.9% was made by Commissioner Todd Draper and seconded by Commissioner Rick Anderson. The motion was approved 5-0.
In other board news …
• The board approved assessment contracts for 2025-2028 with 29 of the 31 jurisdictions in Lyon County. Lyon County handles all the assessments except for those in Marshall and Minneota.
• The board approved a resolution requesting reimbursement of property tax relief for homes damaged in the flooding on July 18. The board of commissioners had previously declared Lyon County a local disaster area. Most of the damaged homes were in Marshall.
• The board approved a computer refurbishing agreement with Zach Linz.
• The board approved a notice of sale of tax-forfeited lands, as is addendum and terms and conditions of the sale.
• The board approved setting a tax forfeited classification meeting for 10 a.m. on Dec. 2.
• The board approved allowing the Environmental Department to apply for a Greater Minnesota Waste Reduction Grant with MPCA.
• The board approved accepting a donation from the Minnesota Horse Council in the amount of $7,932.09 for 20 paddocks at Garvin Park to replace a tether line that has been damaged. The donation will cover all costs of materials, and Brooke Kor reported that they have a group of volunteers to put them together.
• The board approved a Conditional Use Permit for SW MN Properties LLC, Jordan Handeland for an Event Center in Green Valley as well as a CUP for Sweetman Sand & Gravel for a gravel pit in Custer Township.
• The board approved the terms and entered into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the use of Lyon CSAH 8 and CSAH 24 during MnDOT’s 2026 U.S. Hwy. 59 bridge construction project.
