FAIRMONT– The Martin County Board of Commissioners held a second workshop on Monday to go over the 2026 budget and levy. The board spent the bulk of the meeting considering requests from county-supported non-profits.

At its last discussion, the board was facing a 9.86 percent levy increase but Auditor/Treasurer Michael Forstner explained that it has since gone up slightly due to a few factors and the board is now facing a 9.87 percent levy increase.

Forstner shared information about future potential cuts including a 1 percent reduction to COLA, reduction to mastic equipment in the highway department and a slight reduction of appropriations to Martin County Historical Society, Red Rock Center for the Arts, Martin County Fair Board and Kinship of Martin County, which if taken, would bring the levy increase down to a 6.23 percent increase.

Martin County Historical Society is asking for a one-time $10,000 increase for its virtual room, along with a general $3,000 increase from last year. This brings its request to $35,000, up from $22,000 last year.

The Red Rock Center for the Arts is requesting $14,500, up from $4,500, with the bulk going to roof work.

Commissioner Richard Koons pointed out that the building belongs to the county. He said he didn’t think $10,000 would cover the cost of the roof but Commissioner Joe Loughmiller said the organization thought that’s what it would need after fundraising.

“It’s an old building and I suppose it’s listed as a historical marker… so my question would be, what are they planning for a roof on this thing?” Koons asked.

He was worried with granting $10,000 now and having the state come in later after work has begun saying it wasn’t done right.

“It falls on us because it’s our building,” Koons said.

Commissioner Jaime Bleess said he thought the project should be on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and be discussed by the building committee. The board agreed to request more information for this project.

The Martin County Fair Board is requesting $20,000, up from $17,500 last year.

Koons said that about five years ago the board decide to drop its contribution and that the reasoning behind it was because at that time, the Sentence to Serve (STS) contracts had changed. STS, which is supported by the county, traditionally has put in a lot of labor at the fair.

“They use them three full weeks a year and we asked for something back and they said no so that’s why we cut that,” Koons said.

He recommended keeping the county’s contribution with where it was at in 2025, at $17,000.

Kinship of Martin County is asking for $45,000, as opposed to $40,000 last year.

Bleess said he would stick with the minimum until the organization puts together an organized funding plan. However, Loghmiller said he thought $45,000 was needed as Kinship looks for a new location to rent.

“Going from $40,000 to $45,000 is not a big jump,” Loughmiller said.

The board also considered Faibault Martin County Prairie Lakes Transit’s request for work on its facility. The request is for $46,500 but Bleess said he thought the money should come from CIP funds and not come out of levy funds, though County Coordinator Scott Higgins said it would come from special project funds.

The board continued to discuss potential cuts, as well as wages and benefits.

“So, for my clarity, what we’re talking about with the budget is to do the health insurance change that’s proposed, the COLA change that’s proposed and to take that money, leave the preliminary somewhere around 9.87 (percent increase) and take that money back into the CIP rainy day fund?” Loughmiller asked,

Koons said it was either that or to raise the CIP plan 3 percent instead of 2 percent.

Loughmiller said he was okay with leaving it at a 9.87 percent increase for now because it could always be lowered in December.

“It’s a slow process. Government work slows and sometimes it’s better to have an extra meeting or two,” Koons said.

The board spoke briefly about some future projects, including broadband.

“I think we just deal with what’s in front of us,” said Loughmiller.

The meeting ended with the board in agreement with the 9.87 percent increase.

The board will set its preliminary budget and levy at its next regular meeting on Sept. 16. It will not adopt the final 2026 budget and levy until December.