County seeks public input on 2027 budget at October listening sessions

Kalli Hawkins | October 6, 2026

Cook County residents will have several opportunities this month to weigh in on the county’s 2027 budget.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners will hold five community listening sessions throughout October, one in each commissioner district. The sessions are intended to gather public input on county services and spending priorities before the board sets the final 2027 budget and property tax levy in December.

The sessions follow the County Board’s approval of an 11.98% preliminary levy increase on Sept. 22. The preliminary levy serves as a cap, meaning the final levy can be lower but cannot exceed 11.98%.

During the Sept. 22 meeting, commissioners considered two budget options before approving the preliminary levy. The option selected by the board calls for using about $1.58 million from the county’s fund balance to help offset expenses. A second option would have used $1.87 million in reserves and resulted in a 9.87% levy increase. Commissioners and county staff raised questions about the long-term sustainability of using fund balance to moderate property tax increases and whether the county should consider reductions to some non-mandated services.

Non-mandated services account for about $2.5 million, or 16.2%, of the proposed county levy. Those services include funding for the Cook County Airport, the Cook County Community Center, the Minnesota Extension Service, the YMCA, the Parks Department, recycling, the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority, and Public Health and Human Services health grants, among others. See a full list in the graphic below:

A list of the non-mandated services and associated costs presented during the Sept. 22 meeting

During the meeting, Cook County Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers presented various other budget challenges and factors considered for the county’s 2027 budget. Factors affecting the 2027 budget include ongoing state and federal human services mandates with limited funding, cost increases within the Highway Department, ensuring competitive wages to recruit and retain staff, inflationary impacts, the cost of maintaining county buildings, among others. See a list of cost increases presented during the Sept. 22 meeting below:

A list of cost increases and additional information presented during the Sept. 22 meeting.

In a press release, county officials said public input would help determine which services residents consider priorities as the county works toward setting the final budget and levy.

“These listening sessions are part of the county’s ongoing commitment to public service, collaboration, and responsible financial planning,” county officials said.

The listening sessions are open to all Cook County residents, regardless of which district they live in. Residents can ask questions, share concerns, and offer feedback about county programs, services, and other budget priorities.

The sessions are scheduled for: