Cook County residents weigh in on spending, transparency at budget listening sessions

Cook County residents have weighed in on government spending, property taxes, county transparency, childcare, the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority, and several other matters during the first two of five public listening sessions on the county’s 2027 budget.

Three sessions remain in October, giving residents additional opportunities to comment on county spending and services before commissioners finalize the budget and property tax levy in December.

Earlier this fall, the county set the preliminary levy at 11.98%. Once set, the levy cannot exceed that mark, but it can be reduced. After setting the preliminary levy, several commissioners proposed at the Sept. 22 meeting to hold five public listening sessions to gather feedback on county spending and identify potential cuts to non-mandated services.

Cook County Administrator Kristen Trebil-Halbersma said attendance at the first two sessions, held in Schroeder and Grand Marais, was good, with residents sharing a range of perspectives on county spending and services. About seven residents attended the District 5 listening session in Schroeder on Oct. 8, according to county officials, while the District 2 listening session in Grand Marais on Oct. 12, which WTIP attended, drew about 40 to 45 people.

District 2 County Budget Listening Session at the Cook County Community Center | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

One recurring theme from the first two listening sessions was the county’s spending and the need to consider reductions to non-mandated services and the overall budget, Trebil-Halbersma told WTIP.

“Trying to get the levy down was something that we heard from quite a few people,” she said.

Public comments during the District 2 session on spending focused on the lack of detailed budget data on the county website, including department fund balances.

“Asking for public input without data is unfair, and decisions will be based on emotions, not facts,” one attendee said.

Another Grand Marais resident attendee said they would like more information regarding the nonmandated services and what would happen if we didn’t fund the various listed services and programs. “We need more information,” the individual said.

Several county officials, including Treasurer-Auditor Braidy Powers, County Administrator Kristen Trebil-Halbersma and District 2 Commissioner Gary Gamble, responded to residents’ comments and provided additional information during the discussion.

The graphic below shows the list of non-mandated services that was presented during the Sept. 22 commissioner meeting. During the Oct. 12 listening session, additional documents with information about a few non-mandated services, such as the Public Health Fund grants, were provided.

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

Childcare has also emerged as a topic with differing perspectives. At the first session, Trebil-Halbersma said some residents questioned why the county subsidizes childcare and whether that funding should continue. At the second session in Grand Marais, held after the Lake Superior YMCA announced the closure of its childcare center in Cook County, Trebil-Halbersma said officials heard from parents and residents who want the county to make childcare a priority and explore options.

One Grand Marais resident and parent spoke about the impending YMCA closure and the status of childcare in Cook County. “We need to try to find spots to support families in this community, or families are going to leave.”

Other topics raised by residents during the Oct. 12 listening session included concern about the growing number of county employees and a request for information regarding the average county employee salary. Comments also included the county’s financial role in maintaining the Cook County YMCA operations and building and the proposed capital improvements to the Cook County Courthouse. Lastly, attendees raised questions about the Visit Cook County budget, the 3% lodging tax, the 1% sales tax, and the continued expansion of tourism marketing. Attendees asked about options to reappropriate funds to address the county levy or fund services such as childcare.

“A lot of different perspectives being provided,” Trebil-Halbersma said of the listening sessions. “It’s just such a great opportunity for the commissioners and for staff to hear from the community and to leverage that information as they move forward in the budget process.”

The remaining listening session dates are below:

• District 4 — Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Schapp Community Center
• District 1 — Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. at Hovland Town Hall
• District 3 — Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cook County Community Center

Cook County residents who cannot attend a listening session can contact their county commissioner directly with feedback.

A list of the Cook County Commissioners with contact information is below:

District 1 Deb White: Debra.White@cookcountymn.gov

District 2 Garry Gamble: garry.gamble@cookcountymn.gov

District 3 Dave Mills: david.mills@cookcountymn.gov

District 4 Ann Sullivan: Ann.Sullivan@cookcountymn.gov

District 5 Ginny Storlie: ginny.storlie@cookcountymn.gov

Trebil-Halbersma said that once the five listening sessions wrap up, the commissioners will convene for a budget work session on Oct. 28 to review and discuss the public input and feedback collected during the listening sessions and via email.

Kalli Hawkins October 14, 2026