The Washington County Board of Commissioners is reviewing a proposed budget from department heads that would increase the tax levy 6.9 percent, impacting Woodbury residents.
Commissioners have begun reviewing the county’s recommended 2026 budget through a series of weekly workshops. The sessions are part of the annual budgeting process, with each meeting focused on specific county departments and agencies.
As currently proposed, the 2026 budget would bring the total levy to $148.9 million. According to a county news release, the proposed budget emphasizes maintaining existing services and infrastructure while addressing backlogs in service delivery.
Only a small number of new positions are recommended, increasing the total number of FTEs employed by the county from 1472 to 1476. This maintains the county’s staffing ratio of five employees per 1,000 residents.
“The county board is working hard to adopt a disciplined 2026 county budget that meets the needs of those we serve while taking into consideration the property tax we are asking homeowners to pay,” County Board Chair Stan Karwoski, who represents the Second District, said. “We will continue to review all the department budgets and reduce costs where we can and where it is appropriate.”
One-Time and Capital Investments
The proposed budget includes these one-time investments:
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations
- Election administration and equipment
- Migration to a new Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
- Planning for extended library access
- The 2026 employee engagement survey
- Signage updates at two county buildings
In addition, the county plans to allocate $9.1 million toward long-term capital improvements to facilities, including the construction of the Park Grove Library in Cottage Grove and development of a new Central Yard Waste site at the former Century College Transportation Training Center on Hudson Road in Afton.
Another $115.5 million is earmarked for the road and bridge program, including funding for:
- The Highway 36 and County State Aid Highway 17 (Lake Elmo Avenue) intersection
- Planning and design for the Public Works South Shop
- Construction of a roundabout at Bailey Road and Settlers Ridge in Woodbury
- Road reconstruction and pavement preservation
The budget also includes $2.6 million for park projects such as the Hardwood Creek Trail extension and other minor park improvements.
Taxpayer Impact
A 6.9% levy increase would result in an estimated $50 increase in the county portion of 2026 property taxes for the owner of a median-valued home, reflecting a 5.1% increase from 2025. The Roundabout asked county officials to provide a more detailed breakdown of how the proposed 6.9% levy increase would impact property taxes for homes at different value levels—not just the median-valued home. In response, the chart above was provided to the Roundabout by the Washington County Department of Property Records and Taxpayer Services.
Budget Timeline and Upcoming Presentations
Departmental budget presentations are ongoing, with upcoming sessions scheduled as follows:
- August 19: Property Records and Taxpayer Services; Library and Law Library
- August 26: Attorney’s Office; Sheriff’s Office
Following the presentations, the board will continue the budget process throughout the fall:
- September 23: Preliminary levy set
- December 2: Public meeting on the proposed 2026 budget and levy
- December 16: Final adoption of the 2026 budget, property tax levy, and capital improvement plan
How to Stay Informed
Residents can watch budget workshops live or access recorded sessions through the Washington County website.
