Olmsted County Approves 2026 Budget With Key Tax Increases

Elected Official Salary Increase & 2026 Budget Approved by Olmsted County Commissioners

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners has approved next year's budget.

Board members also signed off on pay increases for the county’s elected officials. The board took the actions on Tuesday.

Next year’s budget calls for increases in the county’s property tax and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) levies.

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Olmsted County Board Approves Tax Levy Increases in 2026 Budget

The combined budget for county operations and the HRA totals $412,645,825. It’s supported by a $141,713,639 property tax levy, which was increased by 6.8% or $9,022,966 from the property tax levy certified last year, and a $5,568,544 HRA levy, which is up $396,476 or 7.8% from the HRA levy certified for 2025.

The remaining $265,363,642 of the budget comes from the federal and state governments and other local sources of revenue.

“The approved Olmsted County 2026 operating budget reflects months of careful planning, thoughtful analysis, and a strong commitment to service excellence,” said Olmsted County Administrator Travis Gransee.

Pay Raises Approved for Olmsted County Boardmemebrs, Sheriff & County Attorney

Along with approving the 2026 budget, board members also approved a pay increase for elected leaders. The salary hikes passed on a 5-2 vote.

County board members will now make $69,863 per year and a $600 per month allowance for in-county expenses, according to the meeting agenda item.

The board also voted to increase the annual salaries for sheriff and county attorney. The pay for those roles is now $200,039 and $228,577 respectively.