IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday on a proposed 2026 general fund budget totaling $13.75 million, up 3.5% from this year.

The hearing comes as the county board moves to finish three-year collective bargaining agreements with unionized county employees. The agenda for Monday’s meeting in the circuit courtroom of the courthouse includes a closed session regarding negotiations.

The millage rate to support the budget remains at 6.1323 mills, or $6.13 per $1,000 of taxable value. On a home with an assessed value of $100,000, and a taxable value of $50,000, the levy amounts to a property tax of $307.

In a budget memo, Controller Brian Bousley said he anticipates wages and benefits for current and retired county employees will represent 69.58% of general fund spending.

Health insurance rates as a whole — for active employees and retirees — have increased roughly 21% collectively for 2026, Bousley said. A draft of the county’s budget resolution states employees will continue to pay premium contributions toward their health care coverage at a rate of 20%.

MESSA, a nonprofit association available to public employees, administers health insurance for active employees. Retiree health insurance is handled through Advergent and Mercer.

Property tax revenues for the budget are projected at $7.28 million in 2026, as the county’s taxable value has risen 5.4%. That figure represents 53% of general fund revenues, Bousley said.

The county’s general fund balance at the beginning of the 2025 budget year was $4.1 million, or about 30% of general fund spending. The county aims for an unassigned fund balance of at least 25%, Bousley said. Any overages are moved into contingency, a capital improvement fund or Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan obligations.

The county faces an unfunded MERS pension liability estimated at $20.1 million as of 2024. The plan has assets of $29.9 million, putting the pre-funded level at roughly 60%.

In 2018 the county moved to a defined contribution benefit plan for new hires, which Bousley said in the long run is expected to save on legacy costs. From 2025 to 2026, however, retirement costs will increase by 12%.

Under the defined contribution benefit plan, the county contributes 10% of an employee’s annual wages to the retirement system while the employee must contribute at least 5%.

Some 2026 budget highlights:

— State revenue sharing is projected at $765,710, an increase of slightly less than 1%. State revenue sharing represents 5.6% of the county’s revenues, while Michigan’s community stabilization program payment represents 8.2%, Bousley said. The stabilization program is a component of personal property tax reforms enacted in 2014.

— After building a snow-removal equipment storage building at Ford Airport this year, the county anticipates construction of a federally funded $3 million aircraft rescue and fire building in 2026.

— A voter-approved veterans services millage of 0.0999 mills, along with grant funds, will allow the county to have a full-time veterans service officer at 40 hours per week and an additional full-time VSO at 30 hours per week. The county anticipates $54,214 in grant funds. The levy of 0.0999 mills, or 10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, generates roughly $115,000.

— The medical examiner budget is $359,471. The county for a third year will operate an autopsy service based at the airport. Bousley said the goal is for the service to become cost-neutral, although it may take a few years. Currently, Dr. Martin Cristanelli is a full-service medical examiner for Dickinson, Iron, Delta, and Marquette counties. Other counties, such as Alger, Schoolcraft, Menominee, and some Wisconsin counties, contract for autopsy services. Some other counties in the U.P. are in discussions for medical examiner services.

— The parks department appropriation is $26,212. It remains the county’s intent to have a self-sufficient parks system, Bousley said. Lake Antoine Park Partners continues to provide funding and volunteer labor that has aided greatly in park upkeep and improvements, he said.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-744-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.