The Town of Plum Lake passed its 2026 budget of $5.51 million on Nov. 11 — a 10% decrease from the 2025 budget of $6.12 million.

Town Treasurer Robert Klager explained that the reduction in budget is the result of $4.25 million in grant money received for the community center being expended on the building project during 2025.

“In 2025 we listed the grant at full value ($4,250.000),” Klager said. In 2026 we are starting $3,641,458 — a 14% reduction.”

Despite the overall budget decrease, town electors approved a .73% increase in the town’s tax levy (the portion of the budget funded by local property taxes). This amounts to a $6,029 increase over the 2024 levy limit, bringing the total proposed 2025 levy (to be collected in 2026) to $828,385.

Some of the key spending increases include Health and Human Services, increasing 157.1% from $3,500 to $9,000; Town Hall, Legal and Insurance up 26.6% from $123,385 to $156,250; Total Culture, Rec and Education, 14.8% from $123,227 to $141,526; and Total Public Works, up 10% from $125,185 to $137,675.

Spending decreases were seen in Total Legislative and Financial Government (-42.6%), Total Conservation and Economic Development (-14.2%), and Total Capital Outlay (-14%).

Klager said while he doesn’t have final numbers needed to calculate the town’s mill rate, he expects there should be little impact on tax bills as long as there are no major changes from the county or school districts.

Town hall vote

Forty-seven voters attended and also had the opportunity to weigh in on a $12,900 asbestos abatement capital outlay for the existing town hall.
There have been conversations within the community by those who would like to save the building — built in 1938 by the town’s women’s club — which is set to be demolished once the new $4.25 million community center is completed.

The vote passed overwhelmingly with 39 in favor, six opposed and two abstaining.

This is the second time electors have voted in favor of demolishing the building and likely brings an end to the Save the Town Hall efforts launched earlier this fall by some townspeople who would have liked to see the historic building preserved and repurposed.

Electors voted last April in a 22-1 vote to demolish the historic building due to its age and condition, and the extensive costs that would be required to bring it up to modern safety and accessibility standards.

“Attendance was higher (at the Nov. 11 meeting) than we typically see for an annual meeting, which was expected given the Save the Town Hall efforts, but everything remained orderly,” said Plum Lake Chair Jackey Postuchow. “This vote further solidified the electors’ decision made in April.”

Although the existing town hall will likely be demolished, efforts are underway to save some of the original pieces for posterity’s sake.

“The memorial component is still in the development stages, but it will include iconic fixtures from the existing building,” Postuchow said.