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Board tables request seeking $70 million increase to circuit court funding until March 27
Summary
A resolution asking the state to increase the circuit court cost appropriation by $70 million in the 2025–27 state budget was introduced and vigorously debated; board members split over whether to include a specific dollar amount and voted to table the item to the next meeting for further information.
The Rock County Board of Supervisors on March 13 considered a resolution urging Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Legislature to increase the circuit court cost appropriation by $70 million in the 2025–27 state budget, but the board voted to table the measure until its March 27 meeting so staff and the Clerk of Circuit Court can provide additional details.
The resolution described an increasing county share of operating expenses for circuit courts and listed county responsibilities such as bailiffs, court commissioners, clerk of circuit courts, juries, guardians ad litem, indigent counsel fees and courtroom technology. The resolution cited a recent county estimate that “counties now pay almost $150,000,000 more than the state in unbalanced circuit court costs.”
During debate several supervisors questioned inserting a statewide dollar figure in a county advocacy resolution. Supervisor Schwartz said he opposed placing a fixed dollar figure into the resolution and moved to remove the $70 million figure; that motion prompted further discussion. Supervisor Gorman urged specificity when lobbying state officials but said he would vote against removing the amount. Several supervisors urged tabling the item in order to get more detailed cost breakdowns and to allow Clerk of Circuit Court Amanda Nelson — who had to leave for a family emergency — to answer questions about the $70 million figure.
Supervisor Stevens moved to table the resolution to the board’s March 27 meeting to allow staff to provide the requested financial details. The motion to table passed on a roll call of 21 yes, 7 no and 1 abstention.
No final position was adopted by the board at this meeting. The resolution remains on the board’s calendar for March 27, and the board requested additional information from the clerk’s office and county staff before taking a final vote.
Action summary: resolution urging state increase in circuit court cost appropriation (requested amount: $70,000,000) — motion to amend/remove the dollar amount was proposed during debate; motion to table to March 27 (mover: Supervisor Stevens) passed 21 yes, 7 no, 1 abstain.
The item drew sustained attention from board members who emphasized consistent support for court services but differed on whether a county-level advocacy statement should include a specific statewide dollar figure.
