The Walworth County Finance Committee voted to place a $100,000 placeholder — subject to administrative hold — into the 2026 budget to seed planning for a 250th anniversary celebration and requested staff and supervisors form a planning group.
Committee members discussed potential funding sources including ARPA interest, carryover fund balance and partnership opportunities (county fairgrounds and private sponsors) to leverage the one‑time money. Finance staff said unallocated ARPA interest is anticipated in the $75,000–$100,000 range but cautioned that amounts earned depend on cash still invested and on other pending uses of interest funds.
Several supervisors volunteered to form a committee with staff to develop a plan and recommended posting and public‑meeting requirements be followed for any working group. The committee approved a motion to include $100,000 in the 2026 budget subject to administrative hold so the county board would retain control before funds were released.
Finance staff explained the county has a small legacy fund from the 300th celebration (roughly $12,000 projected for that celebration) but no dedicated funds for a 250th; supervisors suggested pairing county seed money with outside matching grants or local corporate partners to enlarge the celebration budget. Staff noted that entertainment and vendor costs should be planned well in advance to secure bookings.