Kenosha County board approves multiple 2026 budgets; workforce amendment adds $20,000 for food assistance

The Kenosha County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved 2026 budget requests for multiple departments on Oct. 31, advancing capital IT projects, land-imagery work, and a series of human-services program budgets. During deliberations, supervisors also approved a $20,000 amendment to the workforce development budget to supply food-assistance providers.

Workforce amendment: Supervisor Kirby proposed and Supervisor Grama seconded an amendment to add $20,000 to the sheriff's community fund, split between the Sharing Center ($10,000) and the Shalom Center ($10,000). The board approved the amendment and the workforce budget as amended by voice vote.

Human services highlights: The Human Services division requested a levy increase of about $1.4 million (6.33%) overall. Key items approved included the Brookside Care Center budget, which budgets a 2026 census of 144 and a $500,000 levy giveback and is projected to move Brookside's proprietary fund to an estimated $450,000 positive reserve; Willowbrook's assisted-living budget, which holds private-pay rates steady and…