Finance committee approves county boardproposed 2026 budget with modest cuts

The Kenosha County finance committee on the budget hearing approved the county boardproposed 2026 budget, which sets the proposed levy for the county board at $250,971, a 1.33% reduction from the 2025 budget.

County Board presenter said the personnel appropriation is down by $16.52 primarily "due to a $15,000 decrease in the other per diem line along with small corresponding reductions in FICA and life insurance expenditures." The presenter also described supply reductions totaling $2,840, including cuts of $2,000 in staff development, $1,000 in mileage and travel, and smaller reductions in publications and notices partially offset by a $1,400 increase in printing and duplication.

The presenter noted the public liability insurance line increased by $1,100 following an actuarial review and that a $10,000 carryover in the 2025 staff development line is expected to be substantially expended in 2025. "This proposed budget reflects a thoughtful and responsible approach, balancing fiscal restraint with the resources necessary to support the board's ongoing work," the presenter said.

Supervisor Kirsten moved approval of the county board budget; the motion was seconded and the committee approved the budget.

Committee members asked about conference allocations and how supervisorsand chairs are funded for conferences. Finance staff explained that every supervisor will be allocated funds to attend the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) conference and that NACO allocations will cover two people (chair and vice chair). A motion to increase the staff development line from $18,000 to $27,000 was made but died for lack of a second.

The approval concludes the committee-level review of the county board's requested appropriation and sends the recommendation forward to the budget vote process.