Board adopts property-tax levy, lays over 2026 budget for public inspection

The Stephenson County Board approved an ordinance setting the county property-tax levy for the fiscal period beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and ending Dec. 31, 2026, and voted to receive and lay over the proposed 2026 budget for public inspection.

Finance Chair Tim Whelan told the board the levy ordinance did not include any increase beyond the standard rate (he said the board remained at 0% of the additional 0.05% capacity) and recommended approval. The clerk recorded the property‑levy vote as passing by roll call (12 aye, 0 nay).

Whelan then moved to receive and lay over the 2026 budget for public inspection until Nov. 25, 2025. During discussion board members asked how the nursing-center line items were treated (staff said many line items were deactivated because the nursing center is operating under a separate management agreement). Committee members reviewed capital requests in the budget: sheriff’s vehicle purchases (about $279,000 approved), animal-control funding ($40,000) and highway vehicle replacement and road projects (rough figures discussed, e.g., $286,000 for road projects). Board members also raised questions about personnel requests and COLA adjustments; staff said most personnel requests were within the COLA envelope and some committee-level personnel items (e.g., for the state's attorney) were included.

The board voted unanimously to receive and lay over the budget for public inspection. The chair said committee-level follow-up will include reporting back on supplementals and personnel-line items.