Rock County Board approves $79.79 million 2026 budget after amendments on sirens, parks and staffing

The Rock County Board of Supervisors on a 27–2 roll call vote approved the county’s 2026 annual budget as amended, setting a $79,794,128 spending plan after a night of multiple budget appeals and votes.

The board approved a package of finance‑committee amendments that add targeted equipment and personnel changes while shifting timing for several capital projects. Finance committee member Supervisor Mawhinney told the board the committee recommended buying digital evidence software, replacing outdated laptops and buying nine scanners for the district attorney’s office at a cost of $73,948, funded by eliminating a vacant legal support specialist position. “The committee approved this amendment on a 5 to 0 vote,” Mawhinney said when moving the item.

Other amendments the board approved included adding 0.4 FTE to the veterans office ($19,530) funded by reductions in board per diems and community initiatives and an increase in state aid, redirecting the second‑vice‑chair budget ($1,200) to veterans outreach, and a $1‑per‑hour wage adjustment funded from…