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member Supervisor Mawhinney told the board the committee recommended buying digital evidence software, replacing outdated laptops and buying nine scanners for the district attorney’s office at a cost of $73,948, funded by eliminating a vacant legal support specialist position.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 the health insurance fund balance in lieu of a 2.5% COLA. The board also authorized a $70,000 security information and event management solution funded by IT budget reductions and approved two position reclassifications totaling $7,345.

Several capital projects were delayed or removed from the 2026 schedule. On a 19–10 roll call, the board voted to postpone a proposed $531,000 countywide siren system upgrade to 2027 and redirect the sales tax impact to lower the debt service levy. Emergency Management Director Kevin Wernett warned that the current system relies on decades‑old radio technology and lacks zoned automation, battery backup at most sites and encryption. “Our emergency warning system is based on technology that’s 30 or 40 years old,” Wernett said. He added the upgrade would move the county to an encrypted cellular receiver with battery backup and zoning that reduces overwarning.

The board also voted 17–12 to remove the Health Care Center abatement project from the 2026 budget and use prior‑year sales tax dollars to reduce the debt service levy; staff outlined mothballing costs (~$91,000) and estimated modest escalation in abatement/demolition costs if delayed. A proposed $700,000 delay of the Sportsman Park shelter was discussed at length with some supervisors saying the roof has deteriorated and others urging reassessment; discussion concluded with the amendment considered on the floor.

Facilities staffing was a notable change the board approved. After a lengthy committee discussion, the board agreed to a phased restructuring of facilities management that reallocates two administrative posts and adds a float maintenance assistant to reduce subcontracted service costs and preserve in‑house maintenance capacity. Facilities Manager Brent Sutherland described the restructure as cost‑avoidance that will let high‑skilled technicians focus on building systems rather than lower‑skill tasks.

Not all appeals passed. A motion to add a $300,000 rooftop solar project targeted at a non‑law‑enforcement county building (to capture a tax credit expiring July 4, 2026) failed on a 12–17 vote after supervisors raised questions about which roof would be used, the completeness of the cost quote and expected engineering and hookup expenses. A high‑profile proposal to eliminate the county’s equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) program and reallocate its funds to debt service failed 12–17 after extended debate about program value, employee participation and potential consequences for county services and grant eligibility.

Finance staff told the board that while the total levy increased over last year (from prior levies), the county’s equalized mill rate fell slightly because equalized property values rose. County staff described limited 2026 borrowing in the recommended budget, with a primary road borrowing of approximately $2.3 million proposed for Highway J.

With the board’s adoption, staff will proceed with the budget as amended; several supervisors requested additional vetting for postponed projects and follow‑up reports from committees and department heads.

The board recessed to continue business on remaining items following the vote.