Winnebago County board approves FY26 budget amendments; social services line increased

Winnebago County opened a public hearing on the fiscal year 2026 budget amendment and approved the amendment after staff described the changes and answered questions from board members.

Secondary roads staff told the board the amendment is "really a net 0 transaction," shifting funds between engineering parts and supplies, accounting for extra day labor used on urban renewal projects that will be reimbursed, and recording a small increase in engineering fees and supplies tied to a new GPS rover purchase.

Board members pressed staff about social services spending. A speaker noted demand for general assistance has been high this year and described the social services line as approximately a 100% increase year-to-date; staff confirmed program rules limit reapplications and that demand drove the supplemental request.

The board also discussed commissary and jail-related budget changes. Staff explained commissary increases are tied to higher inmate counts and the facility’s kiosk system, where families can load funds onto cards that inmates use to buy phone time, snacks, and other permitted items.

After there were no public comments, the board closed the hearing and approved the FY26 budget amendment on a motion from Smith and a second from Derby; members voted aye. The board then approved Amendment No. 1 to the Secondary Road budget on a motion from Derby with a second from Smith; that motion also passed with aye votes.

No additional fiscal impact to the county’s bottom line was reported; staff said the amendments reallocate existing funds and that reimbursements from urban renewal will offset certain expenses.