Winnebago County panel recommends up to $2.57 million from Spirit Fund for highway facility design

The American Rescue Plan Act Strategy and Outcomes Commission voted to recommend that the Winnebago County Board consider an allocation of up to $2,568,384 from the county’s Spirit Fund to pay for design and engineering of an addition to the county highway facility.

Chair (speaker 2) told the commission the request reflects results of a 2024 facilities condition assessment and a 2025 space-needs survey that identified about $67,000,000 in deferred maintenance across county buildings and used a $32,000,000 construction estimate to calculate design costs. “This appropriation will give us the design we need to inform a decision about funding construction of the project in the future,” the chair said.

Supporters argued the design study is needed now to pin down costs, evaluate modular options and identify opportunities to reduce operational costs—such as fewer vehicle miles driven between county facilities and adding a truck wash to extend fleet life. A committee member (speaker 1) said highway improvements are necessary but cautioned that combining facilities and highway work could significantly raise future bonding needs and potentially increase the county levy unless alternatives are found.

The county’s staff told the panel the Spirit Fund currently holds about $8,600,000 in unallocated dollars; the county’s opportunity fund was reported at roughly $5,500,000 and unassigned general fund reserves at about $42,000,000. The finance director (speaker 6) outlined the county’s recent debt schedule and noted the county’s total outstanding debt at about $40,800,000, saying the prior structuring had kept near-term payments lower while preserving borrowing capacity.

Committee members pressed for additional details about what would happen to the existing facilities building if functions moved, noting prior investments in that property. Staff and members also discussed site constraints at the Knapp Street location (including brownfield and wetland concerns) and whether the project should be built all at once or in phases.

Brandon (speaker 8) moved to recommend the funding request to the full county board; the motion was seconded, a question was called and the commission approved the recommendation by voice vote. The chair said the board would consider final approval at its next meeting on March 17.

The commission’s action is a recommendation only; the full county board must act to appropriate funds or authorize bonding.