Finance director proposes accelerated budget calendar and flags highway funding gap

Nathan, Dodge County’s director of finance, told the Finance Committee on Feb. 9 that staff will move capital improvement plan (CIP) discussions up a month to allow committees and board members more time to review preliminary numbers and surface policy questions before final board consideration.

The proposal would schedule a CIP review on Sept. 15 and a draft final budget to the county board on Oct. 20, with the intent that November’s meeting would largely finalize rather than introduce budget issues. Nathan said the dates are based on earlier executive‑committee feedback and emphasized that numbers presented in advance will be preliminary and subject to change as state figures arrive.

Nathan also outlined a highway funding plan developed with highway staff and engineers to project PACER ratings and the condition of county roads. He said recurring funding this year included $6,000,000 from taxes, a one‑time $4,000,000 from fund balance and $8,000,000 in grant funding. "Point is, is that we've got a funding gap," Nathan said, explaining that the county has relied in part on one‑time funds and grant dollars to elevate resurfacing standards.

Committee members asked how early engagement would help identify gaps and trade‑offs in the final budget. Nathan said the earlier schedule is intended to give committees and board members time to identify policy choices and surface funding options—such as prioritization of projects—before the final budget is prepared.

Nathan said staff will take the highway funding plan to the Highway Committee for detailed input and return recommendations to the Finance Committee and the executive committee for further decision‑making.

The committee confirmed the next regular meeting for March 9 at 4 p.m., when staff will provide both January and February reports.