Kenosha County finance committee adopts consolidated donation policy

The Kenosha County Finance Committee on Monday approved a consolidated county donation policy designed to standardize how donations are accepted, reviewed and documented across county departments.

A finance committee member presenting the proposal said the policy establishes clear rules for accepting donations — including cash, equipment, securities and real property — and sets approval thresholds intended to balance transparency with ease for small gifts. The policy requires county executive notification for donations over $1,000, review by finance, corporation counsel and risk management for donations over $10,000, and county board approval for donations of $25,000 or more; real-estate donations would follow existing ordinance procedures, the presenter said.

Supporters told the committee the policy aligns with best practices recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association and would create a public donation log and an annual report to the finance committee. “The goal of the policy is to ensure that the donations are accepted and managed in a way that makes it transparent, fiscally responsible and aligned with the county’s mission,” the presenter said.

Supervisor Gerson and other supervisors praised the measure as improving fiscal management and protecting the county from accepting gifts that could impose unforeseen costs or reputational harm. Supervisor Gerson said the policy preserves previously approved, program-specific donation resolutions while bringing them under a consistent countywide framework.

The committee moved and approved the finance resolution to adopt the consolidated donation policy. The committee’s action will bring the new policy into county procedures and requires staff to maintain a donation log and provide an annual report to finance.

The committee did not identify any immediate changes to existing program-specific donation arrangements; staff said those resolutions will be incorporated under the new policy’s appendix. The policy also includes an acceptance checklist, an example donor acknowledgement letter and guidance for liquidating securities donated to the county.

The finance committee voted to adopt the policy, and the measure will be administered by finance with legal and risk-management review as required.