Board adopts 2026 budget and levy after approving Smart Bus support and rejecting historical society restoration

Vernon County’s administrative coordinator presented the draft 2026 budget and the proposed 2025 tax levy (payable 2026), describing levy drivers (net new construction, scheduled debt and departmental costs) and noting a balanced budget for 2026 with a modest levy increase. The presentation outlined capital requests and recommended borrowing authority for capital projects; supervisors then debated floor amendments.

A key amendment restored a $15,000 county contribution toward the regional Smart Bus service for 2026, citing rural transit needs and the program’s local ridership; that amendment passed after discussion about ridership, business model concerns and opportunities for deeper county participation in the regional committee. A separate amendment to restore $12,500 to the Vernon County Historical Society using Ho-Chunk funds was debated extensively and then defeated by ballot (5 yes: Jacobson, Henry, Taylor, Easterday and Schweiger; 13 no; 1 absent). Following the votes the board adopted Resolution 2025-68 to set the tax levy and adopt the 2026 budget as amended.

Administrators said the levy is affected by scheduled debt service and a net new construction factor; the coordinator listed planned capital projects and flagged longer-term costs including higher software subscription and human services placements. Staff and supervisors urged continued review of service models for regional programs such as the Smart Bus and increased oversight or participation in governance where the county contributes funding.