October Update: County Newsletter

Written By Stephanie Knezz

Happy October Kenoshans,

I hope everyone is enjoying the gorgeous fall weather. The fog we had last week was magical and the trees are in that short but perfect state of color change before they go fully bare for the winter.

We are in a busy time for the County Board. This newsletter comes at an interesting time, between when the County Exec has presented the budget and when it gets approved by the County Board. This is pretty much the whole story right now, so I’ll give you some highlights with the caveat that it’s not over until it’s over.

On October 6th, County Exec Kerkman presented the County Board 2027 budget (this link will direct you to the part of the recording where she does this presentation). I will present a few highlights from her presentation:

  • Kenosha has maintained a AAA bond rating for the 6th straight year

    • It is one of 7 Wisconsin counties to achieve this rating

    • This has resulted in 1.4 million dollars in savings

  • The proposed budget keeps the levy increase below 3 percent and below both the rate of inflation and the percent change in equalized value

  • It limits the increase for the owner of a median-value home to $13.48 in county property taxes

  • There are several transportation infrastructure projects that it accounts for (like advancements for future improvements to CTH K and CTH W protection from flooding and erosion from the Fox River). 

  • Funds have been allocated to complete the Kemper Center shoreline restoration project

  • The Kenosha County Center will be renovated 

  • The new Human Services Building will likely open in early 2027, and funds have been allocated to facilitate a smooth transition

  • The Sheriff’s Office will be hiring two new detective positions, focused on internet crimes against children, specifically

  • Axxon body camera contract will keep officer body camera technology current and updated

  • A new Compliance Supervisor position has been funded in Aging and Disability Services to strengthen contract compliance and service quality

  • A Recreation Coordinator position in the Parks Department has been added to expand parks programming, events, and community engagement while supporting grant development

On a more granular level, I have been in more detail-level budget conversations for the Human Services committee. Even in times of more limited grant funding, we continue to provide the programs that are the pillar of our community, allowing people to live their lives with dignity and comfort. One notable change is that the Division of Workforce Development has allocated an additional $30,000 to Shares funding that will go toward hotel vouchers for our unhoused residents. While we all know this is not a permanent solution, the extra funds will hopefully help us get through the worst of the worst this winter, and we continue to appreciate the pressure that SOS puts on us to continue to fund protections for the homeless. 

The week of October 26th, there will be budget hearings every day starting at 4pm where each portion of the budget will be reviewed. The schedule for these hearings is included below for those interested in attending. 

Thanks again to everyone who is working hard to make Kenosha County a better place. I look forward to reporting back about the budget in November.

Go Brewers!

Links:

Budget Hearing Schedule:

Monday, October 26th 

County Board 4:00 PM

County Executive 4:10 PM

Kenosha Library System 4:20 PM

Treasurer 4:30 PM

Register of Deeds 4:40 PM

Joint Services 4:50 PM

District Attorney/Victim Witness 5:00 PM

Dinner Break

Finance/Administration 5:30 PM

(Includes Purchasing, Non-Departmental, & Debt Service)

Human Resources 5:50 PM (Includes Insurances and Civil Service)

Tuesday, October 27th

Circuit Court 4:00 PM

Juvenile Intake 4:15 PM

Corporation Counsel 4:25 PM

Public Works 4:30 PM

UW-Extension 

Planning & Development

Parks

Dinner Break

Facilities

Golf

Highway

Capital Projects (by Division separately)

Sheriff           5:45 PM

Wednesday, October 28th 

KABA 4:00 PM

County Clerk/Elected Services 4:20 PM

Information Technology/Land Information 4:40 PM

Dinner Break

Human Services 5:45 PM

Veterans 

Brookside

Willowbrook

Office of Director 

Central Services

Workforce Development

Medical Examiner

Health

Aging & Disability

Behavioral Health

Children & Family

Thursday, October 29th

Budget Finalization 6:00 PM

Additional Departmental budget items (if needed)

Initial Resolutions

Policy Resolutions

Ordinances

Stephanie Knezz
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August & September Update: County Newsletter