Kenosha County Board Adopts 2026 Budget with Strong Focus on Public Safety & Infrastructure

The Kenosha County Board has officially adopted the 2026 county budget, a fiscal plan that leaders are calling a testament to collaborative governance.

 

County Executive Samantha Kerkman and Board Chairman Monica M. Yuhas both praised the budget's passage, highlighting its dual focus on essential services and fiscal prudence.

 

A major victory for taxpayers is the simultaneous decrease in the property tax mill rate by 4.1 percent, even as the overall tax levy sees a modest 2.96 percent increase.

 

This financial strategy is designed to keep Kenosha County on track to maintain its prestigious AAA bond rating, a top-tier status that saves residents money on interest costs.

 

Public safety received a significant portion of the funding.

 

The budget allocates funds for a comprehensive study of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office operations and provides the District Attorney's office with new body camera video software.

 

On the infrastructure front, the county is moving forward with major projects that will impact daily commutes and local landmarks.

 

Funding has been approved for engineering work on the long-awaited Kemper Center shoreline restoration.

 

Additionally, a full reconstruction of Highway W from the village of Wilmot down to the Illinois state line is a cornerstone of the new plan, alongside continued county-wide road repaving efforts.

 

Leaders emphasized that the budget reflects a commitment to the families and employees of Kenosha County by responsibly stewarding taxpayer dollars while investing in core services.

 

Source: Kenosha County Website — Original reporting can be found at this LINK. K-Town Weekly provides community summaries for local readers.