Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman presented her proposed budget for 2027 on Oct. 6. She described the plan as an effort to hold down the effect on property taxpayers while continuing to pay for core services, buildings and road work.
The proposal would raise the county property tax levy by less than 3%. For the owner of a home at the county median value of $335,000, the county portion of the tax bill would go up by an estimated $13.48 next year. Kerkman said the plan is also built to protect the county's AAA bond rating, which she said has saved taxpayers close to $1.4 million in borrowing costs in recent years.
Public safety takes a large share of the new spending. The Sheriff's Office would add two detective positions forming a unit focused on internet crimes against children, and the budget starts a new contract for Axon equipment to keep deputies' body cameras up to date. It also pays to build a new public safety communications tower on the west end of the county, aimed at coverage gaps around Twin Lakes, Randall and Wheatland.
The plan also covers building work across the county. The Kenosha County Center in Bristol would be renovated to add a west-end Sheriff's Office outpost and a fully capable backup site for the Emergency Operations Center, with upgrades to its Hearing Room as well. Other capital work includes restoring the Lake Michigan shoreline wall at the Kemper Center in 2027, later phases of the Highway K widening between 94th Court and 128th Avenue, and engineering work to protect Highway W from Fox River erosion and flooding north of Wilmot. The budget also supports opening the new Human Services Building in early 2027.
Two added staff positions are proposed: a compliance supervisor in Aging and Disability Services and a recreation coordinator to expand parks programs and events. County Board committees will review the proposal over the coming weeks, with a public hearing set for 7 p.m. on Nov. 4 and final adoption scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 5.
