2 weeks Ago By TERRY FLORES [email protected]
The Kenosha County tax on a median value home will decrease by $2.83 next year following the County Board’s approval of a budget and levy that will increase slightly in 2025. The County Board voted unanimously Thursday to approve the 2025 budget with a levy that will rise 2.
52%, up $1,912,125 to $77,794,539. The tax rate will decrease 18 cents from $3.35 in 2024 to $3.
17 per $1,000 of equalized property value. The county’s overall equalized property value increased in 2024 from $22,618,272,200 to $24,503,540,500, up 8.34%, according to the newly adopted budget.
The increase in the county’s overall equalized value reflects an increase in property value for a median value home from $267,706 in 2024 to $282,000 in 2025. As a result the owner of a median value home in 2025, can expected to pay $895.30 in taxes to fund the county’s operations next year, a decrease of $2.
83 compared with $898.13 in taxes this year. “This budget continues the pattern of fiscally responsible, forward-looking budgeting that earned Kenosha County a top-level AAA bond rating, and it does so while lowering taxes for the median-value homeowner,” Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman said.
“I commend the County Board for its valuable input and its diligent review of the budget, and I look forward to continuing my productive partnership with the board in 2025 and for many years to come.” The county’s overall budget for expenses in 2025 is increasing by 4.52%, up $12,765,136 to $294,869,348.
The board approved the budget following a hearing Wednesday night in which no one from the public spoke. The budget resolution included an amendment clarifying that behavioral and mental health services were needs that would be determined for law enforcement personnel in the sheriff’s department. On Friday, county officials said the budget continues a commitment to public safety and human services, adding an embedded social worker position within the Sheriff’s Department to help connect people to resources in times of need during behavioral health-related calls for service.
In committee, supervisors included a study of these needs in the resolution to ensure a commitment that such services would be addressed next year in the 2026 budget or sooner. Yuhas County Board Chair Monica Yuhas praised county staff and the board for their efforts in developing a budget that “delivers essential services while keeping the tax levy very low for our taxpayers. “In crafting this budget, we have prioritized critical services that enhance the quality of life in our county, services that support public safety, human services and infrastructure,” said Yuhas.
“These are the pillars of a community that allows a community to thrive.” She highlighted the “collaborative spirit” fostered in bringing the budget forward. The process began earlier this spring with a visioning session that featured Kerkman and Yuhas setting the tone for the budget’s development.
“It takes a dedicated group of individuals to navigate the complexities of budgeting and decision making and I’m proud to work alongside each and every one of you,” Yuhas said. “Your willingness to engage in open dialogue, share insights and compromise, where necessary, has been vital in this process.” In separate resolutions, the County Board also unanimously approved authorization to bond for capital projects in 2025.
The board authorized the issuance of $17,770,000 in 10-year-promissory notes for road and highway improvements and bonding of $4,455,000 in 10-year general obligation promissory notes to finance the full remodel and restoration of the county’s ceremonial courtroom. Borrowing for the courtroom restoration will take place next year and in 2026. Fundraising efforts have already amassed more than $2.
3 million for the nearly $7.2 million project. The budget also includes funding for the planning of the next phase of Highway K expansion west of 94th Court and for safety-minded improvements to Highway W from Wilmot to the state line.
An estimated $525,000 in savings will also come from previous bonding and economies of scale. As it appeared upon the opening in 1925, the Kenosha County Courthouse featured a skylight, ornamental plaster and Abraham Lincoln quote that lines the ceiling. All were damaged and obscured by the installation of air conditioning equipment and a drop ceiling in the 1960s.
The ornate plaster ceiling and stained glass skylight that are hidden by a drop ceiling installed for building mechanical systems in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. The view from the scaffolding of the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. The ornate plaster ceiling and stained glass skylight that are hidden by a drop ceiling installed for building mechanical systems in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse.
Some of the ornate plaster detailing and gold leaf lettering. The stained glass skylight was covered by concrete. The view from the roof at the Kenosha County Courthouse of the stained glass skylight in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder.
The ornate plaster ceiling and stained glass skylight that are hidden by a drop ceiling installed for building mechanical systems in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. The mural and carved molding at the entrance to the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. The ornate plaster ceiling and stained glass skylight that are hidden by a drop ceiling installed for building mechanical systems in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse.
The scaffolding erected in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. The ornate plaster and gold leaf lettering. As it appeared upon the opening in 1925, the Kenosha County Courthouse featured a skylight, ornamental plaster and Abraham Lincoln quote that lines the ceiling.
All were damaged and obscured by the installation of air conditioning equipment and a drop ceiling in the 1960s. The ornate plaster ceiling and stained glass skylight that are hidden by a drop ceiling installed for building mechanical systems in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. The view from the scaffolding of the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse.
The ornate plaster ceiling and stained glass skylight that are hidden by a drop ceiling installed for building mechanical systems in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. Some of the ornate plaster detailing and gold leaf lettering. The stained glass skylight was covered by concrete.
The view from the roof at the Kenosha County Courthouse of the stained glass skylight in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder. The ornate plaster ceiling and stained glass skylight that are hidden by a drop ceiling installed for building mechanical systems in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. The mural and carved molding at the entrance to the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse.
The ornate plaster ceiling and stained glass skylight that are hidden by a drop ceiling installed for building mechanical systems in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. The scaffolding erected in the second floor courtroom of Judge Bruce Schroeder at the Kenosha County Courthouse. The ornate plaster and gold leaf lettering.
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