By Susan Steele
Correspondent
Walworth County Administrator Mark Luberda introduced the 2025 Walworth County budget Sept. 10 at a Committee of the Whole meeting of the County Board of Supervisors.
Luberda said fiscal stability and operational sustainability goals were consistent with what he referred to as “local governments, including Walworth County, transitioning back to more traditional circumstances.”
There remain challenges with revenue to the county, mainly because of state constraints.
“Levy levels remain in place, and a significant restraint on county operations,” he said. “Since 2011, levy limits that link the allowable uniform county property tax levy increase to the increase in property values due to new construction have effectively eliminated the county property tax increases to the average taxpayer and significantly constrained the sources of revenues.”
Despite these challenges and consistent with the proposed budget goals, Luberda and county staff were able to propose funding for:
- A severe weather reserve to ensure no further funds are necessary in the event of severe snow and ice
- A future housing initiative following the work of the County’s Workforce Housing Strategy Task Force
- A two-year pilot program proposed by the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance to enhance business recruitment and retention and establish a workforce recruitment portal that connects local employers with potential workers
- Expand the Shared-Ride Tax Service to provide more than 43,000 rides to residents this year
- Distribute nearly $500,000 in Opioid mitigation national settlement funds, providing opioid prevention and awareness, harm reduction, housing and family support, and staffing to confront the opioid epidemic.
Additionally, Luberda introduced an expansion of the Capital Improvement Plan from a five-year to a 10-year tool.
“The longer view will ensure we keep our eye on the impending projects and fund balances so that the county can continue to protect against needing debt for capital items or projects,” he explained.
The County Board of Supervisors reviewed the proposed budget with staff and elected officials the week of Sept. 16, with the preliminary draft information distributed before the October committee meetings.
A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 6 p.m., with changes made by the supervisors up to Friday, Nov. 6, and adoption on Nov.12, 2024, at 5 p.m.
