NOTE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Fall is officially here as we flip the calendar to October and begin a new month and fiscal season. Preparing the County's annual budget is the most important priority of our County Board and I'm proud of the recently passed balanced budget!
Key aspects of the balanced budget include:
• Levy decrease to General Fund in order to allocate more resources to the Highway Department and River Bluff Health & Rehabilitation
• Improved revenue from multiple sources such as Sales Taxes and State Income Tax
• Contracted and Non-Union Salary Increases
• 24 New positions (including six Corrections Officers, Security Director, 911 Training Coordinator, four Assistant State’s Attorneys, three Assistant Public Defenders, Public Defender Investigator, Chief Operating Officer and Highway Mechanic)
• $12.5 million budgeted for FY24 Capital Improvement Plan in addition to other funds from carryover and the Public Safety Sales Tax
It’s imperative that we provide the funding needed to not only maintain, but improve our essential services for Winnebago County residents. I am confident in the projected fiscal year budget to avoid a deficit moving forward, and I commend our Finance Department and others who worked diligently during this budget approval process!
Sincerely,
Joseph V. Chiarelli
Winnebago County Board Chairman
| 
