10/22/2026 Finance & Human Resources Committee & Racine County Board Meeting

Racine County Finance & Human Resources Committee and County Board meeting, October 22, 2026: The committee approved the treasurer’s recommendation to accept over-the-counter bids for county-owned parcels at 1555 and 1530 Packard Avenue. Both properties, acquired through foreclosure in April, had received no valid sealed bids; the over-the-counter bids met the minimum requirements. The committee also advanced the proposed 2027 budget to the County Board for first reading, and advanced a separate comprehensive fee schedule resolution for first reading. The 2026 tax levy resolution was sent for first reading at the November 2 meeting. The fee schedule is being separated from the budget to make fee updates easier during the year; no specific fee amounts were discussed.

The committee heard a presentation on proposed 2027 capital borrowing: up to $15.46 million in tax-exempt general obligation promissory notes for highways and bridges, buildings and facilities, and vehicles and equipment, plus a separate taxable borrowing of up to $550,000 for the affordable housing initiative. The resolutions establish parameters for a future sale and were advanced for first reading; the transcript does not record a completed bond sale or final approval. The budget discussion included differing views on sales-tax allocations to property-tax relief and future debt service, but no action was taken on the forecast. At the County Board meeting, a proposed permanent easement to Wisconsin Electric Power Company for underground utilities in Bushnell Park was introduced and referred to the Public Works, Parks and Facilities Committee.