Human Services Committee/Human Services Board Budget Meeting, October 21, 2026

Kenosha County’s Human Services Committee/Human Services Board held its October 21, 2026 meeting to review and vote on the proposed 2027 Department of Human Services budget. The department presented an overall increase of $522,000 (2.5%), an increase of $1.6 million in personnel appropriations, and 8.6 additional FTEs. The proposal also includes $512,000 for the full-year cost of rent at the new building. Divisional budgets were considered individually and approved by votes that were reported as unanimous; no vendor selection or contract award was made during the meeting.

Budget items with purchasing or contracting implications included a proposed $50,000 replacement freezer for the Medical Examiner’s Office, with a corresponding $50,000 increase in bonding, and $6,200 for professional accreditation. The board also considered staffing changes from contracted to county positions, provider rate increases, and changes to grant-funded programs. Workforce Development’s hotel voucher funding increases by $30,000, with the Shares Community Fund discussed at $220,000. Behavioral Health included budget planning for a potential Sunrise Clinic arrangement. Other notable budget actions included Brookside Care Center’s plan to return $1.88 million to reserves and $500,000 to the levy.