Board of Health Meeting, October 20, 2026

Kenosha County Board of Health meeting, October 20, 2026: The board reviewed the proposed 2027 Health Department budget. The budget’s levy was presented as increasing 17.10%, or $391,563, over 2026, driven principally by personnel costs, a $173,000 increase in rent for a new, larger building, and changes in city contributions and grant funding. Staffing remained at 65.69 FTE. Proposed position changes included replacing a defunded grant specialist position with a deputy director role and adding a HUD-grant-funded enrollment specialist; the HUD grant runs through 2029. The board discussed the implications of ending or reduced grants, including a $79,000 Public Health Infrastructure grant reduction identified as affecting the levy. A motion was made and seconded to accept the proposed budget, but the transcript does not clearly capture the vote or its result.

Other budget items included a reported $13,000 reduction in data-processing costs after renewing with Patagonia at a lower rate to reflect fewer active users, a $109,000 decrease in supplies, and lower costs for contracted fiscal-management services. The department reported no changes to its master fee schedule. The health officer also said the department was seeking a new medical director for its clinic and STI program. No new procurement award or capital purchase was clearly identified; the meeting minutes were approved, and the transcript records no clear vote outcome on the budget motion.