# Stephenson County Board Meeting - 11/10/26

The Stephenson County Board met on November 10, 2026, and approved the 2027 property-tax levy ordinance with no increase. The board received and laid over the proposed 2027 budget for public inspection; it was not a final budget approval. Budget items discussed included $400,000 for highway equipment replacement and $103,000 in the public-safety contingency for one sheriff’s squad car. Five additional squad cars, courtroom benches, gym memberships, and road improvements were not approved. The cemetery improvement budget line was raised from $2,500 to $10,000 to demonstrate county investment while pursuing a state grant offering awards of up to $30,000. The county’s future economic-development arrangement remained under review, with no contract beyond December 31, 2026, in place.

The board approved an engineering agreement with Hutchison Engineering for the Oneco Township Bridge, with the county expected to pay 10% and the remaining costs shared with other funding sources and the township. It also approved a speed study and a recommended 40-mph limit on a section of Sunset Road. Other actions included approval of settlement and claim No. 250414W025, participation in an opioid-distributor settlement with Albertsons, and surplus properties sold through sealed bids. No vendor award for the economic-development services was made.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Professional Services
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 10, 2026

### Sources
- [Stephenson County Board Meeting - 11/10/26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz85hObcgGQ) - Stephenson County Board