SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Tuesday evening will be the chance for Sheboygan County residents to hear about what they can expect to get for governmental services from their home county.
The county’s Board of Supervisors will have a special meeting at the courthouse starting at 6 p.m. for the public hearing on the 2016 budget.
County Administrator Adam Payne says this is the last chance for changes to be made to a budget. "So if anyone from the community wants to come learn more about what in the county’s budget; if they have issues, concerns of suggestions."
Payne does admit that the chances for changes are not that great, given that the county's budget process takes months at the department and committee levels. He says work done there is the best chance to make changes.
As for what people can expect in the budget, Payne says the budget will be around 125-million dollars. That will fund the over 200 programs the county offers and pay for the more than 800 employees in 2016.
Due to state law, the county could only increase its budget based on net new construction, which will be around 300-thousand dollars. "That’s not a lot of additional revenue for not only cost of living increases or health insurance increases, but just maintaining our transportation system or working with people with mental illness," says Payne.
He adds the tax levy will go up just under three percent this year, with the key reason being the start of a new combined dispatch center for all of Sheboygan County next year.
The official approval for the budget is scheduled to take place on November 3rd.