Richland County Administrator presented proposed budget for 2026

RICHLAND CENTER, WIS (WRCO / WRCE) –  Richland County Administrator, Tricia Clements, presented the proposed budget for 2026 to the Richland County Board of Supervisors at its meeting last night (Tuesday).

Some highlights of the budget include: the advancement of one step on wage scale for all full-time employees; the addition of a Radio Tower Technician & Radio Tower operations funding; restructuring of Administration, Symons, Emergency Services, and HHS staff; and focusing on maintaining and enhancing cyber security.

County revenue comes from: County Sales tax, interest on taxes, and Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law and Forest Crop Law; State Aid; fines, forfeitures, and various fees; departmental fees charged within the county; various non-department fees, Pine Valley rebated funds, and Short-Term Borrowing; investment income; and in the Highway Department the General Transportation Aid, Town Bridge 50/50 Cost Share, Wheel Tax, and State Maintenance Agreements.

The preliminary budget revenue is $51,890,990. The expense summary includes: General Administration; Public Safety; Health & Social Services; Transportation; Highway; Libraries; County Fair; Public Areas; the Extension; Natural Resources; County Planning; County Development; Debt Service Payments; and Capital Projects. The preliminary total for expenses is $51,890,990. The preliminary tax levy is $10,851,250, and increase of $510,245.

Levy limits restrict the County’s ability to generate additional revenue to pay expenses inside the operating budget to a “net new construction” amount determined by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Richland County’s 2025 net new construction in dollars is $5,278,300, or 0.27% as a percent.

Capital projects may be removed from the operating budget and provided for with short-term borrowing, or general obligation debt, that is not subject to levy limits. Carol Wirth from Wisconsin Public Finance Professionals, LLC presented a proposal for authorizing General Obligation Promissory Notes for Capital Improvements not to exceed $1,085,000.

The capital improvements include: Clerk of Court/Register in Probate $25,000 for technology upgrades in the courtroom. The County Management Information System $80,000 for server refresh. The Highway Department $500,000 for equipment. The Sheriff’s Department $209,000 for squad cars. And the Symons Recreation Complex $250,000 for HVAC System Replacement. The total of all of the improvements is $1,064,000. Adding in the issuance expense of $22,750 totals $1,085,000. The board of supervisors voted to move forward with this plan for short term borrowing. The board also approved moving forward with Quarles & Brady LLP for issuance of the General Obligation Promissory Notes.

The Richland County Board of Supervisors also approved the designation of the County Clerk to serve as the backup County Administrator as needed.

There will be a community forum on Monday, September 29, at 6:00 at the Phoenix Center. This will be an opportunity for the county, city and school district to share information on what they have been doing.

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