PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Elected officials from across Kenosha County gathered Saturday morning at the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex for the latest Council of Governments meeting, a forum designed to promote collaboration among local, county, state, and federal leaders.
The meeting was hosted by Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman, who co-led the session alongside County Board Chair Monica M. Yuhas. The Council of Governments, which meets several times each year, serves as a rare opportunity for officials from every level of government to exchange information and discuss issues of common concern.
On Saturday, one of the central topics was housing. Savannah Meyers, Extension Kenosha County’s Community Development Educator, gave a presentation on the work of the county’s Housing Task Force. The task force has been studying housing needs in the region, with a particular focus on affordability, availability, and planning for future growth. Meyers outlined the group’s ongoing efforts to identify solutions that could guide both policy and development in the years ahead.
Lawmakers also took the opportunity to provide legislative updates. State Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, along with state Reps. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie; Ben DeSmidt, D-Kenosha; and Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha, each offered reports from Madison. They touched on recent activity in the state Legislature and issues affecting Kenosha County residents. In addition, staff members representing U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, both Republicans, shared updates from Washington, D.C.
The bipartisan nature of the gathering underscored its purpose: to give leaders from different political perspectives and jurisdictions a chance to hear directly from one another, outside of formal legislative chambers. Kerkman noted that the exchange of information helps ensure that municipalities and the county are better aligned as they address shared challenges.
Looking ahead, officials announced that the next meeting will be a Bi-County Council of Governments session, bringing together leaders from both Kenosha and Racine counties. That meeting is expected to take place in the spring, continuing the tradition of fostering regional cooperation.
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7 Responses
Looks like plenty of room.
The plan is affordable housing in Salem Lakes, but how can it be achieved when land is so expensive? A starter home with land likely costs $500k-$600k. If that’s the definition of affordable, we’re in big trouble. Let’s break it down: a $500k mortgage with 10% down on a 30-year loan comes to about $4,200 per month. Add $5,500 for taxes, $2,800 for insurance, and PMI. Utilities like gas, electric, and cable add at least $600 monthly. That’s roughly $5,600 per month just to own a home, far from affordable. I really feel for the younger generation, maybe inheritance is their only hope.
Salem Lakes doesn’t want section 8.
A Starter Home is one that’s 50 to 90 years old in the small little Hamlets around Camp Lake, Trevor or Silver Lake. Built from 1940 to 1975. The really small two and three bedroom ones that were summer cottages way back then.
Hard to find today for sale and most have been remodeled or added on too but really, $500.K ??
Zillow has them at $250. or less.
I know because I purchased one in 1987 that was built in 1958 for $35.K. Sold it in 1997 for $80.K.
Today Zillow says it’s worth $240.K
If you want your first home to be brand new sure you’re going to pay $500.K from start to finish. Water well. Sewer hook up. Driveway and culvert. Just those three things alone will cost you $50.K or more and you haven’t even dug the hole yet.
But don’t call that a starter home
If these are the folks guiding us, we are screwed. I hear mobile homes are becoming stylist again.
If Wirch was there, what was the free lunch provided?
Wirch would donate a jar of peanut butter in exchange for a free lunch. He once brought a jar to the Northside library to donate to the vast homeless population of Kenosha during the pandemic.
Sammy the liberal cow needs a make over and taught to wear appropriate garb for a cow in her late 50’s. Lol, skinny jeans are out! This obviously insecure looking cow can’t afford wardrobe advice on her Kenosha underboss salary she is bilking from taxpayers for contributing nothing? She thinks she is hip. She is all hips. Thanks for the comic strip displaying a room of losers who attend to pat themselves on the back.