(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman (R), a lifelong Republican, presented a proposed 2027 budget Tuesday night calling for an almost 3 percent increase in the county’s property tax levy, even as she touted growing sales tax collections, billions of dollars in economic development and the county’s strong financial position.
Kerkman described the proposed levy increase as below 3 percent, although the budget address and accompanying highlights did not provide the exact percentage or total dollar increase. The levy is the total amount the county collects through property taxes; individual homeowners’ bills will vary.
Kerkman framed the proposed increase as evidence of restraint, telling supervisors that her budget comes in below the rate of inflation.
“The budget you’re receiving tonight continues our AAA momentum — and it does that with a levy increase below 3 percent,” Kerkman said. “I’m proud to have accomplished that in each of the budgets I’ve presented during my time in this office.”
The proposal is Kerkman’s fifth budget and the first presented during her second term.
Tax Increase Comes Amid Growing Revenue
The proposed property tax increase comes as Kerkman reported that county sales tax collections are up more than 6 percent from 2025 to 2026. Four of the seven months reported so far this year produced record collections for those months, she said.
“The more sales tax revenue we collect, the less we need to levy in property taxes,” Kerkman told the board.
She pointed to spending by visitors at the Outlet Mall, Renaissance Faire and Country Thunder, along with purchases by Illinois residents, as sources of revenue that help support county government.
Kerkman also reported a 6.2 percent increase in the county’s equalized property value, bringing the total to nearly $28 billion. She highlighted major investments, including Eli Lilly’s $3 billion manufacturing expansion in Bristol, IEA’s $100 million facility investment in Somers and G10 Fulfillment’s new 315,000-square-foot facility in Kenosha.
Despite those gains, her proposal would still increase the amount collected through the county property tax levy.
New Sheriff’s Unit Would Follow KPD’s Model
The budget would fund two additional Sheriff’s Office detective positions to create a dedicated unit investigating internet crimes against children. Kerkman said Sheriff David Zoerner requested the positions. Both of Zoerner’s opponents campaigned on establishing an ICAC unit in the Sheriff’s Office.
The new unit is being modeled after the Kenosha Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children, or ICAC, unit, which began in November 2024. Investigations Captain James Beller, now-retired Detective Pete Deates and Police Chief Patrick Patton established that unit.
KPD’s ICAC unit has its own office and state-of-the-art specialized equipment, and it works closely with the department’s digital forensic unit. In 2025, it cleared a backlog of child sexual abuse material complaints and received the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s ICAC Unit of the Year award.
The Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin Department of Justice also work together on these investigations, providing a foundation for cooperation as the county develops its dedicated ICAC unit.
Additional Positions And Projects
The budget would also begin a new Axon contract for deputies’ body cameras and add a compliance supervisor in the Division of Aging and Disability Services.
In Parks, Kerkman described a revamped position that would create a recreation coordinator role to expand programming, special events and community engagement. The change would allow the existing development coordinator to devote more time to obtaining grants.
Major projects include restoration of the Kemper Center shoreline and renovations at the Kenosha County Center in Bristol. Those renovations would provide a west-end Sheriff’s Office outpost, backup space for the Emergency Operations Center and improvements to the building’s Hearing Room.
The proposal also supports future Highway K improvements between 94th Court and 128th Avenue, along with planning to protect Highway W from Fox River erosion and flooding.
AAA Rating Predates Kerkman
Kerkman emphasized the county’s AAA bond rating, which she said has generated nearly $1.4 million in savings through lower borrowing costs. The county first obtained that rating in 2021 under former County Executive Jim Kreuser. Former county finance chief David Geertsen, now a county supervisor and chairman of the board’s Finance and Administration Committee, helped the county obtain the AAA rating.
Kerkman cited healthy reserves and noted that the county had nearly $20 million in unused levy authority in 2026 — authority to impose additional property taxes, rather than money already collected.
Human Services Building Delayed
Kerkman acknowledged that the county’s new Human Services Building has not opened as anticipated. She now expects it to open early in 2027.
“I know all of us would have liked to see the new building open by now,” she said. “But while our contractors have had some challenges in getting the project completed, I believe it’s well worth a few months’ delay to ensure we have a high-quality facility that will stand the test of time.”
County Board committees will review the proposal in the coming weeks. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, with final adoption scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, November 5.
One Response
The USA is phucked. Everything is going up in price but salaries are not. I’m going to get my kicks before the whole shit house goes up in flames.