2018 FDL County Budget Approved

Fond du Lac County Supervisors passed the 2018 County Budget and a $43.7 million tax levy Tuesday night. The Finance Committee recommended several additions to the budget including funding to give county employees a 1 percent increase in pay and $84,000 for equipment and staffing for a secure entrance at the City-County Government Center. County Executive Al Buechel told supervisors $20,000 would be for equipment and the $64,000 would be the County’s share for staffing costs for the last four months of 2018. The City would have to provide their share for those months as well. Supervisor John Zorn made a motion to remove the $84,000. He said it shouldn’t be in the budget because there is no plan for that security yet. The motion was defeated by a 16 to 8 vote. County staff planned to fund the $84,000 with sales tax money, but supervisors felt that the staffing should be paid for with general funds. The motion passed on a 22 to 2 vote, but Buechel said using that money general fund money could hurt the County if they have a tight budget for 2019. The budget was finally passed on a 23 to 1 vote with Supervisor Zorn voting against. The mill rate will be $6.07.