FDL County Executive Delivers Annual Budget Message

Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel told County supervisors Tuesday night they will be asked to approve a tight budget for 2017. Buechel delivered his annual budget address to the County Board. It’s a no-frills budget with no funding for new positions. Buechel says the Department of Social Services needs more social workers to handle the increased caseload due primarily to the growing opioid and heroin problem, but the county can’t afford to fund those positions. He is recommending a .75 percent wage increase for county employees, which he says is all they have funding for. He says cuts in state funding over the past number of years have made it difficult for the county to provide services the state requires and citizens expect. The budget includes funding for technology upgrades and the final phase of improvements at Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation. The overall proposed tax levy is $42.7 million, an increase of nearly $518,000. The tax rate will be one cent lower at $6.10. The board will hold a public hearing on the 2017 County Budget at its November 1st meeting.