Fond du Lac County Budget Introduced

(Fond du Lac) Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel delivered his 2020 County Budget message to county supervisors this week. He is proposing a $45.9 million tax levy an increase of over $1.5-million over this year’s $44.4-million levy. The tax rate would decrease about six cents per thousand dollars of value on a property to $5.87. To help meet the budget $2-million from the unassigned general fund reserve would be applied to the budget. Buechel told supervisors the county experienced only 1.36-percent in new construction growth this year while equalized value increased by 4.6-percent. With some increases in state funding the county will be able to add a few new positions including two new assistant district attorneys, two new social workers and fill a vacant position in the land and conservation department. Buechel also says he budgeted for a two percent increase in wages for county employees but is still concerned about the county’s ability to attract and retain employees. A copy of his budget message should be available on the county’s website sometime in the next day or two.