Rock County government spending may be going up, but the tax rate is coming down. County Executive Josh Smith says the county board Tuesday passed an almost $195 million budget, which is a little more than 3% higher than last year. Smith says the tax levy will also increase about 4%, but the tax rate will actually fall about 3%. Smith says the reason spending can increase, but the tax rate decrease, is because of a rise in equalized property values. Among the highlights, Smith says he’s pleased the county will be getting more state money to help with child placements for families reeling from the opioid crisis.
