| By Big Radio News Staff |
The Rock County Board reverses course on a funding transfer before approving the 2025 budget.
Last month, supervisors voted against transferring $1.9 million in excess interest collections to the debt service fund and ultimately reduce the tax levy.
The same resolution came before the board Tuesday night and passed 23-5 with one absence. The vote in October was 19-8 with two absences. The measure needed two-thirds support to pass.
The end result: an $88,000 reduction in the 2025 tax levy from 2024’s levy. Next year’s levy will be $75.4 million. The tax rate also dipped slightly to $3.95 per $1,000 of equalized property value.
Opponents of the transfer cautioned against the continued use of one-time revenues to keep the levy low. They say because the money isn’t guaranteed, a levy increase could result unless future boards tap into sales tax receipts or find more one-time sources of money.
They say going to those options repeatedly would decrease the money available for other county operations.
