Wood County Board approves series of budget amendments, policy resolutions

WOOD COUNTY – The Wood County Board of Supervisors approved a series of resolutions at its Feb. 17, 2026 meeting, including multiple budget amendments and several policy items.

County officials said the amendments will not increase costs for taxpayers because they are funded through grants, donations, insurance recoveries, fund balances or other unanticipated revenue.

The board approved a 2025 budget amendment for the Treasurer’s Department after the office incurred $7,500 in unexpected software costs.

The amendment is funded through unanticipated Tax Increment revenue.

Supervisors also amended the 2026 Edgewater Haven Administration budget to include $127,325 for architectural design work tied to a planned Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF) addition.

The work began in 2025 but was not completed by year-end.

The expense will be paid using Edgewater Haven’s 2026 budget surplus, requiring no new tax levy.

The board approved a 2025 Emergency Management Administration amendment totaling $366,481 to cover unplanned costs for a vehicle barrier system and emergency kit supplies.

The expenses will be covered by unanticipated revenue, including $7,623 in donations and $358,858 in miscellaneous revenue, which includes payments from the Legacy Foundation.

A 2025 Dispatch budget amendment was also approved after unexpected equipment system upgraded costs.

The amendment increases expenditure and revenue by $363,849.94, fully covered by a state grant through the Department of Military Affairs.

Supervisors approved a 2026 Sheriff’s Department budget amendment after receiving $22,000 in unanticipated funding through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Traffic Safety.

The funding will support additional traffic patrol and seat belt enforcement from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026.

Wood County will serve as a fiduciary agency, and portions of the funding will be distributed to assist local departments across the county.

The board amended the 2025 Land and Water Conservation DATCP grant budget by $18,158.64 to cover unexpected Nutrient Management Farmer Education incentive costs.

The change is funded through unanticipated DATCP grant fund balance and will not cost the county.

The 2025 Planning and Zoning Land Records budget was also amended to reflect $63,000 in additional project costs funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars.

County officials said the projects will be fully funded through ARPA.

The board approved a 2025 amendment for the county’s corporation counsel after personnel costs came in higher than expected.

The department received $11,300 in unanticipated revenue, including $6,000 in court fees and $5,300 in local department charges.

A separate 2025 amendment increased the Register in Probate budget by $2,200 due to higher-than-expected personnel costs, funded through unanticipated court fee revenue.

Supervisors also approved a 2025 Parks and Forestry Administration amendment totaling $28,335 after additional costs tied to replacing a vehicle and taking over management of Cera Park.

Funding includes $22,500 in insurance recoveries and $5,835 in county forest revenue.

The board approved a separate 2025 Parks and Forestry Capital Projects amendment of $244,917 funded by unanticipated Parks State Aid revenue.

The board also approved a 2026 amendment to carry forward $343,205 for a courthouse HVAC maintenance project not completed in 2025.

The expense will be paid using the Capital Projects fund balance, requiring no new tax levy.

In addition to budget items, supervisors approved a resolution calling for greater local control over large-scale wind and solar projects in Wisconsin, directing the county clerk to forward the resolution to state officials and the Wisconsin Counties Association.

In addition, the board passed a resolution urging the governor and state lawmakers to adopt a long-term transportation funding plan.

Finally, the board approved a resolution to remain eligible for state snowmobile trail maintenance funding for the 2026-2027 seasons. Wood County maintains 297.3 miles of snowmobile trails and expects $89,190 in reimbursement through the state trail aid program, based on $300 per mile.