News, Waterford

Delagrave presents no-tax increase budget

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Editor

New Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave presented his first county budget Tuesday night, with a zero percent tax increase.

It is the sixth year in a row the countywide tax levy has been held flat, something Delagrave said he is “extremely proud of.”

Delagrave’s budget focuses on the three priorities he identified when he took office: a ready workforce, expanding mental health services and economic development.

Here are some of the highlights of Delagrave’s speech, made Tuesday night to the Racine County Board:

  • Supporting the Racine County Economic Development Corporation and its revolving loan fund with $1 million.

Delagrave said after the speech that the investment would allow for development along the I-94 corridor for business and industrials parks.

Once those parks are built, Delagrave believes there are businesses interested in locating there – and jobs and other benefits for Racine County would follow.

“We need to get the necessary infrastructure out to those corridors, and run the necessary water and sewers to those industrial parks,” Delagrave said.

When the bigger businesses do come, it should start expansion throughout the county, he added.

“They’re going to need to spend resources in Racine County,” Delagrave said.

  • The county will spend $300,000 to replace tainter gates at the Waterford Dam – the floodgates used to control water flow.

The dam has been the source of some controversy this summer, as proponents and opponents to a planned drawdown have argued about the water levels.

  • Use grant money to align community agencies and systems to create a job force for open jobs in Racine County. Delagrave stated in the budget address that his office has been looking at career academies in school districts around the county to make sure “all high school graduates have a sustainable career path.”
  • Expansion of mental health services, including a new comprehensive community services program in conjunction with Kenosha County. Behavior Health Services will continue to expand alcohol and substance abuse services as well.

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