County levy rises nearly 3 percent for 2022 taxes

Commissioners unanimously certified the 2022 levy at $6.5 million during their Dec. 28 meeting. This represents a 2.97 percent increase over the current amount.
Commissioners reviewed the county’s $13.7 million budget planned for this year at their meeting.
The $188,264 levy increase will pay for the county’s portion of two additional peace officers and $15,500 to be divided among the three ambulance service districts within the county.
In other business on Dec. 28, the commissioners:
•approved a tonnage fee increase at the county transfer station. Other per-item pricing stayed the same. Effective Jan. 1, municipal solid waste will increase from $80 to $90 per ton. Demolition solid waste increases from $20 to $30 per ton, and tire disposal increases from $350 to $375 per ton.
•authorized cleaning air ducts at the courthouse and at the health and human services building. Costs are $41,983 and $20,580 respectively.
•agreed to cover the $3,413 shortfall in the small cities’ law enforcement with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office after the city of Kenneth declined to renew the five-year contract.
•declined to offer an electronics and tire amnesty collection, citing excessive cost and lack of vendors for the materials.