Dodge County gives preliminary OK to 6.9% levy increase

Dodge County commissioners last week unanimously approved a preliminary budget of $39,126,718 and a total net levy of $19,187, 888.
The levy amounts to an increase of 6.9% from 2025. The total budget represents an increase of 7.5%, County Administrator Jim Elmquist said.
The preliminary budget and levy amount will now be used to calculate the Truth in Taxation notices that will be sent to residents.
The final budget hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 9.
Since this is a preliminary budget and levy, commissioners may still make adjustments that would further decrease the budget and levy amount; however, the budget and levy cannot be increased, Elmquist said.
At their previous meeting, commissioners said they wanted the total levy increase under 7%.
In his memo to the commissioners, Elmquist wrote that the staff is aware the board intends to reduce the preliminary levy before final approval.
Reasons for the increase, county officials say, include capital needs, increasing costs for state mandated services, and increased personnel costs.
Broken down by individual funds, the General Fund Levy increased from $12,259,303 in 2025 to $13,077,092 in 2026, an increase of 6.7%
Human Services held steady at $3,590, 475. Road and Bridge decreased from $2,530,478 in 2025 to $2,477,108 in 2026, a 2.1% decrease.
Environmental Quality increased 24.7% from $43,129 in 2025 to $53,781 in 2026.
EDA-HRA increased from $31,526 in 2025 to $33,040 in 2026, an increase of 4.8%.