Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman recently welcomed the state budget's attention to local needs, celebrating the allocation of $6 million for erosion control at the Kenosha Dunes and the funding of additional staff in the District Attorney's Office. Highlighted as critical for the community, these funds aim to address looming environmental threats and enhance legal infrastructure.
In a move to protect the environment, the budget ensures a significant investment in the Kenosha Dunes. The funding is positioned to not just preserve, but to actively fortify a cherished natural asset against the relentless assault of erosion. “The Kenosha Dunes are a sensitive environmental area along Lake Michigan, in the Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area," Kerkman noted, expressing the urgency for this protective effort in a statement obtained by Kenosha County's official website.
Meanwhile, the District Attorney's Office is gearing up to be bolstered with 2.5 additional Assistant District Attorney positions. The state-funded roles point to an increased capacity to address public safety concerns, though the county might shoulder ancillary costs related to support staff. Kerkman outlines an intention "to working through these details with District Attorney Xavier Solis and the County Board as the county budget process unfolds in the coming months," thereby preparing to seamlessly integrate these changes, as mentioned on the Kenosha County website.
Despite the specific provisions for Kenosha, Kerkman acknowledged that the $20 million increase in county support to help manage Circuit Court costs was not quite the $70 million requested by the County Board. Yet, even this lesser sum presents a boon in shouldering the courts' operational expenses. The county's leadership, including Clerk of Courts Rebecca Matoska-Mentink, were praised by Kerkman for their role in securing the funds, as disclosed in the same statement.
