2026 Winnebago County budget signing, Nov. 13, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Winnebago County)
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz signed the county’s 2026 budget Thursday.
He was joined by county board members, county staff and representatives from the Homeless, Eviction and Loss Prevention (HELP) program.
The $238 million budget passed the Board of Supervisors last month by a vote of 34-2. It was proposed after hosting multiple listening sessions to get input from residents and businesses.
“This budget reflects our priorities of supporting staff, maintaining core services, and investing in long-term needs that keep Winnebago County strong,” said Hintz in a news release. “Looking ahead, this budget positions us to meet emerging challenges, strengthen our infrastructure, and ensure we have the people and tools to serve a growing and changing community in 2026 and beyond.”
- Property Tax Revenue: $74,228,116
- All Other Revenue Sources: $153,440,742
- Total Revenue: $227,668,858
- Wages + Benefits: $114,757,081
- Operating Expenses: $120,710,043
- Travel: $ 1,117,091
- Capital Outlay: $ 2,368,593
- Total Expenditures: $238,952,808
Highlights of the budget, according to Hintz, include:
- 3% market adjustment and 2% achievable merit pay to recruit and retain employees
- Reduced use of reserve funds
- Strengthened core county services adding targeted resources in public safety, election administration, Human Services, Emergency Management and Parks to maintain reliable services and meet state and federal requirements
- Secure and stable funding for the Homelessness, Eviction & Loss Prevention (HELP) program
- Preservation of Fox Cities campus cultural assets (Barlow Planetarium, Communication Arts Center and Fieldhouse)
- Increased investment in the Capital Improvement Program for county infrastructure needs including Parks improvements, Solid Waste infrastructure and long-term planning, facility modernization and IT upgrades
- Enhanced cost-recovery to fund programs and reduce reliance on property taxes for services
Highlights of the 2026 capital improvement plan, according to Hintz, include:
- Building Maintenance to maintain the Orrin King building, highway shop, jail, Park View Health Center & the David W. Albrecht Administration Building
- 15.83 miles of road projects
- Phone system replacement throughout the county to upgrade an obsolete technology
- County Park improvements at the Pavillion and covered arena.
- Butte des Morts & Poygan Boat Landing improvements
- Begins the process of locating a new landfill, transfer station, and resource recovery site.
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