Winnebago County highway committee reviews 2027 highway budget, agrees to forward it to county board

The Highway Committee met Sept. 28 to review the Winnebago County Highway Department's proposed 2027 budget and agreed to forward the draft to the county board as presented after a detailed line‑item briefing. The Chair opened the meeting and the Highway Commissioner summarized the draft and answered committee questions.

The commissioner said the department uses an enterprise fund and invoices townships, DOT and other agencies for services, which helps the department be self‑supporting. "Our department uses an enterprise fund that is designed to track departments up our operations more like a business," the Highway Commissioner said, adding that five‑year trends are used to smooth weather and materials volatility. Committee members asked for clarification on the county executive column and reimbursement assignments; the commissioner explained the county executive and finance offices later assign charge codes and funding sources. The Chair said no committee amendments were offered and that the budget would be presented to the county board for possible changes there.