The Kenosha County Finance Committee examined County Executive Samantha Kerkman’s proposed budget for 2025 with questions for how her office spent money this year.
During the first night of budget hearings Monday, the committee ultimately approved the executive’s budget, which is proposed to decrease by $37,530 next year from $672,457 this year, but not before it scrutinized her office’s discretionary spending.
Supervisor William Grady had questions about a line item for grants and contributions budgeted for $31,000 this year and how it had been spent. A similar amount was being budgeted for 2025.
Kerkman said most of the money had been used to help fund fireworks displays during the Fourth of July in communities throughout the county. In the past, about $25,000 was contributed toward the city’s fireworks celebration.
“I did something a little bit differently, I gave $12,000 to the city and did all the other different communities that …