Rock County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Primary results certified; county committees approve contracts, seek more info on veterans

The Rock County Board of Canvassers certified the results of the Aug. 11 partisan primary on Aug. 17, adding votes from four previously unprocessed ballots. In other recent action, the General Services Committee approved four items, including asphalt work and a waterline contract, and the Health Services Committee requested more information before deciding on opening Rock Haven to veterans.

Election certification

The board certified the primary results after machine audits of two polling locations found no discrepancies. Audits of Town of Beloit Wards 6-8 and City of Janesville Ward 19 showed no variation from election night counts. The board added votes from three absentee ballots in the Village of Footville and one provisional ballot in Beloit Ward 12, then completed the official summary statement.

General Services Committee

On Aug. 18, the committee approved four items unanimously: authorizing the Department of Public Works to perform asphalt overlay and crack sealing at county facilities, contracting with Helm for a waterline installation, and approving lease amendments for Forward Services and Community Solutions. No other substantive decisions were made.

Health Services Committee

On Aug. 12, the committee discussed opening Rock Haven admissions to veterans from within and outside Rock County, including Illinois, but took no formal action. Members requested more information on potential bed availability impacts for Rock County residents before deciding. The committee also noted that a van purchase for residents has been pushed to 2028 and that outings are already budgeted.

Agriculture & Extension Education Committee

The committee on Aug. 12 tabled a request to amend the fair board contract regarding utility reimbursements, agreeing to review it at the next meeting. They also reviewed July payments for Extension and Fairgrounds and discussed drainage board vacancies, but made no appointments. The next meeting is set for Sept. 9 at 7:15 p.m.

Other recent meetings

Several other committees met with agendas but no published minutes. The County Board Staff Committee interviewed three candidates for the District 19 vacancy and reviewed labor agreements. The Public Works Committee (Parks) discussed a rental agreement for Gibbs Lake House and a pipe lining contract. The Human Services Board considered four budget amendments for grants. The Public Safety & Justice Committee considered ratifying three labor agreements. The Finance Committee reviewed grants and contracts, including a banking services contract with Bank First. The Planning & Development Committee considered a data center moratorium and a 10-year farmland preservation plan. The Board of Supervisors had a consent agenda that included labor agreements, grants, and a farmland plan.

Coming up

The Public Works Committee (Highway) will meet Aug. 25 to consider replacing two motor pool vehicles (Issue Papers MP-2026-1 and MP-2026-2), discuss a budget presentation summary, a brine water line installation, and a FEMA update. Public comments must be submitted by noon Aug. 24.

Rock County approves CTH H relocation order, awards contracts for cleaning and elevator services

Rock County's Public Works Committee approved a relocation order for the CTH H reconstruction project, authorizing the purchase of right of way and easements for 47 properties between STH 11 and USH 14. The committee also adopted a resolution recognizing Thomas Speich for over 19 years of service. In other recent action, the General Services Committee unanimously approved multiple contracts and lease amendments.

Recent decisions

Public Works Committee (July 28)

The committee approved the relocation order for the CTH H reconstruction project, which involves acquiring property interests for 47 parcels. The order was approved as part of the project between STH 11 and USH 14. The committee also adopted a resolution honoring Thomas Speich and approved its agenda and minutes from June 23, 2026.

General Services Committee (August 4)

The committee unanimously approved a $45,000 capital transfer for courthouse railings, a cleaning services contract with Blooming Facilities LLC (lowest bid), an elevator maintenance contract with Express Elevator Company (lowest bid), and a water treatment contract with HOH Water Technologies (sole bidder). It also approved lease amendments: Manpower (3-year lease, 3% annual increase), Southwest Workforce Development Board (3-year lease), and Department of Workforce Development (3-year lease). The committee reviewed grandstand renovation change order #3, covering a chain link fence and painted steps. All items were adopted unanimously; none were denied or tabled.

Other recent meetings

Several meetings were held on agenda-only items, with minutes not yet published. The Board of Health met July 29 for executive session interviews for the Health Officer position and again August 5 to review the 2027 budget summary and an interim officer memorandum of understanding. The Finance Committee met July 30 to discuss guidance for the 2027 budget. The Rock County Housing Authority reviewed HOME fund proposals and emergency housing options on August 5. The Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission held a public hearing on its proposed 2027 budget on August 7, with a possible vote on adoption.

Coming up

County Board Staff Committee (August 10) – Interviews three candidates for the District 19 vacancy (Brent Waters, Jim Bahler, Jay Ross), and will consider health insurance plan changes, ratification of three 2026 labor agreements, confirmation of the IT director, and an interim public health officer MOU.

Public Works Committee (August 11) – Possible action on a Gibbs Lake House rental agreement and awarding a 2026 UV-cured-in-place pipe lining contract through WisDOT.

Human Services Board (August 12) – Votes on four budget amendments to accept grant funds for foster parent, opioid response, substance use prevention, and community mental health block grants.

Board of Supervisors (August 13) – Will consider a consent agenda including ratification of three 2026 labor agreements, adoption of the 10-year farmland preservation plan (Preserve Rock 2025-2035), a HOME funds contract with Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County, acceptance of a 2026 HIDTA grant, and approval of the CTH H relocation order.

Planning & Development Committee (August 13) – Will consider a proposed moratorium on data center development, adoption of the farmland preservation plan, and a HOME funds contract for affordable housing.

Rock County committees tackle 2027 budget, land requests; minutes pending

Rock County boards and committees addressed the 2027 budget cycle, land-development requests, and equipment purchases in meetings held July 20–30. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, so final actions and vote tallies are not available; the following reflects agenda items scheduled for discussion or possible action.

2027 budget planning

Several bodies turned to the next budget cycle. The Joint County Board Staff & Finance Committee on July 29 was scheduled to discuss and possibly act on guidance to staff for creating the 2027 budget. The Human Services Board on July 22 had a 2027 HSD pre-budget overview on its agenda, alongside approval of contracts and review of bills paid for May and June 2026. The Pecatonica Rail Transit Commission on July 24 was set to hold a public hearing and vote on the 2027 budget; related agenda items included a $2,100 SWWRPC Q2 administration fee, a $220.88 Wisconsin State Journal budget publication fee, a $3,000 Kranig Stumpage Evaluation Fee, and a new lease with Bruce Monson for a building at 247 Wells St. in Darlington. The Airport Board on July 20 was to consider a resolution amending the 2026 budget to allocate fund balance for an equipment purchase.

Land and development

The Planning & Development Committee on July 23 had three land-development requests for possible action: LD 2026 026 (Lima Township) – Kenyon (1 lot); LD 2026 034 (Lima Township) – Garbie (1 lot); and LD 2026 035 (Milton Township) – Harder (2 lots). The committee was also scheduled to discuss data-center-related resolutions, including authorizing non-disclosure agreements, limiting staff NDAs, requiring public reports, and establishing an advisory committee. An update on the Riverside Development Affordable Housing Project in the City of Beloit was also on the agenda.

Health and human services

The Human Services Board agenda included a report on FoodShare adjustments and an overview of the Birth-3 Program. The Children’s System of Care CST/CCOP on July 21 was to review and possibly act on membership and the CCOP Plan, with presentations on the 2026 mid-year CST report, a monthly grant report, and a supplemental grant update. The Board of Health on July 29 was scheduled to interview candidates for Health Officer in executive session. The Veterans Service Committee on July 21 was to review June payments and discuss the Veterans Service Office budget and benefits for veterans.

Infrastructure and public safety

The Public Works Committee – Highway on July 28 had a relocation order for the CTH H (STH 11 – USH 14) reconstruction project, a resolution recognizing Thomas Speich, and a quarterly equipment purchases review. The Local Emergency Planning Committee on July 21 was to review spill reports and an anhydrous ammonia incident, with updates on an April storm event and membership applications.

Coming up

• Aug. 4: General Services Committee — votes scheduled on contracts for cleaning services, elevator maintenance, and water treatment for county buildings; lease amendments for Manpower, Southwest Workforce Development Board, and Department of Workforce Development; and Grandstand Renovation Change Order #3.
• Aug. 5: Rock County Housing Authority — review of RFP responses for HOME fund projects and discussion of emergency housing fund options.
• Aug. 5: Board of Health — review of 2027 budget summary and a Memorandum of Understanding for an Interim Public Health Officer.
• Aug. 7: Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission — public hearing and possible vote on the 2027 WRRTC budget.

Rock County committees tackle 2027 budget previews, SNAP funding, and fairgrounds renovation

The Agriculture & Extension Education Committee was the only body with published minutes this past week. On July 8, the committee approved its agenda, the June 10 minutes, and April rental contracts. Members discussed a proposed $433,140.16 ADA bathroom renovation project at the fairgrounds and agreed to display a livestock breeders award in the extension building. The committee also reviewed revenue from tower leases and rentals.

Most other Rock County committees met during the week of July 6–17, but their minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not available. The agendas show what each body planned to consider.

Human Services budget and SNAP funding

Several committees were scheduled to act on a resolution amending the 2026 Human Services Budget to accept Act 116 SNAP Quality Assurance funding and create four full-time equivalent positions. The County Board Staff Committee took up the item July 6, the Human Services Board on July 8, the Finance Committee on July 9, and the full Board of Supervisors on July 9. The Human Services Board was also scheduled to adopt a resolution recognizing Alyse Schoeberle and receive an overview of Shelter Care Services.

Board of Supervisors agenda

The Rock County Board of Supervisors met July 9 to consider finalizing the purchase of agricultural conservation easements for the McNall, Myre, Sayre, and Sayre properties. The agenda also included authorizing an application for Healthy Lakes & Rivers Grant Funds, awarding a contract for Security Badge Access System replacement software, and renewing the Fidlar Technologies Land Records Life-Cycle Agreement.

Shoreland zoning variances

The Board of Adjustment held a public hearing July 7 at Glen Oaks Conference Room 119, 3328 N US Hwy 51, Janesville. Jonathan Lack sought a variance for Lots 76 & 77 (parcels 6-1-522 & 6-1-523) to combine into a roughly 17,772 sq ft lot and reduce the front-yard setback from 50 ft to about 20 ft. Colin Koratko sought a variance for Lot 90 and half of Lot 89 (parcel 6-1-535) to create a sub-standard lot and reduce the side-yard setback from 40 ft. Both requests fall under Shoreland Overlay Zoning.

2027 budget previews

The Joint County Board Staff and Finance Committee held multiple sessions on preliminary 2027 budget projections. A July 7 meeting covered county finances and Rock Haven. A July 8 session focused on Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport, Facilities Management, Parks, and Public Works. A July 14 session addressed Human Services, and a July 15 meeting covered the Sheriff's Department.

Public safety and justice

The Public Safety & Justice Committee met July 14 to consider accepting the 2026 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas grant and amending the Sheriff's Office 2026 budget. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council met July 16 to review workgroup updates, including the Homeless Outreach Taskforce and the Executive, EBDM, Equity, Domestic Violence, and Eviction workgroups.

Rail transit finances

The Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission met July 10. The agenda included a payment of $18,142.30 to SWWRPC for Tricor Insurance 2026-2027 General Liability Insurance Renewal and a $9,187.50 SWWRPC Q2 Administrative Fee. The commission also discussed a possible August public hearing for the 2027 draft budget.

Coming up

• **July 20** — Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport Board considers a resolution to amend its 2026 budget to use fund balances for equipment purchases.
• **July 21** — Local Emergency Planning Committee reviews spill reports and an anhydrous ammonia incident.
• **July 22** — Human Services Board meets to approve contracts and review a 2027 pre-budget overview.
• **July 23** — Planning & Development Committee discusses data-center-related resolutions and an update on the Riverside Development Affordable Housing Project in Beloit.
• **July 24** — Pecatonica Rail Transit Commission holds a public hearing and vote on its 2027 budget, plus a new lease for a building at 247 Wells St. in Darlington.