Kerkman highlights people who power Kenosha County government

"Serving people is one of our core functions in county government," Kerkman said, "and we couldn’t do that without our staff — the People Who Power Kenosha County Government."

Included in Kerkman’s speech were brief video profiles of five county employees, representing departments and divisions from across county government:

• Julie Kunath, the elected officials’ deputy clerk, who provides a variety of services to west-end residents at the County Center in Bristol.
• Greg Brunner, operations superintendent in the Division of Highways.
• Clarice Noel of the Kinship program in the Division of Children and Family Services.
• Deputies Joseph Geissman and Christopher Schneider, of the Sheriff’s Office’s Civil Process Unit.

"These fine employees represent just a small slice of the dedicated workforce that makes county government happen, providing essential services and often helping people who may have nowhere else to turn," Kerkman said.

Kerkman also recognized Human Services Director John Jansen, who is retiring at the end of this month after 38 years of service to the county, as well as her appointee to succeed him as director, current Assistant Director Rebecca Dutter.

Noting her administration’s ongoing commitment to public safety, Kerkman highlighted the nearly $200 million in tax levy dollars invested over the last four years in law enforcement. This funding allowed for the continuance of ongoing operations, while adding:

• New deputy and detective positions, a civilian jail administrator, and a data analyst.
• A mental health program for deputies.
• New, state-of-the-art body camera equipment.

"Sheriff Zoerner is a strong partner with my administration and the County Board, and together we’ve worked to make our community a safer place," Kerkman said.

Tying public safety to quality of life, Kerkman cited recent improvements in the latter area, including:

• The recent completion of Phase 3 of the Pike River restoration in Petrifying Springs Park, further improving the ecology of the river while also adding useful park amenities including new trail connections, an ADA-accessible pedestrian bridge and a new playground.
• Improvements to Old Settlers Park in Paddock Lake, including the construction of a new playground and a band shelter that is now home to a popular series of free weekly concerts during the summer months.
• Continued work on the development of the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park and the establishment of the annual Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic, which will be held there on May 29.

Next year, Kerkman said, work is expected to begin on shoreline revetment work to protect the historic Kemper Center grounds from Lake Michigan erosion.

Kerkman also addressed an issue of increasing concern across the county: The siting of utility battery energy storage systems, which present potential health-and-safety concerns for nearby residents. In 2024, Kenosha County adopted the state’s first zoning ordinance governing the location of such facilities.

However, with a proposed project in the Town of Wheatland causing concerns among residents in recent months, Kerkman called on the County Board to adopt a one-year moratorium on the approval of new battery storage systems — a measure the board voted 22-0 to adopt later in tonight’s meeting.

Tonight’s State of the County address was Kerkman’s first since taking office for her second, four-year term last month. Declaring the state of Kenosha County as strong, Kerkman looked ahead toward continued collaboration with the County Board.

"There’s much to accomplish over the next four years, and I look forward to working with each of you to make our community even stronger, together," Kerkman said.