Park funding included in $1.68M list of county projects

The Ozaukee County Board last month approved more than $1.68 million in capital improvement projects, financed in part by sales taxes and interest earned from grants and paid by the state and federal governments.

Projects to be funded include improvements to local parks, parking lots, solar panels, a stairway to the Lake Michigan shoreline and other one-time expenditures.

A county policy adopted in 2018 allows the County Board to add up to 50% of the year-end general fund surplus to pay for one-time projects but not ongoing operations.

Helping the cause, county sales tax revenue set another record in 2025, totaling $12.57 million, exceeding 2024 by $367,875. In addition, interest earned on investments totaled about $1.85 million compared to $1.35 million in 2024.

Additional funding could become available after the 2025 financial closeout, County Administrator Jason Dzwinel said.

Projects were submitted by department heads to their respective oversight committees, with the Executive Committee making the final recommendations.

The Executive Committee is made up of the five standing committee chairmen and County Board Chairman Lee Schlenvogt.

About $1.68 million in projects were approved.

“These projects focus on maintaining infrastructure, expanding park system amenities, improving public safety, modernizing technology and addressing long-term community needs,” Dzwinel said in a memo to the County Board.

“These projects leverage outside funding where possible and emphasize preventative maintenance, operational efficiency and quality-of-life improvements for residents and visitors.”

Projects approved by the County Board included:

$150,000 toward building a pedestrian bridge and stairway from Clay Bluffs Cedar Gorge Nature Preserve on Port Washington’s south side to the lakeshore below. The entire project cost is $599,999.

$40,000 to do a brownfields asssement of the dilapidated Waubeka Mill and Button Factory. The Town of Fredonia is looking at purchasing the site then gifting it to the county, which would potentially convert it to a park and provide public access to the Milwaukee River. The entire project cost is pegged at $182,800.

$150,000 to buy about 40 acres in the Town of Saukville to add to the county park system, which could be combined with other nearby lands to support “future recreational amenities such as trails and fishing opportunities.” The funds would be used to leverage other grants. The total project cost is $412,500.

$50,000 to conduct a countywide housing study, in partnership with municipalities and the Ozaukee Economic Development Corp.

$260,000 for an information technology power supply upgrade to back up communication and IT services.

 $173,000 to install solar panels at nine county parks to offset electrical usage and costs. Federal tax credits and energy incentives will offset about 37% of the project costs, with annual energy savings of about $14,000.

$115,700 to install bullet-resistant window film and add card-access security controls at several doors of the Justice Center.

$25,000 to install security cameras at the Virmond Park Lake Michigan access stairway and HH Peters Youth Camp to reduce vandalism, monitor after-hours activity and improve safety in high-use park areas.

$90,000 to repave about 952 feet of roadway in Waubedonia County Park in Fredonia that has been damaged by flooding.

$275,000 to upgrade the public elevator at the Justice Center.

$200,000 to install automated gates and security cameras at entrances to Tendick Nature Park and Waubedonia County Park.