YORKVILLE — In his first State of the County address Tuesday, Racine County Executive Ralph Malicki highlighted an overarching goal of financial stability and his leadership philosophy: “Be better.”
“This is not to imply we’re not already good — rather, it’s the mindset of continuous improvement and that we can always learn and grow,” Malicki said.
He discussed upcoming infrastructure projects, the county’s housing crisis, and efforts to bring workers and tourists to the county.
The updates to the county’s patrol station, Malicki said, are fiscally responsible; rather than starting from scratch, the county will preserve and fully refurbish the existing facility and attach a 30,000-square-foot addition.
“This approach strikes a smart balance: we’re expanding capacity while maximizing what we already have,” he said.
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The Racine County Economic Development Corporation is partnering with the county to explore “creative housing solutions” to address the housing crisis, Malicki said. He told supervisors that he will reach out in the coming weeks to form a “dedicated workgroup” to take action on the issue.
“Economic growth depends on our ability to provide places for that growth to live,” he said. “It’s people who make collaborative efforts like the (Racine County Intergovernmental Cooperation Council) succeed, and people who drive major milestones like the new public safety facility and the launch of our youth development center. These accomplishments aren’t just policy — they’re personal.
“They’re about showing up for one another, day after day, to create a county where everyone belongs and has the opportunity to thrive.”
Additionally, Malicki presented four Community Impact Awards, to United Way of Racine County CEO Ali Haigh, Racine County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jenny Trick, Racine County Intergovernmental Cooperation Council Chair Steve Wicklund and former City of Burlington Fire Department Chief Alan Babe (who was unable to attend Tuesday).
Supervisors also voted to send to the Racine County Executive Committee a resolution introduced by Supervisors Eric Hopkins and Jody Spencer acknowledging the racially charged behavior that occurred at Waterford Union High School’s May 7 track meet.
Hopkins said he wanted it to be approved for a first and second reading at Tuesday’s county board meeting so as not to delay discussion on the events.
Hopkins’s motion to suspend meeting rules and allow for a first and second reading of the resolution failed with a 6-14 vote. Supervisors Hopkins, Spencer, Valena Coleman, Tom Rutkowski, Q.A. Shakoor II and John Wisch voted in favor of the motion; Supervisors Renee Kelly, Melissa Kaprelian, Ernie Rossi, Brett Nielsen, Tony Veranth, Robert Miller, Don Trottier, Tom Kramer, James Hoffman, Scott Maier, Gary Kolb, Troy McReynolds, Greg Horeth and Taylor Wishau voted against the motion.
In other business, the county board:
- Authorized the transfer of $200,000, in funding previously approved for the design of the Racine County indoor ice arena, within the 2025 capital budget.
- Authorized a $250,000, one-year telecommunications services agreement with Securus Technologies to avoid interruption of services within the Racine County Jail and transferring funds within the 2025 contingent and Racine County Sheriff’s Office budget.
- Authorized a contract with Pucker Up Shake Ups LLC to sell concessions at Einer Fischer Park, 30326 Durand Ave. in the Town of Burlington, from May 24 to Sept. 2, 2025.
- Confirmed and ratified the authority of counsel for Racine County to add additional defendants to opioid litigation.
- Authorized the transfer of funds within various departments, including Human Services, Public Works and Development Services and capital funds in the general fund to close the 2024 year.
- Authorized Racine County to act as the lead public agency for the procurement of office supplies, products and related solutions, and to enter into an intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement with OMNIA Partners Public Sector.
- Authorized the county treasurer to vacate judgment for in-rem action on property at 1331 Maple St., Racine.
- Denied a $244.65 claim from Christopher Green, alleging that a Racine County snowplow driver on Jan. 7 left “over 24 inches” of snow on his sidewalk and that Green, as a result, was fined by the Village of Mount Pleasant for not removing the snow from the sidewalk.
- Authorized an amendment to a Term
- Loan Agreement with the Racine County Board of Drainage Commissioners, extending the term by one year, whereby the RCBDC promises to pay Racine County the principal sum of $200,000 on June 1, 2026.
- Authorized a multi-year revenue lease with Lee’s Deli Inc. that will provide on-site food service for Racine County employees and visitors.
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