County Executive Jim Kreuser is calling for a 0 percent increase in the county’s tax levy this coming year.

Kreuser revealed his plans for the budget in his annual budget address delivered to the County Board Tuesday evening.

From the prepared text for the speech:

Last year, at 1.88%, our tax increase was the lowest in the past 25 years. Through the many changes that were made to strengthen the finance department, overhaul and ramp up our information technology department and through various reorganizations, benefit adjustments and staff reductions, we gained efficiencies in many areas. That is why I stand before you tonight with a zero increase in the 2013 budget for Kenosha County.

Key areas of Kreuser’s proposed budget are decreased borrowing and changes to health care for county employees including:  a 5 percent annual contribution of the budgeted rate, a wellness incentive program, dental coverage offered at employee’s expense (currently provided), vision program offered at employee’s expense (not currently provided), eliminating the covered services of coverage for morbid obesity, private duty nursing, limited coverage for ambulance, and time in a skilled nursing facility.

The whole budget address can be read here.