Lake County Board Financial & Administrative Committee Meeting – March 5, 2026

The Lake County Board's Financial and Administrative Committee met on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 8:31 a.m. The committee addressed unfinished business, a consent agenda, and several resolutions including a new remote work policy, a federal funding contingency reserve, and a $2 million economic development commitment. The meeting adjourned after executive session and action on settlement and minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8.1 through 8.18 were approved en bloc by a single motion (motion by Member Peterson, second by Member Volitzik). No items were pulled.
• Item 8.19 (temporary staffing services) was approved after discussion. The county received 61 proposals from 155 solicitations and will award contracts to four firms to provide administrative, professional, and credentialed temporary employees.
• Item 8.20 (emergency appropriations for FY2026 carryovers of projects and grants) was approved.
• Item 8.21 (emergency appropriation of $265,570.49 from the IMRF fund balance for pension expenses) was approved. The CFO explained the shortfall resulted from lower-than-budgeted vacancy savings due to strong retention and a compensation study.
• Item 8.22 (emergency appropriation of $2,540 from the State’s Attorney Money Laundering Fund for personnel costs) was approved.
• Item 8.23 (emergency appropriation of $16,500 from the Recorder Automation Fund for personnel expenses) was approved. Discussion noted the fund is used for employees directly performing recording functions; the county has reduced staffing from 12 to 8 over three years. Members requested further information on fund usage and revenue sources.
• Item 8.24 (Director’s Report) – Acknowledged the list of line-item transfers approved in February and the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Unfinished Business: Item 7.1 – Public Defender Staffing for Domestic Violence Courtroom – The committee revisited a resolution authorizing two new principal public defenders for a consolidated domestic violence courtroom, costing approximately $135,000 for the remainder of FY2026. The Public Defender confirmed the funding is available from unfilled positions. The State’s Attorney’s Office will request a victim specialist (appearing on consent agenda). The positions will be added to the FY2027 budget. Approved unanimously.
• Item 8.25 – Annual Facilities and Construction Update – Director Carl Crown presented an overview of projects supporting the county strategic plan, including the DEPC Juvenile Center renovation, the ROC facility, a solar project, and space management. The Navy demolition project (105 East Illinois Route 83) is complex; the county will act as prime contractor with Navy funding. The employee parking garage and landscaping contracts are forthcoming. The committee discussed future space planning, including the sheriff’s office and coroner’s relocation.
• Item 8.26 – Property Conveyance to IDOT – Approved a resolution authorizing conveyance of a strip of land at 105 East Illinois Route 83 in Mundelein to IDOT for the Route 83/60 improvement project, including bike paths and sidewalks. The county will retain access and parking; temporary easements are for construction.
• Item 8.27 – Tax Abatement for DCEO Energy Transition Grant – Approved an ordinance abating $587,516.86 of the county’s property tax levy for tax year 2025, funded by a state grant for communities impacted by the Zion nuclear plant closure. The abatement will reduce the overall levy, benefiting all taxpayers. Legislation to prevent future levy reduction is already signed by the governor.
• Item 8.28 – Federal Funding Contingency Reserve – Approved a resolution appropriating $2 million from the general fund balance to establish a contingency reserve for federal funding interruptions. The reserve is intended for the health, community development, and workforce development departments. Access requires verification of interruption, demonstrated operational need, and a plan for replenishment. The reserve covers up to 60 days of gap funding; any long-term solution must come back to the committee.
• Item 8.29 – Remote Work Policy – Approved a resolution adopting a new remote work policy. The policy allows remote work as an operational option when it fits the role, but is not guaranteed. It requires department head discretion with county administrator oversight for consistency. A separate directive provides more detailed standards (e.g., days per week). Discussion touched on equity between remote and on-site employees, stipends, distance limits, and cybersecurity. The policy will replace the existing alternate work arrangement policy.
• Item 8.30 – Economic Development Opportunity Fund Commitment – Approved a resolution committing $2 million from the Monsanto settlement fund to SoLarge for environmental cleanup and site preparation in Waukegan. The commitment is contingent on SoLarge selecting Lake County by May 1, 2026; otherwise the funds revert to the economic development opportunity fund.

Key Outcomes

• 7.1 Approved – Two new principal public defenders for domestic violence court, FY2026 cost ~$135,000, funded from unfilled positions.
• 8.19 Approved – Four temporary staffing agencies selected for general administrative to professional positions.
• 8.20 Approved – Emergency appropriations for FY2026 carryovers.
• 8.21 Approved – $265,570.49 emergency appropriation for IMRF pension expenses.
• 8.22 Approved – $2,540 emergency appropriation for State’s Attorney Money Laundering Fund.
• 8.23 Approved – $16,500 emergency appropriation for Recorder Automation Fund personnel expenses.
• 8.26 Approved – Property conveyance to IDOT for Route 83/60 improvement.
• 8.27 Approved – Tax abatement of $587,516.86 for DCEO Energy Transition Grant.
• 8.28 Approved – $2 million federal funding contingency reserve established.
• 8.29 Approved – Remote work policy adopted.
• 8.30 Approved – $2 million commitment to SoLarge for Waukegan site cleanup, contingent on site selection by May 1, 2026.
• Executive Session – Held to discuss claims, risk management, and closed session minutes. Action items 11.1 (settlement authority case 22102 W001) and approval of minutes from January 29 and February 5, 2026, were approved.

The committee adjourned at approximately 10:30 a.m. and will next meet on April 2, 2026.