Lake County Financial Administrative Committee Meeting - April 2, 2026

The Financial Administrative Committee met on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 8:00 AM. A quorum was present. The meeting covered a Lake County Partners economic development update, discussion of budget policies for FY2027, an emergency appropriation, and a request to use the federal funding contingency fund.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8.1 through 8.5 were approved unanimously by voice vote (motion by Member Clark, second by Vice Chair Park). No items were pulled.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received.

Discussion Items

• Lake County Partners Update (8.6): President and CEO Kevin Cotonight reported four wins in Q1 2026, including a $575 million investment by AbbVie (350 new jobs) at its North Chicago campus and an $80 million expansion by Bath Concepts in Libertyville (retaining 400 jobs, adding ~100). He presented labor force data showing the county’s labor force remains about 12,000 below its 2019 pre-COVID level, a gap unique among Chicagoland counties. The pipeline remains strong, including a potential large solar panel manufacturer project continuing due diligence. Discussion also covered workforce participation, automation risks, and housing affordability as a key factor.
• Budget Policy Discussion (8.10): Staff presented proposed changes to three budget policies (3.5, 5.1, 3.6) for FY2027. A key change is moving from two levy scenarios (half CPI and full CPI) to a single scenario set at half the allowable CPI. Committee members debated whether to use half CPI or full CPI; the consensus leaned toward full CPI to keep pace with inflation, but the final policy will be determined after department feedback. Other changes included clarifications on reorganizations, capital thresholds, and electric vehicle procurement prioritization. No action was taken; policies will return next month.
• Emergency Appropriation – Liability Insurance Fund (8.11): Risk Manager Erika Ossinski explained the actuarial reserve process and the need for a $2 million emergency appropriation from the fund balance (Fund 206) to cover expected settlements exceeding the $800,000 budgeted for FY2026. The motion was approved unanimously.
• Federal Funding Contingency Fund Request (County Administrator’s Report): Administrator Patrice Sutton and Dominic Srizzo from Community Development presented a request to use the new federal funding contingency fund to bridge a HUD funding gap for the Continuum of Care (CoC) homeless assistance programs. The county typically passes through about $3.5 million annually; a lawsuit over HUD’s new rules has delayed payments. The request was for approximately $513,000 to cover 60 days for service providers to maintain leases and services, with clawback provisions if federal funds are later restored. Committee members expressed strong support, noting alignment with the fund’s intent.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (8.1-8.5): Approved unanimously.
• Contract Modification – Yellowstone Landscape (8.7): Approved unanimously. The modification adds lawn care and landscape services for the Rock facility, including retention pond maintenance, with a focus on native plantings and minimal herbicide use after initial establishment.
• Job Order Contract Modification – AGAE (8.8): Approved unanimously. The $365,000 modification (to a total not-to-exceed $1,165,000) covers unforeseen asbestos removal and additional HVAC and hallway work in the county building basement, offset by savings from other projects.
• Emergency Appropriation (8.11): Approved unanimously. $2 million from Fund 206 fund balance for settlement payments.
• Reclassification (11.1): Approved unanimously. Position 29052 in Transportation reclassified from Engineer Grade 10 to Senior Engineer Grade 12 with a pay increase to the new minimum.
• Executive Session Minutes (11.2): Approved unanimously.
• Budget Policy Direction: The committee indicated a preference for a single budget scenario using full CPI, with further feedback to be incorporated through a department review process. Final policy action is expected in May.
• Federal Contingency Fund: The committee expressed support for using the fund to provide 60-day bridge funding of up to ~$513,000 for CoC providers, with clawback provisions. Staff will proceed with implementation.
• Public Art Consideration: Member Clark requested up to two hours of staff time to explore options for public art at the Libertyville campus, particularly the prominent corner, potentially in conjunction with the 250th anniversary and landscaping plans.