Financial Administrative Committee Meeting - May 28, 2026

The Financial Administrative Committee of Lake County met on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 8:30 AM. The meeting was called to order with a quorum present. The agenda included consent items, a job order contracting project for Naval Station Great Lakes demolition, an emergency appropriation, and annual updates from the Chief County Assessment Office and Treasurer's Office.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8.1 through 8.14 were approved by unanimous consent without discussion.

Discussion Items

Item 8.15: Job Order Contracting Project – Halsey Village Demolition Phase 1

• Director of Facilities and Construction Services Carl Carrar presented a proposal to approve the use of a job order contract for demolition of the Halsey Village housing area at Naval Station Great Lakes, Phase 1, at a not-to-exceed amount of $11,379,000. The Navy is fully funding the project. The county will provide administrative oversight and contract management, while the Navy handles day-to-day construction oversight. The administrative fee is 3.47% of the project order, but after fees to Gordian (2.95%) and project management software costs, the net to the county is estimated at $37,000. Several committee members expressed concern that the administrative fee (approximately 0.2% net) may not fully cover county staff costs. Director Carr noted that the fee is negotiable for future phases. The committee approved the item.

Item 8.16: Emergency Appropriation for Halsey Village Demolition Phase 1

• This companion resolution authorized an emergency appropriation of $11,379,000 in fund 106 (Capital Fund) to track revenues and expenses for the project. The agenda erroneously listed fund 101 (General Fund). An amendment was made to change the fund designation to 106, consistent with the attached resolution. The amendment was approved, and the item as amended was approved.

Item 8.17: Chief County Assessment Office Annual Update

• Chief Assessment Officer Bob Hooker presented his annual update, noting this would be his last before retirement. He highlighted four key ongoing activities:
  • Non-Homestead Exemption Audit: Of 16,333 non-homestead exempt properties, about 50% may no longer qualify due to changes in use. He recommended a formal audit by the next administration.
  • Open Space Valuation: A project to reassess open space land (currently valued at $4,000/acre). He cautioned that increasing valuations could incentivize development and noted the need for careful timing (planned for tax year 2027).
  • TrueRoll Software: Used for three years to verify exemption applications. It has identified inconsistencies, particularly with the Senior Freeze exemption (based on residency and income). Hooker emphasized it is applied uniformly and not targeted at any group.
  • Affordable Housing Special Assessment: Since 2023, 10 properties have been approved for 25-35% EAV reductions for up to 30 years. Most are rehabs in lower-income townships (e.g., Zion, Waukegan). Hooker expressed concern about the long-term erosion of the property tax base in those areas and recommended monitoring.
  • Additionally, the GIS office had 889,000 visits in the past year, and 14 addresses were corrected to improve 911 emergency response.

Item 8.19 (agenda item 8.18?): Treasurer's Office Annual Report

• Treasurer Holly Kim and Deputy Treasurer Stephen Gray provided an update. Key points:
  • Current Projects: Replaced the cash posting software (RICO) with Tyler Technologies' own system, and switched tax bill vendors after a competitive bid – both transitions completed successfully.
  • Treasurer Side: $20 million in interest revenue in fiscal year 2025. The office manages over 30 bank accounts and partners with county departments on investments. Negotiated higher interest rates on liquidity accounts.
  • Collector Side: Collected $2.9 billion in property taxes for 288 taxing authorities. Distribution is twice monthly. Interest on collector accounts (e.g., $3.2 million last year) is distributed to taxing bodies. In-person payments declined due to promotion of online and bank payments.
  • New Program Requests: A document retention scanning project for pre-1977 tax bills is in procurement. A tax sale analyst position was requested but not yet approved.

County Administrator's Report

• Deputy Administrator Meyer informed the committee that three of five ethics commission terms expire in August. The county will solicit applications following the 2021 process: staff will summarize applicants, the committee will provide direction on desired qualifications, and interviews will be conducted to select three appointees.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved (8.1-8.14).
• Item 8.15 (Job Order Contracting): Approved for up to $11,379,000 for Halsey Village Phase 1 demolition.
• Item 8.16 (Emergency Appropriation): Approved as amended to use fund 106 in the amount of $11,379,000.
• Item 8.17 (CCAO Update): Received and filed; no formal action.
• Item 8.19 (Treasurer's Report): Received and filed; no formal action.
• Ethics Commission Appointments: Staff will issue a solicitation for applicants and return to the committee for direction on the selection process.

No executive session was held. The next meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2026.