Lake County Financial & Administrative Committee Meeting

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., the Financial and Administrative Committee of the Lake County Board convened. The meeting opened with a moment of silence honoring the late Vice Chair Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham, who served for over two decades. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. A quorum was present, and the committee proceeded through a lengthy agenda covering financial reports, economic development updates, contracts, and personnel actions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from May 7, 2026 (Item 8.1): Approved unanimously.
• Item 8.2: Postponed to the next meeting without attached documents.
• Consent Agenda Items 9.1 through 9.35: Approved en bloc unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

• Lake County Partners Update (Item 9.36): Kevin Konsine reported that through April 2026, capital investment reached $768 million, exceeding the prior year's record. He highlighted two lost business opportunities due to housing shortages: one company halted relocation of hundreds of employees, and another 140-employee headquarters move was canceled because employees could not find affordable housing. Konsine noted that 3,200 housing units are approved or under construction (about 500 affordable), but estimated this is only 30% of the needed stock. He also discussed the transition to a public-private funding model for the Great Chicago Economic Partnership (GCEP) starting January 2027, with a target of 40% public / 60% private funding, eventually moving to 30/70. Committee members expressed concern about the housing crisis and asked about tracking and cost-of-living comparisons.

• Resolution to Appoint Judges of Election (Item 9.37): The Elections office reported 450 judges currently in place, needing 600 for the November 2026 general election, plus about 100 high school judges. Training is multi-faceted (online and in-person). The resolution was approved unanimously.

• Resolution on Board of Review Emergency (Items 9.38 & 9.39): Chief County Assessment Officer Bob Gluckert explained that nine townships have submitted assessments early, allowing the appeals process to begin. The resolution declares an emergency and appoints additional alternate members to handle the volume. Approved unanimously.

• Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Presentation (Item 9.40): Jason Coyle of Baker Tilly presented the annual comprehensive financial report. Key points: the county received an unmodified opinion; net position is $1.7 billion (60% in capital assets, $278 million unrestricted); general fund balance increased $14.4 million; fund balance is 56% of expenditures; IMRF pension funded at 98% and SLEP at 90%. The county earned the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. No material internal control weaknesses were noted. Committee members commended the finance team.

• Line Item Transfer and Emergency Appropriation – PEM Fund (Item 9.41): CFO Gina Tuzak requested approval to transfer $210,000 and appropriate $884,295.69 to close out Project Expense Match activity in Fund 212 and properly account for it in Fund 781. Approved unanimously.

• Emergency Appropriation – Foreclosure Mediation Fund (Item 9.42): Transfer of $27,756.17 from General Fund 101 to the new special revenue fund (251) to move prior-year revenues. Approved unanimously.

• Emergency Appropriation – Eviction Mediation Fund (Item 9.43): Transfer of $110,568.75 from General Fund 101 to Fund 261. Approved unanimously.

• Director's Report (Item 9.44): CFO Tuzak highlighted the GFOA award for the budget and presented a summary of line-item transfers approved under CFO authority during FY25, totaling $13 million (mostly for CIP construction and compensation study adjustments). Approved as information.

• Contract for Pest Control (Item 9.45): Director of Facilities Carl Carrar presented a contract with Chem Wise Ecological Pest Management for $27,000 annually (with renewal options). He addressed prior questions about humane methods, noting that glue traps are used for mice, baiting is weight-based to avoid harming larger animals, and non-chemical measures are prioritized. Committee members discussed concerns about glue traps and secondary poisoning of birds. The contract was approved unanimously.

• Agreement with HDR Architecture (Item 9.46): Authorized $38,500 for design services for capital improvements at the Administrative Tower and Court Tower (restrooms, elevators, stormwater, and ice mitigation). Approved unanimously.

• Director's Report on Job Order Contracts (Item 9.47): Carrar reported second-quarter results: 20 job orders awarded totaling $3.57 million, with 71.4% going to local/minority/women-owned businesses. The U.S. Navy demolition project at Great Lakes (Halsey Village) is underway with a $10.98 million purchase order (reimbursable). Groundbreaking is Monday, July 13, 2026.

• Mutual Aid Agreement (Item 9.48): Emergency Management Manager Daniel Eder presented an updated intergovernmental agreement for the Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System. The agreement facilitates peer-to-peer resource sharing among counties and municipalities, including liability updates for drones. It is voluntary and no-cost. Approved unanimously.

• County Administrator's Report: Introduced new staff: Marcy Johnson (support staff) and Israel Gigos (intern from workforce development).

• Executive Session: The committee entered executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Upon return, they approved Item 12.1, a reclassification of an employment specialist position to work-based learning coordinator with a one-time salary increase.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously: Minutes, consent agenda, all resolutions (9.36–9.48), and the reclassification (12.1).
• Postponed: Item 8.2 to the next meeting.
• Directives: Staff to consider adding a total jobs trend line to future economic development reports; ongoing discussion on housing affordability and tracking progress.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for July 30, 2026.