Lake County Public Works & Transportation Joint Budget Hearing - October 22, 2026

The Lake County Public Works and Transportation (PBT) Committee and the Finance Committee held a joint budget hearing to consider the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for the Division of Transportation (DOT) and the Public Works Department. The total capital investment discussed across departments is approximately $127 million.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One public comment was noted on the agenda but was deferred to the later General Operating Expense (GOE) portion of the meeting. No public comments were heard during this specific session.

Discussion Items

County Administrator's FY2027 Budget Overview

• County Administrator Patrice Sutton and Budget Manager Michael Wheeler outlined the budget strategy, including a new approach of placing all new program requests (NPRs) and a merit pool in the GOE budget for centralized committee prioritization.
• Member Wasig asked for clarification on the "double appropriation" designation. Sutton and Wheeler explained it is an accounting method where costs like FICA and IMRF are budgeted in both central and departmental funds to show true staffing costs, with the expenditure occurring only once.
• Budget pressures include the transition to the Workday ERP system, collective bargaining wage increases, a 2.7% CPI-based cost of living adjustment, and significant capital investments ($127M total).
• The county is taking the full allowable 2.7% CPI increase for the property tax levy, anticipating an approximate $15 increase on the county portion of a tax bill for a $350,000 home.

Division of Transportation (DOT) Budgets (Items 8.1-8.6)

• Director Shane Schneider presented six budgets covering operations, bridge tax, matching tax, motor fuel taxes, and the RTA quarter percent sales tax.
• Performance Metrics: The county maintains a pavement condition rating of 83 and a bridge sufficiency rating of 86, both above the stated goal of 80. Member Litzick praised the reduction in fatality rates and the addition of over 40 miles of paved bike paths in recent years.
• Challenges: The department is struggling with fuel costs (projections $60,000 above budget) and personnel recruitment, particularly for engineers (five out of eight current vacancies are engineers).
• Funding Distinctions: Chair Hart highlighted that the bridge and matching taxes are property tax levies while the motor fuel taxes are user fees. Member Litzick noted Lake County has the lowest motor fuel tax rate among the collar counties. Director Schneider noted the RTA quarter percent sales tax is the only fund keeping pace with inflation.
• Ridley County: Vice Chair Park commended the forward-thinking strategy for the $1 million Ridley County program. Director Schneider expressed a goal of transitioning it to a fully regional program led by the NITA board.

Public Works Budgets (Items 8.7 & 8.8)

• Director Austin McFarland presented the FY2027 budgets for public works operations and capital. The department services approximately 40% of the county with drinking water and sanitary sewer services.
• Regulatory & Operational Challenges:
  • Lead Monitoring: EPA requirements for childcare facilities and schools are straining resources with over 60 monitored sites.
  • Utility Relocation: Increasing costs to move water and sewer pipes for road projects are deferring the department's own capital projects.
  • PFAS: The department is awaiting a new NPDES permit. Member Litzick and Chair Hart discussed the need to advocate for accountability from PFAS manufacturers, noting the county was recently named in a settlement program.
  • Pre-Treatment: Member Hunter strongly advocated for adding a second pre-treatment coordinator given the expanding industrial and FOG (fats, oils, grease) programs and the takeover of the Village of Lake Zurich's program.
• ANIOC Chain O'Lakes Sewer Project: McFarland updated the committee on an ARPA-funded project to bring public sewer to areas on septic systems. An Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Village of Antioch is being developed following an approved MOU.
• Revenue Changes: A 92% reduction in tax revenue was explained as the termination of a Special Service Area (SSA).
• Emergency Vehicle Amendment: Following a request from the County Administrator, Member Hewitt introduced an amendment to add $300,000 from reserves to the Public Works Capital Fund (Item 8.8) to replace an emergency vehicle described as "on its last leg." The amendment was seconded by Member Hunter.

Key Outcomes

• DOT Budgets Approved: The joint committees unanimously approved the recommended FY2027 budgets for the Division of Transportation, County Bridge Tax, Matching Tax, County Motor Fuel Tax, County Option Motor Fuel Tax, and RTA Quarter Percent Sales Tax (Items 8.1-8.6).
• Public Works Budgets Approved as Amended: The committees unanimously approved the FY2027 Public Works operating and capital budgets (Items 8.7 & 8.8). The capital budget was amended by Member Hewitt and seconded by Member Hunter to include $300,000 for the replacement of an emergency vehicle, fundable from existing reserves.
• Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for October 28, 2026.