Lake County Council 2026 Budget Workshop – September 4, 2025

The Lake County Council held its first 2026 budget workshop on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the Commissioner’s Courtroom/Council Chambers. The meeting focused on the county’s financial outlook under Senate Bill 1, which caps levy growth at 4% but requires 80% of that increase to be directed to homestead credits, effectively leaving only about $1 million in new levy room—most of which is already committed to contracts and state mandates. The council passed several motions to set the 2026 budget at the 2025 adjusted level, approve salary increases for certain departments, cancel remaining workshops ahead of the first and second readings, place remaining balances into reserves, and eliminate positions that have been vacant since January 1, 2024 (with exceptions).

Discussion Items

• Financial Overview: Council Auditor Scott described the impact of Senate Bill 1: the county received a 4% growth quotient, but 80% of that increase is carved out for homestead credits, reducing the available increase by about $6 million. This leaves approximately $1 million in new levy room, most already obligated. Any further increases in the budget would require offsets.
• Budget Setting Motion: Councilmember Bilski moved to set the 2026 budget equal to the 2025 adjusted budget for all funds and salaries. The motion passed 6–1 (absent: Brewer).
• Salary Increases for Sheriff, Police, Corrections, 911 Dispatch, Highway: Councilmember Bilski moved to approve salary increases for sheriff’s police, correctional officers, 911 dispatch, and highway departments. Discussion noted that offsets should be found within the budget to avoid clawing back previously negotiated offsets. The motion passed 6–1 (absent: Brewer).
• Mandated Salary Increases for Judiciary and Other Officials: A motion approved mandated salary increases for judges, prosecutors, deputy prosecutors, magistrates, sheriff, chief public defender, assistant chief public defender, and probation officers per Indiana Judicial Conference schedules. Comment was made that many of these departments have long‑standing vacancies and offsets are still needed. Passed 6–1.
• Cancellation of Remaining Workshops: Councilmember Neyer moved to cancel all remaining budget workshops except the first reading on September 16, 2025, and the second reading on October 14, 2025. It was clarified that changes can only be made at the first reading. Passed 6–1.
• Place Remaining Balances into Reserves: Councilmember Ham moved to place any remaining balance into reserves. Passed 6–1.
• Elimination of Long‑Vacant Positions: After discussion, a motion was made to eliminate positions that have been vacant since January 1, 2024, excluding those covered by collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) or state/federal mandates. Councilmembers noted that positions in corrections and other hard‑to‑fill areas were excluded, and that a historical review of staffing needs should occur when contracts are renegotiated. Passed 6–1.

Key Outcomes

• 6–1 passage (all present members in favor, one absent – Councilman Brewer) for each of the six motions above.
• The council instructed the auditor to provide a detailed proposal showing offsets for salary increases before the budget process ends.
• Council members thanked departments that did not request budget increases and acknowledged the challenge of maintaining public services with limited revenue growth.
• The next meeting is the first reading on September 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM, where adjustments can be made before the second reading on October 14, 2025.