Lake County Council Budget Workshop: September 3, 2026

The Lake County Council held a budget workshop on September 3, 2026, to set the 2027 budget and discuss salary increases. The meeting included a financial update, approval of baseline budget motions, and a debate on an across-the-board pay raise.

Discussion Items

• Financial Update: Scott, the county financial officer, reported that the county's financial health continues to improve, with reserves increasing year after year despite challenges from Senate Bill 1 and BTRC issues. He noted that the expiration of the current tax structure was pushed from 2027 to 2028, mitigating some revenue loss, but potential impacts remain in 2029. Lake County is the only county that uses 100% of its 1% for PTRC relief, which helps cushion cap loss.
• Pay Raise Discussion: Councilman Brewer initiated discussion on a three percent across-the-board pay raise. Scott estimated each 1% raise costs about $1 million in payroll, with benefits additional. The county's growth quotient is 6%, but competing needs include $3 million for bridges and $2 million for utilities. Several council members raised concerns about recent reorganizations that gave some employees raises above 4% and about fairness for smaller departments. A motion was made and seconded for a 4% across-the-board raise, excluding departments currently under contract negotiations or in the midst of reorganization, with the understanding that reorg requests would be handled separately. The motion passed.

Key Outcomes

• Motion 1: Approved the 2027 budget for all levy funds at the 2026 original council-approved level, with salaries at June 30, 2026 rates. Passed 6–1 (one absent).
• Motion 2: Approved the 2027 budget for non-levy funds as requested by departments, excluding salaries and supplemental payments. Passed 6–1.
• Motion 3: Approved salary increases for all collective bargaining agreement and contract increases, with a special note that sheriff's police, correctional officers, and highway departments are in negotiations. Passed 6–1.
• Motion 4: Approved mandated salary increases per Indiana Supreme Court for judges, prosecutors, magistrates, sheriff chief, public defender, and assistant chief public defender, and probation officer salaries per the Indiana Judicial Conference Schedule. Passed 6–1.
• Motion 5: Approved requested amounts for specific line items: property rental ($63730), assessor certification ($61250), board member per diem ($6129), longevity ($61210), assessor per diem ($61251), and election day workers ($61196). Passed 6–1.
• Motion 6: Approved a 4% across-the-board pay raise for all employees not covered by CBAs or currently in negotiations. Passed 6–1.
• Motion 7: Approved placing any remaining balance in reserve. Passed 6–1.
• Next Steps: The first reading of the budget ordinances is scheduled for Tuesday, with another workshop in October after the study session, followed by the second reading after the October meeting. Council members requested a detailed email from Scott showing the updated budget.