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Budget Videos
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Board Meeting: November 8, 2011
(Click on item # 35)
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Lake County Budget in Brief 2012
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County Board Approves 2012 Budget
Over the last several years, like all local governments, Lake County experienced declines in revenues due to the economic downturn, as well as cuts in state funding. The 2012 budget is less than it was in 2009, but it does reflect growth consistent with an improving economy, while adhering to the county board's conservative fiscal philosophy.
In response to the "new normal" of today's economic conditions, the County Board made smart decisions, applied sustainable strategies, and implemented sound investments.
Some examples of investments that are producing positive results include:
- The county has decreased personnel expenses (the biggest piece of our budget) by implementing efficiencies and new technology. The County has aggressively reduced headcount for three consecutive years through various initiatives, such as: the accelerated retirement option, consolidation of divisions, adjustments in staff levels to align with workload, and holding vacant positions open. Departments across county government contributed to these efforts and as a result, Lake County has saved nearly $50 million cumulatively in salary expenses (between 2009 and 2011).
- Another example is in the area of energy conservation. The County has been aggressively investing in energy saving technology and practices resulting in a cumulative savings of $7 million. Even with the addition of new buildings, total expenditures on utilities are expected to total just $4.4 million this year, a reduction of 36% compared to 2007.
- The County has also focused efforts and investments on controlling insurance costs. Through a combination of safety initiatives, education, and aggressive claim management, the County has saved $8 million since 2009. A focus on employee well-being and wellness initiatives has had a similar impact on health insurance claims.
The County Board approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2012 at its November meeting. The budget is almost $17 million less than the 2009 budget, as a result of budget cuts and efficiency measures implemented by the county board over the last several years. The $487.8 million budget funds more than 30 Lake County departments and divisions, including the eight county-wide elected offices. |
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Where Does the Money Come From?
Only about 1/3 of our budget comes from property taxes. The rest comes from sales, income and business taxes, miscellaneous sources like grants, charges for services, (fees, like water bills), and from payments from other governments. Miscellaneous revenue includes fines, permits, interest income, and others.
It's important to point out that Lake County receives only 7% of your property tax dollar. The rest goes to other taxing bodies including: cities/villages, townships, and schools (which get the biggest piece - 68%). So, for a house that is valued at $250,000, only about $400 goes to Lake County government. |
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Where Does the Money Go?
The County's budget allocates funds for a multitude of different services, including: court functions, the jail, law enforcement, healthcare, elections, planning and economic development, transportation and public works, including infrastructure improvements for roadways, water and sewer, and much more.
The administration and internal service funds include areas that support the operations of county government, such as finance, human resources, information technology, the Corporate Capital Improvement Program, and more.
Only 1% of our budget is for payments on debt for capital projects.
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More Information
For more information on the budget, the public can visit the county's website. The entire budget is posted on the county's website at www.lakecountyil.gov.
Want to learn more about what Lake County does with your tax dollars? Watch this video.
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