November 9, 2021
Lake County Board Adopts Balanced Fiscal Year 2022 Budget
The Lake County Board approved a balanced Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Budget at its Nov. 9 meeting. The $602.8 million budget reflects the recovery of revenues back to pre-pandemic levels, and the budget reflects the County’s long-standing approach to adopting a fiscally responsible budget.
The Board chose to increase the levy to account for new property growth - that is growth for properties that have been developed in the last year - in Lake County in this year’s budget, but did not increase the levy up to the amount of the allowable federal Consumer Price Index. Individual tax bills may vary depending on how a property’s assessed value has changed and depending on the actions of other local government taxing bodies, but the Lake County portion of the tax bill for the average homeowner is expected to be flat or go down slightly.
The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had many ramifications for Lake County since 2020, leading to operational efficiencies and reorganizations in some departments as well as some difficult budget reductions. Revenues bounced back in 2021, allowing the County to fund the current state of operations, while also investing in some needed infrastructure for building improvements, and technology to increase operational efficiencies.
“The County Board, working with our talented team of department staff and financial experts, have developed a balanced budget that not only is fiscally responsible but also ensures that the County continues to provide the services that our residents depend upon, particularly as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Lake County has been challenged to do more with less, with the focus on efficiencies and reduced expenses. The County continues to explore opportunities for shared services both internally and externally with other government bodies. One example in 2021 was the dissolution of the Lake Bluff Mosquito Abatement District, which joined recent government consolidation efforts led by Lake County the past few years. The Lakes Region Sanitary District tax levy was eliminated in 2019, and the Beach Park Drainage District was dissolved in 2020.
The County was provided $121.5 million in federal CARES Act funds. These funds were used to provide rental and utility assistance, small business grants, and food pantry support among other things.
The County also has used some funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to address communities’ immediate needs through the pandemic. Looking ahead, the County will continue to use the bulk of ARPA funding to address immediate needs and is developing a long-term spending and investment plan to help the County recover from the pandemic and become a stronger County.
“By using federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, we are able to invest in programs and resources that otherwise might not be sustained in this budget,” Financial and Administrative Committee Chair Paul Frank said. “The Fiscal Year 2022 budget is balanced while also positioning the County to maintain the high level of services that residents expect.”
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