Happy New Year! As I start 2024 as Lake County’s County Administrator, I am excited and optimistic. I am proud to work for a county with so many facets and so many co-workers who are passionate about what they do. We have a government where standards are high as we strive for excellence, and our dedication, determination and purpose are to serve our residents and businesses with high quality, innovation and efficiency.

With the newly updated Lake County Strategic Plan as our guide, we have a lot of exciting opportunities to advance our strategic priorities of safe communities, economic opportunities, adaptive infrastructure, sustainable environment, healthy and inclusive communities, and superior County operations and services. It will take ALL of us to execute the various aspects of this plan and I hope you are as ready as I am for the challenge.

One of the most exciting projects for me, which impacts everyone who works at Lake County, will be the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation, which we plan to begin in 2024.

Our current financial and human resources/payroll system, BOSS, has served us well, but Lake County will benefit tremendously from the automated workflows, mobile and self-service tools, enhanced capabilities, standardized business processes, and (my favorite!) improved reporting and analytics that a new, modern system will bring.

We are currently waiting for proposals from vendors, which are due Jan. 19. Next, we will select a few system solutions for demonstrations and then negotiate the contract(s) with the finalist vendor(s). Many of you who are users of BOSS will have the opportunity to participate in the demos and perhaps even serve on the implementation team. You’ll hear more about this critical project as the process progresses.

I would love to hear what YOU think is important for Lake County as we start this new year. Stay tuned for various opportunities to share, but in the meantime, please feel free to reach out via email or phone. I value getting lots of perspectives and viewpoints and look forward to hearing from you!

The new year brings about many resolutions, some we keep and others, not so much! How about an easy resolution that does not require going to the gym or breaking old habits? This resolution can help keep you and your coworkers safe and healthy in 2024.

When you have minor symptoms but are still feeling well enough to work, please work from home, with your supervisor’s approval. This may shorten the time you are sick and prevent the spread to your co-workers and customers. If working from home is not an option, please consider wearing a mask to protect those around you.

This will keep all of us healthier in 2024.

Join the fight to help end homelessness by joining Lake County’s 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. On the night of Jan. 31, teams will search across Lake County to interview and offer assistance to unsheltered people.

This year, volunteers can create their own teams of two to five people or volunteer as an individual and be paired up with a team. All volunteers must be over the age of 18 and attend a virtual training.

Learn more and register to join

The house may be filled with new electronics. So it's a good time to remind us all how to properly and safely dispose the batteries.

Alkaline batteries and lead acid batteries are not accepted at the residential electronics collection sites or household chemical waste collection sites sponsored by the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County. Alkaline batteries are non-hazardous and may be disposed in the regular trash.

Recycling processes for single use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries are not widely available. There are a few fee-based recycling options for single-use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries available to Lake County residents as well as some fee-based mail back options. Check SWALCO's website to learn about those options.  

Rechargeable and long-life non-rechargeable and lead acid batteries are accepted through the SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Collection program. To avoid the risk of cross-contact of battery terminals, which can cause sparking and possible fire, place a piece of household tape over each terminal or contact point of each battery.

Here's something to tweet about. National Bird Day is Friday, Jan. 5, a day for bird lovers and bird watchers to celebrate and shine a spotlight on issues critical to the protection and survival of birds, both captive and wild.

One topic that is being studied in Lake County is bird-friendly building design as increased use of glass in modern architecture can increase the incidences of bird collisions. Another topic we're looking at is excessive use of artificial light or light pollution, which may cause birds to wander off course and increase the likelihood of collisions. 

There are things you can do at home to reduce bird collisions. Here's how.

Make glass less dangerous

• Apply a pattern or image onto your glass windows.
• Install opaque, etched, stained or frosted glass for windows.
• Incorporate screens, shutters and exterior shades over uncovered windows.

Reduce light pollution

• Turn off lights at night on unoccupied floors and in unused spaces.
• Opt for shielded lighting that directs lights downward.
• Install automatic motion sensors and controls wherever possible.

Learn more about National Bird Day

Remember, Lake County offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This may vary for employees who are under a union contract or work for an elected official. Check with your supervisor if you have questions.

Observed as a day on, not a day off, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is designated as a national day of service. Take this day to help your neighbors and serve your community in a way that is meaningful to you.