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The list is slim, but Lake County looks to streamline government

Three agencies have been identified as priorities in 2018 as Lake County moves to consolidate, eliminate or otherwise streamline local governments over which it has control.

Dissolving the Seavey Drainage District in Vernon Hills, Mundelein and Libertyville; consolidating with the Lakes Region Sanitary District in Ingleside; and transferring appointing authority of the Lakeside Cemetery to Libertyville Township are part of the Consolidation Action Plan for Lake County Board-Appointed Units of Government endorsed by the county board.

Though symbolic in some instances, the plan is meant to show the county is serious about trying to enhance efficiency and accountability and finding cost savings by reducing local government when possible, officials say.

The plan, advanced by county board Chairman Aaron Lawlor, also calls for a review to determine the feasibility and potential benefit of consolidating drainage and mosquito abatement districts and housing authorities.

"Before we get into the nitty-gritty of each, let's understand broadly what the obstacles are and how we might navigate them," he said Tuesday ahead of the county board vote.

Lawlor said he wanted an endorsed plan to evaluate and determine which county board-appointed units of government are "ripe for consolidation, dissolution or some other action" permitted by state law or by agreement.

Lake County has 230 units of government, but only 27 are appointed by the county board and represent a sliver of tax bills.

According to the county, officials of agencies responsible for 85 percent of tax bills, such as village and school boards, are elected in April of odd-numbered years.

State law gives county boards the ability to consolidate or dissolve government units of which they are the sole appointing authority, but that applies only to 14 of the 27 units of government under Lake County's control.

In any case, the first targets are lined up.

The Seavey Drainage District was created more than 100 years ago to assist farmers. It has taxing authority, but no taxes have been levied in at least 20 years.

Work to improve and maintain what is known as the Seavey Ditch for years has been absorbed by the municipalities, and the hope is to fold the authority into their jurisdictions. Mayors in the three towns support the idea.

County officials have an agreement with the Lakes Region Sanitary District and plan to analyze potential cost savings by absorbing it into the county public works department.

"Every time customers of the LRSD flush their toilet, they pay four taxes and fees to three different government entities. We can do better," according to the county.

Finally, Lawlor appoints members of the Lakeside Cemetery board but wants to transfer the authority to the Libertyville Township supervisor in keeping with how other cemeteries are governed.

  The village of Vernon Hills received an award for a restoration project along Hazeltime Road involving what is known as the Seavey Ditch. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
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