Lake Co. board OK's $450 mil budget

The Lake County Board today proudly adopted a balanced $450 million budget - a feat that prompted a few members to take shots at some of the area's less-fiscally sound agencies.

"I think it's a good day to be a Lake County Board member and not a Cook County Board member or a DuPage County Board member," said commissioner Diana O'Kelly, a Mundelein Republican, referring to those other county's well-publicized cash woes.

Lake County officials expect to spend about $450 million on salaries, building repairs, road projects, equipment and other efforts over the next fiscal year, which starts Dec. 1.

That's up about 6 percent from the current year's $425 million spending plan.

No program cuts or layoffs were needed, nor were tax increases discussed as a way to fund the budget, board Chairwoman Suzi Schmidt said.

Before this morning's vote, Lake County officials emphasized that many worthwhile funding requests were turned down during the planning process to keep the new budget down.

"It wasn't fun to be on the finance committee because we did have to say 'no' to a lot of people," O'Kelly said.

If the economy continues slipping, Schmidt said, leaner years could be ahead - possibly as soon as next year.