Lake County board OKs balanced budget

The Lake County Board on Tuesday 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 counties' 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.

That's not the case in nearby Cook and DuPage counties.

The DuPage board is grappling with a sizable financial shortfall and has threatened layoffs of 235 people. A quarter-cent sales tax increase has been proposed to pay for public safety services.

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has proposed tax increases to cover a $239 million shortfall in his county's new budget.

On Tuesday, 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.

Administrators anticipate collecting about $425 million in taxes and other revenues during the next fiscal year.

Spending will exceed that total, but only because some capital projects will be funded by loans or cash already on hand, administrators have said. The day-to-day operating budget is balanced.

Although the bulk of the budget is set aside for staff salaries, the plan includes money for some projects that will directly affect the public, including:

• The construction of a new branch court facility in Park City.

• The construction of a new centralized permit facility in Libertyville, an effort that will continue into 2009.

• Remodeling of the public defender's office in Waukegan.

• The northward extension of Midlothian Road near Libertyville.