2013 Approved Budget - Lake County Illinois

To: Aaron Lawlor, Lake County Board Chairman
Members of the County Board
Citizens of Lake County
From: Barry Burton, County Administrator
Gary Gordon, Director of Finance and Administrative Services
Re: Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Letter of Transmittal
We are pleased to present the FY2013 Adopted Budget.
LAKE COUNTY VALUES:
The County Board approved a $485 million balanced budget
for fiscal year 2013 that is $2.6 million less than last year’s
budget, and $19.4 million less than it was in 2009 (prior to
the recession).
In an effort to reduce the tax burden on property taxpayers,
the County Board voted to freeze the property tax levy for
existing properties. What that means is that under state law,
local governments can levy the same as the previous year,
plus the CPI (consumer price index), or 5%, whichever is
less. The Board could have increased the tax levy by 3%
(this year’s CPI, or $4.4 million), but voted to not take that
amount. It’s important to remember that Lake County’s
portion of the tax bill is only 7%. The rest goes to other
taxing bodies including cities, villages, townships, and
schools (which get the biggest piece – 68%).
The rapid decline in revenue seen in budgets of previous
years has halted and revenues are stabilized and in some
instances increasing. While no significant economic
reductions are anticipated for 2013, the adopted budget
reflects the new reality of a flat economy and continues the
County’s long standing approach to adopting a conservative
budget that is sustainable into the future.
As has been the case for a number of years, actions by the
State of Illinois continue to have a negative impact on the
County budget. In 2012, as part of the State’s budget
process, the State redirected the County’s entire portion of
the inheritance tax. On average, this represents a $2 million
annual diversion of revenue. In addition, the County was
recently notified that a key business tax, PPRT, would be
Fiscal Responsibility
Uphold fiscal integrity, make
decisions based on long-term
impacts, and maintain sound
and prudent financial
operations, including: a
balanced budget, strong
reserves, and AAA financial
rating, while maintaining a
commitment to honesty,
reliability and accountability
for all our actions.
Exceptional Customer
Service
Deliver cost-effective,
efficient and high quality
services, placing a high value
on professionalism,
responsiveness and courtesy
to customers.
Leadership
Enhance communication,
interaction and cooperation
with residents, businesses,
other governments, and
stakeholders by engaging
and involving the public that
leads to an improved regional
focus.
reduced 15% as the State has failed to properly fund certain refund accounts for a number of
years, and in 2013 intends to redirect money to this purpose. This is in addition to the shifting
of a portion of these funds to State expenditures that occurred in 2012. Additionally, a State
grant that has covered a portion of the cost of election judges has been eliminated, costing
the County approximately $200,000 depending on election staffing.
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