MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN AARON LAWLOR
BUDGET ANALYSIS 1-2-3
DEAR LAKE COUNTY RESIDENTS,
The county board practices a tried and true
budget principle --Don’t make short-term
decisions. We plan, save and invest wisely to
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yield long-term results. In this newsletter, you
will see examples of how the county board is
practicing fiscal responsibility. The 2014 budget
is balanced and is $10 million less than five years
ago and we continue to maintain AAA bond
rating from both rating agencies. This newsletter
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Are we practicing efficient spending
to maintain services and programs?
How is the program performing?
Analysis and metrics drive
decision-making .
Does the funding request align with
our strategic goals and values?
priorities, in an effort to increase transparency. To
2014 STRATEGIC
BUDGETING EXAMPLES
stay current on county news and information,
FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY
including transportation, property tax, election
• Lake County is increasing efficiencies through
information and more, I encourage you to sign
automated technology. For example: Public
up for my e -newsletter, or your board member ’s e -newsletter by visiting
Works is installing new automated meters for
www.lakecountyil.gov. It’s a pleasure to serve as your county board chairman and work with
customers, and Winchester House is utilizing
such a dedicated county board.
electronic medical records.
aims to provide highlights about our budget and
• The health department is adding three
Sincerely,
additional part-time counselors in the health
Aaron Lawlor, Lake County Board Chairman
department and medical assistants to
847-377-2300
maximize efficiency, and better utilize
[email protected]
physicians’ time.
FOCUS ON SHARED SERVICES
STRATEGIC PLANNING...
STRATEGIC BUDGETING
• The budget includes funds for the Stormwater
Management Commission to participate in a
cost-sharing arrangement with other
government entities to improve drainage.
2014 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
• A donation to the Air-One helicopter gives the
We have…
County access to a shared resource at a fraction
• A balanced $488.3 million budget that is $10 million less than five years ago.
of the full cost of this resource.
• “Status quo” budget except for a few new/expanded programs that meet increased demands
FOCUS ON PREVENTION
and align with strategic goals.
• AAA bond rating – the highest credit rating possible
• In an effort to reduce crime and recidivism
• Low debt service (1% of the budget) because the County Board saves and pays for big capital
(relapse into crime), the budget includes
increasing a part-time social worker position to
projects with cash
• Historically low employee headcount – Full-time positions down 233 from 2010. (In 2014 the
full-time in the Public Defender’s Office, as well
as a full-time investigator in the Children’s
Board cut 33 positions that had been held in an unfunded status).
Advocacy Center.
HOW ARE
WE DOING?
Performance indicators
tracked over time
OVERTIME PAY
2008
2013
NUMB
2008
$4.4 MILLION
$3.0 MILLION
32%
2013
HOW DO WE DO IT?
Cuts, efficiencies, cautious spen