2027 County Budget Adoption
Summary
The Council set the 2027 budget essentially flat against 2026 and approved a 4% across-the-board raise, costing roughly $4 million against a ~$100 million payroll. The number isn't final — first reading is Tuesday and second reading follows an October workshop, and departments in negotiations or reorganizations are carved out.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 21, 2026.
Impact analysis
Every 1% across-the-board raise costs about $1 million; the approved 4% raise totals roughly $4 million, against competing demands like $3 million for bridges and $2 million for utilities.
County employees not covered by excluded CBAs or reorganizations would see a 4% raise.
Smaller departments without vacant positions to reorganize may not be able to offer comparable raises to staff.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Board of Commissioners - Oct 21, 2026
The board approved the full package of 2027 budget ordinances — tax levies, appropriations, salaries, longevity and more — locking in county spending and employment terms for next year.
Lake County Council - 2027 Budget 2nd Reading - Oct 13, 2026
The full 2027 budget package — levies, appropriations, salary and benefit ordinances — passed second reading. This sets county services and the property tax levy for next year, including a 4% across-the-board raise for non-CBA, non-mandated positions.
Lake County Council-2027 Budget Workshop - Sep 3, 2026
The Council set the 2027 budget essentially flat against 2026 and approved a 4% across-the-board raise, costing roughly $4 million against a ~$100 million payroll. The number isn't final — first reading is Tuesday and second reading follows an October workshop, and departments in negotiations or reorganizations are carved out.
Lake County Council - Aug 11, 2026
The council did the state-mandated August review of next year's estimated maximum levy and circuit breaker credits. It's non-binding — the point is acknowledging the state's estimates before budget season.
Lake County Council - Jun 9, 2026
A batch of appropriations, transfers and salary adjustments moved grant dollars and shifted salaries — including cutting some probation officer salaries and converting health department positions.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
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