Title
Resolution approving updates to the Finance policy, 3.5 Budget Development Policy, to make clarifications for the development of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 annual budget.
Staff Summary
• Each year, the County Board provides guidance for development of the annual budget. The County Board approved the guidelines for FY 2026 budget preparation in April 2025, but there is a need to update them to: 1) specifically clarify the annual increase used in the budgeting for non-union employees; 2) clarify the increase in the wage scales; and 3) clarify the policy for elimination of vacant positions.
• The changes are to sections 5.9.8 (vacant position clarification), 5.9.9 (annual wage increase), and 5.9.10 (increase in wage tables). Both a clean version and a red-line version are attached.
• These clarifications are necessary to ensure consistency and compliance with the Employee Policy and Procedure Manual.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the County Board reviews periodically and approves updates to the County’s Finance Policies; and
WHEREAS, this 3.5 Budget Development Policy provides guidance related to the development of the budget as well as guidelines regarding the property tax levy, salary and wage increases, personnel, new program requests, and other important components of the budgeting process; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to update this policy to clarify its intent and ensure consistency and compliance with the Employee Policy and Procedure Manual.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, approves the 3.5 Budget Development Policy.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on October 14, 2025.