Scott Schmal News Today

"Were a long ways from home. This is a multiyear issue. This isnt going to be fixed overnight," said Scott Schmal, the councils finance director.

The Lake County Council is putting a hold on any new appropriations until the auditor’s office can complete the documentation showing the county’s exact cash balances. Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, said any new appropriation out of the general fund would have to be deferred when the council meets Tuesday until its March meeting to give the office more time to complete the ...

Lake County Councilwoman Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, will return to the dais for a second term as president after an interim stint in the post last year. She previously served as the body’s elected president in 2008. Cid, who was nominated for the job by Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, won the seat by a 4-3 margin over fellow nominee Councilman Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, who was ...

The budget is balanced, provides a 4% pay raise to most county employees, and does not increase the tax rates of Lake County property owners or wage earners.

The countys financial issues stem from data entry errors made prior to and following the countys switch last year to a new financial management system.

The Lake County Council Tuesday approved a $30,000 bump in pay for its director of finance to compensate for the time spent managing the investigation into what caused the breakdown in the county’s accounting process. The breakdown prompted Standard & Poors to stop issuing the county a credit rating and led the State Board of Accounts to stop its audit process and threaten to invoke state ...

The annual spending plan is set for final council approval Oct. 17. It will take effect Jan. 1 pending review by state oversight agencies.

In just about 10 minutes Tuesday, the Lake County Council wrapped up its budget season about one month ahead of schedule and including a 4% across the board pay increase for workers. After a few changes, the council approved 4-0 — with three absent — the budget on first reading and cancelled the five remaining budget workshops. The council will reconvene on the budget for the second reading at ...

Lake County officials will be look at ways to strengthen county employee’s health self-insurance plan as rising costs threaten the program’s future solvency. Commission President Michael Repay, D-Hammond, said costs have been trending higher for several years now. “We are aware of it, and we have been contemplating potential solutions,” Repay said. Some of the reasons for the spike in annual ...

Full-time Lake County employees outside of collective bargaining agreements are slated for a 4% pay increase while department heads and elected officials stand to receive most of what they requested for the 2024 budget year. Council members Tuesday made quick work of 17 budget motions incorporating prior concerns and desires of the council; setting the stage for a smooth process in advance of ...