Scott Schmal News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

"We're a long ways from home. This is a multiyear issue. This isn't going to be fixed overnight," said Scott Schmal, the council's 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 county's financial issues stem from data entry errors made prior to and following the county's switch last year to a new financial management system.