Lake County's Board of Supervisors has taken a significant step towards modernizing its financial and human resource management systems by approving a contract with Workday Incorporated. During the meeting on January 28, 2025, the board agreed to a finance software agreement valued at approximately $4.6 million, covering the period from January 2026 to January 2035.

Genevieve Harrington, who presented the proposal, highlighted the extensive evaluation process that led to Workday's selection. The county sought proposals from various vendors, and after thorough scoring and feedback from department heads, Workday emerged as the only company willing to meet all of Lake County's complex requirements. Harrington emphasized the importance of Workday taking full responsibility for data extraction and conversion, a critical aspect given the outdated and fragmented nature of the county's current software.

The board was motivated to expedite the contract signing to secure a $200,000 discount offered by Workday, which would be applied over the ten-year duration of the agreement. This discount was a key factor in the urgency expressed by board members, who recognized the long-term financial benefits of the deal.

In response to questions regarding the contract's financial specifics, it was clarified that the initial year would cost approximately $2.3 million, which includes implementation and training, while the remaining amount would be distributed over the subsequent nine years. The funding for this project will be sourced from the county's technology reserve fund, ensuring that the necessary resources are allocated for this critical upgrade.

This decision marks a pivotal moment for Lake County as it seeks to enhance its operational efficiency and service delivery through improved technology. The board's commitment to modernizing its systems is expected to streamline processes and ultimately benefit the community by providing better management of county resources.