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Lee County board approves proposed county board budget; levy rate discussed at 0.8242
Summary
At a Lee County Board meeting, members approved the proposed county board budget/agenda, reviewed finance and claims committee reports and agreed to place two fire district trustee nominees on a future agenda. The board discussed a levy calculation yielding a rate of 0.8242 and noted the budget remains tight.
The Lee County Board approved a motion to place the proposed county board budget/agenda on the board agenda and carried several routine motions during a meeting where finance and claims reports were reviewed.
The action clears the proposed budget for the next step in the county process; board members also discussed levy calculations and committee reports that affect county spending and staffing.
The finance report, presented by Jim Scheelein, said revenues are tracking close to projections and the county is expected to finish the year with a small positive balance. “We’re gonna be ending positive for the year, as planned,” Scheelein said, adding that the budget is “tight” but on track. Finance discussion included a levy calculation described by staff: a total levy base figure of 9.9 produced a rate of 0.8242 and an increase of 4.67 percent from the prior year, which the board was told means Lee County will not require a Truth in Taxation hearing for the year discussed.
Scheelein and other members noted new construction figures that factor into revenue projections. One speaker said new construction this year was “just shy of $10,000,000,” and contrasted that with an earlier year’s figure “like 45 to 50,000,000.” The board also approved two sheriff’s department positions requested in the budget, with members saying they expect those hires to reduce overtime pressures over time but that budgetary impacts will appear only after hires are made and trained.
Claims and committee business proceeded by committee report. The claims committee reported reviewing and forwarding dozens of claims to the board: one meeting reviewed 77 claims (two were rejected initially) and another reviewed 34 claims that were forwarded to the board for approval. The sheriff’s written reports were entered for information only.
On appointments and administrative items, the board agreed, without objection, to place two nominees from the West Brooklyn Fire Protection District — Donna Jungles and Jeff Zink — on the agenda for the upcoming Thursday meeting. The board also voted to place the Village of Ashton Park committee raffle report on file.
The board moved into executive session during the meeting and later reconvened; roll-call responses indicated members were present for the session. The meeting concluded after the board approved the proposed county board budget/agenda and took a motion to adjourn.
Votes at a glance:
- Motion to place the Village of Ashton Park committee raffle report on file: Moved by Mr. Wilson; seconded by Nancy Naylor. Voice vote: motion carried.
- Motion to go into executive session (legal/confidential matters as specified on the agenda): Mover/second not clearly identified on the record; roll call taken and the session proceeded. Outcome: approved (executive session held).
- Motion to approve the proposed county board budget/agenda: Moved by Mr. Wilson; seconded by Mr. Friel. Voice vote: motion carried.
- Motion to adjourn: Moved by Mr. Covington; seconded by Ms. Stancy. Voice vote: motion carried.
The board identified several items for upcoming agendas, including the 2026 draft budget ordinance and the 2026 levy ordinance; those items were referenced during new-business discussion and will appear on future meeting agendas for formal consideration and possible adoption.
