Board approves $1.116 million distribution of tax-sale proceeds; hires interim public health officer, delegates change-order authority and amends PEG TV pact

The Lake County Board of Supervisors on March 18 approved several administrative and fiscal actions, including awarding $784,913.49 to claimants from excess proceeds of a 2023 tax‑defaulted land sale, authorizing a short‑term contract with an interim public health officer, delegating limited change‑order authority for the Lake County Sheriff Administration facility renovation, and amending the county's contract with Lake County PEG TV.

Treasurer‑Tax Collector Patrick Sullivan told the board the tax sale (No. 161, held May 26, 2023) produced excess proceeds on 109 parcels totaling $1,116,250.39. "From this tax sale there was 109 parcels that had excess proceeds for a total of the 1,116,250.39," Sullivan said. He said claimants had requested $784,913.49 that staff had determined to be valid; the remaining balance — roughly $331,000 — would be transferred to the general fund as unclaimed proceeds.

Why it matters: disbursing tax‑sale excess proceeds returns funds to lienholders or former owners and clears outstanding administrative obligations tied to tax‑defaulted property. The board's action resolves multi‑year claims and sets the county's final accounting for that sale.

The board voted, by voice, to approve the distribution. The motion carried unanimously.

The board also approved a temporary public health officer contract to cover the gap after Dr. Doohan's resignation, which takes effect March 31. Health services staff described the proposed contractor, Anju Goel, MD, MPH, as an experienced public health officer. Health services staff said the agreement pays $165 per hour for work and $10.50 per hour for on‑call time; the contract term is up to six months and is capped at $49,860. Health services staff told the board they expect to recruit a permanent officer during that period.

Public services director Lars Ewing asked the board to delegate limited authority to approve and execute construction change orders for the Lake County Sheriff Administration facility renovation so staff can respond quickly to needed field changes. Under the adopted resolution no single delegated change order may exceed $210,000 and aggregate delegated change orders may not exceed $610,750; Ewing said the project has contingency funding and the delegation would not require additional appropriations. He said he would provide quarterly reports to the board summarizing change orders executed under the delegation.

The board also approved Amendment 1 to the professional services agreement with Lake County PEG TV to support recording and livestreaming of municipal advisory council meetings and similar activities. Supervisors said the service has been heavily used by local advisory councils and that the proposed amendment adds funding for the current fiscal year. The motion authorizes the chair to sign the amendment.

Finally, the board appointed two members to the Middletown Local Area Plan Advisory Committee (LAPAC), filling an agricultural seat and an at‑large seat. Staff recommended changing one vacant environmental seat to an agricultural seat; the board appointed Monica Rosenthal to the agricultural seat and Hank Lesher to the at‑large seat.

Ending note: Each of the items above was adopted by unanimous vote; staff noted follow‑up steps for implementation (payments to claimants; contract execution; quarterly change‑order reporting; and ordinance drafting or recruitment where applicable).