Lake County committees approve $8.99 million Workforce Development budget with increased federal funding and expanded SkillBridge internships

The joint committees approved the recommended fiscal year 2026 budget for Lake County's Workforce Development department, totaling $8,985,501.

Jennifer Serino, director of workforce development, told committees that the increase reflected both a change in budgeting methodology (returning WIOA funds to the annual budget) and a 24% rise in base formula funding passed through the state from the U.S. Department of Labor. Serino described program priorities and line items that pay for participant wages, tuition and direct assistance: "In total, 56% — dollars, $5,000,000 of our budget is going directly to participants," she said, summarizing how the department uses funds for wages, tuition, tuition assistance and participant supports.

Serino noted the SkillBridge internship expansion, including 12 interns in the county program and multiple hires from the internship pipeline, and highlighted the summer youth employment program (172 youth enrolled, more than 1,000 applications, 30 work sites).

Committee discussion focused on federal funding stability and contingency planning. Serino said roughly 82% of Workforce Development's budget is federally funded and that the department has staged multi‑year contracts and partner obligations to extend program continuity through 2027 where possible. The committees approved the item by voice vote.

Why it matters: Workforce Development programs fund training, employer grants and direct assistance that support hiring and retention in Lake County. Federal formula changes or reductions could significantly alter services, staff and participant supports.