F&A Committee approves emergency $98,000 appropriation from asset-forfeiture fund to cover state's attorney staffing costs

The Lake County Board Financial and Administrative Committee voted to approve a joint resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation of $98,000 from the state's attorney's asset forfeiture fund to reimburse the general fund for salary and fringe costs through Nov. 30, 2026.

Jo Gervitter, chief deputy of administrative services in the state's attorney's office, told the committee the appropriation will offset roughly 6% of salary and benefits for 10 felony assistant state's attorneys and provide $82,000 in the short term to pay the conviction integrity unit director while a federal grant modification—expected to reimburse the salary—remains delayed because of the federal government shutdown.

"This is merely a stop gap," Gervitter said, explaining staff expects the grant modification to be approved and the office does not anticipate needing all of the requested funds for the full fiscal year.

Several members pressed on the timing and accounting. Member Maine said the federal shutdown was an ongoing situation and asked why the issue was not addressed during the board's budget debate two weeks earlier. "I don't understand why this wasn't part of our October discussion," the member said, expressing concern about using asset forfeiture dollars—funds that fluctuate year to year—to cover what can appear as operating expenses.

Steve Spagnola of the state's attorney's office told the committee that the fund's permissible uses are governed by statute and that the proposed expenditures align with prosecution-related activities allowable for forfeiture funds. He said the office intended to use funds within its statutory jurisdiction to bridge the gap while avoiding drawing on the general fund.

The motion on item 8.19 was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair ruled "the ayes have it."