County staff told committee to present full 2.9% levy cap on next estimate; board to decide in November

Patrice Sutton, Lake County administrator, told the Financial Administrative Committee on Aug. 28 that state law requires the county to pass an estimated tax levy in September and that the county may present an estimate at the full PTELL cap of 2.9 percent.
Sutton reminded the committee that the board’s budget-development guidance for fiscal year 2026 instructs staff to balance the proposed budget using half of the allowable PTELL increase (1.45 percent), but she said presenting the full 2.9 percent as the estimate is the most transparent approach because it sets the cap the board may later use.
Sutton said the actual levy the board adopts in November can be higher or lower than the estimate, provided it does not exceed the PTELL maximum. Members asked questions about precedent and the practical effect of using the full allowable percentage.
Committee members voiced support for presenting the estimate using the full 2.9 percent so the county has flexibility during budget hearings; staff will bring the formal estimate to next week’s committee meeting for action.