Lake County commissioners have unanimously approved the balanced 2026 county budget. Under the board’s direction, Lake County Administrator Jason Boyd and staff worked with elected representatives and department heads to “successfully create a balanced and sustainable budget” for the Lake Coun ty General Fund, officials recently noted. The general fund serves as the county’s chief operating fund, and accounts for the financial resources required to administer daily operations, except those funds required by the Ohio Revised Code to be recorded in other accounts. “From the start, my goal was to flatline the budget and focus on responsible spending,” said Commissioner Morris Beverage III. “While the 27th pay (period) created an unavoidable increase this year, we still identified approximately $1.8 million in savings by tracking efficiencies at every level — because even small wins matter. “Through strong collaboration, we protected services, paid down debt on the (Lake County) Public Safety Center and demonstrated the fiscal discipline our taxpayers expect.” Commissioner John Plecnik added, “To deliver the best service without deficit spending or raising taxes, we practice what we preach. Through attrition, efficiency improvements, strategic debt restructuring, and smarter use of existing county resources, we achieved meaningful cost savings without reducing or compromising core services relied upon by our residents.” General fund revenue is projected at $78,288,745, with projected expenses of $78,250,562.91. The board noted that within the general fund, the judicial system and public safety/law enforcement account for more than 70 percent of the proposed budget. Commissioner Morgan McIntosh said delivering important services to residents remains a challenging prospect. “Balancing the needs of the county along with fiscal responsibility is not an easy task,” he added. “This budget is responsible, managing the ongoing cost of government while making important investments for the community, responsibly paying down debt and saving taxpayer money.” To view the Lake County General Fund budget, visit www.lakecountyohio.gov/commissioners-office/. ...read more read less