College of Lake County Board Passes FY 2017 Budget

Submission by the College of Lake County

The College of Lake County Board of Trustees approved a balanced operating budget of $102.5 million for Fiscal Year 2017, which begins July 1. The action was taken following a public hearing at the regular June 28 meeting.

Board Chair Dr. William M. Griffin noted that in addition to the Grayslake Campus, this year’s FY 2017 tentative budget was made available for inspection and comment at the Lakeshore and Southlake campuses. Additionally, the Vernon Hills, Waukegan, Antioch and Wauconda libraries accepted copies for public inspection.

The proposed budget represents an overall slight decrease in expenditures of 0.3 percent over the FY 2016 budget of $102.8 million. According to Ken Gotsch, vice president for administrative affairs, the FY 2017 budget’s revenue is based on a 20 percent decline in state funding, a 1 percent increase in property taxes and a 4.7 percent increase per credit hour in tuition and fees, from $129 to $135 for in-district tuition. On the expense side, the budget contains a 1 percent increase in non-personnel expenditures, a 7.3 percent increase in health insurance costs and $5.7 million debt service for the Sustainable Campus Master Plan.

The budget focuses on student success, retention and completion including:

• Expanding fall “Accelerating Your College Success” bridge program
• Launching an Employer Partnership Program
• Implementing new College Readiness curriculum in Lake County High Schools
• Updating instructional equipment and educational technology critical to maintain relevant learning environments that match industry expectations

Student Development:

• Developing two-year plan or academic road maps for new students into pathways and a holistic faculty advising model
• Opening a New Welcome and One Stop Center to improve customer service
• Integrating career counseling services to provide additional focus on internships and direct job placement
• Increasing transfer opportunities and foster a transfer culture
• Contracting with consultants to increase number of international students

With the continued uncertainty in higher education funding from the state, the FY 2017 budget is based on receiving 80 percent of state funding that’s normally expected, Gotsch said. President Jerry Weber said that he has been speaking with legislators about the progress on various bills to provide funding for higher education and that the college will have a backup plan if state funding does not materialize.

“We will know more in the next few days,” Dr. Weber said.