Lake County's Financial and Administrative Committee approved Oct. 9 a $1,184,559 contract with FGM Architects of Westchester to provide predesign and schematic design services for a proposed multi-agency facility in Libertyville.

Director of Facilities and Construction Services Carl Courad (spelled in transcript) told the committee the facility would accommodate the sheriff's office, coroner's office and county clerk operations, including warehouse needs for election equipment and sheriff storage. Courad said the contract covers the first two phases of design and will allow the county to refine project scope, site impacts and estimated construction costs under multiple build scenarios. "Schematic design is set to be complete in February," Courad said, adding that final design would follow stakeholder alignment and could be complete by November 2026 with construction awarded possibly in mid-2027.

Committee members asked how the county gathered requirements from each stakeholder. Courad said the county and FGM engaged the coroner, sheriff and county clerk through interviews and used subject-matter subconsultants for coroner design needs. "They are a subject matter expert when it comes to coroner's office design and we will be engaging them and the coroner's through this preliminary design and schematic design to make sure that that new building really encompasses everything that they have for requirements," he said.

During discussion, Director Croire (transcript) and committee members noted the county's long-standing challenge of dispersed county functions between Libertyville and Waukegan and the trade-offs of relocating services. Courad provided a preliminary budget range of $25 million to $30 million for the two major functions (coroner and consolidated sheriff public-safety space) but said full funding for additional elements — including warehouse, sustainability measures such as geothermal or solar, and finish levels — is not yet aligned.

Chair Hart and other members praised the concept for potential efficiencies, including colocating election material storage with sheriff operations. The committee approved the resolution by motion from Member Clark, seconded by Vice Chair Parikh; Member Peterson voted opposed and the item passed.