County Fire, Garbage Rates To Rise, Property Tax Rate Holds Steady

    The Lake County Commission on Tuesday approved proposed increases for both fire and solid assessments. To be formally approved in public hearings slated for September 12, the fee structures would go into effect with next year’s budget and appear on tax bills later this fall.
   Residents receiving garbage collection from Lake County will see increases of over $100 for service. The increase comes on the heels of contractors experiencing increased employee and fuel costs, and comes during a period where the county continues to struggle with service provided.
   "We are meeting regularly with the haulers," said county manager Jennifer Barker during the meeting, responding to a commission discussion regarding continued struggles with pickup. Once a raging problem in North Lake, the issue appears to have shifted southward recently.
   In response to the ongoing problems, the county has purchased two garbage trucks to operate in support of its contracted haulers, though those units have yet to be delivered.
   “We’re in a tough place,” said commissioner Doug Shields.
   The fire assessment is also going up next year, with the commission moving forward with a budget plan that sees some categories jump as much as 18.5%. Residential homeowners would see an 11.9% increase under the plan to $225, with some outlets rising from $2,750 to $3,140, a 14.2% increase.
   The increase comes after a year when fees remained static from 2022.

    The Lake County Commission on Tuesday forwarded a 2024 budget plan that maintains current property tax rates. The commission adopted a 5.0364 millage rate for the fiscal year to begin on October 1.
   The budget will be further considered later this fall via public hearings. In addition, some items have yet to be formalized, including costs associated with transitioning the Lake County Water Authority to county control, the potential hospital assessment, and a LifeStream Behavioral Center request for $81,000.
   What is included in the developing spending plan is a $14 minimum wage for county employees and $5 million for road resurfacing.
   County property values saw another jump this year, up almost 15% over last year.