County Closing In On Tax, Budget Numbers For Coming Year

    The Lake County Commission on Tuesday undertook a series of budget-related actions, setting parameters ahead of public hearings in the fall.
   Heading the actions was the setting of the maximum millage rate for the coming 2024-2025 fiscal year. The county held the line from the current year, approving a maximum millage rate of 5.0364. Also unchanged are the proposed ambulance MSTU (.4629), stormwater and park MSTU (.4957), and water authority (.2940). The fire rescue MSTU is proposed to be reduced by .0338 mills.
   The numbers could be lowered at future meetings, with Tuesday’s vote simply setting the highest level the county could charge in each area. Commission chairman Kirby Smith provided comments that he hopes at least some of the rates could be lowered before becoming final.
   Overall, the county is eyeing an $839.4 million budget, with $712.5 million of that used for actual operations. $8.6 million is being earmarked for road paving, and the county is moving to a $15 minimum wage for employees.
   County staffing is set to grow, with animal services and the county attorneys' office, each seeking one new position. Fire rescue is looking to add 34 new employees across several operating areas.