Lake County sets FY2027 maximum millage rates, schedules public budget hearings

Jamie Stewart, director of the Office of Management and Budget, presented certified July 1 property values and the recommended FY2027 budget at the July 28 board meeting.

Stewart said the countywide millages, including general fund, ambulance MSTU, water authority and public lands voted debt, increased property‑value collections by 8.78% over the current year. The recommended all‑funds budget totaled $959,234,928 and the proposed operating budget was $842,454,337. Staff proposed allocating $7,700,000 toward road resurfacing and recommended maintenance of current millage rates, with the Wellness Way MSTU reduced by about half compared with prior projections.

The board approved the maximum millage rates to be included on TRIM notices (general fund 5.0254 mils; ambulance 0.4629 mils; fire rescue 0.48 mils; stormwater/roads/parks 0.4957 mils; Wellness Way 0.1454 mils; public lands voted debt 0.1 mil; Lake County Water Authority 0.2940 mils). The board scheduled the first budget public hearing for Sept. 8, 2026, at 5:05 p.m. and a final hearing on Sept. 22, 2026, at 5:05 p.m.

Commissioners noted that the board may only reduce millage from the advertised maximum at the final hearings and cannot increase the rates later in the process. The board adopted the rates and hearing dates by voice vote (4–0).