Lake County adopts tentative millage rates; board highlights reserve increase and infrastructure funding

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the tentative millage rates for fiscal year 2027, preserving most rates while adjusting two special districts. County Manager Jennifer Barker told the board the Wellness Way MSTU millage dropped substantially from the rollback rate because property values there rose sharply, and the public‑lands voted‑debt millage increased 0.03 mills to cover debt service for a $50 million public‑lands acquisition bond approved by voters in 2024.

“The millage rate in the current year was lower because it reflected the final payment on the voter approved debt originally established in 2007,” County Manager Jennifer Barker said, summarizing changes that underlie the proposed rates. Management and Budget Director Jamie Stewart presented the certified July 1 property values used to calculate rollback rates, and the board discussed a modest aggregate increase over rollback driven mainly by council decisions to hold several rates steady while recognizing new growth.

The board also noted operating‑reserve growth: the tentative budget sets general‑fund operating reserves at 13.25% of the operating budget, up from the prior year’s roughly 11%. Commissioners debated whether the stated reserve includes a $3.6 million road‑infrastructure allocation; staff confirmed the $37.1 million reserve figure includes that $3.6 million and without it the reserve amount would be approximately $33 million.