[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6172435,"mediaKeyId","5389390-f1bcefe6e64dca5b59f67059cfe8999d","parentId",5389390,"title","Lake Placid council sets proposed millage at 3.65 amid debate over reserves, CRA and service costs","audioSeconds",3796,"startMs",1417000,"endMs",5213000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5389390-f1bcefe6e64dca5b59f67059cfe8999d&start=1417&end=5213","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5389390-f1bcefe6e64dca5b59f67059cfe8999d/thumbnail_1417000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6172435/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Lake-Placid-council-sets-proposed-millage-at-365-amid-debate-over-reserves-CRA-and-service-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172435-223db5c7d1255409f5ed57ebbaa3e8b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773543780&Signature=F2uRwzy1Z6mvi8hFR~9LjxhYjT3ozPbjZBLVtod50rpg2uh~61gf8fmy-WR2TOieecyin4knsvzBKtbB2RKYktBwLuwH~OBK-W2~1aSFsPyWZ1DmZ6RhAJ7k8y6kSg~OYNM5PgWaaANVY80CjxKiyHrtd0vkvYTDitn6VCFnZJtZVaXIjcqaops6n57z1~7pZEiByUhk6KwMlRGi30C-xm7hTKYzhEaINSjX8XXabmQ~5enQejU-qbR3X0BdNhvj6ZsbMcHgp~RvWcugb17FViMYyDeAncx5D7dHMMiv4OkLJ3EPa6NdN3vvkP33zTisZJD7QX-7St-ze4yOB7t8NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Lake Placid, FL","date","2025-07-15T12:04:05Z","article","The Lake Placid Town Council on July 14 voted to set a proposed millage rate of 3.65 mills for the coming budget year, a figure councilors said would preserve flexibility during budget workshops while allowing the town to address rising costs for utilities, roads and public safety.

Town Administrator Charlotte Rodriguez said the recommended rate was “not just about numbers, it's about building public trust,” and emphasized that the proposed figure can be lowered during the statutory budget process but cannot be increased after the council sets a proposed millage.

Why it matters

Town staff and councilors framed the decision around falling behind on revenue when rates stay at the rollback level and the need to maintain core services — police, sanitation, water and wastewater, and parks — as the area grows. The clerk explained the legal Truth in Millage process under Chapter 200 of the Florida statutes and the timeline for public notices and hearings.

What council discussed

Council and staff presented five millage options; staff said 3.65 was a “practical and strategic” target intended to stabilize operations without “overextending.” Staff cited rising inflation, higher construction and road costs, and recent cuts to state grants for utility expansion as reasons to avoid setting the roll-back rate that would hold revenue flat year-to-year. The town administrator and finance staff noted that taxable values in Highlands County are estimated to rise and that growth pressures will add service demands.

Residents and councilors pushed for clarity on how the money would be spent. Jack Connolly, a resident, suggested removing a planned $200,000 allocation for pickleball courts to reduce the proposed increase, saying, “If we were to eliminate the $200,000 that's going to the pickleball courts, we could reduce that, 3.65, mils by about 50%.” Elena Silva, another resident, asked for an itemized list of large expenditures so taxpayers can see what would be funded if the millage is raised: “We should have a list of all the items or the large items that you're looking to spend that money.”

Tax increment financing, reserves and revenue context

Staff and the clerk explained that the town’s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) captures approximately 95% of incremental tax revenue in the CRA district (tax increment financing), which reduces how much of assessed-value growth flows into the general fund for townwide services. The clerk also said the county-provided preliminary taxable values are estimates and final collections can differ after exemptions or unpaid taxes are accounted for.

Councilors and staff cited the town’s reserve balances during debate. One councilor noted the general fund reserve at roughly $1.3 million and an infrastructure reserve of about $2.4 million and urged consideration of those balances when deciding how much revenue to raise now versus drawing reserves.

Action taken

Council voted to set the proposed millage rate at 3.65 mills. The motion carried with a majority of councilors voting yes and one councilor voting no (see actions below). Staff emphasized that the rate can be reduced during public budget workshops and a second statutory adoption hearing in September.

Next steps

The council scheduled budget workshops and encouraged residents to attend. Staff will prepare more detailed budget materials, including the DR-420 scenarios the clerk runs to compute rollback and proposed levies, and will present program-specific requests and justification at the workshops so the council and public can evaluate tradeoffs.

Ending

Council members and residents framed the vote as a starting point for budget work rather than a final spending decision. The advertised proposed millage will trigger the statutorily required TRIM notices and public hearings this summer; the council can reduce the rate at later hearings after reviewing detailed budget requests but will not be able to raise it above the proposed ceiling.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Lake Placid Regular Meeting -7/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Lake Placid Town Council voted July 14 to set a proposed millage rate of 3.65 mills for the fiscal-year budget process, a step officials said keeps options open while enabling the town to address rising costs for services and deferred infrastructure.","taxTitle","Lake Placid, Highlands County, Florida","taxId",54067,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6172425,"Council asks town administrator to meet owner about tower site and surrounding structures; buildings likely to be removed",0,6216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5389390-f1bcefe6e64dca5b59f67059cfe8999d&start=6216&end=6216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5389390-f1bcefe6e64dca5b59f67059cfe8999d/thumbnail_6216000.jpg","/articles/6172425/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Council-asks-town-administrator-to-meet-owner-about-tower-site-and-surrounding-structures-buildings-likely-to-be-removed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172425-0b220f3a8a77bd41f3c340e9500f6327/orig.mp4?Expires=1773543780&Signature=WnbTjjdEqt0NNSDC4g~XkiaUNAL-ZFHjNxm7MWgtwYHJMyXRp3huGGBcu5UlwsDxfx6s6l3HyFEmZZ4ttb5ZkYQGl5EBPkoUHjHSoQMAkKJ~Fxlj846ALvBICjCDCT39D6GYMlj7avzwmQ3ABvEbafseojCiuNW8VAB-D3DiwLx7a3bDzOimKu0-YK3yoG68OgAOl~ZqSW~JG2TrmEXAO0BzTngsim3B4cJCEuHcVcToDbTxS3I9P~fpUbXJoJrPeRC~ZwdFL~Vxp7TNchkk8k7BTOFl3giBuHSK6~OZfJ8QYggzaKYfwX22VEqagfBoo9QgapUWWmmSa3U7Vov4TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Placid Town Council directed the town administrator to meet with the owner of the tower property and to invite him to the council's August meeting to discuss options for the site and the deteriorated buildings behind the tower.

Town staff said the property owner, identified in discussion as Mr. Chuck (Spirk), has been in intermittent talks with the town about the site since 2009. Staff reported the buildings adjacent to the tower have code and condition issues and residents and councilors repeatedly urged that the structures be removed. Councilors said they want the owner to describe his plans and any timeline for demolition, sale or transfer of the tower and surrounding property.

Preservation, liability and drainage

Council members acknowledged the tower's historic and sentimental importance to many residents but said the town could be unlikely to accept ownership if it would inherit significant liability and maintenance obligations — most notably an obsolete elevator system. Staff noted that assuming ownership could require major capital investment and higher insurance exposure. Councilors suggested several paths: encourage the owner to demolish unsalvageable buildings; explore marketing the property with and without the tower to potential private buyers; engage Highlands County and the Tourist Development Council to assess interest and funding options; and ask the owner whether he would donate the tower while retaining or selling the rest of the parcel.

Residents highlighted additional constraints. Several speakers reminded council that a vegetated swale and drainage elements on the property were installed to protect Lake Clay from runoff and that responsibility for those drainage features must be preserved when the site changes hands.

Action taken

Council voted to authorize the town administrator to meet with the owner and to request that he appear at the August council meeting prepared to discuss options and next steps. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps

Staff will meet with the owner and report back to council; the owner has been invited to attend the August meeting. Staff and councilors suggested the town coordinate with county economic development and the Tourist Development Council on potential preservation or redevelopment partners.

Ending

Councilors emphasized that the first practical step is to have a substantive, in-person discussion with the owner in August and to press for demolition of the unsafe buildings in the near term if the owner will not proceed with repairs or sale.","Councilors asked the town administrator to meet the property owner of the former tower plaza and return in August with options after the owner said he is prepared to discuss the site's future. Councilors and residents urged demolition of deteriorated buildings behind the tower and raised preservation, liability and drainage concerns tied to the",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6172432,"Council approves up to $21,757 to replace failing cemetery irrigation pump",342,5854000,6196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5389390-f1bcefe6e64dca5b59f67059cfe8999d&start=5854&end=6196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5389390-f1bcefe6e64dca5b59f67059cfe8999d/thumbnail_5854000.jpg","/articles/6172432/Lake-Placid/Highlands-County/Florida/Council-approves-up-to-21757-to-replace-failing-cemetery-irrigation-pump","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172432-a16888a6a00f133e616258a2753f5b27/orig.mp4?Expires=1773543780&Signature=DYoicLoCFca1m5P6vmPKY4naCJ6lZA08xWxpte4H20xeHqdinTiK~gdigcZfWI9iwuBokkBVvHXblRevO5Cp7gURN4lktHejqeBs-ms7vC7waTumiZcTLkiqEvU-JpC4WFSCVRvyxjh5hw47vIjscHIemqFHG4eUVbn2uoW7iGq7QM4Y6BNgO1Zw0A3Ghp3hxyExgI9antthW7WowXX917qITDx7QCY7lk1XBnQQssr5PiJOZH8abv4Q4Dct4Fz990HI264HeQhnFZaVOhhG2htEugvLR~YNKFCXYU9WKanr9auTXSq05Ri6~2SPwlp2WS4tpFbqV928pzzqVdgBfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Placid Town Council authorized the town administrator to pursue replacement of a failing cemetery irrigation pump and associated pipe at a cost of up to $21,757, a project staff said would be funded from the cemetery reserve.

Public Works Director Alan Kiefer told the council the existing 30-horsepower turbine pump has been in place for roughly 20 years, has been rebuilt multiple times and recently seized. After pulling the turbine the crew discovered the cast-iron drop pipe and bottom screen were corroded and “completely caved in.” Kiefer recommended replacing the aging turbine arrangement with a 300-gallon-per-minute submersible pump and PVC drop pipe to reduce maintenance and operate more efficiently.

Kiefer summarized the operational case: the submersible pump will deliver about 6 gallons per minute to each of roughly 50 sprinklers per zone, provide room to expand, and avoid the maintenance and corrosion problems associated with cast iron. He also asked the council to authorize the town administrator, Charlotte Rodriguez, to advertise for bids and, after procurement, to award the work to the lowest qualified bidder so work could proceed more quickly during rainy season.

Council action and votes

A motion to authorize the town administrator to pursue the submersible pump replacement (up to $21,757) passed unanimously. Council recorded affirmative votes from Council member Charles, Council member Everhart, Council member Hayes and Council member Worley (see actions). Staff said the purchase will be funded from the cemetery reserve.

Next steps and context

Staff will complete procurement per the town’s purchasing policy and return any material contract award details to council if required by policy. Public works noted urgency because the cemetery landscaping and new planting areas rely on reliable irrigation during the growing season.

Ending

Council approved the change to a submersible system with the stated goal of lowering future maintenance costs and avoiding repeating the corrosion failures experienced with the older turbine system.","After a public-works report that a 30-horsepower turbine pump had corroded beyond repair, the town authorized the administrator to proceed toward procuring a submersible pump and PVC drop pipe at a cost not to exceed $21,757, funded from the cemetery reserve.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake Placid council sets proposed millage at 3.65 amid debate over reserves, CRA and service costs

Council asks town administrator to meet owner about tower site and surrounding structures; buildings likely to be removed

Council approves up to $21,757 to replace failing cemetery irrigation pump