Highland Park councilors back asking Lake County to favor North Shore takeover if South Lake Mosquito District dissolves

Highland Park city officials on Thursday urged Lake County to favor a merger with the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District if the county proceeds with dissolving the South Lake Mosquito Abatement District, citing continuity of service and lower taxes as chief concerns.

Assistant City Manager Emily Taub told the Committee of the Whole that Lake County adopted an ordinance on Aug. 12 proposing dissolution of the independent, taxing South Lake Mosquito Abatement District, and that the county is now conducting an audit of the district's financial statements. "We are recommending combination with an adjoining district," Taub said, describing consolidation with North Shore as the most cost-effective option the city has identified.

The committee was briefed on how the process would proceed under county guidance: an audit, an authorizing ordinance, public notice that triggers a 30-day period for petitions to force a referendum, appointment of a trustee if no referendum is filed, and completion of dissolution not less than 60 days after a trustee's appointment. Taub said Lake County estimates the process could take about six months from start to finish if no petition is filed.

Why…