Lake County commissioners voted to approve Resolution 2025-29, a statement of support for the statewide Healthy School Meals for All funding measure on the November ballot.

Alana Medeiros, deputy director, presented the resolution and described the ballot proposals as measures to retain current state revenue related to the Healthy School Meals for All program and to add additional funding by increasing taxes on households with incomes above $300,000. Medeiros said a fully funded program could allow local school districts to stop using general fund dollars to meet program costs and could free district funds for other needs.

During discussion, speakers offered a range of perspectives. One commissioner and several attendees raised concerns about program administration, the quality and healthfulness of mass-provided meals, and long-term cost and governance. Other commissioners and staff argued the measure would relieve an unfunded mandate for local school districts and reduce the stigma some students feel when only low-income students receive subsidized meals.

A housing and public administration perspective offered by county staff noted the local school district currently spends about $200,000 annually from its general fund to meet obligations tied to the program; supporters said retaining and dedicating state revenue would relieve that burden. Medeiros also noted that additional revenue, if raised, could be allocated to anti-hunger programming and SNAP implementation at the state level.

After discussion the board voted to approve the resolution supporting the Healthy School Meals for All funding measure. The meeting audio recorded affirmative votes; individual roll-call votes were not read aloud.