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County to advertise MSTU to separate unincorporated law enforcement costs
Summary
Lake County commissioners voted to advertise an ordinance creating a Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) to segregate sheriff services in unincorporated areas from the general fund and bring the item to public hearing Dec. 2; staff will complete a consultant study to apportion sheriff costs.
The Lake County Board of County Commissioners voted Nov. 18 to advertise an ordinance to create a Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) intended to separate the sheriff's costs for services in unincorporated areas from the county general fund.
County staff explained the proposal is not designed to add a new tax but to bifurcate services now funded through the general millage so unincorporated residents can see the portion of sheriff costs that fund road patrol and other services specific to unincorporated areas. The county will publish the ordinance and hold a public hearing on Dec. 2.
Jennifer Barker said the county has retained a consultant to analyze sheriff budget components and call data to determine what portion of the sheriff's budget should be attributed to the new MSTU. Supporters on the board said that if the MSTU is created and the board reduces the general fund millage dollar for dollar, city residents would not see a net tax increase.
During public comment, David Williamson, a county commission candidate, opposed what he called another tax and asked whether the county had offered the property or opportunity widely before deeding county property elsewhere (this comment was part of earlier consent discussion). Commissioners emphasized this action is to advertise only and will return with fuller documentation and public hearings before any tax roll or millage change takes effect.
What happens next: the board will hold a public hearing on Dec. 2 and the consultant study will inform the final MSTU structure and any future millage adjustments.
