Lake County voters will have a direct say on a new property‑tax referendum when they head to the polls on Nov. 3. The measure proposes a 1‑mill levy—equivalent to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value—that would take effect on July 1, 2027, and remain in place for four years.
What the tax would fund
The proposed revenue is earmarked for three core priorities: raising teacher pay, bolstering school safety, and expanding mental‑health services for students. School Board Member Tyler Brandeburg emphasized that “our focus is making sure our kids have the resources they need to be successful, and that’s due in large part to making sure our teachers have what they need to stay in our classrooms.”
Background on prior levies
Lake County voters previously approved a 0.75‑mill property tax in 2018, which was renewed in 2022. According to the district, that funding has supported resource officers, deputies, safety guardians, mental‑health liaisons, and school nurses. It also enabled the launch of four alternative schools and added more school psychologists and social workers.
Brandeburg explained that the board “looked at our current situation and thought that we had to go out for a renewal anyway to get the 0.75, and thought the risk of trying to increase an additional 0.25 purely for teacher salary increases was a necessary risk that we needed to take.” He noted that rising cost‑of‑living pressures continue to outpace the modest increases the district receives from state funding.
How the referendum will appear on the ballot
The measure will be listed on the general‑election ballot alongside other local and statewide contests. If approved, the additional 0.25‑mill portion would specifically target teacher‑salary enhancements, while the existing 0.75‑mill component would continue to fund the safety and mental‑health programs already in place.
County officials are urging residents to consider the long‑term benefits of stable funding for educators and safety personnel, arguing that a well‑resourced school environment is essential for both academic achievement and community well‑being.
What voters should know
Voters should be aware that the levy is a property‑tax increase, meaning homeowners will see a modest rise in their annual tax bill based on the assessed value of their property. The additional revenue is projected to be spread evenly over the four‑year term, providing predictable budgeting for the school district.
Community leaders and parents are encouraged to attend upcoming school‑board information sessions, where detailed breakdowns of the proposed spending will be presented. Those who support the measure argue that investing in teachers and safety now will prevent larger costs down the road and help maintain the high quality of education that Lake County families expect.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
