By Marty Proctor
Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks recently hosted Coffee and Conversations at Clermont’s icon, The Citrus Tower. Commissioner Parks was joined by Lake County School Board member Marc Dodd, Lake County Tax Collector David Jordan, and Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell.
Scott Homan of The Famous Citrus Tower welcomed the group stating, “Our vision is to be a location for the community.” The Tower is offering annual memberships for $100 that include unlimited access to the pass holder and 4 guests per day to the top of the Tower along with other discounts and benefits. “The program has been very successful, especially since we added sponsor Chick-Fil-A”, Mr. Homan added.
Tax Collector Jordan opened the presentations with his “money and people ” concept of the operation of the tax collectors office and role. “We collect about half a billion in fees and taxes for 91 taxing bodies” stated Mr. Jordan. “We send most residents both birthday and Christmas cards.” Referencing the drivers’ license and plate renewals sent at birthday time and property tax bills at Christmas. He later answered questions and discussed the simplification and ultimate elimination of business taxes and the County’s efforts to collect some of the $7M in short term rental taxes.
School Board member Dodd then took the podium. He told of his experience and why he initially ran for office as a former educator. He also outlined the structure of the Board and the role of the Superintendent running the schools on a day to day basis while the Board is responsible for the management and administration of public schools. The challenges of ranking 62nd of 67 counties in funding while being 19th in student count, pointed out the Board’s significant debt reduction and upcoming school building and renovation plans.
Sheriff Grinnell stepped up reminding us to “help us help you to make these 1157 square miles a safer place.” He outlined Department activities from HOA community outreach to providing 700 fully loaded backpacks for students to operating the County jail and the South Lake Substation for the citizens of Lake County.
Sean Parks finished off the presentations thanking Boy Scout Troop 268 for attending and being interested in local government. The Commissioners oversee a $400M budget which is a process that takes from January to final presentations in September. Next, he discussed the latest in affordable housing. He reminded the audience “this is not your vision of a slum or problem area somewhere else.” The situation is a “race for those making $15-18 an hour to live.” Some of the solutions County is considering include accessory dwelling units, higher density housing where appropriate. “There is an appropriate way to build and locate this higher density housing.”
The team then took audience questions to close out the meeting portion of the evening. The officials were available for one-on-one questions and discussion with the attending citizens.
Marty Proctor is a writer for the South Lake Tablet covering Groveland and the surrounding area. His primary interests are the local impact of city and county government, local growth management, tracking area charitable groups and sharing factual information.
Marty is a long-time resident on Lake Emma north of Groveland doing public information consulting, social media marketing and freelance writing as well as fishing, bowling, and caring for wife Julie and dachshund Georgia.
