Property taxes will increase almost 14 percent in Lake County, after a vote in the county commission Tuesday night.
For the last several months, members of the Lake County Commission have whittled away at a projected $15 million budget shortfall.
Part of the budget all of the commissioners seem to support is more than $3 million for raises for Sheriff's Office deputies.
"Our biggest issue is taking care of personnel and that's our biggest cost," Commissioner Tim Sullivan said. "That's why it's one area that I don't believe is negotiable, but everything else is on the table."
On top of the new millage rate of 6.8146, the county cut the budget by $4.8 million. They also added back a storm water project and plans for a south Lake regional park.
Commissioner Sean Parks said based on other county field — which generated more than $10 million from a single tournament earlier this year — the park could quickly pay for itself.
"The more fields that we can provide, the more teams can come and the more money can be spent in the local economy," he said.
Overflow seating was set up for Tuesday night's public hearing, when he planned to submit a proposal to put off courthouse renovations for at least two more years in favor of park funding.
But Sullivan said it's a delicate balancing act as they try to not overburden taxpayers.
"I'd like to see more parks, but I don't know if it's financially responsible to do that in this budget year," he said.