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Welton Cadwell talks to attendees before the Lake County Board of Commissioners present the state of the county address on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 in Tavares.

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published: Friday, November 27, 2009

'It's been a tough year for everybody'

'It's been a tough year for everybody'

State of the County

Commissioners gird for a tough 2010, laud 3 construction projects

DAVID DONALD

Staff Writer

Declining tax revenues, record-high unemployment and a growing home foreclosure rate have challenged Lake County officials in 2009.

"It's been a tough year for everybody," said County Commission Chairman Welton Cadwell. "We know next year is going to be just as big of a challenge."

But instead of focusing on the negative, Lake County officials chose to stress some of the most positive developments Tuesday with a video at the "2009 State of the County" event.

Cadwell said the commission has positioned the county to weather another bad year, while still holding on to commitments to maintain county services and not raise property taxes.

County officials touted several construction projects and programs created and finished in 2009 that offer long-term benefits to residents.

The North Lake Community Park, a 96-acre park in Umatilla, opened last May with an expansive playground, picnic area, baseball, softball, football and soccer fields. County officials say the regional park is attracting various sporting tournaments, which bring visitors to the area to spend their money at local businesses.

A 1,547-space parking garage, tax collector's and property appraiser's offices were all completed during the summer.

The Cooper Memorial Library, a collaboration between the county, Lake-Sumter Community College and the University of Central Florida, also opened during the summer. The 50,000-square-foot library has a collection of 75,000 items, 200 computers, a children's story room, cafe and bookstore.

Improvements to the county's website also are making it easier for residents to seek county services, officials say.

Residents can search for properties and pets online with the Lake County Commercial Property Finder and Adopt-a-Pet.