Lee County Commissioners will be asked tomorrow to consider decreasing the millage rate for ad valorem taxes. This has some environmental activists concerned. A slice of property taxes in Lee County fund the land conservation program known as 20/20. Under the current millage rate – the revenue would be 40 million dollars next year. But County Manager Don Stillwell, who’s recommending the rate reduction says the program will still be very well funded.

“The least amount I’ve head is 20/20 would get 32 million dollars next year. There’s no cut. It’s a reduction in the millage rate which would reduce the number of dollars the county gets.”


Stillwell says the reduction is being considered because of the increase in property values which has translated into more tax revenues. At the current rate the county is looking at a 130 million dollar surplus – Stillwell he’d like some of that money to remain in the pockets of citizens. Funds from 20/20 have been used to purchase more than 12 thousand acres of environmentally sensitive land in Lee County.