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 Lake
County is served by a Board of County
Commissioners representing five districts in the
County. Elected by the County at large, each
serves a four-year term, in which the terms are
staggered.
The
Board of County Commissioners is the legislative
branch of County government. Individual
Commissioners are both lawmaking officers and
fiscal representatives of the County. The County
Manager and County Attorney are appointed by the
Commissioners to oversee daily operations,
personnel and legal matters.
The
City of Tavares, situated between Mount Dora and
Eustis, was founded more than a century ago by
Major Alexander St. Clair Abrams, who built a
railroad line through the town to support his
lumber company business. In 1888, Tavares became
the County seat.
 From
the 1840s when Capt. Melton Haynes trekked
through Central Florida to settle in the heart
of Lake County, many of those who have visited
Lake County since have decided to stay — and for
good reason.
Lake County was
formed from a portion of Orange and Sumter
counties in 1887. Many called for the
1,156-square-mile county to be named after one
of its founding fathers, H.H. Duncan, a former
state representative and County Clerk of the
Court. However, with hundreds of pristine lakes
gracing its countryside, Lake was the natural
choice. Lake County is known for its diverse
landscape and terrain ranging from 0 to 315 feet
above sea level. With rolling hills dotted by
orange groves in the south to the pristine flora
of “Old Florida” in the north, the striking
physical beauty of Lake County has captured the
hearts and imagination of many. With an array of
dynamic features that includes more than 1,000
lakes and rivers, Lake County continues to
attract visitors for many of the same reasons
that captivated Capt. Haynes.
In Lake County's
earliest beginnings, pioneers looked to the
earth for their livelihood. It grew into a place
rich in agriculture. The County was home to
Florida's largest peach orchard in the 1920s and
was second in the world for citrus production in
the 1960s. Mother Nature took a toll on those
citrus crops during a series of freezes in the
1980s. Because of the permanent damage to many
citrus groves, the growers moved south.
Today, Lake County
is a different place. Expansive parks and
recreational facilities, and higher paying jobs
are the key reasons. A booming population has
led to a surge of new housing construction.
Tourism is at an all-time high. Visitors flock
to antique shopping areas and cruise on the many
lakes. Sports enthusiasts experience the
adrenaline rush found at several competition
water-ski schools and a nationally recognized
triathlon training center.
For all these
reasons, Lake County is a different kind of
community. County government working hand in
hand with businesses, civic groups,
organizations and city leaders resulted in these
positive changes. Quality customer service is
the County government’s number one priority.
Together, the leaders of the community and its
citizens are continuously striving to make Lake
County a wonderful place to live, work and play. |
