lakelandgov.netlakelandgov.netlakelandgov.net

228 S. Massachusetts Ave.Lakeland, FL 33801

863.834.6000

www.lakelandgov.net

City of Lakeland’sMonthly Newsletter

30290-I-0140

January 2014

The City of Lakeland operates under a Commission-Manager form of government. City Commissioners are elected by residents and in turn, they hire a City Manager to oversee the daily operations of the municipality. The City Commission makes policy decisions, passes ordinances and resolutions, sets tax rates and approves the City’s budget among other matters required by state or federal law. The City Commission accommodates to the needs of its citizens by enacting local legislation based on the necessities of the citizens.

The City Commission consists of seven (7) electors: the mayor, four district commissioners and two at-large commissioners. Each member serves a four-year term. The City of Lakeland has a new City Commissioner that will begin his new term this month after participating in the November 2013 City-wide election and a run-off election December 3, 2013. Please welcome Jim Malless as Lakeland’s newest City Commissioner. Lakeland also has a new Mayor starting this month with Howard Wiggs being elected during the November 2013 City-wide election. Howard has served as a member of the Lakeland City Commission for the past 19 years. Please welcome Mayor Howard Wiggs.

Lakeland City Commissioners encourage residents to continue to play an active role by staying informed and engaged in local government. City Commission meetings allow citizens to see their government at work and to participate in the process. Regular meetings are generally held at Lakeland City Hall on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m. An agenda study meeting is held on the Friday before a regular meeting in the Commission conference room at 8:30 a.m. Meeting agendas are available online at www.lakelandgov.net. All regular meetings are broadcast live on LGN channel 615 (Bright House Networks) and channel 43 (Verizon FiOS). A live web stream is also available at lgn.lakelandgov.net. The City also invites citizens to stay engaged through social media. The City maintains a Facebook page that can be easily found by searching City of Lakeland, FL and we have a very strong Twitter presence for those that want to receive information in 140 characters or less. You can find our Twitter feed by searching @lakelandgov. The City hopes that all residents have a very happy and prosperous New Year!

YOURCITYCOMMISSIONERS

MEETV I S I O N

M I S S I O N

V A L U E S

LAKELAND

➢

➢

•

•

–a vibrant, innovative, culturally-inclusive,

world-classcommunity.

A communityworking together

to achievean exceptionalquality of life.

Social ResponsibilityLeadership • Integrity

Commitment to ExcellenceEmpowered Workforce

Diversity

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(863)City of Lakeland Mailing AddressLakeland City Hall228 S. Massachusetts Ave.Lakeland, FL 33801

MAIN SWITCHBOARD 834-6000

EMERGENCY 911Airport 834-3298 Beerman Family Tennis Complex 834-2374Box Office (The Lakeland Center) 834-8111Building Inspections 834-6012Business Tax Receipts 834-6025Cemeteries 834-3287City Attorney 834-6010City Clerk 834-6210City Commission 834-6005City Manager 834-6006Civil Service - Human Resources 834-8790Cleveland Heights Golf Course 834-4653Code Enforcement 834-6251Coleman-Bush Building 834-3350Communications 834-6264Community Development 834-6011Customer Billing/Finance 834-8276Downtown Development Authority 687-8910Finance 834-6200Fire Department NON-EMERGENCY 834-8200Fire Inspector/Fire Marshall 834-8201Gandy Pool 834-3157Kelly Recreation 834-3284Lake Mirror Complex 834-2280Lakeland Center Box Office 834-8111Lakeland Electric Customer Service 834-9535Lakeland Vision 682-9660Lakes & Stormwater 834-6276Library - Main 834-4280Library - Jackson Branch 834-4288Neighborhood Services 834-6251Parking Systems (Main Office) 834-6303Parks & Recreation 834-6035Police Department NON-EMERGENCY 834-6900Public Works 834-6040Purchasing 834-6780Risk Management 834-8781Simpson Park 834-2577Simpson Pool 834-2286Solid Waste 834-8773The Lakeland Center 834-8100Tigertown Complex 834-2233Water Utilities 834-8316

importantnumbers

AREA CODE

budgetbrief

Charges For Services $ 418,180,292All Other Revenue 38,222,449Public Service, Communication and Gasoline Taxes 28,054,207Intergovernmental 10,925,892Property Taxes 22,184,170Licenses and Permits 3,185,350Prior Year Surplus 16,431,775

TOTAL REVENUES $ 537,184,135

Fuel & Purchased Power $ 154,192,919Personnel 144,749,346Capital Outlay 55,400,865Debt Service 64,758,549All Other Operations and Maintenance 14,313,686Internal Service Charges 45,595,048Professional and Contractual 39,255,205Utilities 12,466,133Insurance and Fixed Charges 6,452,384

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $ 537,184,135

REVENUESOURCES

EXPENSEBYACCOUNT

COMPARATIVE ANNUAL COST OF SERVICES

F I S C A L Y E A R 2 0 1 4

which would go a long way to help more elderly and disabled customers

with their utility bills.

project

would you consider

find out more @

lakelandelectric.com

roundingup?

donations collected

CARE2013

$38,570

$1,212,520

2013 Fiscal Year

if every residential account “rounded up” the max amount ($11.88/year), we could collect

lakelandgov.netlakelandgov.netlakelandgov.net

STAYCONNECTED

ONLINE

www.lakelandgov.net

IN PERSONCity Hall is open

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Monday-Friday

PUBLIC MEETINGSCity Commission Meetings

First and Third Monday9:00 a.m.

Utility Committee MeetingsFirst Monday

1:00 p.m.

Watch the live broadcast on:

Channel 615 (Bright House) or

Channel 43 (Verizon FiOS)

IMPORTANT NUMBERSCity Hall

863.834.6000

Lakeland Electric Customer Service

863.834.9535

Power or Water Outages863.834.4248

Stormwater Hotline863.834.3300

PAYING YOURUTILITY BILL

ONLINEwww.lakelandelectric.com

BY PHONE863.834.9535

IN PERSONLakeland Electric has partnered with over 50 local businesses

including area AMSCOT offices to accept your utility payment.

Charges For Services $ 418,180,292All Other Revenue 38,222,449Public Service, Communication and Gasoline Taxes 28,054,207Intergovernmental 10,925,892Property Taxes 22,184,170Licenses and Permits 3,185,350Prior Year Surplus 16,431,775

TOTAL REVENUES $ 537,184,135

Fuel & Purchased Power $ 154,192,919Personnel 144,749,346Capital Outlay 55,400,865Debt Service 64,758,549All Other Operations and Maintenance 14,313,686Internal Service Charges 45,595,048Professional and Contractual 39,255,205Utilities 12,466,133Insurance and Fixed Charges 6,452,384

TOTAL EXPENDITURES $ 537,184,135

CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED For The Observance of MLKMonday, January 20

UPCOMING EVENTS

JANUARY 24 • 3-10PMJANUARY 25 • 10AM-5PM

JOKER MARCHANT STADIUMwww.lakelandpigfest.org

FEBRUARY 1 • 11AM-11PMDOWNTOWN LAKELAND

863.688.8787

FEBRUARY 8 • 7AM-3PMTIGERTOWN HANGER #2

pigfest

chalkforcharity

kiwanispancakefestival

WE WANT

OPINION!YOUR

COMMUNITYVALUES SURVEY

Participate and You Could Win Prizes!

Take our online survey January 23rd - February 24th

The City of Lakeland is seeking input from citizens on City services & programs. Your feedback will

become part of the Strategic Planning Workshops with City officials and Commissioners.

LAKELANDVALUES.COMFor further information please call

(863) 834-SWAN (7926)

OF SWAN FOOD

THAT'S LIKE EATING A

FOR THE NEXT

GARBAGE COLLECTED

PAVED STREETMAINTAINED

WITH40,820lbs

6,283,359 MILES 381.5 MILES 83,074 TONS

71 2,060 MILES

155 4,096

215 SWAT

TAKE OFFS/LANDINGS

TEAMTOP 10NATIONALLY10 YEARS IN A ROW

#1

$69.5M

400

22PLAYGROUNDS

52516oz RibeyeEVERY DAY

111 YEARS

THE DEDICATED EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF LAKELAND WORKED HARD IN 2013 TO PROVIDE EACH

OF THE CITIZENS OF LAKELAND AN EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY OF LIFE. THE

CITY OF LAKELAND WAS IN THE NEWS A LOT THIS YEAR. THESE ARE SOME

OF THE FACTS THAT MAY HAVE GONE UNNOTICED. AS WE ENTER IN TO 2014, WE ARE PLEASED THAT WE

ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THIS GREAT COMMUNITY!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In May 2013, the City of Lakeland's Parks & Recreation Department unveiled the brand new Lakeland Skatepark. Constructed on the grounds of Lake Bonny Park, this new facility was designed and built by the world-renowned Team Pain. The park features a deep bowl, flow course, snake run and freestyle/street course.

THAT'S LIKE THROWING AWAY THE DISNEY MAGIC

CRUISE SHIP.

THAT'S THEDISTANCE FROM LAKELAND TOKEY WEST.

PLAYGROUNDPIECES

LINEWORKERS

MAINTAINED

17,902 12,850MEDICAL

4,694OTHER358FIRE

RESPONDED TO

SERVICE CALLS

DRIVEN BY ENTIRE FLEET

OUTAGEREPAIR TIMEAVERAGE

TRANSMISSION &DISTRIBUTION LINES

OR YOU COULD DRIVE TO THE MOON AND BACK 13x13x

70 1MA

LE

FE

MA

LE

6.4M I N U T E S

In 2013, Lakeland Electric was designated by the American Public Power Association as a Diamond-Level Reliable Public Power Provider. Lakeland Electric was one of only six utilities throughout the nation to receive this accolade. Also, Unit 5 at McIntosh power plant continues to hold its "best in class performance" status in all of North America.

In November 2013, Lakeland Fire Department broke ground on Station 7 that will service the citizens in Southwest Lakeland and Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Station 7 is due for completion Summer, 2014.

In 2013, the Lakeland Police Department received national reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) after meeting requirements for 480 internationally accepted standards for the operation of police organizations. The Commission on Florida Accreditation (CFA) also awarded reaccreditation to the department as a testament to the agency's professionalism.

Lakeland Linder Regional Airport sits on over 1,700 acres and leases/operates over 1 million square feet of facilities. Seventy-five businesses and organizations employ over 1,000 people.

MILES OF TREELINETRIMMED

CERTIFIEDFIREFIGHTERS

SWORNPOLICEOFFICERS

K-9 TEAMIN THE NATION2 YEARS RUNNING

FIRE HYDRANTS1 HYDRANT FOR EVERY 24 CITIZENSAND THEIR DOGS! :-)CERTIFIED

PARAMEDICS

ARE ALSO62

THAT’S 1 CALL EVERY 29 MINUTES.

ARRESTS1,990MADE

700,000WITHGALLONS

OF FUELSOLD

IN ATTENDANCE

PRIVATE CAPITAL INVESTMENTIN NEW BUSINESS

85,000World's Busiest Airport* During

SUN 'n FUN Fly-In

510EVENTS490,250

84.68%COMPLIANCE

CODE ENFORCEMENT CASESNEW JOBS1,223 11,237

39.8MEDIAN AGE

RACIAL COMPOSITION

DEMOGRAPHICS

MUTE BLACK MERLE CYGNETSIN 2013

BLACK-NECKED

56 9 2 2 16

SWAN COUNT=85

State of Florida (2012)

Lakeland Electric Service Area (2012)

Polk County (2012)

19, 074, 434

262,288616,158

53.1%46.9%

FEMALE

MALE