LAKELAND, FL (July 25, 2022) | The Lakeland City Commission participated in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget workshop today. The six-hour workshop identified the current budget and outlined fiscal needs for the 2023 budget. Most of the workshop and City Commission discussions involved public safety and future needs of staffing for 2023 for both the Lakeland Police Department and the Lakeland Fire Department. The City Commission voted 7-0 to have an advertised property tax rate not to exceed 5.7649 mills for every $1,000 of assessed property value. This millage rate has not been officially set or voted on. The official vote will take place during the budget hearings on September 8th and 22n.d.
The FY23 budget assumes there will be 12 new firefighters and 13 sworn police personnel, as well as land acquisition and construction of a new fire station on the city’s north side (Station 8). Additional firefighters and police officers have a budget impact of 0.3326 mills. The advertised rate, which does not exceed 5.7649, includes the current rate of 5.4323 and the increase of 0.3326 to cover the cost of additional public safety personnel. An increase of 0.3326 miles equates to an annual increase of $33.26 on a property with a taxable value of $100,000.
The Lakeland Fire Department has identified a need for a station on the north side based on growth and current operating hours. A new Station 8 would reduce response times north of Interstate 4 and provide relief for Station 3 located at 110 West Bella Vista Street. Chief Doug Riley said, “Station 3 did over 7,000 runs last year and a new station will help spread some of those runs while improving service for our citizens on the north side. We would also like to purchase enough property so that the Lakeland Police Department could have a substation on the north side.”
The Lakeland Police Department has also outlined the need to hire additional officers based on population growth. The Department is looking at a phased approach and has requested 13 new sworn personnel for FY23. Chief Ruben Garcia said, “This is a great opportunity to hire the right people for the available positions. This is a well thought out plan with a phased approach as the community continues to grow. A substation for the northern sector of our community would bring the neighborhood policing element to an area that greatly needs it and save travel time for those assigned to the northern quadrant of our community.”
The commission voted to hold $700,000 of available American Rescue Funds as a holdover for future project discussion. This includes funding requested by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce for a small business incubator and additional funding for the arts community. The City Commission will have a budget hearing that will be open to the public on September 8thth which will take place in the City Commission Chambers at 18.00. The FY23 budget will be finalized in the final budget session on September 22.n.d.
CONTACT
Kevin Cook
Director of Communications
City of Lakeland
863.834.6264
[email protected]
About Lakeland
The city of Lakeland was incorporated in January 1885 and has grown to become one of the largest inland communities in Florida. With a current population of over 100,000, Lakeland continues to grow. It has been designated a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area by the US Census Bureau for more than 30 years. With tourist attractions and bay beaches only an hour away, Lakeland continues to take advantage of its ideal central Florida location along the I-4 corridor. The city owns and operates Lakeland Electric, the third largest publicly owned utility in Florida and was one of the first to provide power to the Sunshine State over 110 years ago.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please visit www.lakelandgov.net. Citizens are also invited to follow the city on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Snapchat and Nextdoor. Citizens can find the City of Lakeland on these social media platforms by searching lakelandgov.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
Citizens are invited to follow the city on social networks.
