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02/28/2008
The City Commission recently had their retreat to plan for the upcoming budget cycle. A presentation was given by staff that addressed issues that correlate with the City’s goals. The City has five goals: a Communications Goal, Financial Responsibility Goal, Quality of Life Goal, Economic Opportunity Goal and a Growth Management Goal.
Greg Finch the City’s Finance Director had several slides that compared cost of services to other municipalities. One slide compared the average monthly residential utility bill in several communities. The utility bills all included the electric base rate, fuel charge, water, wastewater, garbage collection and stormwater fees. Out of the communities that were compared, Jacksonville residents have the lowest utility bills averaging about $225/month. Gainesville residents have the highest at $275/month. Lakeland residents pay on average $240/month for utilities.
Last night was the first session for the 2008 Lakeland Citizens Academy. This is a hands-on interactive program that allows residents to learn about their City government. We have a large group that has signed up for the class. In fact, we have already started a roster for the 2009 sessions because of the growing popularity of the program. The class learned about the history of the area starting back to the 1800’s and heard from the City’s Finance Director regarding budgeting and finance.
Download a copy of the 2008 City Commission Retreat Presentation
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02/29/2008
City Manager Doug Thomas and members from staff travelled east this morning to meet with a team from the City of Orlando, Orange County and Metroplan Orlando regarding the CSX project. Orlando has been an integral player in trying to get commuter rail started in Central Florida. The City of Lakeland recently approved a resolution that calls for the State to do a complete rail study that encompasses both commuter and freight for the entire state.
The resolution was done in response to State lawmakers proposing $491 million to purchase about 61 miles of CSX rail line for a commuter rail service around greater Orlando. This proposal would put commuter rail between DeLand and Orlando on tracks currently designated for freight. The shift would move a rail-freight transfer facility from Orlando to Winter Haven, increasing train and truck traffic in parts of Polk County on infrastructure that is already failing by Florida Department of Transportation standards. Instead of doing commuter rail piece meal, the City of Lakeland is suggesting to State Legislators that a comprehensive study be done to explore the best way to move people and goods throughout all of Florida before almost half-a-billion dollars is spent on 61 miles of track.
See the entire resolution here
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03/01/2008
Going green does have a price. Lakeland Electric is currently in the process of placing some very expensive equipment on Unit 3 which is our coal fire generator. There are some mandates set forth as part of the Clean Air Interstate Rule that we must meet in order to be compliant. The project is costing about $70 million.
On the Federal level, Senate Environment & Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer from California and Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont have proposed the "Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act". This proposed act is aimed at combating climate change by putting caps on CO2 emissions and allowing the trade for CO2 credits to those that do not meet standards. A new MIT study concludes that if the Sanders-Boxer approach comes to fruition it could impose an annual carbon tax ranging from $1,600 - $4,900 per family-of-four household.
Read full MIT study here:
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03/05/2008
City Administration continues to make the City a better place to live, work and play through our strategic planning process. The City’s strategic plan is comprised of five goals.
Communication Goal
“Develop an informed and engaged community.”
Economic Opportunity Goal
“Create and encourage inclusive, lasting environments that grow, attract and retain a creative, talented, educated and technically qualified workforce.”
Fiscal Management Goal
“Develop and effectively manage financial resources.”
Growth Management Goal
“Ensure planning and infrastructure results in quality developments and safe, attractive neighborhoods.”
Quality of Life Goal
“Provide quality public spaces; deliver superior municipal services; and support arts, education, recreation and wellness.”
These five goals are the foundation of the City’s strategic operating plan. Each goal has a set of desired outcomes that the City wishes to achieve through a number of assigned action items. The strategic operating plan is a map that will guide us to be a better organization through improved customer service. You can view a 2008 first quarter action update here
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03/07/2008
The CSX issue continues to unfold. Today representatives from the City of Lakeland were invited to speak to myregion.org regarding the impacts of the proposed Winter Haven CSX logistics center and the increased freight trains that will move on the tracks through downtown Lakeland. There are bigger issues that involve $491 million in state tax monies to purchase a limited area of track from CSX to bring commuter rail to the Orlando area.
The proposed project calls for freight trains to be diverted in order to handle about 61 miles of commuter rail between Deland and Orlando. There are a lot of people out there that are questioning the proposed deal and they are asking the state to develop a comprehensive commuter rail plan before spending that kind of money. The City of Lakeland, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and even the Polk County Board of County Commissioners have all gone on record requesting that the impacts of the proposed CSX logistics center be studied and a comprehensive commuter rail plan be developed.
Myregion.org is led by a group of public, private and civic leaders and they encourage cooperation among communities to create a coordinated, comprehensive plan for Central Florida's future. Myregion.org is a planning group with representatives from Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia Counties. Go here www.myregion.org to learn more about the organization.
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