City News

LAKELAND, FL (March 19, 2020) | Lakeland Electric continues taking steps to minimize and slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our customers and employees. With that in mind, Lakeland Electric is closing the drop-box located at 501 E. Lemon Street effective immediately until April 30 when they will re-evaluate.

LAKELAND, FL (March 19, 2020) | The City of Lakeland Wastewater Division warns those sheltering at home due to coronavirus concerns: Never flush any hygiene products other than toilet paper down your toilet. “Baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, paper towels or anything that isn’t actual toilet paper, must go directly into the trash,” said Bill Anderson, Director of Water Utilities.  When flushed, these products clog sewer pipes and pump stations, increase utility maintenance, create environmental concerns and cause extra work throughout the wastewater system. 

LAKELAND, FL (March 18, 2020) | Due to the COVID-19 virus and the precautionary measure of social distancing, Finance Customer Billing located on the first floor of City Hall (228 S. Massachusetts Avenue) will not be accepting walk-in customers at this time.  

LAKELAND, FL (March 17, 2020) | Parks & Recreation will close the Main Library, Larry Jackson Branch Library, eLibrary, Simpson Park Community Center, Kelly Recreation Complex, Coleman-Bush Building, Gandy Pool, Lake Mirror Complex and the Splash Pad at Barnett Family Park the end of the day Tuesday, March 17th (today) in order to minimize the impacts from the COVID-19 virus. The facilities used as voting locations for the March 17th Presidential Primary elections will not be impacted. At the end of regular business hours on Tuesday, March 17th, the listed facilities will close and remain closed for 30 days starting March 18th until further notice. Employees will use this time to perform business operations, routine maintenance, and clean facilities. The rental office at the Lake Mirror Complex will be closed to walk-ins but will be available for phone 863.834.2280 or email correspondence (lakemirrorrentals@lakelandgov.net).

LAKELAND, FL (March 12, 2020) | The Agenda at-a-Glance includes highlights for the upcoming March 16^th City Commission Meeting Agenda.  The agenda and backup materials are available to view and download at lakelandgov.net/agendas. The Lakeland City Commission will discuss agenda items in detail at the Agenda Study session on Friday, March 13^th starting at 8:30 a.m. The public can watch Agenda Study Sessions, City Commission Meetings as well as Committee Meetings live on Spectrum 643, FiOS 43 and streamed on LakelandGov TV. For a full live meeting broadcast schedule, visit LakelandGov.net/TV. 

LAKELAND, FL (March 11, 2020) | The City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation Department has started the process of removing 15 trees that overhang the courts at the Beerman Family Tennis Center. The Laurel Oaks on Southington Avenue next to the tennis courts are declining in health due to dieback. The damage caused to the vascular system prevents water from reaching the leaves. As a result, trees begin to lose vigor and show symptoms of dieback. Depending on the natural resistance of the tree and environmental factors, this disease can be deadly to Laurel Oaks. Dieback is a disease characterized by progressive death of twigs, branches, and roots that starts at the tips. 

LAKELAND, FL (March 9, 2020) | The City of Lakeland’s Community and Economic Development Department is seeking qualified developers/builders for the purpose of constructing new, affordable homes for income-qualified buyers. The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency and the City of Lakeland have combined surplus vacant land throughout the City as an incentive.  

LAKELAND, FL (March 6, 2020) —A site-based assessment team from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), will arrive on Monday, April 6, 2020, to examine all aspects of the Lakeland Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief Ruben Garcia announced today.  Verification by the team that the L ...

LAKELAND, FL (March 5, 2020) | Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise has begun a resurfacing and roadside improvement project along the Polk Parkway/SR 570.  The project consists of resurfacing an eight-mile segment of the Polk Parkway from Interstate 4 to the Western Toll Plaza (between Lakeland Highlands and Florida Avenue exits). 

LAKELAND, FL (March 5, 2020) | The Lakeland Police Department is seeking engaged Lakeland residents to serve on the Department’s newly formed Citizens' Advisory Board. Nine selected board members will be discussing new agency programs, past police/citizen interactions and providing insight on community needs to agency and City administrators.