City News

LAKELAND, FL (April 1, 2020) | During a Special-Called City Commission Meeting that took place today, the Lakeland City Commission voted 6-1 to close all parks following the release of the Governor’s Executive Order.   Governor DeSantis issued a statewide safer-at-home order this afternoon as federal and local pressure mounted for him to abandon the county-by-county approach he had been implementing. 

LAKELAND, FL (April 1, 2020) | Due to the latest data on confirmed cases from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) along with the input received from the citizens of Lakeland, the City Commission is meeting today at 3 p.m. to revisit their decision to open additional park amenities.

LAKELAND (April 1, 2020) - On April 1, 2020, at approximately 12:24 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving two vehicles near Holly Road and East Memorial Boulevard. According to reports, a 2002 Honda Accord was traveling eastbound in the inside lane of US 92, locally known as East Memorial Boulevard. A the same time, a 2017 Jeep Compass was traveling westbound in ...

LAKELAND, FL (March 31, 2020) | The Lakeland City Commission voted to reopen trails, tennis courts, boat ramps, and dog parks during a March 30^th Specially-Called City Commission Meeting.  These and other park amenities were originally closed on March 24^th as a way to enforce social distancing to help curb the spread of COVID-19.  The City Commission after much discussion passed the motion to reopen some park spaces to potentially alleviate overcrowding in other public locations. The Parks & Recreation Department met to evaluate venues and determine which park spaces could be opened based on Commission recommendations. Even with the opening of additional amenities, it is important to note the decision will be monitored going forward and visitors must practice social distancing, proper hygiene and disinfect any contact surfaces. The following City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation spaces will reopen the morning of Thursday, April 2^nd. Ongoing decisions regarding public restrictions will be evaluated weekly based on the impacts of COVID-19.

LAKELAND, FL (March 30, 2020) | At the March 30^th Specially-Called Lakeland City Commission meeting to discuss coronavirus impacts, the Lakeland City Commission voted 6-1 to revisit earlier decisions and open walking trails, tennis courts, pickleball courts, the Cleveland Heights Golf Course, dog parks and boat ramps based on a review by the Parks & Recreation Department.   The park amenities were originally closed as a way to enforce social distancing to help curb the spread of COVID-19. 

LAKELAND, FL (March 30, 2020) - The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) on-site accreditation team review, originally scheduled to begin on April 6, 2020, has been postponed until Monday, May 4, 2020. The public information session has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. The session will be conducted in the City Hall Com ...

Lakeland, FL (March 25, 2020) | Lakeland Electric was recently recognized by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) with a Restoring Communities Award. The award, sponsored by Burns and McDonnell, recognizes public power utilities that have either provided or received mutual aid following significant weather events in the state, as well as utilities that have provided mutual aid assistance for day-to-day operations to fellow FMEA members in need.

LAKELAND, FL (March 24, 2020) - During a specially-called City Commission meeting on Monday, March 23^rd, the City Commission agreed to limit public access to City buildings during the coronavirus pandemic.  In an effort to implement social distancing and minimize human contact during this crisis, City facilities are closed to the public for 30-days or until further notice effective March 24^th.  Many City Departments have established online services and in-person appointments are available in advance for some business functions.

LAKELAND, FL (March 23, 2020) | City of Lakeland utility services are suspending late fee charges beginning March 25^th in an effort to assist those customers that may be directly impacted by the coronavirus. Lakeland Electric, Lakeland Water & Wastewater, and Solid Waste utilities are committed to helping those customers served who may be directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19. 

LAKELAND, FL (March 23, 2020) | During a specially called City Commission meeting to discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 virus, a decision was made to close additional park facilities in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The following park spaces will close at dusk Monday, March 23^rd until March 30^th or until further notice: