During public comments at the end of their regular meeting Monday, city commissioners faced a barrage of criticism (and a bit of support) for their 4-3 decision three days earlier to use red-light camera funds to move the Confederate monument from Munn Park to Veterans Park. Former Mayor Howard Wiggs said it was disingenuous to […]
Category: City Hall
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Fancelli Foresees Another Strong Mayor Attempt
In a wide-ranging discussion with podcaster Bump Galletta, real estate investor Gregory Fancelli says he envisions another push for a strong mayor for Lakeland. “I firmly believe that the opportunity to do this again will present itself pretty soon,” said Fancelli, who spearheaded last year’s unsuccessful attempt to change the city charter to allow an […]
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January City Commission Election Will See Fewer Voting Locations
If you vote in person for the Jan. 15 City Commission election, chances are you’ll be going to a new location. In an effort to cut costs, city commissioners today reduced the number of polling places from 25 to 12 — and most of those will be on city property.
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Commissioners Vote to Fund Monument Move
City commissioners today gave their staff the green light to move the Confederate monument from Munn Park to Veterans Park by Jan. 31. By a 4-3 vote, they authorized the use of up to $225,000 in red-light camera funds for the move.
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Lakeland Airport Sets Sights on Passenger Service, Growth
Although most Lakelanders have little day-to-day contact with the city’s airport, officials say Lakeland Linder International Airport has a $284 million economic impact on the community, including being home to 45 businesses with 1,500 employees.
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Don Selvage Will Replace Dunn Until January Special Election
Less than a year after he left office, Don Selvage is returning to the Lakeland City Commission for the next three months. The commission this morning chose him as interim commissioner to succeed Michael Dunn, who resigned from his Southwest District seat last week. Selvage represented that district for eight years prior to Dunn’s election […]
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Dunn Resigns City Commission Seat After Indictment
Michael Dunn’s resignation, effective immediately, means Gov. Scott won’t have to take steps to remove him from the Lakeland City Commission less than a year after being elected. City commissioners on Friday will discuss next steps on appointing a replacement and holding a subsequent special election. Also today, Dunn had a second appearance before a […]
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City Commission: Don’t Move Morgan Creek Preserve Pond
An audience of Morgan Creek Preserve homeowners cheered Monday afternoon when the Lakeland city attorney explained the significance of city commissioners’ tie vote: The developer may not proceed with a plan to move a scenic retention pond so eight more houses could be built.
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Volatile Morgan Creek Dispute Goes to City Commission
A clash between the developer and residents of a gated community near Lakeland Linder Airport appears to be a straightforward case but it’s not: Morgan Creek Preserve homeowners want to stop Landstar Lakeland from moving a portion of a visually appealing stormwater retention pond to make room for eight houses.
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Commission Chips Property Taxes, Declines Homeless Funding
Highlights of tonight’s Lakeland City Commission budget hearing: Commissioners unanimously approved a $612 million 2019 budget as recommended by their staff. They granted a small reduction in the property tax rate. Compared with the current rate, the 2019 rate of 5.4644 mills will save property owners a dime for every $1,000 of taxable property, or […]