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Lakeland opened 2026 with a milestone moment as Sara Roberts McCarley took the oath of office to become Lakeland’s first elected female mayor.
She was sworn in on Monday alongside returning commissioners Stephanie Madden and Mike Musick and newly elected commissioners Ashley Troutman and Terry Coney.
The ceremony — held at the RP Funding Center instead of City Hall to accommodate a crowd of about 275 people — also included proclamations honoring outgoing Mayor Bill Mutz and longtime Commissioner Bill “Tiger” Read for their years of service.
Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley takes the oath of office. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
McCarley receives a hug from her husband Trey and her family looks on. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
McCarley signs the oath of office. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
Kia Troutman looks on as her husband Ashley Troutman and Stephanie Madden sign their oaths of office. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
Terry Coney prepares to sign his oath of office as Mike Musick caps his pen. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
From left: Commissioner Stephanie Madden, Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley, Emma Mutz, Pamela Mutz and Bill Mutz. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
The newly sworn commissioners and their families. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
Commissioner Stephanie Madden and outgoing Mayor Bill Mutz smile during often-humorous farewell speeches. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
Commissioner Mike Musick reads a proclamation to retiring Commissioner Bill “Tiger” Read. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley puts her new nameplate on the dais after being sworn in. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
Commissioner Terry Coney, shortly after being sworn in. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
The new Lakeland Commission, Jan. 5, 2026 | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
McCarley bangs the gavel to end her first Commission meeting as mayor. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow 
A crowd of about 275 people watched the swearing in ceremonies. | Cindy Glover, LkldNow
Read: ‘I’m going fishing tomorrow’
Musick read a light-hearted proclamation celebrating Read’s decade on the commission and his gruff, plain-spoken style — including “legendary Bill Read-isms” like “there again,” “how much did we buy that for?” and his go-to request, “can I see a map?”
Read, who stepped down two years early because of health challenges, was praised for his steady presence and habit of “questioning the question” to fully understand issues.
“I want to thank the citizens of Lakeland for allowing me to serve you,” he said. “And today’s my last day, so I’m going fishing tomorrow.”
Mutz: ‘Do meaningful work anyway’
In his farewell remarks, Mutz praised the commission as compassionate, pragmatic and community-minded. He urged members to prioritize civility and listen to constituents — without letting criticism derail their work.
“Today, anyone who steps up to lead — whether in business, ministry, community work or even online — faces constant scrutiny,” he said. “Social media gives critics an unlimited reach, often without accountability.”
Leadership, he said, requires “the courage to act, knowing you will be misunderstood and criticized. The goal isn’t to avoid criticism, it is to do meaningful work anyway.”
McCarley: ‘A humbling honor and a privilege’
McCarley framed her new role as an extension of Lakeland’s long tradition of community service.
“It is a humbling honor and a privilege to serve the city of Lakeland,” she said, describing the community as a place where “neighbors care for one another, where all have the opportunity to provide for their families, where city foundations are civil and safe, and where everyone — young or old, rich or poor — plays a part in the success of the greater community.”
She said she plans to work with staff “with respect, humility and open-minded eagerness.”
“Our staff does a lot that you don’t see,” she said, adding that she intends to approach the role in that spirit.
“I may not be the person shouting and screaming and holding up a sign and saying, ‘Look at me.’ But …I’m going to show up behind the scenes, and I’m going to work as hard as anybody has to support this community,” she said.
Troutman: ‘I’m your neighbor first’
Troutman used his first remarks to reflect on his family’s Lakeland story, tracing it back to his grandfather’s move from Georgia in the 1930s.
“Had it not been for that … I would not be here right now,” he said, adding that his sense of service is grounded in gratitude for those who came before him.
Troutman also reminded residents that “although I am your southwest city commissioner … I’m your neighbor first.”
“I’m dealing with the same issues that you are. … I pay the same taxes that you pay,” he said. “We are going to work together to forge a better future for, not only my children, but for each of your children and your grandchildren as well.”
Coney: Running for office wasn’t a ‘bucket-list thing’
Coney said serving on the City Commission wasn’t something he’d been planning for, but conversations with residents and community leaders over the summer convinced him to step forward.
“This really wasn’t a bucket-list thing,” he said. “But I feel honored to be up here and I promise that I will do my best for the city of Lakeland.”
He noted that he already has strong relationships with his fellow commissioners through years of work on city boards and as president of the NAACP Lakeland Branch.
“I feel good about working with everybody up here,” Coney said. “We may not get it right all the time, but our focus is always on what’s important for Lakeland.”
LaLonde named mayor pro tem
The new commission voted unanimously to name Commissioner Guy LaLonde Jr. as mayor pro tem for 2026.
Madden, who served in the role in 2024, nominated him, and Musick — last year’s mayor pro tem — seconded the motion.
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