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Florida state lawmakers will gavel in tomorrow, Jan. 13, kicking off a 60-day legislative session that could bring both long-sought help — and serious challenges — for Lakeland and its neighbors.
This year, Lakeland zeroed in on four funding requests, totaling $4.1 million. City officials say these projects are important, realistic and likely to benefit the broader Polk County region.
At the same time, they’re keeping a wary eye on proposals that could upend how cities pay for everyday services. More than 1,750 bills had been filed for the 2026 session as of Jan. 12. Those causing the most anxiety locally would reduce or completely eliminate non-school property taxes — a key funding source for police, fire protection, roads, parks and other city services.
A strategic list of asks
“These are doable,” Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley said of the four requests at a November strategy session. “There will be big cuts again this year in the legislative process. When our elected officials in Tallahassee say they’re cutting to the bone, they’re cutting to the bone.”
“We want to be good proponents of the city of Lakeland, while also understanding the predicament that state legislators are in as far as what they are going to ask for and how they are going to allocate money.”
Septic-to-sewer conversions
Lakeland is asking the state to contribute $2 million toward a $4 million project to move six lower-income, west-side neighborhoods off of septic tanks and onto the city’s sewer system. The neighborhoods are Alameda Drive, Crescent Heights, Bayview Drive, Kendrick Lane, Mayflower Drive and West Robson Street.
Many of the 2,275 homes in these neighborhoods rely on aging septic systems that can fail, potentially contaminating groundwater and polluting nearby waterways. In the state funding request, Rep. Jennifer Canady (R-Lakeland) said removing those systems would protect public health.
If approved, the state money would pay for planning and pre-construction work.
Public-safety radio replacements
City officials are asking the state for $1 million toward the $11.5 million cost of replacing aging radios used by Lakeland police and fire departments. The current radios, purchased in 2012, are no longer supported by the manufacturer, “creating a risk to dependable emergency communications,” according to the funding request, filed by Canady.
New Motorola P25 radios are “essential to officer safety, firefighter coordination and public trust in emergency response,” the request says.
San Gully Road drainage stabilization
Lakeland wants the state to chip in $1 million toward a $2.4 million project to stabilize and improve drainage along San Gully Road. The road’s drainage system collects stormwater runoff from about 430 acres of residential and roadway surfaces in southwest Lakeland, according to the funding request filed by Canady.
The existing open drainage channel has unstable, eroding side slopes that pose safety risks for drivers and increase flood concerns for nearby 55-plus communities such as Beacon Hill Colony and Mas Verde. The project would replace much of the channel with an enclosed piping system, along with an improved open-ditch segment.
Public Works staff said the construction design is done, so the project is “shovel-ready” once funding is in place.
Se7en Wetlands Water Education Center
Lakeland is also asking for $115,000 for the Se7en Wetlands Water Education Center, a long-sought facility that would double as an educational resource and part of regional water management efforts.
The request, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (R-Lakeland), says the center will teach residents about watershed health, flood mitigation and environmental stewardship — issues that extend well beyond city limits.
The bigger worry: property taxes
As the session begins, city leaders are also concerned about what the Legislature might take away.
Several proposed constitutional amendments would reduce — or in some cases eliminate — non-school property taxes for homeowners. The loss to Florida municipalities could be up to $18.3 billion annually.
City officials say even the less aggressive proposals could force difficult choices, shifting costs to renters and businesses or cutting services that fall outside protected categories.
Any constitutional amendment supported by three-fifths of the state Senate and House of Representatives would appear on the November 2026 general election ballot. If approved by at least 60% of voters, it would become law.
Here’s a snapshot of the seven proposed constitutional amendments and one bill (HB 215) that Lakeland is watching closely:
- HJR 201 — Eliminate all non-school property taxes on homesteads
- HJR 203 — Phase out non-school homestead property taxes over 10 years
- HJR 205 — Eliminate non-school property taxes for homeowners age 65 and older
- HJR 207 — Exempt 25% of the assessed value of homestead properties from non-school taxes
- HJR 209 — Increase the non-school homestead tax exemption to $200,000 for properties with property insurance
- HJR 211 — Expand Save Our Homes portability for non-school taxes
- HJR 213 — Limit property-assessment increases for all properties
- HB 215 — Revise Save Our Homes rules and restrict local millage-rate increases
Navigating the session
Lakeland’s strategy is to stay alert and engaged. The city is represented in Tallahassee by longtime lobbyist David Shepp of The Southern Group, who will provide weekly updates and watch for grant opportunities as the session unfolds.
City Manager Shawn Sherrouse said each department has a list of projects ready if additional state dollars become available. Deputy City Manager Rob Hernandez will track bills that could negatively affect the city, including the property tax proposals.
Lakeland commissioners traveled to Tallahassee Nov. 17–19 to meet with lawmakers ahead of the session and plan to return for Polk County Day on Jan. 22. They are also working with the Florida League of Cities to help lawmakers understand how certain proposals could affect local governments.
To contact legislators
You can contact your legislators or reach out to bill sponsors with the following links:
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