March 2015 - Access Lakeland

The City of Lakeland welcomes the two newest residents of Lake Morton

30290-I-0154

LAKELAND ELECTRIC RATE INCREASE REFLECTED THIS MONTH

MEET TONY KIRK NEW LPD ASSISTANT CHIEF

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

JEFF CURRY ALTERNATIVE ENERGY COORDINATOR

n e e r g celeRbrIaLtion

LAKE BEULAH TRAIL AND TRANSIT ENHANCEMENTS

AP

CITY OF LAKELAND NEWS & EVENTS

MARCH 2015

17

On Friday, April 17th there will be a FREE Green Celebration in honor of Earth Day with a concert & showcase at the Lake Mirror Promenade from 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. There will be live music from the Grateful Dead tribute band Uncle John’s Band along with a variety of exhibits and displays promoting green living initiatives.

In 1990, Uncle John’s Band was formed by a combination of talented musicians who wanted to recreate the atmosphere and musical adventure of a live Dead show. Over the past 25 years, Uncle John’s Band has performed hundreds of shows full of musical energy. Since 1998 the band has performed every Thursday night at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa and is famous for playing concerts and festivals.

The Green Celebration honors Earth Day, a day intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment. Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and it is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year.

In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22nd as International Mother Earth Day. There will be a number of exhibits and vendors with displays at the Green Celebration. The Polk County School Board will showcase programs and earth friendly initiatives designed to promote a greener more sustainable future. This year, Polk County Schools will exhibit a “green fair”. The audience along with a panel of judges will decide on the most innovative project that promotes a cleaner, greener environment.

Bring a blanket, a picnic basket and enjoy the festivities as we celebrate Earth Day.

featuring

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www.lakelandelectric.com

@mylakelandelectric

LAKELAND ELECTRIC ADOPTS NEW RATES

INCREASE APPEARS ON THIS MONTH’S BILL Lakeland Electric customers will experience a slight increase in their utility bills starting in March. Residential bills will increase $4.18 per month based on 1,000 kWh consumption. The increase in the base rate is because Lakeland Electric has experienced cost increases over recent years without any real increase in revenue.

The last base rate increase for Lakeland Electric was in 2007 and since then costs have gone up.

Approval of new prices that will generate additional revenue took effect February 1, 2015 and will appear on customer bills beginning in March 2015.

OLD RATE NEW RATE Base Rate $ 59.64 $ 63.82 Fuel Charge $ 45.85 $ 45.85 Total $105.49 $109.67 The base rate includes environmental compliance charges that are directly related to federal and state initiatives regarding clean air and water mandates. Most of the expenses are related to energy production and include air emission controls, water quality monitoring and capital spending for equipment necessary to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act. Utility bills are broken out for customer convenience in detail to show the base charge, fuel charge and appropriate taxes and service charges. The fuel charge on a utility bill is exactly that, the actual costs for fuel used to generate the amount of electricity used within your residence. Most utilities subscribe to the same billing practice and break out the base rate and the fuel charge for their customers. There is no mark-up in fuel. In fact, fuel is a straight pass-through charge to customers.

Even with the increase to residential customers the electric service charges are among the lowest in all of Florida.

Concurrent with approval of new pricing, the City Commission and Lakeland Electric are reducing the prices paid by smaller commercial customers. Analysis confirms that it costs less to service small businesses now compared to when prices were set in 2007. Larger commercial and industrial customers will see pricing increases larger than Residential bills.

A new economic development program was also approved by the City Commission as part of the newly adopted rate study. When appropriate to attract new commercial/industrial customers to the Lakeland area, the City will be able to offer discounts on electric services. Discounts will gradually decrease over a fiveyear period. The same incentive will be available to existing customers who expand operations.

The study of electric utility costs and revenues began in early summer 2014. Utility Staff hired the consulting firm of Burns & McDonnell to prepare a rate study. During a series of six public workshops before the Utility Committee, and one public hearing, the public policies, operational considerations, customer cost responsibilities and pricing decisions involved with utility services were thoroughly discussed.

Learn How You Can Start Saving With a FREE Home Energy Audit A FREE Home Energy Audit will help you understand and improve your home’s energy efficiency. A Lakeland Electric Energy Analyst will conduct a thorough inspection of your home by surveying your insulation, duct work, water heating, cooling & heating systems and overall efficiency.

After the audit, you will receive a customized evaluation of your home’s energy efficiency as well as low and no-cost tips for lowering your bill.

Call 863.834.6789 to schedule an appointment.

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First Friday, April 4, the City of Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department will unveil the 2015 Lemon Street Sculptures.

Come join us and vote for your favorite!

TONY KIRK • New LPD Assistant Chief Meet Tony Kirk, Lakeland’s newest Assistant Chief of Police.

Kirk was hired from Topeka, Kansas where he served or 27 years and most recently served as Topeka’s Deputy Chief of Police.

Kirk started his career as a patrol officer and he has continually moved up within the Topeka Police Department.

Early in his career Kirk served as a Narcotics Officer, Community Police Officer and a Detective. In 2005, he was named Major over Criminal Investigations and then he moved to Special Operations and Field Operations before being named Deputy Chief of Police in 2012. Kirk served as Interim Chief of Police from August 2014 to October 2014. Kirk is also a Staff Sergeant with the Army National Guard, and holds both a Masters and Bachelor of Science from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.

He is also a graduate of the 221st Session of the FBI National Academy.

Kirk said, “I am truly humbled and honored by the opportunity that City Manager Doug Thomas and Chief Giddens have afforded me. The opportunity to join a first-class organization such as the Lakeland Police Department in this capacity was totally unexpected.” He added “I am excited and looking forward to working with the men and woman of the LPD. After in-depth conversations with Chief Giddens and Asst. Chief Mike Link. I am looking forward to working with LPD’s senior command staff as we carry the Department into the future.

My family is very excited about this opportunity and looks forward to being a part of the Lakeland community.”

Hazardous Waste Collection

On Saturday, April 4th, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the City of Lakeland’s Solid Waste division in coordination with the Polk County Solid Waste Division is sponsoring a FREE Household Hazardous Waste and End-Of-Life Electronics Collection Event.

The event will take place at the Lakeland Center, 701 W. Lime Street, in the south parking lot west of WONN/WPCV Radio Station. This Mobile Collection Event is intended to make it more convenient for you to safely dispose of your household hazardous waste and discarded electronic equipment.

Household Hazardous Waste Accepted Materials Paints, paint thinners, florescent light bulbs, motor oil, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, insecticides, household batteries, etc. No biohazard (medical) waste or business waste will be accepted.

End-Of-Life Electronics Accepted Materials Computers, monitors, keyboards, terminals, televisions, stereos, printers, fax machines, video games consoles, wireless devices, etc. No more than five items per household please.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call 863.834.8778.

The City of Lakeland welcomes Kirk, his wife Lisa and their two children to Lakeland!

CITY OF LAKELAND EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

JEFF CURRY

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY COORDINATOR

Meet Jeff Curry, the Alternative Energy Coordinator for the City of Lakeland. It only takes minutes in Curry’s presence to feel his passion about alternative energy. Should a Lakeland resident have questions about solar energy, Curry is definitely the person to call. Curry says the most popular items among customers are solar pool heating, attic fans/ ventilation and pathway lighting. Curry enjoys the public interaction aspect of his job and finds “customer relations very rewarding.” A 23 year employee, Curry is also responsible for managing the three solar energy projects Lakeland Electric operates. The utility’s primary solar project is the implementation of large-scale solar farms. Currently the City has one solar farm on Hamilton Road. This solar farm generates 5.3 megawatts of energy which can energize 2,000 homes during a sunny day. A second solar farm is slated for construction in March 2015.

The total project goal is to generate 24 megawatts of solar electricity.

Besides creating hundreds of jobs, this project satisfies the City’s goal to produce renewable energy. Additionally, it helps the City comply with future government legislation requiring cleaner energy. While not yet mandatory, Curry is pleased the City of Lakeland is being proactive. The second project Curry oversees is the residential solar hot water program.

This program encourages Lakeland homeowners to adopt solar water heating at the lowest cost. It enables residents to lock-in long-term solar energy rates that will never rise while they live in their home. It is the fastest and most efficient way to move toward renewable energy and results in the greatest net benefit for the Lakeland community as a whole.

Lastly, Curry manages the Lakeland Electric net metering program. This is for customers who choose to add solar renewable generation to their homes or businesses. Customers with their own renewable generation

offset the electricity purchased from Lakeland Electric. Curry is proud to say, “Lakeland is recognized as a promoter of solar energy in a fiscally responsible way and all the solar projects were designed with our customer’s best interest at heart.”

A Pennsylvania native, Curry received his bachelor’s degree from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. Before the country put its focus on conservation and solar energy, Curry began working with these ideas.

In the 1970s he began his career with the Department of Energy in this field. Fast forward to the 80s and Curry began working as a regional manager and qualified licensed contractor for Reynolds Aluminum in California. During the early 1990s, Curry moved his family back to the East Coast and found himself working for Lakeland Electric as an energy analyst. After five years, he transitioned to the position that he currently holds. With retirement on the horizon, Curry is already relishing what he will do with all his free time. More than likely, you will find him in a boat on the water. An avid sailor, with a few trophies under his belt, Curry has sailed in the British Virgin Islands, to Catalina Island, New England, Jamaica, in the Chesapeake Bay and the Bahamas. A father to one son and one daughter, he loves sharing this hobby with his family. Soon, he will be able to pass along his love of the water to his first grandchild, who will make an appearance in April! When not sailing, Curry enjoys reading non-fiction books. He loves reading war stories and novels about historic figures like Magellan, Columbus and Patton. Curry’s favorite meal of the day is lunch. At lunchtime, he can be found at Tapatio’s enjoying chicken enchiladas and chips and salsa. His favorite music is Jazz and he loves dogs.

Thank you, Jeff Curry, for your contributions to the City of Lakeland!

DO YOU KNOW WHERE CLIPPINGS SHOULD GO? Sweep them back onto your lawn

EVERY TIME you mow!

Lake Beulah Trail

and Transit Enhancements The City of Lakeland Public Works Department is excited about the completion of the Lake Beulah Multi-Use Trail and Transit Enhancements project. Lake Beulah is a central focal point in the Lake Beulah Heights neighborhood, was platted in the 1920s. In addition to residential housing, Lake Beulah is also surrounded by the Lakeland Center, Veterans Memorial Park, Lakeland Housing Authority and Blake Academy Magnet School.

After one year of construction, the 0.66 mile loop around Lake Beulah along Lake Beulah Drive has re-opened. There are many unique aspects that range from its connectivity and linkage of pathways and bicycle/pedestrian facilities to its connections to schools, parks and activity centers.

The new enhancement includes pedestrian crossings and signage to improve the multi-modal connectivity with existing Lakeland Area Mass Transit District’s Citrus Connection bus service. Historic lighting, drainage improvements, and a new traffic signal have also been added. There is now a direct link between Lake Beulah and Veterans Memorial Park along with improved connectivity to the citywide Lake-to-Lake Bikeway network.

Lake Beulah now provides not only enhanced safety for students of the nearby school but also improved bike, pathway and transit amenities for residents. The project cost was $568,000, which included contributions from the Lakeland Mid-town CRA, Florida Department of Transportation and the Parks and Recreation Department.

Fire Assessment Fee

The City of Lakeland is exploring the implementation of a Fire Assessment Fee to assist funding the Lakeland Fire Department. The Lakeland Fire Department is currently funded through the General Fund. The General Fund provides funding for a number of essential municipal services such as Parks & Recreation, Public Works, Community Development and Public Safety.

The current Public Safety budget for both fire and police services is $56 Million and the City only collects a portion of that through property taxes. The City of Lakeland receives only $21.9 million in property taxes. Of the 28,500 residential homes inside the Lakeland City limits, 15,200 of those are valued at less than $50,000. Over 2,000 residential homes have zero taxable value. In fact, 56% of the 28,500 residential homes inside Lakeland pay less than $200 in property taxes. This means that the majority of general fund City services are paid for by 44% of the residential taxpayers.

Because of this inequity, the City Commission is seeking more diverse revenues to support fire operations. If implemented, a Fire Assessment Fee would provide a stable funding source for fire operations that would be spread out to all that receive the service.

Over 30% of all Florida municipalities have a Fire Assessment Fee in place. Locally, Polk County, Haines City & Bartow have already implemented Fire Assessment Fees. For more information regarding the City’s proposed Fire Assessment Fee or to find out how you can attend a public meeting on the subject, please visit www.lakelandgov.net/FAF

POLLUTION HOTLINE 863.834.3300

STAY CONNECTED

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IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

City Hall • 863.834.6000 Lakeland Electric Customer Service • 863.834.9535 Power or Water Outages • 863.834.4248 Pollution Hotline • 863.834.3300 LPD Crime Tips Hotline • 863.834.2549 LPD (Non-Emergency) • 863.834.6900 PAYING YOUR UTILITY BILL: ONLINE | www.lakelandelectric.com BY PHONE | 863.834.9535 IN PERSON | Lakeland Electric has partnered with over 50 local businesses including area AMSCOT offices to accept your utility payment.