Access Lakeland February 2013

30290-I-0124

City of Lakeland’s Monthly Newsletter

, Big Spender... y e H February 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

How Does Public Power Benefit You?

The City of Lakeland Welcomes New Financial Leadership Team

Meet Marquis Roberts: Recreation Supervisor

The City Of Lakeland Wants To Hear From You

228 S. Massachusetts Ave Lakeland, FL 33801 863.834.6000 www.lakelandgov.net

Although the history of Saint Valentine’s Day is a sordid one, the “holiday,” if you choose to call it that, is a day that some love, some loathe and some spend the rest of the year trying to pay for.

It’s the second-most expensive gift-giving day of the year. Valentine’s Day may be about love... but at what cost? Here’s how the cost of this special day breaks down:

Monthly Comparison of Residential Electric Rates

Source: Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Monthly Utility Bill Comparison • November 2012

www.lakelandelectric.com

WHAT IS PUBLIC POWER AND HOW DOES IT BENEFIT YOU?

Lakeland Electric has been owned by the community since 1904 and provides electricity for over 120,000 customers. This local ownership means that utility decisions are made for the benefit of the people and businesses of Lakeland.

The Lakeland City Commission sets the utility’s policies – not a corporate board located across the country or around the world.

Almost all the actions we undertake in our home and business environment require electricity.

Because of that, Lakeland Electric is not only in the community power business, but also in the community planning business. The availability of safe, reliable, and cost effective electricity is a major factor in Lakeland’s ability to attract and keep businesses and help those businesses and individuals who work for them prosper.

No tax dollars are used to support our electric service. We operate our utility on a not-for-profit basis, setting electricity rates to cover all costs.

Rates are set so that some money can transfer to the City of Lakeland’s general fund, holding down community expenses while delivering a high level of community services, such as fire protection, a dedicated police force as well as first-rate recreation programs and award-winning parks facilities.

Lakeland Electric’s contribution not only helps support the police and fire departments, but it also allows us to have one of the lowest property taxes in the State, especially for a community that offers the level of services that we do. Last fiscal year alone, this transfer amounted to $24.5 million.

Without Lakeland Electric’s contribution, the City of Lakeland would have to raise taxes to help cover all of the community’s needs. In fact, Ad Valorem Taxes would have to more than double if the dividend was eliminated.

The City of Lakeland collects about $18 million in property taxes as part of general fund revenues.

The entire general fund budget is $93.4 million

CITY COMMISSION VOTES TO LOWER FUEL CHARGE

Over $38 million of the City’s general fund budget comes from dividend transfers. These dividend transfers are from enterprise operations such as Lakeland Electric, Water Utilities, Wastewater Utilities and Solid Waste.

Lakeland Electric’s dividend is derived from a small percentage of the base rate. Lakeland Electric makes no profit on fuel used to generate electricity.

Our customers are charged only what we pay for fuel as a part of making and delivering electricity to your home or business.

If an independent electric company provided service to Lakeland, it would pay its shareholders a cash dividend. A community based utility that pays back to the City in order to keep property taxes in check is a good thing.

Valuable dollars stay within the area and contribute to the community’s quality of life instead of a stock holder’s wallet. If contributions from Lakeland Electric went away tomorrow, the city would have to increase property taxes or drastically reduce city services. Either way, the quality of life enjoyed by the community would suffer.

Having a community-owned utility like Lakeland Electric has many distinct characteristics that benefit the citizens of Lakeland.

These benefits include: • • • • • • • •

Lower property taxes Responsiveness to customer concerns All customers are represented by the utility board Open utility meetings – aired on television Long-term goals that parallel with City’s strategic planning initiatives Quick response from crews that live and work in the community Greater portion of revenues stay in Lakeland Local employment

The Lakeland City Commission unanimously voted to decrease the fuel charge for Lakeland Electric customers 55 cents per 1,000 kWh effective for meters read on or after January 2, 2013. The new fuel charge will be $42.25 per 1,000 kWh. As part of a presentation at the December 17, 2012 Utility Committee meeting, staff recommended a decrease to the current fuel charge based on forecasts for the upcoming year. Although natural gas prices have increased slightly, there has been a decrease in coal costs and milder temperatures that have resulted in reduced demand for electricity.

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. Lakeland Electric 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 passthrough charge to customers.

Based on Florida Municipal Electric Association data, Lakeland Electric’s residential rates after the January 2, 2013 fuel charge decrease will be the second lowest in the state and the lowest in Florida for large commercial and industrial users.

Visit www.lakelandelectric.com for more information and to see a residential rate comparison.

NEW RESIDENTIAL RATES BASED ON 1,000 kWh EFFECTIVE 1/2/13 BASE CHARGE

$59.31 (includes environmental charges)

FUEL CHARGE

$42.25 (includes fuel decrease)

TOTAL

$101.56

FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP TEAM Mike Brossart recently replaced long-time Finance Director, Greg Finch as the City’s Finance Director. Finch retired after serving 27 years with the City of Lakeland.

Brossart served as the Assistant Finance Director under Finch and he has been with the City for almost 17 years. Brossart said, “I am very excited about this new opportunity to lead the Department where I have spent the last 16 years.” He added, “For decades the Finance Department has been blessed to have strong, dedicated leadership and I look forward to continuing that tradition.”

In conjunction with the restructuring of the senior leadership of the Finance Department, Deidra Joseph transitions from Chief Accountant to Assistant Finance Director. She said, “I am greatly humbled by and appreciative of the opportunity that has been afforded to me. I have really enjoyed working for and with a group of such talented and dedicated individuals and I look forward to continued success well into the future.” Joseph has consistently demonstrated her outstanding financial abilities during her 14 year tenure with the City.

Brossart graduated from Florida Southern College with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing and Accounting. He grew up in Lakeland, graduating from Lakeland High School. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Government Finance Officer and a Certified Public Manager.

Brossart is married to his wife Gina and they have three children.

Joseph graduated from Florida A&M University

School of Business & Industry with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and she has a Masters of Accountancy Degree from the University Of South Florida College Of Business. Joseph is a Certified Public Manager and a member of the Government Finance Officers Association.

The City of Lakeland welcomes the new financial leadership team!

SPRING OBSESSION

Come to Munn Park on Saturday, March 9th, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for the 11th Annual Spring Obsession, Garden and Art Festival. Enjoy a Free family day of activities while exploring the many flowers and plants for sale, attend garden

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presentations, purchase art for the patio and listen to live music from the jazz band Free Time.

After winter, it is time to stock up on all your spring plant needs including: flowering plants for house and garden, outdoor plants for your landscaping, and garden art and accessories to spice up your lawn or patio.

Learn about jazzing up your yard from landscaping professionals as part of the garden presentations. There will also be a presentation on water conservation with rain barrels available for purchase.

Delight in hard to find exotics, orchids, Florida native plants, roses, herbs, gingers, and more as you stroll through Munn Park to the sounds of Free Time. Free Time will play an eclectic and entertaining blend of musical styles ranging from Al Jarreau and Stevie Wonder to Bob Marley, Miles Davis, Grover Washington, Duke Ellington and BB King.

Spring Obsession is a non-profit event with this year’s proceeds going toward downtown projects including new artistic bike racks for downtown that are functional and aesthetic so they look like pieces of art.

In conjunction with Spring Obsession the City of Lakeland, Polk County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District will host a rain barrel sale in the Bay Street Parking lot at 315 N. Tennessee. These ergonomic 55 gallon rain barrels are manufactured with the maximum recyclable content. The barrels include insect resistant stainless steel filter and spigot.

LIKE US ON

G OV E R N M E N T E M P L OY E E S AT WO R K

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Meet Marquis Roberts Meet Marquis Roberts, Recreation Supervisor at Simpson Park Recreation Complex. Roberts has been with the City for 15 years. He started out as a seasonal employee and worked in that capacity for three years before coming on full-time 12 years ago. Roberts said, “Bob Donahay who is the City’s current Parks & Recreation Director was overseeing Simpson Park at the time. He was doing some activity and he had about 20 kids around him, and he said do you want a job, if you do then be here Monday.” He added, “I’ve been working here ever since.”

Roberts grew up right around the corner from Simpson Park. He said, “I use to come here as a kid and I had some great positive role models like Coach Mac. I saw how they dealt with the kids and I knew then that I wanted to be like those guys.”

Roberts was raised by his grandfather because his mother passed away when he was 12-years old. He said, “Simpson Park was my outlet and it holds a special place in my heart. I am blessed to have the opportunity to help shape young lives and I want to be that positive focal point for today’s youth.” Roberts played football and basketball

while growing up and while attending Lake Gibson High School. In fact, he coached the Lake Gibson High School girls basketball team for almost seven years. When asked about his favorite memory of coaching he said, “That’s easy; it’s when we beat Winter Haven for the district championship. That is definitely my fondest memory while coaching.”

Roberts now coaches at Simpson Park as part of their youth basketball program. “I coach 11-12 year olds right now,” he said.“I try to help my players and those that attend Simpson Park by sharing my own experiences and life lessons. I tell them to never burn bridges because you never know in life where you are going to end up. I also tell them that they must do the right thing and be responsible for their own actions.”

Roberts is single and when asked if he has any children, he smiles and says not any of my own but I have over 200 kids that attend Simpson Park that I keep my eye on. He said, “In my spare time I like to attend the various high school sports events and watch the athletes that have been coming here since they were young children.” He added, “Many of them grew up at the facility and I consider

them family.”

Roberts said that his favorite color is blue and his favorite food happens to be turkey wings and yellow rice. When he gets a chance to watch television, he said he enjoys the show Law and Order and his favorite movie is Hoosiers. Imagine that, a movie about basketball is his favorite movie.

Roberts is making a difference in the neighborhood and facility where he grew up. He said, “Here at Simpson Park, we cater to kids and to many of them it’s a home away from home.” He added, “They come here to get away from some of the pressures that they experience and we try to give them a clean, safe and fun environment.

Thank you Marquis Roberts for all you do and giving back to your neighborhood.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU The City of Lakeland is seeking input from citizens on values and priorities of the community. There are TWO ways to make sure your voice is heard. Attend a workshop or participate in the online survey. Either option gets your voice heard and gets you entered into raffle drawings for Detroit Tigers tickets, Cleveland Heights Golf, Lakeland Center Events and more! We hope you will participate because we value your opinions.

Online Survey (January 23rd through February 24th) Can’t make a meeting but still have ideas to share?

Take an online survey at www.lakelandvalues.com. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Survey results will be provided directly to the City Commissioners during their Strategic Planning meetings in April. Results will also be shared online for your review.

UPCOMING EVENTS

jellybean JUBILEE

WWW.LAKELANDVALUES.COM

SIMPSON PARK COMMUNITY CENTER Eggstra Special Egg Hunt • Story Time Cookie Decorating • Arts & Crafts Jellybean Guessing Children 10 & Younger Welcome!

springbreak CAMP KELLY RECREATION COMPLEX $50 per child • K-5 Swimming • Movies • Parks & More REGISTER @ KELLY RECREATION COMPLEX

Community SHORELINE CLEANUPs

www.lakelandgov.net/parkrec

or @ City Hall & all Recreation Facilities

JAN-APR 2013

NOW AVAILABLE

IN PERSON City Hall is open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Monday-Friday PUBLIC MEETINGS City Commission and Utility Committee meetings occur the first and third Monday of every month. The public is invited to attend or watch live on

MARCH 25-29 • 7:30AM-5:30PM

DIRECTORY OF PARKS, PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

ONLINE www.lakelandgov.net

MARCH 16 • 10AM-1PM

Community Values Workshops (Late February) Workshops are for small groups of Citizens to discuss values and priorities for the community. Workshop dates/ times are varied to accommodate busy schedules. Please visit www.lakelandvalues.com to register for one of these events.

PLEASE TAKE THE ONLINE SURVEY TO VOICE YOUR OPINION ON CITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

STAY CONNECTED

Mark your calendar and plan on participating in one of the Lakes and Stormwater Division’s Community Shoreline Cleanups. There are a total of 38 named lakes within City limits as well as numerous smaller lakes.You can make a difference by removing litter that can potentially harm wildlife, clog drainage systems, and become unsightly.

Gloves, bags, and garbage grabbers will be provided. Help our cleanups be even more successful by bringing waders, rubber boots or canoes if you have them available.

Sign up to volunteer by contacting Cindy Hill, Lakes Program Coordinator, at (863) 834-8429 or cindy.hill@lakelandgov.net.

3/9 • Lake Wire • 9-10:30 a.m.

Behind Lawton Chiles Middle Academy • 20 Lk Wire Dr. 4/13 • Lake Mirror • 9-10:30 a.m.

Next to the Lakeland Fire Dept. • 729 E. Main St. 5/11 • Lake Somerset • 9-10:30 a.m.

3100 New Jersey Rd. & Glendale St. 6/8 • Lake Hollingsworth • 9-10:30 a.m.

Boat Ramp • 920 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.

Channel 615 (Brighthouse) or Channel 43 (Verizon FiOS) CITY COMMISSION 9:00 a.m.

UTILITY COMMITTEE 1:00 p.m.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS City Hall 863.834.6000 Lakeland Electric Customer Service 863.834.9535 Power or Water Outages 863.834.4248 Stormwater Hotline 863.834.3300 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.