Local Politics · Winter Haven, FL
On Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners voted 4–1 to adopt a $377,158,764 budget for Fiscal Year 2027, maintaining the millage rate at 6.5900 mills. The general fund rises approximately 8 percent to $86,135,247, with $19.3 million allocated to police, $18.5 million to fire, and $14.78 million to parks and recreation. Commissioner Chad Davis cast the sole dissenting vote on both the budget and millage rate, proposing a rollback to 6.3888 mills funded by drawing $1 million from the city's unassigned fund balance; his amendment failed 1–4. Mayor Brian Yates countered that the proposed savings would amount to roughly $50 for a $250,000 home and argued against tapping emergency reserves absent unforeseen circumstances. The city's taxable property values grew 4.97 percent to $5.61 billion, with new construction contributing $164.8 million of that increase.
Housing & Development · Lake Wales, FL
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a $144,473,884 budget for the upcoming fiscal year, supported by a millage rate of 8.0462 mills—a 6.85 percent increase over the rolled-back rate. The added revenue funds major projects including $17.5 million toward restoring the historic Walesbilt Hotel, $1 million in citywide street resurfacing, a new south fire station on Hunt Brothers Road, and continued rollout of the Lake Wales Connected downtown revitalization plan. A homeowner with a $200,000 taxable value would pay approximately $1,609 in property taxes, roughly $103 more than the prior year. The city's taxable property base grew by more than $1.5 billion (20.56 percent) over the past year due to new construction and annexations.
Community News · Lake Wales, FL
The City of Lake Wales will construct a 3,200-foot asphalt multiuse trail in Crystal Lake Park, creating a continuous loop around the lake when connected to the Park Avenue Connector Trail. The project includes a scenic lake overlook with outdoor seating, historic-style lamp posts, native landscaping, and reconstruction of a Third Street segment behind the Lake Wales Public Library into an asphalt trail with a Victorian garden. Three existing trails and three in development will link Burns Avenue outside Bok Tower Gardens through the city's parks system to the downtown historic district. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned at Crystal Lake Park at the corner of Sessoms Avenue and 4th Street, with community members invited to attend.
