Access Lakeland November

30290-I-0189

LEDs BURN BRIGHTER

LOWER YOUR BILL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

CHRISTMAS RECYCLING

DON'T TRASH CHRISTMAS!

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

MEET OUR CITY MANAGER, TONY DELGADO

Q&A WITH YOUR CRA

Learn more about the Community Redevelopment Agency

ROUND UP FOR PROJECT CARE CITY OF LAKELAND NEWS & EVENTS

NOVEMBER 2017

Visit lakelandelectric.com to sign up today!

As a City-owned utility, our goal is to provide Lakeland with reliable electric service but we also feel it is our responsibility to help
improve the quality of life for our customers. To help our fellow citizens in need, a program called Project Care was developed
to assist people with paying their electric bills. Lakeland Electric customers who are 60 and older and/or disabled are eligible for
assistance. Project CARE is about people caring for people, neighbors helping neighbors.

With your support, Project CARE can help provide emergency assistance to those in our community who have experienced
a recent personal or family crisis that has placed them in danger of losing their utility service. Project CARE raises thousands of
dollars each year through customer donations. Since its inception in December of 1994, Project CARE has raised almost $500,000
to help families and individuals. With your contribution, this program will continue to help our neighbors in need.

The program provides emergency relief for temporary financial hardships — not chronic or long-term debts. A customer is
eligible for a maximum benefit of $150.00 per year. All donations collected by Lakeland Electric are administered by Catholic
Social Charities, a local non-profit organization that helps determine customer eligibility and need through an established
screening process. Won't you please help? Simply go to www.lakelandelectric.com and click on the Project Care button, fill out
the enrollment form and we will do the rest.

Lakeland Electric also offers a convenient way to participate. Through the Round Up program, Lakeland Electric customers
can choose to automatically round up their utility bills to the next highest dollar amount. For example, a participating customer’s
monthly bill of $153.75 would be automatically rounded up to $154.00 with the additional 25 cents going to Round Up for
Project Care.

Each month the donation will vary, depending on the amount of your electric bill. There will be a separate line on your utility
bill indicating the amount donated to Round Up for Project Care for that particular month. The minimum amount you contribute
each month is one cent and the maximum is 99 cents. The maximum any customer can contribute in a year is $11.88 ($0.99 times
12 months).

If you are interested in participating in the Round Up program, please call Customer Service at 863-834-9535 or visit www.
Lakelandelectric.com and fill out the form because small change makes a big difference. Project CARE has helped thousands of
local families through difficult times and with your help we can continue to assist those in need.

$245.34if your utility bill from Lakeland Electric is:
HOW IT WORKS: 246.00$youpay:
$.66contribution to project care:

YOURSMALLCHANGECANMAKEABIGDIFFERENCE!

www.lakelandelectric.com

@mylakelandelectric

LEDs BURN BRIGHTER &
USE LESS ELECTRICITY

Understanding how much electricity Christmas lights use helps to
plan which lights will work best with your home and better prepare for
an increase in utility bill charges. Your display size and choice of bulbs,
whether incandescent or LED, will influence your energy bill the most.

So, how much electricity do Christmas lights use? It depends on
the type of lights used for holiday decorations. A 100-count string of
incandescent mini lights runs at 40 watts, while a 70 count of 5mm
Wide Angle LEDs is approximately 4.8 watts total. In fact, because
incandescent wattage is 80-90% more than LED wattage, the cost
to power incandescent decorations can be up to 90x greater than
powering an LED.

To calculate, we will use the average price of electricity for a
residential customer using about 1,500 kwh of electricity per month.

INCANDESCENT WATTS LED WATTS

21 4

One Wreath 4

42 One Garland

408 Ten Strands of Lights 48

164 40

SIGN UP TODAY! 635= TotalTwo Outdoor Decorations 96=
$1078 $163

As you can see, changing from incandescent holiday lighting to
LED’s can save you money immediately on your utility bills. LEDs
typically burn cooler and brighter than incandescent bulbs as well.

CHRISTMAS RECYCLING TIPS:

Don’t be The Grinch that Trashed Christmas….Have a BIG Heart!
Have a Green Christmas….Don’t know what to do with all that extra garbage? You can make Christmas a lot easier on you and your family by
simply following a few easy steps. Don’t throw all that wrapping paper and gift boxes in the trash, your blue recycling cart is eager to take it in.
Should Santa bring you new appliances, computers & electronics, cell phones, toys, clothes and furniture, we can help!

Appliances CEolmecpturotenriscs& Cellphones Toys,FCulrontihteusre&
puiCcnrekawqullapuoneutoserftdoaalfalfspiupcpseeelcitadioanlacneds.
(tHoealDaePzicaotsltoerclrdkacaooacrCndholuioecnersusrodrWnenmactca-syopayssmycortLoelacebpfindiFaeutdatstdifec,oioilrpnllsi)nats.yaaretnaendtdt- DPomirsrDocacogayermrldbalemeepsdhsdtiococthennVrlealoitoppuelhrgedoonhvfncoiLeedrPseDr. OcladnloSobracealuvldnaGwotinooaaonntdteAewddrimlacl tyloo.yrtohuinrg

Don’t forget to recycle those Christmas Trees. Our Solid Waste team will be happy to collect your Christmas Trees.
After Christmas, please place your tree curbside on your yard trash day for collection.
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

CITY OF LAKELAND EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

TONY DELGADO CITYMANAGER

Tony Delgado began his career with the City of Lakeland in January Parks and Community/Commercial Recreation from Southern Illinois
1997 as the Assistant Director for The Lakeland Center. In 2000, he University in 1983, he began an 18-year professional career path in
became the Assistant City Manager. Four years later he was promoted Sports, Entertainment and Convention Facility Management industry in
to Deputy City Manager and in 2015 Delgado was appointed Interim facilities in Chicago, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Tampa. His first major
City Manager by the Lakeland City Commission. Since January 2015, job was at the St. Louis Checkerdome Arena in the Marketing and Group
Delgado has served as the City Manager for the City of Lakeland. Sales Division.

As the City Manager, Delgado is responsible for administering the Throughout his career, Delgado has been lucky to work with some
oversight of all City operations and supervises 2,165 full-time and 556 amazing performers. To name a few: Carlos Santana, George Michael,
part-time employees. In addition, he is accountable for a combined Reba McIntyre, The Almon Brothers, Steve Walsh, Nine Inch Nails, No
budget of $566 million. Delgado is also the administrative liaison to Doubt, Pat Benatar, Garth Brooks, The Who, Genesis, The Grateful
the City Departments of Lakeland Electric, Communications, Finance Dead, Tony Bennet and Rush. The most memorable for him was Elton
and Police. John, who Delgado says “puts on one incredible show!”

Outside of work, Delgado is active in numerous community service Delgado has been married to his wife Robin since 1993. Mrs.
boards throughout Lakeland. He currently serves the community as a Delgado is an Executive Assistant for the Bank of Central Florida.
board member for Lakeland Vision, Polk Vision and The Polk Museum Delgado enjoys golf, traveling, attending sports events and concerts,
of Art. He has previously sat on the boards of the Central Florida Speech but truly loves baseball and is a “die hard” Chicago Cubs fan. He is
and Hearing Center, United Way, VISTE and the InnerAct Alliance. also a self-professed foodie and while traveling loves to visit restaurants
Delgado is a Certified Public Manager from Florida State University. highlighted on the TV show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. His favorite
He is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland XVIII and Leadership Polk food is authentic, Mexican food cooked by his mom. Delgado says,"My
Class II. He has also served as the chairman of Leadership Lakeland mom is an outstanding cook."
Class XXIV and Leadership Polk Class VII.
What does Delgado love most about Lakeland? He loves that
Delgado is the oldest of four siblings born to Anthony and Lakelanders care about their community. He is grateful folks want to be
Carmela. He has a great relationship with his parents and enjoys any engaged in the possibilities of what Lakeland can be in the future. He
opportunity to visit them. Delgado shared that his parents instilled in enjoys being a part of this beautiful, quaint City, that is trying to learn its
him perseverance, believing in yourself and a can do attitude. These place in the big city market.
ideals have carried him through life, both personally and professionally.
After he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Tony Delgado, thank you for being an integral part of making Lakeland
a great place to live, work and play!

37TH ANNUAL 2017 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

1S0ATAUMR-2DPAMYDMEUCNENMPBAERRK9 CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF:

NOVETMHABNEKRS2G3I-V2I4N,G2017

NO SOLID WASTE PICKUP ON NOV. 23.
Collection will occur one day later for remainder of week.

CHRISTMAS
DECEMBER 22 & 25, 2017

NO SOLID WASTE PICKUP ON DEC 25.
Collection will occur one day later for remainder of week.

JANNUEAWRYYE1A,R2'S018

NO SOLID WASTE PICKUP ON JAN 1.
Collection will occur one day later for remainder of week.

Q&A

with Your CRA

CTHIIMPE-D What is a CRA?
A Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is established by local governments
DECEMBER 1T6RATIHL to reduce or eliminate blight, improve the tax base and encourage public and private
investments in the redevelopment area.
THREE PARKS
REVEENGT-DIASY TRATION - 6:30AM What are Lakeland’s CRA Districts?
Lakeland has three CRA districts. They are Downtown (est. 1979) Dixieland and
Cleveland Heights Golf Course Midtown (est. 2001). Downtown Lakeland is centered around Munn Park and Dixieland
CRA is a commercial corridor with a collection of vintage retail shops, restaurants and
2900 BUCKINGHAM AVE coffeehouses where the creatives go to connect and collaborate. Midtown, the largest
of the three CRA Districts, spans from the intown bypass to Interstate-4. The area is
RACE BEGINS - 7:30AM anchored by the Medical District, Joker Marchant Stadium and the newly redeveloped
Mass Market.
$35 ENTRY FEE
RUNNIEFRRSREGGA1UIC1SAET-RTE2AR-8NSETHD-EI1BRE7YDT Activities in CRA districts are funded by tax increment financing. When the CRA is
created, property values are frozen. Any tax increases in real property value, referred
AHTTOJILORLELYLY to as “increment,” are deposited into the Community Redevelopment Agency
ENCOURAGED! Trust Fund and dedicated to the redevelopment area. The revenues can be used
immediately, saved for a specific project or bonded to maximize the funds available.
REGISTER ONLINE AT: Every CRA district has a Redevelopment Plan to guide activities.

FOR MORE INFO: [email protected] What Kind of Redevelopment Occurs in the Districts?
The Redevelopment Plan outlines the goals and objectives for the district, and more
importantly, outlines specific programs and capital improvements designed to reach
those goals. Possible programs include master planning, street improvements, park
improvements, housing development along with recruitment of new businesses
and partnerships.

What is Lakeland CRA Currently Doing?
Most recently, the CRA wrapped up Mass Market which houses an event venue,
art studio, commercial kitchen, offices, urban garden and 12 apartments. Projects
on deck include targeted rehab of properties East of Downtown, a dance studio on
Massachusetts Avenue and Lincoln Square.

Lincoln Square is a 5-acre site that was previously home to 120 poorly managed
apartments. The apartments were demolished in 2013, and the CRA has since been
developing plans for residential housing. In 2016, prototype homes were designed.
Currently, the home owners are in the process of signing contracts and 21 single family
homes will be built over the next year. For more information visit the CRA’s website
www.lakelandcra.net. Follow the CRA on Facebook.

STAY CONNECTED Online | www.lakelandgov.net ­ In Person | City Hall • 8AM – 5PM • Monday-Friday
FACEBOOK TWITTER SNAPCHAT NEXTDOOR INSTAGRAM VIMEO YOUTUBE |
Listen Lakeland • First Sunday • FM 97.5 WPCV @ 8:30AM | FM 98.3 WWRZ @ 8AM | AM 1430 WLKF @ 8AM | AM 1230 WONN @ 9AM
Public Meetings | City Commission Meetings • First and Third Monday • 9AM | Utility Committee Meetings • First Monday • 1PM
Live Broadcast on LGN | Channel 643 (Spectrum) | Channel 43 (Frontier FiOS)

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.