Lakeland mulls change in government
As Lakeland grows, Commissioner Connie McCarter is suggesting that a change in government with district representation might better serve citizens.
Topic: City of Lakeland
RSSThere are 240 article(s) tagged City of Lakeland:
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March 2026
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Bailey: Suggested change in Lakeland government deserved more details
Lakeland Commissioner Connie McCarter suggested a veiled idea of changing the suburb’s form of government before eventually floating her full idea.
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Lakeland commissioner wants change in suburb’s form of government
Lakeland Commissioner Connie McCarter wants to discuss a change to the city’s form of government, but as of Wednesday afternoon, she was not discussing any specifics.
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Hilton-branded hotel planned for Lakeland’s The Lake District
Three years after bankruptcy, “we’re starting to see movement in that development again,” Lakeland Planning Director Paul Luker said.
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Lakeland appoints city manager
Emily Harrell replaces former City Manager Michael Walker who was terminated by the board on Nov. 3 for “erosion of trust” involving several personnel decisions.
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Lakeland agreement with SCSO sparks concerns over ‘law enforcement presence’
The City of Lakeland and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office have an agreement about deputies occupying a space at The Lake District, but there seems to be some disagreement about the level of law enforcement presence.
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February 2026
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Lake District rumblings include plans for townhomes, hotel
The Lake District may be on the verge of getting new life with townhomes and a potential hotel emerging in the near future.
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‘The whole state is looking’ at Lakeland’s YMCA project
Lakeland broke ground on its new YMCA, a desire for the community for almost 10 years. The location improves the look of the entry into the suburb since it replaces the Econo Lodge eyesore.
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Could Bartlett get rid of its property tax?
Bartlett Alderman David Reaves wants the suburb to look into eliminating property taxes, but others wonder how the suburb would make up the lost revenue.
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January 2026
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Lakeland might have found a new city manager — and it’s an internal candidate
The Lakeland Board of Commissioners terminated the contract of former City Manager Michael Walker on Nov. 3, citing an “erosion of trust” involving several personnel decisions.
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Lakeland earmarks land for new veterans center
Lakeland commissioners have approved the city negotiating with a veterans group to locate a new center south of the Interstate 40 and Canada Road interchange.
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After a steep drop in 2025, new home starts picking up in Lakeland
Lakeland sees evidence that new home developments could increase in the suburb during 2026.
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From New Canada Road to The Lake District, 2026 set to be a big build year for Lakeland and Bartlett
Officials in Bartlett and Lakeland have plans for the coming year, some that include the directions for their suburbs, but also whether they intend to seek new terms.
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With term limits looming, most suburban incumbents still all-in for 2026 races
Even though we haven’t quite reached 2026 yet, candidates for elections in the Northeast Shelby County suburbs already are making their intentions known with many of the incumbents running again.
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December 2025
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New approval gives old properties a ‘second chance to create value for Shelby County’
Officials in Bartlett and Arlington are hoping to entice developers to breathe life into vacant land and fund critical infrastructure needs.
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Lake District townhomes moving ahead
“I’ve been involved with The Lake District since 2012 and shepherded a lot of things through this,” a representative for the developer said, adding he could “see this development in my sleep or my nightmares.”
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Lakeland approves new plan for The Lake District after years of setbacks
Lakeland leaders say the plan will allow the property to become the urban village that was originally envisioned.
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Lakeland board considers rezoning land along US 70
Lakeland Board of Commissioners look at controlling commercial and industrial development along the U.S 70 corridor, with an eye toward preserving the character of the area.
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November 2025
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Lakeland to expand Lake District’s special tax area
Lakeland might be getting ready to breathe some new life in The Lake District by expanding its TIF district and resetting the timeframe for the TIF.
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Bailey: Mystery grocery in Lakeland leads to some of the usual suspects
The developer of Ashmont in Lakeland has indicated a grocery store might be interested in the mixed-use plan, but the identity of the business remains a mystery.
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Will Lakeland finally get another grocery store? And who will it be?
A mystery grocery store is looking at becoming part of the Ashmont development near Interstate 40 and Canada Road. Developers could not provide the identity but indicated it is a national chain.
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Bailey: Walker latest in long line of short-tenured city managers in Lakeland
Michael Walker is out as the city manager in Lakeland, the latest in a list of people serving short terms in the suburb’s day-to-day operations.
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Lakeland fires city manager after ‘erosion of trust’
The suburb’s Board of Commissioners terminated Michael Walker’s contract on Monday night at a special-called meeting.
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Puppy love: Lakeland city manager falls for new best friend
Lakeland City Manager Michael Walker went to the suburb’s pet adoption event and got smitten by a hound who ended up coming home with him.
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October 2025
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Former Lakeland Mayor Jim Bomprezzi dies
Jim Bomprezzi, who worked as a Memphis police lieutenant before becoming Lakeland’s mayor for four years, died this past weekend.
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