City of Lakeland elected officials

• Elected every four years
• Using aspects of both a “strong mayor” and “weak mayor” system, Lakeland’s mayor is a full-time position who also serves as a city commissioner.

• Elected every four years
• Including the mayor, Lakeland’s City Commission is comprised of seven officials representing the various districts of Lakeland. They work to develop and enact policies, decide on local tax rates, balance the city budget, address community issues, and more. Find your city commissioner.

Polk County elected officials

• Elected every four years
• This office is responsible for safeguarding public records and public funds. Some of its key functions include managing the county’s jury system, processing passports + marriage licenses, and conducting foreclosures and tax deed sales.

• Districts One, Three, and Five: Elected in presidential election years
• Districts Two and Four: Elected in the intervening years
• Similar to the City Commission, the Board of County Commissioners is comprised of five officials who represent districts across all of Polk County. Lakelanders who live outside of city limits are represented by a County Commissioner instead of a City Commissioner.

• Low-Impact Exercise Class | Monday, May 13 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | Increase circulation + improve heart health in this low-intensity workout class.
• BOGO Bingo | Monday, May 13 | 6-7 p.m. | Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, 2250 Griffin Rd., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Enjoy BOGO chocolate chip cookies + glasses of wine while you compete for five-in-a-row.

• Rug Tufting Workshop | Tuesday, May 14 | 5:30 p.m. | ART/ifact Studios, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Ste. 201, Lakeland | $80-$100 | Create your own original rug under the guidance of experts from Wolf in the Workshop.

• Sun Catcher Painting Class | Wednesday, May 15 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Keel & Curley Winery, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $40 | Learn how to paint a sun catcher while sipping on your favorite wine, beer, or cider.

• Four Seasons | Thursday, May 16 | 7-9 p.m. | Magnolia Building, 702 E. Orange St., Lakeland | $10 | Couples and singles can waltz, cha cha, swing, and foxtrot at this weekly dance social.

• Mental Health Community Summit | Friday, May 17 | 8:15 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Well, 114 E. Parker St., Lakeland | Free | Learn from a panel of experts on a variety of mental health topics — refreshments will be provided.

• In-house diagnostics
• Emergency services
• Dental cleanings
• Surgeries
• Preventative care + vaccinations
• Puppy and kitten plans
• And lots more

• A charter review committee is recommending to extend the maximum length of service for city commissioners to 20 years. Currently, the limit is 12 years (think: three terms). The change will need Lakelanders’ stamp of approval during the November 2025 election before it can take effect. (LkldNow)

• Submit your comments for Polk Transportation Organization’s (PTO) upcoming Transportation Improvement Program update. Comments will help PTO prioritize initiatives for countywide transportation. The comment period closes on Saturday, June 8.

• After saving the 1925 Emory Bryant home from demolition, historic preservationist Gregory Fancelli has hopes to revitalize it to draw people to the Downtown West area. Potential options on the table include a food + beverage joint or a home office space. (The Ledger)

• Turn up the “Pomp and Circumstance.” PCPS graduations began on Saturday, May 11 and will continue through Wednesday, May 22, with most happening at the RP Funding Center. Head to the PCPS website for a full schedule of events + livestream information.

• Tapatio’s Restaurant & Grocery (6645 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 11) has permanently closed its doors after its owner, Jesus Vargas, passed away in March. The restaurant’s original location at 734 E. Memorial Blvd. will remain open.

• 500. That’s how many young women Top Buttons serves each year through its clothing and programs. Founder + CEO Sarah Powers will also be participating in The World’s Toughest Bicycle Race, a 3,000-mile, coast-to-coast ride beginning June 15, to raise funds for the store. (WFTS)

• Last week, we asked what Lakeland Community Theatre used to call its performers. The correct answer was the Pied Piper Players, which 84% of respondents guessed. Guess we couldn’t stump you after all — consider this your round of applause.

• The Aerospace Program at Polk State College will host an open house in Lakeland at 2949 Airside Center Dr. on Thursday, June 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees will get to meet with faculty, tour the facility, and learn about degrees, admission + financial aid.

• One Polk nurse took her work home with her last week, so to speak. Dejanique Milligan, an RN who works with infants at Lakeland Regional Health, delivered her baby boy herself at home last Thursday. Both Milligan + her baby are happy and healthy. (Fox 13 News)

• Pressed Books and Coffee will host its first-ever summer book club for middle schoolers starting next month. The club will meet one Saturday per month in June, July, and August. Reserve your child’s spot.

• If you’re anything like us, then you like to make shopping an experience — and at Lakeside Village, you can do just that. The shopping center just got three new businesses and we popped by to check them out — get the deets on what we tried + what we loved most.*

• From the avid walker to the weekend warrior and everyone in-between, just about every body could benefit from orthopedic care. Learn more about orthopedic care from Lakeland Regional Health Physicians. Plus, check out the latest issue of LAL Wellness for sun protection tips, skin rejuvenation services, and more.*

• Your ambition is infinite, but your time is not. Athena can help you scale yourself + your company by pairing you with an elite assistant and world-class delegation coaching. Bonus: LALtoday readers can score a $1,500 credit — see how.*

• Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr. | This is the city’s only public kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboard facility. You can also bring your pup to the nearby Lake Crago Dog Park.
• Colt Creek State Park, 16000 State Rd. 471 | The ranger station at this state park in north Lakeland offers canoe and kayak rentals.
• Chain of Lakes, Winter Haven | Explore 22 of the 50 lakes around Winter Haven with kayak + canoe rentals from Off the Chain Kayaks or a paddleboard tour from Paddleboard Winter Haven.