by James Coulter

The further implementation of the Lake Wales Connected Plan and the activation of the Historic Dixie Walesbilt Hotel are some of the priorities the Lake Wales City Commission wants to set for next fiscal year’s budget.

At their workshop on Wed. May 14, 2025, Lake Wales City Commissioners offered recommendations to City Staff about what items the next fiscal year’s budget should prioritize.

Finance Director Dorothy Abbott started the budget presentation and discussion by highlighting the overall progress made within the current fiscal year’s budget.

As of last September, the City’s governmental funds reported a combined ending fund balance of $20,572,822. Approximately 28 percent of the total fund balance is available for spending at the government’s discretion.

“The city’s finances continue to improve year after year,” Abbott said. “We are not seeing any issues. We are moving along with the existing budget just as we thought we would.”

Within the next two weeks, the property appraiser will provide a preliminary assessment of the City’s overall taxable value. Afterward, the City Commission will have an estimate that they will be able to utilize during their upcoming budget workshops this August.

“We balance this thing early. Other cities drag this thing out,” said City Manager James Slaton. “And they show up with a budget that isn’t balanced. We don’t do that. We balance it early on and we give it to you.”

Mayor Jack Hilligoss was unavailable that evening, but he provided a memo of the items he would like to see prioritized within the next fiscal year’s budget.

Namely, Mayor Hilligoss wished to further implement the Lake Wales Connected Plan, especially through the continued investment in landscaping, maintenance, and street resurfacing.

He also wanted to see the activation of the Historic Dixie Walesbilt Hotel, which the city had recently reacquired.

“We are standing in a historic moment, and it may require us to make some bold actions: aggressive marketing, incentivizing of the hotel, as well as the marketing of the downtown,” Mayor Hilligoss wrote.

Commissioner Carol Gillespie agreed with the mayor’s recommendations. She inquired whether there was a budget set aside for the hotel or if the City was in the process of creating a budget for it.

City Manager Slaton replied that City Staff would budget whatever the City Commission tells them to prioritize, including the hotel.

“If you tell us what your priorities are, me and the fine people here, we will work the magic, bring it into fruition, and bring it to life,” he said. “You tell me what is important to you, and we will figure out how to get it done.”

Commissioner Keith Thompson likewise agreed with the mayor’s recommendations. He made two additional recommendations concerning water conservation and red light cameras.

He suggested that the City consider efforts to conserve water, especially concerning landscaping and composting. “We are not going to be in this situation as citizens paying for water we do not need,” he said.

He also inquired about potential revenue from red light cameras. He suggested that revenue go towards supporting and financing local law enforcement.

“Where will that revenue go? And will it be going to first responders and police officers?” he asked. “I think keeping our police officers and first responders well paid in the city is smart public safety, and I think we need to have a conversation about that.”

Deputy Mayor Gibson, as with everyone else, supported the mayor’s recommendations. His own recommendation was to focus on the revitalization of the historic town area between Lakeshore Drive and Scenic Highway to Polk Avenue and Crystal Lake. He also wanted to ensure that the landscaping department was well-equipped and staffed.