Civic Guide
How this place works
Local government is the part of a city guide most publications skip. Here it is one of the reasons the guide exists: meetings, budgets, districts, grants, records, and the people responsible for them.
City of Lake Wales
The commission sets policy; staff runs the departments. These pages explain who decides what, and where the paperwork lives.
City Hall, departments & contacts
Commission, city manager, clerk, utilities, and the offices that answer the phone.
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Commission members & districts
Who holds each seat, their term, how to reach them, and the city's district boundaries.
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Meetings hub
One place to plan civic events: posted meetings, budget hearings, and the community events calendar.
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The city budget
Where the money comes from, what it funds, and the millage rate in plain numbers.
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Budget timeline
From proposal to hearings to adoption to the spending year, with links to each fund.
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Code enforcement
How complaints move through the process, what gets cited, and how to respond.
Open →
Redevelopment & the CRA
Tax-increment financing is the single most consequential local mechanism most residents have never had explained to them.
The CRA, in plain English
What the CRA is, which districts it covers, how TIF works, who decides, and how to participate.
Open →
Grants & business incentives
Facade, sign, and improvement programs — eligibility, caps, and effective dates.
Open →
Historic preservation
Districts, review, and what changes to a contributing building actually require.
Open →
Services & public life
Parks, recreation, the library, and the facilities residents use most.
County & the wider Ridge
Lake Wales sits inside a county government that runs courts, roads, and elections.
Budget funds
Every fund in the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget
$144,473,884 across 13 funds, at a proposed millage of 8.0462 mills. Each fund is adopted as part of the same ordinance — the hearings that cover all of them are listed on the hearing tracker.
Source: City of Lake Wales, proposed FY 2026-2027 budget — Ordinances 2026-18 and 2026-19, first reading September 2, 2026. Hearings: July 15, 2026 (taxable value certified, interim millage set); September 2, 2026 (first reading and public hearing); September 9, 2026 (budget hearings, regular meeting).
Posted meetings
Meetings with posted dates
Dated meetings from the city's calendar and agenda center, with the time window and room exactly as posted. Confirm against the live posting before attending — agendas move.
No posted meeting dates are currently ahead of today. New postings appear on the city's calendar and agenda center.
Events
What's on the calendar next
The next dated listings from the events calendar, future-only and de-duplicated. Each opens its own detail page with time, address, cost, and share links.
Library
Toddler Story Time
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 · 10:30 AM
Lake Wales Public Library
Details →
Market
Lake Wales Downtown Market
Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Market Plaza, Downtown Lake Wales
Details →
Community
Central Florida Health Care Food Distribution
Thursday, October 15, 2026 · 7:00 AM – 12:30 PM
James P. Austin Community Center
Details →
Nearby
Main Street Bartow Friday Fest
Friday, October 16, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Downtown Bartow
Details →
Nature
Bok Tower Sunset Carillon Concert
Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 5:30 PM
Bok Tower Gardens
Details →
Community
Bingo at the Woman's Club
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Lake Wales Woman's Club
Details →
Government
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Municipal Administration Building
Details →
Government
City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Municipal Administration Building
Details →
Business
Lake Wales Startup Night: Startup Legal Strategy
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 · 6:00 PM
The Thirsty Dragon — 126 N 1st St, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Details →
Community
A Masquerade Gala — 10th Annual Chamber Gala & Awards
Thursday, October 22, 2026 · 5:30 PM
Lake Ashton, Lake Wales
Details →
Festival
Lake Wales Live — Hometown Sounds
Friday, October 23, 2026 · 5:00 PM
Market Plaza, Downtown Lake Wales
Details →
Festival
50th Annual Pioneer Days Festival
October 24 – 25, 2026 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Lake Wailes Park
Details →
Festival
Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 24, 2026 · 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Downtown Lake Wales
Details →
Market
Lake Wales Downtown Market
Saturday, October 24, 2026 · 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Market Plaza, Downtown Lake Wales
Details →
Nearby
Fall Night Market — Downtown Lakeland
Saturday, October 24, 2026 · Evening
Downtown Lakeland
Details →
Government
Planning & Zoning Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 · 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
City Administration
Details →
Community
Chamber Breakfast Club
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 · 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce
Details →
Community
Downtown Trick-or-Treat
Saturday, October 31, 2026 · 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Park Avenue, Downtown Lake Wales
Details →
Government
City Commission Meeting
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Municipal Administration Building
Details →
Library
Toddler Story Time
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 · 10:30 AM
Lake Wales Public Library
Details →
Community
Central Florida Health Care Food Distribution
Thursday, November 5, 2026 · 7:00 AM – 12:30 PM
James P. Austin Community Center
Details →
Nearby
First Friday Winter Haven
Friday, November 6, 2026 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Downtown Winter Haven Historic District
Details →
Nature
Bok Tower Big Tree Festival
Saturday, November 7, 2026 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Bok Tower Gardens
Details →
Nearby
Festival of Wreaths & Silent Auction
Opens Saturday, November 7, 2026 · History Center hours
Polk County History Center — 100 E Main St, Bartow
Details →
Business listings
Businesses and organizations on record
104 verified Lake Wales listings from the business and organization directory, plus a county-wide chamber directory covering 39 categories. Each entry carries its address, phone, and website as published.
5 verified listings
Arts / Culture / Attractions
Bok Tower Gardens · Lake Wales Arts Council · Lake Wales History Museum · …
Open the directory →
4 verified listings
Government & Public Services
City of Lake Wales · Lake Wales Municipal Airport · Polk County Sheriff's Office · …
Open the directory →
15 verified listings
Restaurants & Coffee
Melanie's Seafood Company · Vibbin' Vinny's · Lake Wales Latte Lounge · …
Open the directory →
7 verified listings
Retail & Boutique
Kathryn's Christian Books · Cocoa Cake Studio · On the Avenue Boutique & Gifts · …
Open the directory →
3 verified listings
Healthcare
AdventHealth Lake Wales · Bond Clinic, P.A. · Central Florida Health Care
Open the directory →
7 verified listings
Education & Schools
Warner University · Webber International University · Lake Wales High School · …
Open the directory →
5 verified listings
Professional Services & Insurance
Boswell & Dunlap, LLP · Gibson Law Firm, P.A. · Ewing, Blackwelder & Duce · …
Open the directory →
4 verified listings
Lodging & RV Resorts
Hampton Inn & Suites · Holiday Inn Express · Camp Mack, A Guy Harvey Lodge · …
Open the directory →
3 verified listings
Industry & Growers
Florida's Natural Growers · Hunt Bros., Inc. · Ridge Island Groves
Open the directory →
3 verified listings
Community & Non-Profit
Lake Wales Care Center · Lake Wales Heritage, Inc. · Habitat for Humanity (East Polk)
Open the directory →
3 verified listings
Storage & Security
CubeSmart Self Storage · Out O' Space Storage · CAPO Security
Open the directory →
1 verified listing
Automotive
Monroe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Lake Wales
Open the directory →
1 verified listing
Feed, Garden & Farm Supply
Yeoman's Feed & Farm Supply
Open the directory →
1 verified listing
Performing Arts
Lake Wales Little Theatre
Open the directory →
3 verified listings
Behavioral & Specialty Health
Tower Ridge · McKeon Chiropractic Clinic · SpeeCH Savvy Therapy Services
Open the directory →
5 verified listings
Real Estate & Property Management
Full Service Property Management · Century 21 Carioti — Kevin Stock Jr. · TSH Realty Group — Tommie Hamilton · …
Open the directory →
7 verified listings
Financial, Banking & Insurance
MIDFLORIDA Credit Union · Citizens Bank & Trust — Douglas Clark, Residential Lending · Edward Jones — John C. Miller III · …
Open the directory →
2 verified listings
Legal & Engineering
Law Offices of James M. Weaver, P.A. · Rayl Engineering & Surveying — Alan L. Rayl, PE, PSM
Open the directory →
3 verified listings
Staffing & Workforce
PHR Staffing Services · Labor Solutions · CareerSource Polk — Linda Gooden
Open the directory →
2 verified listings
Media & Radio
Lakeland Sun — Darryl Frederick · WIPC Radio
Open the directory →
9 verified listings
Home & Trade Services
Groover Exterminating · Turman's Landscaping & More — Clentis Turman · R.J. Elter Construction · …
Open the directory →
2 verified listings
Security Services
H&E Elite Security Services · Heartland Crime Stoppers — Phil Murphy, Executive Director
Open the directory →
1 verified listing
Shipping & Postal
Goin' Postal Lake Wales
Open the directory →
2 verified listings
Transportation
Kat & Son Airport Transportation — Kat Gates-Skipper · Love's Travel Stop / Speedco
Open the directory →
2 verified listings
Beauty & Personal Care
Mary Kay — Debra Jackson True, Independent Beauty Consultant · Pinky Nails
Open the directory →
1 verified listing
Industry & Manufacturing
ASI Chemical — Cynthia Diaz, CEO
Open the directory →
2 verified listings
Community & Missions
Removing the Barriers — Bill Redmon, Founder · Daybreak Missions, Inc. — Ruby Huntley
Open the directory →
1 verified listing
Waterfront & Residential Community
The Harbor Waterfront
Open the directory →
County-wide
Polk County business directory
462 chamber-directory listings across 39 categories, searchable and filterable, with phone and website links.
Search the county list →
Civic bodies
Who decides what
Each body's actual authority, its documented composition, and how a resident gets on the record.
commission
Lake Wales City Commission
The elected governing body. It adopts the budget and millage rate, passes ordinances and resolutions, and hires the city manager, who runs the departments day to day.
Authority: Sets policy, adopts the annual budget and property-tax millage, enacts ordinances, approves contracts and land-use changes, and appoints the city manager and board members.
Seats: Five members: a mayor/commissioner at-large and four seat-numbered commissioners, elected to staggered terms.
How to participate: Public comment is taken at regular meetings; agendas are published ahead of each meeting and minutes are approved at the following one.
- Contact: Reported
- Location: Reported
agency
Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
A redevelopment agency funded by tax-increment financing: growth in taxable value inside the district is reinvested in the district rather than flowing to general revenue.
Authority: Approves redevelopment plans, facade and business incentive grants, housing rehabilitation assistance, and capital improvements inside the CRA districts.
Seats: Board composition and district boundaries are documented in the adopted redevelopment plan.
How to participate: CRA agendas are published with commission agendas; grant programs run on published application cycles.
- Contact: Not confirmed
- Location: Not confirmed
board
Planning & Zoning Board
The advisory board that reviews rezonings, site plans, variances, and land-development matters before they reach the commission.
Authority: Makes recommendations on rezoning, comprehensive-plan amendments, conditional uses, and site-plan review under the city's land development regulations.
Seats: Not confirmed
How to participate: Applications and staff reports accompany each agenda; affected property owners receive notice for quasi-judicial items.
- Contact: Not confirmed
- Location: Reported
board
Historic Preservation Board
Reviews exterior changes to contributing structures in the city's historic districts and advises on preservation policy.
Authority: Certificate-of-appropriateness review for designated properties and districts; recommendations on new designations.
Seats: Not confirmed
How to participate: Applications are filed through city staff and heard on a published meeting cycle.
- Contact: Not confirmed
- Location: Not confirmed
board
Code Enforcement Board
Hears unresolved code-compliance cases, issues findings, and can impose fines that attach to the property as a lien.
Authority: Adjudicates violations referred by code compliance staff and sets compliance deadlines and fines.
Seats: Not confirmed
How to participate: Hearings are public; cited property owners are notified and may present evidence or request additional time.
- Contact: Not confirmed
- Location: Reported
Posted dates
Meetings on the calendar right now
Specific dates transcribed from the city's own calendar and agenda center as posted on September 11, 2026. Times and rooms change — confirm the live posting before you go.
Every date we transcribed has already passed. Check the city's agenda center below for the next posted meetings.
Records & agendas
Agendas, minutes, and meeting video are posted by the city. Regular City Commission meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Commission Chambers, 201 W. Central Ave., with public comment at the start of each regular meeting.
To ask about serving on a board or requesting an accommodation: Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk, jnanek@lakewalesfl.gov, 863-678-4182, ext. 270. Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m..
Meeting cadence
When these bodies meet
Recurrence patterns as published. Individual dates, times, and rooms must be confirmed against the posted agenda, so times stay marked unconfirmed here.
Lake Wales City Commission
City Commission regular meeting
Regular business meeting: ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and public comment.
Cadence: Twice monthly during the regular cycle
Location: Lake Wales City Hall, 201 W. Central Ave., Lake Wales, FL 33853
Agendas: Agenda posted ahead of the meeting; minutes approved at the following regular meeting.
- Times: Not confirmed
- Location: Reported
Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
CRA board meeting
Redevelopment grants, district projects, and tax-increment spending.
Cadence: Scheduled alongside the commission cycle
Location: Lake Wales City Hall
Agendas: CRA items are published with the commission agenda packet.
- Times: Not confirmed
- Location: Reported
Planning & Zoning Board
Planning & Zoning Board meeting
Rezonings, site plans, variances, and comprehensive-plan items.
Cadence: Monthly when applications are pending
Location: Lake Wales City Hall
Agendas: Quasi-judicial items include mailed notice to nearby property owners.
- Times: Not confirmed
- Location: Reported
Historic Preservation Board
Historic Preservation Board meeting
Certificate-of-appropriateness review and designation recommendations.
Cadence: As applications are filed
Location: Lake Wales City Hall
Agendas: Applicants are scheduled by staff after a complete submittal.
- Times: Not confirmed
- Location: Not confirmed
Code Enforcement Board
Code Enforcement Board hearing
Contested violations, compliance deadlines, and fine determinations.
Cadence: Monthly when cases are set
Location: Lake Wales City Hall
Agendas: Cited owners receive notice of hearing; hearings are open to the public.
- Times: Not confirmed
- Location: Not confirmed
Lake Wales City Commission
Budget & millage public hearings
Two advertised hearings each September set the property-tax millage and adopt the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1.
Cadence: Annually, two hearings in September
Location: Lake Wales City Hall
Agendas: Advertised under Florida's TRIM notice requirements.
- Times: Not confirmed
- Location: Not confirmed
Departments
The offices that answer the phone
What each department handles day to day, and the named staff we have documented.
City Manager's Office
Carries out commission policy, prepares the proposed budget, and supervises department directors.
Services: Budget preparation · Department oversight · Commission agenda preparation
- James Slaton — City Manager jslaton@lakewalesfl.gov
- Cynthia M. Harnage — Executive Asst. to City Manager cmonk@lakewalesfl.gov
- Contact: Confirmed
City Clerk
Custodian of the city's records: agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and public-record requests.
Services: Public-record requests · Agendas and minutes · Ordinance and resolution files · Board appointments
Staff: Not confirmed
- Contact: Not confirmed
Communications & Engagement
Public information, city events, and venue coordination.
Services: Media requests · City event calendar · Venue rentals
- Eric Marshall — Communications & Engagement Director emarshall@lakewalesfl.gov
- Gabe Segarra — Communications Specialist gsegarra@lakewalesfl.gov
- Shay Irvis — Events & Venues Manager tirvis@lakewalesfl.gov
- Contact: Confirmed
Development Services & Planning
Permits, inspections, zoning review, and the land-development applications that reach Planning & Zoning.
Services: Building permits · Zoning verification · Site-plan review · Business tax receipts
Staff: Not confirmed
- Contact: Not confirmed
Code Compliance
Investigates complaints about overgrowth, junk, unsafe structures, and other nuisance conditions, and refers unresolved cases to the board.
Services: Complaint intake · Notices of violation · Lien research · Community cleanups
Staff: Not confirmed
- Contact: Reported
CRA Office
Administers redevelopment grants, housing rehabilitation programs, and CRA capital work.
Services: Facade and sign grants · Business incentives · Housing rehabilitation · District project management
- Onya Bates — CRA Coordinator obates@lakewalesfl.gov
- Contact: Confirmed
Parks & Recreation
Maintains municipal parks and runs leagues, camps, and aquatic programs.
Services: Park maintenance · Program registration · Pavilion and field reservations
Staff: Not confirmed
- Contact: Reported
Lake Wales Public Library
Lending, digital resources, programming, and public meeting rooms.
Services: Library cards · Digital collections · Children's and adult programs · Meeting rooms
Staff: Not confirmed
- Contact: Confirmed
Code topics
The rules people actually run into
What each rule governs and which body adopts or enforces it. Citations appear only where we have read the adopted text.
Land development regulations
Zoning districts, permitted uses, setbacks, parking, landscaping, and the review path for site plans and rezonings.
Scope: All development and redevelopment inside the city limits.
Responsible body: Planning & Zoning Board
Citation: Not confirmed
Property maintenance & nuisance
Overgrown lots, accumulated junk, inoperable vehicles, and unsafe structures — the bulk of code-compliance caseload.
Scope: Occupied and vacant private property.
Responsible body: Code Enforcement Board
Citation: Not confirmed
Historic district review
Exterior alterations, demolition, and new construction affecting contributing structures in a designated district.
Scope: Designated historic properties and districts.
Responsible body: Historic Preservation Board
Citation: Not confirmed
Signs & facades
Sign permitting and the design expectations that CRA facade and sign grants are written against.
Scope: Commercial frontage, with additional standards inside CRA districts.
Responsible body: Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
Citation: Not confirmed
Millage & budget adoption
Florida's TRIM process: a proposed millage, two advertised public hearings, and final adoption before the fiscal year begins October 1.
Scope: Annual property-tax rate and appropriations.
Responsible body: Lake Wales City Commission
Citation: Not confirmed
Budget summary
Where the money goes
Adopted appropriations with the largest spending and revenue categories, plus the annual adoption calendar.
Fiscal year FY 2024-2025
Adopted budget, FY 2024-2025
Primary-government appropriations for the fiscal year, with the largest spending and revenue categories as adopted.
$107,822,344
Largest expenditures
- Physical Environment$27,503,906 · 25.5%
- Economic Environment$18,528,574 · 17.2%
- Public Safety$17,041,326 · 15.8%
- Fund Balances and Reserves$12,828,162 · 11.9%
- Transfers Out$10,657,341 · 9.9%
Largest revenues
- Fund Balances and Reserves$29,542,971 · 27.4%
- Other Financing Sources$18,275,094 · 16.95%
- Charges for Services$15,938,140 · 14.78%
- Intergovernmental Revenue$13,482,506 · 12.5%
- Taxes$12,490,031 · 11.58%
- May: Goals and department requests
- June–July: Proposed expenditures, revenue estimates, and workshops
- August: Balanced proposed budget and revisions
- September: Two public hearings, millage-rate decision, and final adoption
- Dollar figures: Confirmed
Capital projects
What is being built
Stage language is deliberately coarse: we do not invent completion dates, and reported costs appear only where a document carries them.
In progress
Downtown streetscape improvements
Sidewalk, lighting, and streetscape work in the downtown CRA district, funded through tax increment revenue.
District: CRA — downtown
Reported cost: Not confirmed
- Dollar figures: Not confirmed
Delivered
Public art & mural program
Commissioned murals and public art placements documented in the CRA annual report, including the First Street mural.
District: CRA — downtown
Reported cost: Not confirmed
- Dollar figures: Not confirmed
In progress
Housing rehabilitation & infill
Developer incentives for affordable homes and code-compliance rehabilitation assistance for existing homeowners.
District: CRA — core improvement area
Reported cost: Not confirmed
- Dollar figures: Not confirmed
Stage unconfirmed
Parks & facility improvements
Recurring capital maintenance across municipal parks, courts, and community buildings funded in the culture and recreation line.
District: Citywide
Reported cost: Not confirmed
- Dollar figures: Not confirmed
Officials
Who holds the seats
Terms are printed as they appear in the source report; a seat may have turned over since, so contact details stay unconfirmed until we reach the office directly.
Mayor
Jack Hilligoss
Body: Lake Wales City Commission
Term: 2022-05-03 – 2028-05-02
Current term began May 6, 2025. The mayor is elected at large and may live in any district.
- Contact: Reported
Commissioner
Daniel Williams
Body: Lake Wales City Commission
Term: 2021-05-04 – 2027-05-04
Current term began May 7, 2024.
- Contact: Reported
Commissioner / Deputy Mayor
Keith Thompson
Body: Lake Wales City Commission
Term: 2023-05-02 – 2029-05-01
Current term began May 5, 2026. The deputy mayor acts as mayor during the mayor's absence.
- Contact: Reported
Commissioner
Carol Gillespie
Body: Lake Wales City Commission
Term: 2024-05-07 – 2027-05-04
Current term began May 7, 2024.
- Contact: Reported
Commissioner
Terri Miller
Body: Lake Wales City Commission
Term: 2026-05-05 – 2029-05-01
First term began May 5, 2026, after the Seat 5 municipal election.
- Contact: Reported
Records & participation
Agendas, minutes, and public-record requests
Commission and CRA agendas are published ahead of each meeting, and minutes follow approval at the next one. Public-record requests go to the City Clerk; county records go to the county's records custodian. Where we cite acreage, budgets, grant totals, or district boundaries, we show the source document and its effective date — if a figure here has no source line, treat it as unconfirmed and tell us.
Ask for a document →