For those of you who want to stay completely informed and up to date, this section is for you. Whenever there are pressing issues or timely and newsworthy events between issues of Forum for Business, you will find them here in Hot Topics. We will keep you up-to- date on all of the happenings in the community that we know are important to you. You will get late-breaking news and entertaining information when it happens. Check back frequently.
Lakeland Electric Proposed Base Rate Increase
As we communicated to you last week, the Chamber and LEDC have been working the last several weeks to address the utility base rate increase being proposed by Lakeland Electric. There has been a slight change in the original schedule that we wanted to make you aware of. A new ordinance, reflecting some changes, will be up for first reading on Monday, March 19th. The second and final reading is set for Monday, April 2nd. If you are interested in attending either of these meetings to hear more information or the details of the proposed ordinance, we encourage you to do so. The meeting will be in the City Commission Chamber on the third floor of City Hall at 1:00 p.m.
The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee and Board of Directors and LEDC have studied the base rate study recommendations in detail and met with City and Lakeland Electric officials numerous times to communicate our concerns. While we understand the need for Lakeland Electric to improve its financial position, the Chamber represents more than 2,100 member businesses in this community and the proposed rate increase places a disproportionate burden on each of them. We look forward to hearing exactly what will be proposed in the ordinance on Monday and hope that it will lessen the sudden burden placed on Lakeland’s businesses. We will notify our membership with any changes or important information as soon as possible following the meeting.
Click Here to see the official position of the Chamber and LEDC as it was presented to the Mayor, City Commission and Utility Committee. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.