COVID-19 March 26 Update from City of Lake Wales

The City of Lake Wales continues to be under a declared State of Emergency by Mayor Fultz. There is no curfew at this time.

As Covid-19 updates for Florida's residents continue daily, many City of Lake Wales staff have begun working from home, while others continue to work within the City of Lake Wales Municipal Administration Building, 201 West Central Avenue and other facilities.

The Lake Wales Municipal Administration Building remains closed to residents and customers until the City's Emergency Order has been lifted. Phone calls and email inquiries will be answered, and information will continue to flow out to our residents.

Assistant City Manager of Development Services, Kathy Bangley announced new procedures for building permit applications. "Building permit applications will be accepted in our office by appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8-11 a.m. We encourage applicants to apply for a building permit online. For information regarding online building permit applications, or to make an appointment for face to face service please call 863. 678.4182, extension 714 or email [email protected]."

The City of Lake Wales continues to accept utility billing payments. Customers can pay by phone, toll free, 844.323.8134, online at http://www.lakewalesfl.gov, click the Utility Bill Pay at the bottom of the Home Page or at the local Amscot office, 2004 SR 60 East. The normal Amscot service fee will be waived.

The City provides a drive-thru drop off point at the Lake Wales Municipal Administration Building. The drive-thru is in the east parking lot, on Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. Please use this drop off point for payments made by check only.

The City of Lake Wales will not cut off utility services due to delinquent payments at this time. Utility payments remain due, while we encourage our Utility customers to continue to pay for their usage, no services will be cutoff in the foreseeable future. The City of Lake Wales' Utilities Department has implemented a Customer Service line. Those with service issues or questions should access the new Customer Service line at 863.676.4775.

City of Lake Wales Utilities technicians and field workers continue to work at full capacity. The operation of our utility system is recognized as a priority for our citizens.

Trash pickup by Republic Services is continuing as normal but there may be some delays as there is more trash and yard waste to pickup than usual. The curbside clean-up scheduled for Saturday will go on as planned.

Many of the City's parks and trails remain open. The city encourages everyone to practice proactive hygiene when using playground equipment or other public facilities. Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered gatherings of no more than ten people. Residents utilizing our open parks are asked to remember this when gathering on basketball courts, trails or other facilities.

Recreation facilities that are currently closed for all organized activities include: Kirkland Gym, Austin Community Center, Lake Wales Tourist Club, Lake Wales Soccer Complex, Lake Wales Little League Complex, Northwest Complex/Fraiser Fields and Lake Wales Public Library's Schoenoff Meeting Room. For information email Stephanie Edwards, Recreation Coordinator, [email protected].

Deputy City Manager, James Slaton, stated, "Our Parks and Streets Departments' field support workers are still working at full capacity. These individuals are assigned to locations where they're not in proximity with their co-workers."

The Lake Wales Public Library remains closed. Library staff are working rotating shifts to support the Polk County Library Cooperative's books by mail staff. This program is being used by most Polk County Library Cooperative patrons to receive library materials. Lake Wales Public Library, as well as Auburndale Public Library, Lake Alfred Public Library and Latt Maxcy Memorial Library, Frostproof, are providing holds pick ups for customers. Call the Lake Wales Public Library with questions, or to request a holds pick up, 863-678-4004, ext. 221.

Future City Commission meetings will be conducted virtually. Various solutions for virtual open Commission Meetings are being tested at this time. The details on how the public will access the meetings to provide input will be forthcoming.

The Municipal Election will still be held on April 7 as planned. The polling place at the City Administration Building has been moved to the James Austin Community Center at 315 Dr. M. L. King Jr. Blvd in Lake Wales. However we strongly encourage all citizens to sign up for a Vote-By-Mail by calling the Supervisor of Elections Office at 863-534-5888. The deadline to sign up to Vote By Mail is Saturday March 28th.

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8. For information on the City Commission and public boards and the upcoming City Commission election to be held Tuesday, April 7, call Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk, 863-678-4182, extension 270 or email [email protected].

The City of Lake Wales' Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Director, Joe Jenkins stated, "The citizens of Lake Wales have responded to the change in our services with understanding. Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone and our staff who operate these services. Our Public Safety departments, Fire and Police, remain at full staffing levels."

The City of Lake Wales will update news and information to citizens frequently. Visit the city website, http://www.lakewalesfl.gov for updates and postings, or the City of Lake Wales' Facebook page. For reliable information on Florida's public health please go to http://www.flhealth.gov.