The City of Lake Wales Commission voted to annex a 0.25-acre parcel near Capps Road and to approve the first reading of a separate ordinance to annex an adjacent roughly 47-acre tract that already has county development approval.

The annexations were presented as steps to make city limits contiguous to an existing development and to capture ad valorem taxes, impact fees and fire assessments once lots are platted and sold. Commissioners debated whether annexation should proceed despite concerns about sewer availability and the development pattern the infrastructure encourages.

Sarah Kirkland, the city’s public works director, told commissioners that sewer service is not currently available to the 47-acre site and that the nearest practical connection point is at the intersection of Buckmore and State Road 60. Kirkland said the county’s line at that location sits about 21 feet under the road, which prevents a straightforward tie-in now: "Currently, it is not available to them," she said.

Deputy Mayor Gibson and other commissioners repeatedly noted that the developer already receives city water service and that annexation would shift future revenue from an outside-customer premium to city property taxes, impact fees and assessments. Commissioners were told the county-approved plan calls for roughly 40–45 single-family detached lots and that the developer had constructed the spine road and basic infrastructure under county jurisdiction.

Commissioners discussed policy tradeoffs. One commissioner said sewer availability tends to cluster housing and can reduce sprawl, while others emphasized that the project has county approvals and that annexation is the city’s opportunity to gain revenues from development that will occur regardless of the commission’s action.

The commission approved the 0.25-acre annexation (Ordinance 2025-14) by roll call (all voting members present voting yes). The commission then voted to approve first reading of Ordinance 2025-15, the approximately 47-acre annexation, also passing on a roll call vote.

The commission and staff clarified that negotiations over the detailed design and waivers for the 47-acre development occurred in the county during the county’s review process; the city was being asked only to permit annexation while the site remained under one ownership so the city could collect taxes and fees when lots are sold.

Implementation notes from staff: water and reuse lines are in place for the larger site; wastewater (sewer) would require costly extensions and elevation changes, and a lift station in some scenarios. Commissioners were told that, absent annexation, the city would continue to serve the development as an outside water customer and collect a premium on those water bills.

The votes: Ordinance 2025-14 (0.25-acre annexation) — motion approved; roll call: Commissioner Gillespie: yes; Commissioner Thompson: yes; Deputy Mayor Gibson: yes; Mayor Hilllevoss: yes. Ordinance 2025-15 (47-acre annexation) — first reading approved; roll call: Commissioner Gillespie: yes; Commissioner Thompson: yes; Deputy Mayor Gibson: yes; Mayor Hilllevoss: yes.

Commissioners asked staff to note that future requests for sewer extension or changes in development pattern would follow the city’s standard application and review processes if and when the property is platted and comes fully under city jurisdiction.