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Lake Wales commission approves pension updates and new solid-waste franchise
Summary
The City Commission unanimously approved three ordinances: two pension-plan amendments to comply with the Secure 2 Act and a franchise granting collection and disposal rights for solid waste and recycling. Commissioners emphasized public outreach on trash-service changes.
The City Commission of the City of Lake Wales unanimously approved three ordinances at its meeting, including two pension-plan updates to meet federal Secure 2 Act requirements and a new franchise for citywide solid-waste collection and recycling.
The commission adopted Ordinance 2024-43, amending the firefighters’ pension plan to provide compliance with the Secure 2 Act and codification provisions. The ordinance was read by title and, after brief acknowledgement that it had been discussed in work session, commissioners voted unanimously to approve it.
Commissioners then approved Ordinance 2024-44, which amends the municipal police/fire pension plan to ensure Secure 2 Act compliance and to codify related provisions. There was no extended discussion before the motion and a unanimous roll-call vote carried the ordinance.
The commission also read and approved Ordinance 2025-01, granting a franchise for solid-waste collection, recycling and disposal services within the city, setting rates and repealing prior ordinances. Commissioners and staff emphasized the importance of public outreach: speakers urged a “genuine and extensive effort” to notify residents about any changes to trash and yard-waste pickup schedules and collection practices. A commissioner said the change will be tried on a trial basis and can be revisited if it does not work for residents; the city attorney noted that any change to the ordinance itself would require a separate amending ordinance.
Vote records: roll-call votes for the three ordinance items recorded Commissioners Thompson, Williams and Gillespie, Deputy Mayor Gibson and Mayor Hillgoss voting "Yes." No 'No' votes, abstentions, or recusals were recorded on these items.
What’s next: Staff indicated the franchise and pension updates will move forward; city attorney and staff will follow procedural steps for codification and implementation and will conduct outreach on the solid-waste service changes.
Sources: Ordinances read and voted on during the City Commission meeting of the City of Lake Wales.
