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Lakeland Commission approves more than $4 million in contracts and purchases, and accepts $1.27M Block Energy termination payment
Summary
The commission approved a series of FY25 purchase orders and service agreements — including IT network upgrades, airport signage, golf‑cart fleet replacement, GIS software, air-traffic coverage, power-plant outage work and plant repairs — and accepted a negotiated $1,270,500 termination payment from Block Energy Inc.
The Lakeland City Commission approved a package of contract awards and budgeted purchases on Feb. 17 that together commit several million dollars of city resources and budget authority across departments.
Key actions approved unanimously include:
- $1,053,537.84 purchase order to R2 Unified Technologies for Cisco data‑center and edge‑switch replacements and license renewals (IT FY25 budget). - $333,779.19 task authorization with Springer Voss Construction for wayfinding signage at Lakeland Linder International Airport (funded by the city’s Florida revenue note). - Authorization to purchase 100 new lithium‑ion golf carts from Club Car for Cleveland Heights golf course (trade-in value cited at $586,153; net purchase request $426,038 to be financed via internal loan fund). - Master services and software license agreement with SSP Innovations LLC for a five‑year mobile GIS upgrade (total five‑year cost $373,428; FY25 pays first‑year costs). - Professional services agreement with Robinson Aviation Inc. to staff the airport control tower from midnight to 6 a.m. (required for Cat III ILS operations), costing about $24,383 per month and $268,213 for the initial 11‑month term. - A joint project agreement with Polk County to adjust a city sanitary force main to accommodate the Fort Fraser Trail extension; city transfer to Polk County $153,899.40 (water utilities FY25 budget). - Multiple Lakeland Electric work orders and purchase orders tied to McIntosh Unit 5 outage and repairs: Plant & Power Services Inc. ($476,500 estimated + $100,000 contingency) for outage contractor services; Northeast Precision Welding Inc. for exhaust‑cylinder repair ($341,500 + $100,000 contingency); and General Asphalt of Lakeland LLC for plant paving ($235,219.20). - Community Redevelopment Agency purchases of two Midtown parcels: 507 W. Memorial Blvd. ($150,000) and 515 W. Memorial Blvd. ($154,000), each with a $3,000 deposit and 120‑day due diligence period.
Separately, staff presented a negotiated termination agreement with Block Energy Inc., resolving a residential microgrid pilot: Block agreed to reimburse the city $1,270,500 to make the city whole after notifying the city it was winding down operations; the commission approved the termination and mutual release.
Commissioners discussed financing options (internal loan fund vs. lease), staffing and in‑house vs. contract delivery for signage and other work, and thanked utility staff for managing planned outages and repairs. All motions on these items passed on unanimous votes.
