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Lake Park council approves budgets, construction bid, licenses and renovations; votes at a glance
Summary
At its March 3 meeting the Lake Park City Council unanimously approved the FY2026 capital budgets, FY2025 budget amendments, a construction bid for a public works building, a GEFA forgiveness loan application for drainage work, an alcohol license and a playground renovation; staff were directed to investigate a possible county fire services contract.
Lake Park — At its regular March 3 meeting, the Lake Park City Council approved several budget, permitting and capital items and recorded multiple unanimous votes.
Key votes: Council approved the FY2026 capital budgets and FY2025 budget amendments (motions by Council Member Zach Fletcher, seconded by Council Member Arthur Keckley). The council accepted Reliable Construction’s bid to complete the maintenance/public works building (motion by Council Member Arthur Keckley, seconded by Council Member Busby Courson), and approved proceeding with a final application for a GEFA forgiveness loan through the Hurricane Relief Fund to help correct flooding and drainage (motion by Council Member Zach Fletcher; seconded by Arthur Keckley). All motions carried unanimously, 4-0.
The council also approved an alcohol license for Leonides Escalera for the Rodeo Restaurant and approved a combination and subdivision request for property at 353 Lakes Blvd (Parcel Nos. 0199 252D, 0199 255, 0199 254). A proposal to replace the flagpole at City Hall was tabled pending additional research. The council approved a playground renovation (motion by Zach Fletcher, seconded by Arthur Keckley) and accepted the January financial report (motion by Blake McMillan, seconded by Arthur Keckley).
City Clerk Lisa Johnson reported administrative items: an "island" annexation has been turned over to the city attorney for processing and the closing on the donation of the Old Lake Park Cemetery has completed; Ms. Drew Parrish-Bennett told council the existing cemetery ordinance covers only Lake Park Cemetery and will need to be amended or supplemented to address the newly acquired property.
Procedural items: The council moved into executive session at 6:42 p.m. to discuss personnel and reconvened at 7:08 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance (as recorded in meeting minutes): - FY2026 Capital Budgets — motion by Zach Fletcher; second Arthur Keckley; outcome: approved (yes 4, no 0). - FY2025 Budget Amendments — motion by Zach Fletcher; second Arthur Keckley; outcome: approved (yes 4, no 0). - Reliable Construction bid — motion by Arthur Keckley; second Busby Courson; outcome: approved (yes 4, no 0). - GEFA forgiveness loan application (Hurricane Relief Fund drainage correction) — motion by Zach Fletcher; second Arthur Keckley; outcome: approved (yes 4, no 0). - Alcohol license for Leonides Escalera (Rodeo Restaurant) — motion by Zach Fletcher; second Arthur Keckley; outcome: approved (yes 4, no 0). - Combination/subdivision for 353 Lakes Blvd (Parcel Nos. 0199 252D, 0199 255, 0199 254) — motion by Zach Fletcher; second Busby Courson; outcome: approved (yes 4, no 0). - Playground renovation — motion by Zach Fletcher; second Arthur Keckley; outcome: approved (yes 4, no 0). - Financial report (January) — motion by Blake McMillan; second Arthur Keckley; outcome: approved (yes 4, no 0).
Council also directed staff to begin work identifying requirements to pursue a contract with Lowndes County for fire services; that direction was approved unanimously and is recorded separately.
