A rare split vote by the Lakeland City Commission has tanked a last-minute request to provide $10,000 in public money to help finish a bronze statue of Mary Katherine Goddard.
Goddard was an influential figure who famously printed the first official copy of the Declaration of Independence that included the typeset signatures of the signers. The piece is intended as a visual focal point for the city’s yearlong America 250 celebrations and is scheduled for a public unveiling at Veterans Park during the “Red, White & Kaboom” event on July 3.
Why the Vote Split
The 3-3 deadlock was a matter of procedural and fiscal pushback rather than a critique of the monument itself.
- The Funding Gap: Organizers originally budgeted $250,000 for the project and successfully raised $245,000 privately. However, total project costs escalated to roughly $268,000, leaving a late-stage shortfall.
- The Arguments For: Commissioners Stephanie Madden, Terry Coney, and Mike Musick supported pulling the $10,000 from city reserves, noting the public and historical value the monument brings to the community.
- The Arguments Against: Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley and Commissioners Ashley Troutman and Guy LaLonde Jr. voted no. Their concerns centered heavily on the precedent of pull-from-the-hip reserve spending and upcoming fiscal pressures.
Fiscal Pressures Facing the City: The vote occurred against a backdrop of financial caution at City Hall. Florida lawmakers recently moved forward a property tax proposal for the ballot that local finance directors estimate could cost the City of Lakeland up to $14.5 million annually if approved by voters.
Opposing commissioners noted that approving the funds on the fly opens the door for other private projects to expect sudden public bailouts when fundraising stalls. They suggested the discussion would be better handled during formal budget reviews later in the summer. (Commissioner Chad McLeod was absent from the meeting).
Current Breakdown of the Project
| Detail | Status / Figures |
| Subject | Mary Katherine Goddard (Bronze Statue) |
| Location | Veterans Park, Downtown Lakeland |
| Target Unveiling | July 3, 2026 (Red, White & Kaboom) |
| Total Cost | ~$268,000 |
| Private Funds Raised | ~$245,000 |
| Current Deficit | ~$23,000 |
With the city option off the table for now, project organizers are looking to community donations to bridge the remaining gap. Local residents who want to see the project completed fully by the July deadline can contribute directly via the GiveWell Community Foundation’s Path to Freedom Fund page.