Lakeland Electric submitted its final proposal on June 12, 2026, outlining a multi-year base rate adjustment to keep pace with rising operational, equipment, and material costs.
Here is how the plan breaks down and what it actually means for your monthly bill:
The Proposed Breakdown
Instead of hitting customers all at once, the utility is proposing a 3.75% annual adjustment over the next four years (compounding to a total of 15.87%).
- Timeline: If approved, the first increase will take effect on October 1, 2026 (the start of the city’s fiscal year).
- What is Affected: The increase applies only to the base rate portion of the bill (which covers grid maintenance and operations). It does not affect fuel charges, taxes, or local surcharges.
Estimated Bill Impact (Year 1)
| Customer Type | Average Monthly Increase |
| Residential Standard | ~$2.83 / month |
| Small Commercial (General Service) | ~$6.70 / month |
Next Steps in the Process: This isn’t a done deal just yet. The ordinance will be presented to the Lakeland City Commission for a first reading on July 6, 2026, with a final second reading and vote scheduled for July 20, 2026.
To help offset these steady increases, the utility has been pushing programs like its Shift to Save plan, which offers lower rates if you run major appliances during off-peak hours.