Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state’s 2026–27 fiscal year budget, cutting roughly $810 million in line-item vetoes across Florida. Polk County—and Lakeland specifically—felt a significant pinch, with several major city requests getting completely wiped out.
However, it wasn’t all bad news; higher education, infrastructure projects, and several local nonprofits walked away with substantial state backing.
Here is the breakdown of what was cut and what was ultimately spared in the final budget.
❌ What Was Vetoed
Lakeland city officials took a heavy blow, losing out on three of their four primary funding requests. Key cuts included:
- Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Project ($2 million): Axed by the governor, stalling a major city utility initiative.
- Public Safety Radio Replacement ($1 million): Denied state funding to update local emergency communication tech.
- United Way of Central Florida ($1 million): Funding cut for the Unified Community Campus project.
- Polk County Public Schools Mobile STEM Lab ($250,000): State funds rejected for buying and outfitting a mobile lab meant to bring hands-on career and science exploration directly to local schools.
- Se7en Wetlands Water Education Center ($115,000): Wiped from the final budget, marking another year this environmental education project missed out on state funds.
What Was Spared
Despite the local line-item hits, several major regional institutions and community services secured significant funding:
Infrastructure & Higher Education
- Polk State College ($25.4 million): Secured the green light to remodel and renovate Building 3 on the Lakeland campus.
- Sixth District Court of Appeal ($13 million): Approved for a permanent, dedicated courthouse building right here in Lakeland.
- Florida Polytechnic University ($10 million): Funded for the continued construction of its new Student Achievement Center.
- San Gully Drainage Stabilization Project ($1 million): The lone survivor among the city of Lakeland’s direct requests, securing crucial funds to continue connecting west Lakeland neighborhoods to city wastewater infrastructure and stabilizing local drainage.
Community Nonprofits & Mental Health
- One More Child ($1.645 million total): Received a major boost split across three areas—$850,000 for anti-sex trafficking initiatives, $495,000 for single-mother services, and $300,000 for family support and prevention programs. LkldNow
- Peace River Center ($850,000): Fully approved to fund a community mobile crisis support team.
- ConnectED Polk ($500,000): Spared to help fund a certified community behavioral health clinic.
- Heartland for Children ($460,000 total): Received $285,000 to replace aging asphalt at the Heartland Youth Village and an additional $175,000 to repair and renovate foster care group homes on the campus. LkldNow
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