LAKELAND — Lakeland officials will consider whether to accept a $215 million payment from Lakeland Regional Health to end its current hospital lease. Doing so, will have a "radical" impact on the city's finances.
City commissioners are scheduled to vote Monday on whether to accept a deal in which Lakeland Regional Health would prepay $215 million to fulfill all remaining hospital lease payments through September 2040. Afterward, the hospital would pay the city $10 per year going forward.
"I'm not alone in thinking the hospital lease is one of the most challenging issues to resolve in the coming years," Commissioner Chad McLeod said. "This is a win for both sides that brings certainty into the situation."