Wyatt Bunker – Seeking re-election as Lakeland Mayor – Biography
Wyatt Bunker was elected Mayor of the City of Lakeland on September 19th, 2013 after previously serving two terms on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and Shelby County Board of Education. He is noted for being a strong pro-growth and pro-school conservative.
Some of his most notable achievements as Lakeland’s Mayor include:
- Doubling Lakeland’s reserve funds through conservative fiscal management
- Reducing the amount of property tax needed to fund City Hall by $400,000.00
- Highest Increase in home values for 2018 (Memphis Area Association of Realtors)
- Completed Lakeland Middle School
- Multiple new and Unique neighborhoods under development
- Successfully pursued economic development projects (Lake District, Sprouts, Starbucks, etc…)
- Created a Lakeland Fire Department
- Created a Lakeland Municipal Court
Mayor Bunker is a graduate of Kirby High School and the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He served as a police officer with the Collierville Police Department, and is currently the Director of Security at Baptist Hospital. In addition to serving as Mayor his community service includes Lions Club member, Relay for Life, Fishing Rodeo, Booster Club, Community Cleanup Day, PTO/PTA member and Republican Party member.
Mayor Bunker is married to Meredith and they have two children Breleigh and Baylor. They are active members of Bellevue Baptist church.
What is your vision for Lakeland over the next four years?
We’ve seen unprecedented accomplishments during my term as Lakeland’s Mayor. My team’s pro-growth/pro-school ideology is simple yet proven. Great schools benefit everyone because they create opportunities for growth that are critical to our local economy.
By building on our schools success, we’ve seen high quality residential developments come to life, and that residential growth led to the initiation of four major commercial development projects. These projects will produce millions of dollars in sales tax revenue vital to maintain low taxes. That’s why it’s important to elect candidates with a proven record and who are truly pro-growth and pro-school.
Over the next four years we will continue to grow our economy, produce top performing schools and create high quality residential developments. Our continued success depends on your support in the November election.
What is the major issue for Lakeland now and how do you address it?
Economic development will continue to be my primary focus. The Board of Commissioners invested a tremendous amount of time and effort during our last term growing our school system, completing road projects, and expanding infrastructure. Lakeland’s success depends on our ability to continue these efforts.
Our anti-school/anti-growth CCL (Concerned Citizens of Lakeland) opponents have resorted to manipulating information and spreading lies. This is not productive and it certainly isn’t a winning strategy for Lakeland. If elected, they will cause Lakeland to fall drastically behind peer cities.
Your support in the upcoming election is critical to the future of Lakeland. I ask for your vote to help me Move Lakeland Forward.
Why are you the person needed to guide the City’s future? List your capabilities.
Lakeland needs leadership that is truly pro-growth and has a proven record of accomplishments. Our success over the last term demonstrates an ability to focus on producing results. The following are some of our accomplishments during my last term as your Mayor:
- 28% increase in home values (Memphis Area Association of Realtors)
- 30% Increase in revenues from economic development
- Doubled Lakeland’s Reserve funds
- Top performing elementary school in Tennessee
- Over 200 new residential lots under construction
- Economic development moving forward (Sprouts, Starbucks, Marco’s, Lake District)
- Completed Lakeland Middle School
- Completed the interchange
- Completed Beverle Rivera
- New Canada Road moving to construction phase
- Created Lakeland Fire Department (full-time firefighters)
- Created a municipal court system
- Created the Lakeland Amphitheater (LAMP)
- Created a football program
- Secured $500,000 athletic park grant
- Secured $25,000 dog park grant
- Secured grant funds for Gateway signs
- Cleaned up the Canada Road median
- Implemented plan to phase out the Fire fee
I committed to Moving Lakeland Forward during my time as your Mayor, and I’m proud to show you some of those results. We can continue to enjoy this type of success with your support in the November election.
Describe your involvement in the Lakeland community.
I’ve served as Lakeland’s Mayor, a Shelby County Commissioner and a member of the Shelby County Board of Education for the past 18 years. I’ve also volunteered in numerous capacities including the Canada Road median clean up, fishing rodeo, Lions Club member, Community Cleanup Day, Relay for Life, Booster Club and PTA and PTO
