A Lakeland utility board member made some comments at a recent budget meeting that many say were racist and insensitive.

In the meeting, local businessman and City of Lakeland Utility Board Member, Steve Wade said the problem with the black community in Northwest Lakeland isn’t just the gangs.

“Here in Lakeland we’re seeing everything," Wade said. "Our black community in the northwest section -- not just the gangs, but just a culture that has really gone backwards, almost like animals.”

Wade says he now regrets referring to Lakeland’s black community as animals at a recent budget meeting.

“When I used the word that I used and I apologize for that," Wade said. "As soon as it came out of my mouth. I knew that was wrong.”

Wade says aside from using the wrong word, he stands by what he said. Even his comments about an increase in teenage pregnancy in the black community.

Comments that don’t match national or local statistics.

“It’s not just the gang problem, it’s the teenage girls. We’ve got to get them to say no and quit having these babies,” Wade said.

Local pastor and community activist, Edgar Picket, said the comments were offensive but he was more upset about what wasn’t said.

“My main concern was that it seems as though he wasn’t corrected by the commissioner board as well as the mayor of the city,” Pickett said.

The mayor said he thinks this was just a poor choice of words.

“I cannot help but believe that he misspoke and would’ve in a heartbeat preferred that he would’ve used a lot different language," said Lakeland Mayor, Howard Wiggs. "And I hope that that doesn’t reflect what’s in his heart.”

The mayor said he doesn’t think they’ve heard the last of this. He’s expecting to hear people speak out about the comments at the city commission meeting on Monday.