[0:20] If you would kindly take your seat, we will start with our board meeting for August 18, 2026.

[0:27] We will begin with chaplain Hanley as he gives the invocation and then say standing for the pledge of allegiance.

[0:41] Good morning. I would invite you all to pray with me.

[0:45] Heavenly Father, as we attend to the business of governance today, we know that you are with us, and that you are for us.

[0:53] Your word reminds us when we ask you for wisdom, you give it freely.

[0:58] And so we ask that you lead us today and always in the path of your wisdom and peace.

[1:05] And I ask this in Jesus' name, amen.

[1:28] Thank you.

[1:29] You may be seated.

[1:30] At this time we will proceed with presentations and recognition and I would like to have some

[1:36] important people and a very courageous K9 to come up to the front, they would come up right

[1:44] up here.

[1:49] We have with us Paul County Sheriff Office, Chief of Staff, Steve Lester, Deputy

[1:56] Natalie A. Strike, and her K9 A.S. to come up. Commissioner Wilson will be able to

[2:05] to send to them a presentation this morning.

[2:08] Good morning, everyone.

[2:10] It is my honor to present this commendation

[2:12] of valor to a retired Pooke County Sheriff's Office

[2:15] K9 Ace.

[2:17] I like to thank his handler and partner, Sheriff,

[2:20] Deputy Natalie Astrich for bringing him here today

[2:23] so we can recognize the great job he's done.

[2:27] It was through Astrich, Astrich's brave action

[2:29] that he's saved not only his partner,

[2:32] but two other deputies lives when the man opened fire on them.

[2:38] Now, where's the plaque that I want to read yet?

[2:45] This is what it says.

[2:46] Pope County Board of County Commissioners,

[2:48] Commendation of Valor, per presented,

[2:51] Pope County Sheriff's Office, K9Ace.

[2:55] On August 6, 2026, K9Ace was critically wounded

[2:59] in the line of duty while protecting his handler

[3:02] and other Pope County Sheriff's deputies from an armed gun

[3:06] who opened fire on the approaching deputies with the intention of taking their lives.

[3:11] The Board of County Commission's formary recognizes K9's ACEs. K9 ACEs breathe,

[3:18] actions resulted in seriously bodily injury while saving the lives of others. Congratulations.

[3:25] And thank you for being here.

[3:39] And review help them get over here.

[3:41] From now on, we could get ahead and take away the patient.

[3:45] Yes. Perfect. Good morning, Madam Chair.

[3:48] commissioners, county manager, and everyone else, I am Steve Lester, I'm the Chief of Staff

[3:54] of the Book County Sheriff's Office on behalf of Sheriff Grady Judd, who share a

[3:57] place since he could have been here today, the Sheriff's Office on a well-deserved, long-term

[4:02] plan vacation out of state and trust me when I tell you a well vacation and

[4:07] rescued Grady Judd is good for all of us. But he wishes he could have been here, but

[4:12] on behalf of him and all the Sheriff's Office, we are grateful for this acknowledgement

[4:15] where Natalie today and Ace are being recognized. We thank you so much, Commissioner Wilson.

[4:22] You know, today we are recognizing Natalie and Ace for their heroic events on that particular

[4:27] moment in time on that particular day. But the fact of the matter is they are doing this every single day.

[4:35] In a county of over 2,000 square miles, they are putting their canines in harm's way every day.

[4:42] They're going into woods, in the swamps, in the structures, into businesses, into addicts,

[4:48] where they don't even know what's around the corner and they're doing that in apprehension

[4:51] of murderers and rapists and pedophiles, in this case of pedophile.

[4:56] And they do it fearlessly, and they do it every day.

[5:00] And we are grateful to them. They are heroes, us, aces, a hero. Unfortunately, aces lost his left front leg to gun fire, but you can see aces alive and well in doing great.

[5:12] God is as racist with that. We are grateful for that, that bass here with us.

[5:17] But it's not lost on me. Also, that this commission, we're able to do this because this commission, this commission, has continued to make public safety a priority.

[5:25] And that's why we can have the nation's best officers, like Natalie, the nation's best

[5:31] canines, like Ace, the best training, the best equipment, the best resources.

[5:36] So we are grateful to you for this.

[5:38] We are grateful to Natalie and Ace, and all we're canine, you know, we have the best

[5:41] canine in America, the world, and we're grateful to you for this.

[5:46] Thank you for this acknowledgement.

[5:47] Thank you for this recognition, it doesn't, it's not lost on us at all.

[5:51] I wish the sheriff was here to enjoy it with us, but he couldn't be here, but again,

[5:54] Thank you so much.

[5:56] So, all right, let's get started.

[6:05] All this in a dog biscuit.

[6:29] Ace,

[6:32] go boy.

[6:53] I don't know if any commissioners wants to say anything.

[6:59] Okay.

[7:00] Not a jerk.

[7:01] Yes.

[7:01] I'll just say as far as having visited

[7:04] what the sheriff's office several times

[7:06] and looking at our training facilities

[7:08] and the amount of time that every deputy puts into their job

[7:13] beyond just when they're on the clock.

[7:15] It is tremendously, I appreciate it as citizen,

[7:18] but having seen it in real time of the sacrifice

[7:20] that those men and women make every single day.

[7:23] Oftentimes, without the support of the community that they're going in,

[7:26] because they're going into a bad neighborhood,

[7:28] or they're going into somebody that doesn't want to see you guys,

[7:31] I'm truly thankful that we have the best sheriff's office

[7:34] in the nation, and I appreciate your dedication.

[7:37] Thank you, anyone else?

[7:39] Okay, I just want to say, I saw the video on TV and I tell you what, my tears just came

[7:48] down.

[7:50] So, we all feel for this, but we're just so glad that Ace made it through and I'm sure

[7:56] that depot your excited about that.

[8:00] Chief Lesser, thank you and please tell Sheriff Grady Judd that we appreciate everything

[8:06] you guys to put in yourselves on the line all the time just so that we can be safe.

[8:12] Thank you so very much.

[8:14] Appreciate it.

[8:21] Now we're going to employ your recognition.

[8:25] Good morning, commissioner staff and visitors.

[8:27] I'm Caitlin Hovercam, public and media relations officer.

[8:30] Caitlin, excuse me, give me just a few minutes for people to meet before we start.

[8:56] Good morning, commissioner staff and visitors.

[8:58] I'm Caitlin Hovercam, Public and Media Relations Officer for Polk County Government.

[9:03] Today we are recognizing foreign employees for their service to Polk County.

[9:07] I'd like to invite the employees to come to the front as their names are called,

[9:11] and then if the honorees will remain at the front while the commissioners return to the

[9:14] diasbehind them, we'll take a group photo at the end.

[9:18] James Roberts has worked for the Polk County Fleet Management Division for 20 years.

[9:23] He has served as a fleet technician three throughout his time with the division.

[9:27] Throughout his career, James has obtained several automotive service excellent certifications

[9:34] in heavy truck in auto-mobile equipment.

[9:39] In his spare time, he enjoys riding side-by-side and spending time with his wife Pamela,

[9:44] his daughter Katie, his son James, and his six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

[9:50] In the future, he looks forward to retiring and traveling.

[10:02] Grant Ewert has worked for Polk County Information Technology Division for 20 years. In 2006, he began working as a telecom technician for the county's Information Technology Division.

[10:15] Throughout his career with the division, Grant has served in several different roles, including serving as a telecom specialist, telecom network analyst, telecommunications supervisor, PC support, call center supervisor, and systems architecture supervisor before moving into his current role

[10:32] as a technical services manager for the division.

[10:35] Grant obtained his bachelor's degree in business economics from Wheaton College, and he

[10:40] obtained his master's of management information system's degree from the University of

[10:44] South Florida.

[10:45] In addition to his educational achievements, Grant has coordinated Pope County's annual

[10:50] submissions for the Digital County Survey for the past five years.

[10:54] His efforts have helped the county rank among the nation's top 10 counties and rank

[10:58] number four among counties with populations between 500,000 to just less than a million for

[11:04] the past two years. Grant is a member of life-sourced community church in Lakeland. In

[11:09] a spare time, he is an avid mountainbiker. He enjoys exploring the trails in central Florida,

[11:15] planning trips to explore out of state trails, cooking, playing disc golf, and spending time with

[11:19] his wife Cassina, his son Toby, his daughter's Ava, and Gwyneth, and his son-in-law's Isaac. In the

[11:25] future he looks forward to seeing how technologies like artificial intelligence continue to

[11:30] transform local government and how he can help the county make the most of those opportunities.

[11:34] In addition to continue traveling, writing his bike and spending as much time as he can with his

[11:39] family.

[11:47] Tequidra Roundtree has served the residents and visitors of Polk County for 25 years.

[11:52] In 2001, Tequidra began working as an ADA transportation coordinator for Polk County

[11:57] transit services, where she assisted with planning medical transportation needs and reviewing and

[12:02] approving ADA applications, for residents who needed accessible transportation services. After

[12:08] serving with Polk County Transit Services for 14 years, she transferred into a new role working

[12:13] as a customer service representative for the Polk County Utilities Division. She then moved into

[12:18] a new role serving as a financial specialist one before being promoted to recurrent position working

[12:23] as a financial specialist three for the Utilities Division.

[12:27] She obtained her accounting one, accounting two, and accounting three diploma from Travis

[12:31] Technical College.

[12:33] She is a member of Family Worship Center in Lakeland.

[12:36] In her spare time to Keter and Joyce being a custom cake decorator and florist, traveling

[12:41] and spending time with her daughter Kayla, her son, Joe, her daughter and law, Shayna, and

[12:46] her three grandchildren.

[12:47] In the future, she looks forward to retiring after 30 years of service with Pope County

[12:51] and marrying her fiancé in Jamaica.

[13:00] Victor Kelly has worked for the Polk County Utilities Division for 30 years.

[13:04] In 1996, he began his career with the division, working as a service worker one.

[13:09] Throughout his career, Victor has served in a number of roles, including working as a service

[13:14] worker two, service worker three, and equipment operator three before being promoted to his

[13:19] current role to serve as a utility system operator three for the division.

[13:23] Throughout his career, Victor has obtained several certifications, including his class A CDL,

[13:30] class two distribution system operator license, and his reclaimed waterfield site inspector

[13:35] certification.

[13:37] In his spare time, Victor enjoys spending time with his wife, Carol, his daughter Heather,

[13:42] and his sons, Josh and Billy.

[14:34] Madam Chair, members of the, members of the audience, 95 years of service to Polk County.

[14:43] Congratulations all and thank you so much for your service.

[14:48] Next we have Katie Hayes, Director Executive Director of Keep Paul County Beautiful

[14:54] to present the 2526 Computer Community Cleanup Project

[15:00] Now line the 2026 proposed community outline project. And here she is.

[15:07] Good morning. I'm Katie Hayes, the Executive Director of QPOT County Beautiful. For those of you

[15:13] guys out here that aren't familiar with QPOT County Beautiful, we are a non-profit organization.

[15:19] We focus on litter prevention, community-based cleanups, tire recycling, and environmental

[15:25] education. This year is a big year for us. We are celebrating our 30th anniversary. And I have been very

[15:32] blessed and lucky to serve as a part of Keepo County Beautiful for the past 22 years. So I just

[15:39] want to before I begin this presentation. Thank all of our volunteers, our sponsors, our board

[15:45] of directors, our county government, and all of your offices that make Keepo County Beautiful

[15:51] possible. I'm an office of one, so I can't do anything without the people that are here today.

[15:57] So without any.

[16:00] To the 2025 to 2026, clean it up to green it up program.

[16:06] This program, recipient of the 2000 and 25, keep America Beautiful National Innovation Award has helped

[16:13] Low County residents since 2011, by providing free disposal of materials not accepted through

[16:18] curbside collection, including construction debris, bulk waste, large tree debris, and illegally

[16:25] dumped tires.

[16:26] Clean up locations are selected based on community need, and the program is made possible

[16:31] through the support of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and our local waste

[16:35] haulers, FCC Environmental Services, GFL Environmental, Waste Management, and Scrappet, who

[16:42] donate curbside entire collection services that help reduce illegal dumping throughout the

[16:46] community. Program information is dispersed throughout the community using various forms of

[16:51] communication, including utilizing programs through the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Polk County

[16:56] School Board, Flyers, Social Media and Traditional Media sources like Radio and News outlets.

[17:16] Keep Polk County Beautiful kicked off this year's program in the Wabash community collecting

[17:20] 78,940 pounds of garbage curbside and collecting 2,661 tires at the Bartotire collection event.

[17:31] 55,860 pounds of curbside junk and debris was collected in the Inwood community on November 22nd.

[17:40] 110,420 pounds of junk and debris was collected curbside in the Lowees and Waniita communities, as well as 1,897 tires that were collected at the Eagle Lake tire collection event.

[17:53] 19,500 pounds of curbside trash was collected from the Boggy Bottom, Florence Villa, and Carefree Cove Communities.

[18:01] A new location for tire collection was added within the Florence Villa community, collecting 1,151 tires.

[18:10] The Skyview Eaton Park, Crystal Lake, and South-Combie Communities produced 56,840 pounds of curbside garbage.

[18:17] This event was held in partnership with the annual Lakeland Tire and household hazardous waste collection event, collecting 1,886 tires for proper disposal.

[18:30] The Golf U and Washington Park communities in Lake Wales were both added into this year's cleanup rotation collecting 17,540 pounds of junk and debris curbside from these two small communities.

[18:41] In addition, Keep Polk County Beautiful collected 1,514 tires at the Eagle Ridge Mall.

[18:50] In addition to a curbside collection event in non-incorporated Polk City,

[18:54] Keep Polk County Beautiful hosted a community dumpster cleanup and free tire collection event for Polk City residents.

[19:00] Together, these events removed 113,560 pounds of junk in debris, including nearly 3,000 tires collected in just 4 hours,

[19:09] highlighting the significant community need for these services.

[19:14] We concluded this year's curbside cleanup season in June, with an event in the North

[19:18] Pointsyana community, removing 76,960 pounds of junk and debris.

[19:24] This area was selected to address significant illegal dumping hotspots, and due to the continued

[19:29] need, another section of Pointsyana will be included in the upcoming cleanup season.

[19:34] During the 2025 to 2026 clean it up to green it up season.

[19:39] Keep Pope County beautiful with the support of our Pope County government and waste hauling partners.

[19:44] Collected 529,620 pounds of junk and debris as well as 11,951 tires for proper disposal.

[19:53] These results demonstrate the power of community partnerships and the positive difference we can make when we work together to keep hope.

[20:00] County Clean and Beautiful. In addition to the clean it up to green it up program, keep

[20:05] Pope County Beautiful hosts community, waterway, park and roadway cleanups throughout the year.

[20:11] Together, these efforts removed hundreds of thousands of additional pounds of trash from

[20:15] Pope County this year. This year's L.O.E.'s C.R.A. cleanup in April, removed 30,720 pounds of

[20:29] We were thrilled to see so many familiar faces returning to volunteer.

[20:35] Thanks to Republic Services National Neighborhood Promise Grant,

[20:38] in partnership with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful,

[20:41] we also give away 100 free trees at this event

[20:43] as part of five tree giveaways across Pope County this year.

[20:47] The grant will also provide a scholarship for a Pope County graduating senior.

[20:51] Residents were so excited about the tree giveaway

[20:54] that some began lining up as early as 5.30 a.m.

[20:57] We're excited to, once again, partner with Polk County Solid Waste, to honor young artists at the unveiling of the Leachate Treatment Walk, created by Polk County Public Schools Middle School students on September 12.

[21:11] Be sure to mark your calendars, invitations will be sent out soon.

[21:16] Here is our 2026 to 2027 tentative clean it up to green it up entire collection event schedule.

[21:23] The

[21:31] Clean It Up to Green It Up Program is made possible through the continued support of the

[21:35] Polk County Board of County Commissioners and our waste hauling partners FCC environmental

[21:39] services, GFL environmental, waste management, and scrap it.

[21:44] We also thank our municipal partners, City of Bartos, Solid Waste and Lakeland Solid

[21:49] Waste, along with our community partners at the Polk County Sheriff's Office Weekend Work

[21:53] Release Program, Communications Office, and Environmental Crimes Unit.

[21:57] Our government partners in code enforcement, roads and drainage, communications, and solid

[22:02] waste all continue to play an essential role in making these community programs a success.

[22:08] Together, we are making a difference and building a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful

[22:13] future for Polk County.

[22:15] Thank you for helping us.

[22:16] Keep Polk County beautiful.

[22:20] Ta-da.

[22:26] Thank you again for supporting our programs, our projects, and making these projects possible.

[22:33] as you guys saw, we collected 12,000 tires and that's just with that program.

[22:39] That's not including all of our other community-based programs that we do, the adoptor road,

[22:43] the adoptor park, our waterway cleanups. That's just that one specific program. So thank you for

[22:49] entrusting us to help take care of Polk County and helping keep Polk County beautiful.

[22:54] Thank you, Commissioner Wilson.

[23:00] Unbelieverably hard. This is a big county.

[23:03] You know, and the numbers show when you, you know, just what you show here today, and it's a group effort to do that.

[23:11] And it's just not in a certain area, just all over the county that you do this, and I appreciate it.

[23:16] Because, you know, keeping put county beautiful is all our, is what we're all trying to do.

[23:22] But thank you, thank you for all you do, and you'll have me out there slinging some more tires, I know.

[23:28] I'm looking forward to it. I know it's your favorite.

[23:31] Anybody else, yes?

[23:33] Just curious, let's say it's for the looking up the previous year data versus Karen.

[23:37] It was over 20% increase in both the tonnage of trash and also the number of tires.

[23:42] We're typically seeing that as a trend as far as it is going up 20% almost every single year.

[23:48] Some years are a little better than others, but yes, the trend is going up based off of the population growth is what we're noticing.

[23:55] with the new development with the apartment complexes coming in. We're seeing a legal dumping

[24:01] changing a little. But we are definitely seeing more of our resident actually participating

[24:09] in these programs, which is a positive. They're not dumping the stuff on the side of the road.

[24:15] They're actually putting this out to help clean up their communities. So we are seeing an increase

[24:19] and participation as well.

[24:21] But are you seeing on back to the department topics

[24:23] or the department's kind of our change?

[24:26] Are you seeing more legal dumping as some of that comes?

[24:28] I'm just wondering if we need to change some of our requirements

[24:31] for those developments to have more trash facilities

[24:34] if we're seeing kind of a link there.

[24:37] Just some way to help come in.

[24:39] I appreciate what you guys do.

[24:40] But again, if we can take off some of the burdens

[24:42] I was going to be there.

[24:43] But if we can reduce the 20% or 25% increase year every year,

[24:47] because at some point in time,

[24:48] and now we get into, you know, a million times.

[24:50] I mean, it could be incredibly high, right?

[24:53] So yeah, we, we've definitely seen with certain growth,

[24:57] the illegal dump sites are popping up.

[25:00] So, I would like to thank all of those, those type of communities when we're saying, apartment complexes, come up, especially ones that don't include like a bulk pickup.

[25:08] We are seeing that bulky item dumping on the right of ways.

[25:12] I don't know, I'm very good. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Scott.

[25:16] I believe we already have it in a works looking at some additional requirements for apartment complexes and stuff and regards to having the proper dumpsters and everything.

[25:27] So I think that's already being worked on by land development.

[25:31] Yeah, I think we may just have to look at the actual size of it because it seems like

[25:33] there's probably even more of it.

[25:35] There was a need that we had already talked about.

[25:37] I remember that discussion, but I want to make sure from an actual volume of capacity

[25:41] that when we do address the need, we're providing the adequate space.

[25:45] Because it seems again, we're increasing by 20% year over year.

[25:50] I'm not saying it's just that type of development either.

[25:53] But again, if we can make some kind of link

[25:56] to help reduce some of us, I'd be great.

[25:59] Thank you.

[26:01] Anyone else?

[26:03] Katie, I just want to say you're awesome.

[26:05] You're a one person office.

[26:07] And you do work based on all the volunteers.

[26:10] And it's amazing, especially in the pictures

[26:12] we just saw them out.

[26:13] A people that come out and help you.

[26:15] Thank you for everything that you do

[26:18] to keep Polk County beautiful.

[26:21] It's working and it's great.

[26:22] I'm still amazed at the number of tires that you guys accumulate.

[26:27] I've never ever imagined that we would have that kind of number showing up on our county,

[26:33] but we appreciate what you do.

[26:35] Thank you very much and we'll look forward to hearing more wonderful things that you're doing.

[26:40] So thank you. Thank you. And again, I can't take the credit for it.

[26:43] It's our volunteer. That's our waste-tawling sponsor.

[26:45] You're one person, everybody else.

[26:47] You're one person. That's what I'm saying.

[26:48] I'm just coordinating it all.

[26:49] I'm just amazed at how you can round up all these people,

[26:52] especially here, Commissioner Wilson.

[26:54] It's a puppy dog, guys.

[26:55] It's the tears, it's the begging, and all works.

[26:59] Thank you, guys.

[27:01] Thank you, guys.

[27:02] Thank you.

[27:02] Thank you very much.

[27:05] Thank you.

[27:08] In our last presentation, we have Dave Carter,

[27:11] a chairman of the Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee,

[27:15] to provide an update on the committee's activity.

[27:17] Welcome, Dave.

[27:19] Good morning, Madam Chair.

[27:21] Commissioner's County Manager, Dave Carter,

[27:23] professional engineer.

[27:24] I serve as chairman of the County Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee.

[27:29] Here this morning to give you our annual update annual report.

[27:35] After all the other presentations before, we like Stormwater.

[27:39] We think it's exciting.

[27:40] Others maybe don't fill that way, but we're pretty excited about it.

[27:44] Just a little back around, talk about some funding,

[27:47] and then I've got a couple of projects I want to share with you later on.

[27:51] So the committee was established back in 2013, it's purpose at that time, was to assist

[27:58] the county in implementing what's called the NPDES Program National Pluton Discharge

[28:05] Illumination System.

[28:07] The county in 2013 implemented a MSTU and there was concerned politically about having

[28:14] some oversight to the counties activities in that area and making sure we were in compliance

[28:20] with our permit requirements. We do review the county proposed project and funding levels,

[28:26] and we provide technical assistance to county staff and addressing service water issues.

[28:32] Next slide, please. Just a little overview. We've been here for 13 years. In 13,

[28:38] there was very little funding for storm water. The county was doing some basic outfall inventory,

[28:44] education programs and at the time they had something like 40 unfunded CIP projects.

[28:52] The MSTU fee was instituted.

[28:54] The funding started rolling in about 2025.

[28:58] The county then began doing some water quality management plans.

[29:03] In 2019, I think it remarkable was the lake wind project that we've talked about several times.

[29:09] That's a late project that the Peace Creek Canal System Bisex, that project was conducted in two different phases was very successfully completed and the results from that project have been very, very promising and very, very positive.

[29:24] 2019, they were looking at more feasibility studies in additional funding and grant income from other agencies.

[29:33] Currently, we are successfully meeting our NPDES requirements.

[29:37] I want to make sure I told you that.

[29:40] And also, we've had to address new Florida statutes on storm water, regarding septic tanks, beam app, building resiliency, which has to do with vulnerability assessment or critical facilities.

[29:53] these things like hospitals, power plant, critical facilities that are sometimes flattened

[30:00] What we can do to take care of that. Next slide, please. This is a pretty happy picture. Actually, the funding that your staff has sought and gotten in terms of grants has been outstanding over the years.

[30:14] This year, there's almost a 10-to-one ratio of outside grant money versus county tax dollars. I just think that's extraordinary to have that kind of return with those county dollars.

[30:27] One thing I would point out, when you get a grant, it's not just a free check, you've got

[30:31] to do a number of performance things that you have to do to satisfy that grant.

[30:37] So they don't just give you the money.

[30:38] You have to do things that they ask for in the grant to successfully do the funding and get

[30:43] the grant reimbursement.

[30:45] So the county has traditionally done a great job at seeking grants and successfully fulfilling

[30:50] the requirements and grants.

[30:52] Next slide, please.

[30:53] I'm not going to go over all these, but just this is just to give you a taste of all the

[30:58] activities that the county is involved in. They do a number of small scale projects that

[31:03] don't get much, much reporting, but they also do some innovative technology that they're

[31:08] working on. The streetsweeking program I'm going to talk about in a minute. They look

[31:13] at over 250 outfalls that they do condition reports on. There's 20 water quality treatment

[31:19] facilities that are being operated in maintain, because once you build these facilities,

[31:24] you just can't walk away, you have to take care of them and make sure they're operating

[31:26] properly.

[31:28] I'm sure you're aware of the county's water atlas web page is maintained by your staff.

[31:35] They also are collecting water quality samples within house lab analysis on 140 sites that

[31:40] they do quarterly.

[31:41] So quite a bit of assessment of the water systems around the county next slide.

[31:49] Thank you.

[31:49] This is what I call sort of our water quality report card.

[31:54] It looks at 115 likes 37 stream sites.

[31:58] And they only look and for rating like this on this report card,

[32:02] if the site has said 10 years of historical data,

[32:06] a trend line for it to move up or down has to have four quarters

[32:10] directly where it's measured in.

[32:12] The trend line is established for four quarters.

[32:14] On a water body you may be sampling multiple points and you may be sampling multiple constituents with any of those points.

[32:22] And so this is what I call an average under an average, but results this year are promising as they have been in the last couple of years.

[32:28] So we've had a trend of promising results. The number of lakes that are improving, so 148, the declining lakes are 91.

[32:37] There's over 300 that showed no significant trend one way or the other.

[32:41] On streams, there's 19 stream systems that are improving and only five declining, again, 76 that

[32:48] know the show knows they're giving it trends.

[32:51] So, again, this is a, I think a positive report card and this has been consistent the last

[32:55] couple of years.

[32:56] We've looked at this.

[32:57] We've had similar results, so I think this is a pretty good trend line, the next slide.

[33:03] Not going to go into all the NPDES requirements and what I think I would take away from this

[33:09] graphic is that when you start the program with cycle one is a few basic things you do.

[33:15] Then you go to cycle two, you have to continue doing those basic things but they add on

[33:19] two or three other tasks and things that you have to handle and every time the permit cycle

[33:24] renews there are more things you have to do. We're in cycle four now. They typically are

[33:29] running about four or five, six years per cycle. The latest things we're looking at I mentioned

[33:34] earlier was addressing septic tank nutrient loading and B map requirement based in management

[33:40] action plans. So we're almost into cycle five with our permit and once again we are

[33:47] in compliance with our NPDES permit requirements. Next slide. Thank you.

[33:54] Street sweeping is considered a non-structural program. The county originally started the only

[34:01] it looked at six basins are now looking at and doing a street sweeping on 30 basins.

[34:06] This is by no means random.

[34:08] These sites are targeted based on the downstream water body and what the treatment levels

[34:14] of the streets, you know, upstream of that and looking at which system should be, should

[34:19] be checked and done.

[34:22] It focuses on impaired water bodies and it's part of your NP- to ES requirement to

[34:26] do a street sweeping program next slide.

[34:32] When the county does the street sweeping, they have ways they can check the amount of pounds

[34:37] they're bringing in and there's a ratio between that and the amount of nutrients that

[34:41] are in those pounds of nutrients you think of it like fertilizer and there's almost

[34:46] 1,800 pounds of nutrients were removed in 2025.

[34:50] The remarkable thing to me was that is almost twice the nutrients that were removed in the

[34:54] year and talking to staff, the issue there, the improved.

[35:00] I think this comes about because they're focusing on the areas that they're doing a little closer, and they're

[35:05] also, I think, having better controls with contractor doing the street sweeping. And so the fact that

[35:10] that is doubled, I think, as a pretty good sign, pretty remarkable. Next slide. Okay, I want to

[35:16] just show you some projects, give you some ideas. These are the larger projects, typically a little more

[35:20] glamorous. So, a completed or nearly completed project, select any project. This is east of 27, south of

[35:28] This site was an old peat mine that was done decades ago.

[35:32] It was partially reclaimed.

[35:34] The county's gone in and created some flow paths for the water to allow the water to settle.

[35:39] The nutrients to settle on the water comb.

[35:42] They've done some aquatic planting.

[35:45] There's also a passive recreation area that's in the bottom.

[35:48] It's that like green area, the rectangle on the bottom of the site.

[35:51] So they try to do recreation when they do some of these projects.

[35:54] They make due use of the land that they've acquired.

[35:57] next slide. The Lake Lulu project we talked about that last year. If you remember that's

[36:03] on the south side of winter havens south side Lake Lulu. The green area on the wetland area

[36:09] on the south lake on the photo, you'll notice there are some channels in that area. Now those

[36:14] were not there two years ago and we showed you that as proposed work last year and so those channels

[36:18] have been dug. That allows the water from Lake Lulu to the ab and flow back and forth through those

[36:23] wetland areas and better treat that water.

[36:27] On the left, the graphic on the left is the area just

[36:31] to the southwest of the wetland area.

[36:34] That area was an old industrial area.

[36:36] There were some remnant stormwater or industrial treatment

[36:40] areas there.

[36:41] And the county's looking at taking those over and repurposing

[36:44] those basically.

[36:45] The water from the north and northwest flows

[36:48] into here from some industrial areas.

[36:50] And it's all untreated.

[36:52] And so the idea is to capture that water

[36:53] and let it flow through sort of serpentine through those long, skinny ponds that are there.

[36:58] They have actually flow through a wetland and would flow back out to the junction point,

[37:03] which is in the lower side of that drawing.

[37:07] That's also the point, if you're familiar with the control structure, which strains of a whole

[37:13] southern winter haven chain comes in there, so that area is just north of Lake Wynn.

[37:18] So that project is on going.

[37:21] upcoming project. This project is on Lake Hamilton. It's on the northwest side of the lake.

[37:29] It's a joining the west Lake Hamilton drive if you're familiar with that. The blue line,

[37:35] the water coming from the north and an old canal basically will be filtered through some,

[37:40] either new, new, lead dug wetlands or some enhanced wetlands. It'll all drain to the east

[37:46] into Lake Hamilton. Another phase for that would be on the east side of the road. There'll

[37:51] be some wetland treatment cells created in some native wetland planks. It'll be done. And again,

[37:56] county's proposing some recreational use on that area. Next slide, please. This is simply a list

[38:03] of some of the ongoing projects. And some of these are, you'll note, date back as early as 2017

[38:08] because these projects, again, once they're created, they have to be maintained. The the

[38:14] TAC committee does look at these projects annually and we had recommended them for approval in our June meeting so I just wanted you to know that next slide.

[38:25] I understand you have before you in the consent agenda is resolution to dissolve the committee.

[38:30] We're again in our 13th year.

[38:33] Originally the committee was established as it end to be sunset after three years.

[38:36] the notion was to help the county ramp up their stormwater program.

[38:42] We're very proud of the work the county's done over that time.

[38:46] I think looking at where we are today versus where we are then in terms of the scope of the projects,

[38:52] the complexity of projects, we are light years ahead of where we were back in that day.

[38:56] And I think it's a testament to your staff, their talents, their skills and their experience.

[39:01] Our committee did vote unanimously to recommend to you that our committee be dissolved and when we feel like it, we've been our work here, it's time to move on and your staff is well qualified now to do what they do.

[39:15] And so I would mention the next slide, yes, thank you.

[39:20] Current members of the committee in Alaska, you guys to stand up, my besides my self-christ K.

[39:26] Robert Collinger, it's not here, but Ed Moralski is here and just, best guys to stand up.

[39:31] They've been on the committee anywhere from 5 to 13 years.

[39:35] Chris served on me with me when the committee was initially established, and so he's been here quite a few years.

[39:42] The other gentleman come on the last four or five years.

[39:44] Additionally, the initial members were Wangriff in John Lindsay and Dan Froose.

[39:49] So guys, thank you, just wanted to mention you.

[39:52] And Mr. Madam Chair, that is the extent of my presentation.

[39:56] I'll be happy to answer any questions you would have this morning.

[40:02] Questions?

[40:05] It's just shows what Pope County and your team, this committee has done for all these years.

[40:11] A lot of people don't understand what we do and how we do it, and they don't get involved in that much.

[40:18] But they can always complain about something when it doesn't look right. But for all these years we've been doing this.

[40:23] We'll continue to do this and try to make Pope County better when it comes to stormwater and stuff like that.

[40:28] So it's really show there by working hard together and trying to make this happen and not trying

[40:34] to make it happen.

[40:36] Thank you.

[40:37] Commissioner Noes.

[40:39] Yes.

[40:40] Mr. Harris want to say, I appreciate what the Advisory Committee has done, not that you guys know,

[40:47] but I actually attended a meeting many, many years ago as a professional engineer and as

[40:52] a stormwater expert.

[40:54] Just to learn what Polkan is doing, because it's a consultant, you know, it's the way

[40:57] you figure out what work is next.

[40:59] But what that actually did in the time I didn't know it, is it spurred an interest in me to get involved in the public forum and the reason I ended up running for office one of them was because I want to make a difference.

[41:09] And the reason I really want to be involved in the sort of water technical advisor committee at the time was to make a difference.

[41:15] And although that wasn't in the cards at the time, I appreciated the insight that you guys did and just some of the ingenuity that you brought I think to a county platform as far as

[41:28] more advanced than a lot of other counties even have an opportunity to do.

[41:32] So when you look at the members that are on the committee and the minimum years of expertise,

[41:38] it really did a great thing for Pope County, but also did a great thing for me personally.

[41:41] Because again, it's one of the inspirations I had to run for commissioners.

[41:45] So I do appreciate all the time. You guys put into it all the years and all the improvements.

[41:49] You provided the Pope County. Thank you.

[41:51] Thank you for those comments. I was very nice. Thank you. Anyone else?

[42:00] Ms. Beal has some information and would like to say a few words about the team.

[42:08] Good morning, commissioners.

[42:10] Tabitha Beal with Park Sinatra Resources Director.

[42:13] It's my privilege to recognize and sincerely thank the members of our Stormwater Technical Advisory Committee

[42:18] for their outstanding volunteer service and commitment to Polk County.

[42:23] I asked staff to come forward.

[42:25] We have a little something to give them for their service.

[42:29] And the first one is Dave Carter.

[42:32] Chris Kaye, if you'll come up.

[42:34] Jeff Spence and Moralski.

[42:36] And lastly, Mr. Bob Congers is not able to be here.

[42:40] As Dave mentioned, some of you started serving in 2013,

[42:43] which the volunteer service for this is meeting,

[42:46] sometimes on a monthly basis, multiple time.

[42:49] After they were professionals working in the work field

[42:51] for a couple hours in evening providing their technical expertise.

[42:55] It was originally for three years.

[42:57] They got promoted because of their expertise

[42:58] technical guidance and dedication to extend it

[43:01] to 13 years of service.

[43:04] And so I just, on behalf of our team, I want to recognize you

[43:06] and appreciate your encouragement, mentorship,

[43:10] and continued dedication to stack.

[43:12] Your knowledge and willingness to serve as strength

[43:14] in our stormwater program and contributed

[43:17] meaningfully to the work we do for our community.

[43:19] So on behalf of Polk County and personally, thank you for exceptional service and commitment, so I just want to say thank you to you.

[43:26] Thank you.

[43:27] Thank you.

[43:32] Those are nice awards.

[43:34] They're beautiful.

[43:41] So this is a small moment.

[43:42] Some of our things in there.

[43:43] We can have them all come to the front.

[43:45] That would be amazing.

[43:47] We could take my consent right here.

[43:49] Member of you would help them.

[44:50] They've caught up. We are. David, I just want to say thank you for your commitment.

[45:00] For these years, I'm making sure that stack does the work that they've done, and based on the projects

[45:06] that we have seen, it's unbelievable, why has taken place?

[45:10] So thank you very much for your service, excellent job. Thank you.

[45:13] Madam Chair, Dave and I are actually graduates of Penn State University together.

[45:17] He's a few years behind me, but we are both graduates of Penn State University.

[45:21] Attorney Minks, there was a recommendation for dissolved. What do we do with this now?

[45:27] actually on the agenda as are the perfect as are the team. I'm sure. Perfect. Thank you.

[45:34] Okay. We'll be forward. We'll go on with the public comments for agenda items.

[45:40] Amber, do we have any? No, ma'am, we do not. Okay. And now we get to our control room this

[45:45] day see Butterfield. Good morning. Today we have for you to approve and ratify. Hang on let me get my

[45:53] information, payroll checks, 04826 through 04858, the amount of 31,635 and 13 cents.

[46:02] We have 3,200 direct deposits in the amount of 4,922,816 dollars and 27 cents, dated August 7,

[46:13] 2026.

[46:14] We have wire and electronic fund transfers of 15,633,266 dollars and 28 cents, those are dated

[46:22] August 4th through August 17th of 2026.

[46:27] We have invoice checks, number 510162 through 51106,

[46:34] totaling $14,754,637.49.

[46:40] State at August 4th through August 17th of 2026 for you

[46:45] to approve and ratify please.

[46:49] Have a motion in a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none all in favor?

[46:54] Aye.

[46:54] Opposed motion carries. We also request the approval of the minutes of your regular

[47:00] award meeting that was held on August 4th of 2026, please.

[47:06] Have a motion in a second. Any questions?

[47:10] Hearing none all in favor? Aye.

[47:12] Opposed motion carries. Anything else?

[47:15] Yes, ma'am. My office is holding a little over $85,000 in

[47:21] Unclamed court-related funds for 154 people or businesses. So I encourage everyone to go out to our website,

[47:30] which is poltclerkfl.gov and review the list to see if you have any unclamed

[47:37] money. If you find a possible match, just call our office at 8653-4000 and give us your information

[47:45] and we will go over the procedure to claim that money. Claims must be submitted by Tuesday

[47:53] September 1st. So please check the list and help us out by spreading the word. Thank you.

[48:01] county's own treasure hunt. Thank you, county attorney, county attorney, anything for us?

[48:10] No, ma'am char, I think we've got for the Cassina agenda. Let's go ahead and

[48:14] approve that. Thank you, ma'am char. I would like to have a motion in a second,

[48:20] any questions? Discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? All right.

[48:24] Opposed, motion carries. Nothing further, ma'am char. Okay, now anything you have for us?

[48:28] Okay, let's go on to County Manager Bill Beesley.

[48:32] Madam Chair, Members of the Board, Members of the viewing audience, the manager's office will have two items for board consideration this morning.

[48:39] If I could ask Mr. Jerry Rodriguez to step to the center microphone here.

[48:44] Madam Chair, Members of the Board, I have a number of G1 is to request the Board to confirm the appointment of Mr. Jerry Rodriguez to serve as the director of the Polk County Building Division.

[48:56] The Polk County Charter specifies that the County Manager's appointment of executive service

[49:00] employees is subject to confirmation by the Board of County Commissioners.

[49:04] After a competitive public process, I have appointed Mr. Jerry Rodriguez to the position

[49:09] of Director of Polk County's Building Division Effective Monday, August 24th, 2026.

[49:17] Mr. Rodriguez brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in land development,

[49:21] municipal planning, zoning code compliance, entitlement review, and forward planning across

[49:27] both public and private sectors. Most recently, he served as a lead land development project

[49:32] manager and a forward planning manager for the DR Horton Corporation. His public sector

[49:37] experience includes serving as a planner with the Polk County Board of County Commissioners

[49:42] between the years of 1998 and 2005, as well as holding leadership roles with the Polk County

[49:48] public school system and the cities of

[49:50] Dade City, Bushnell and Davenport.

[49:53] Throughout his career, he has demonstrated

[49:56] a strong ability to lead teams, manage budgets,

[49:59] and operations.

[50:00] Mentor staff, coordinate complex development and regulatory matters, and effectively present projects and recommendations before public boards and commissions.

[50:09] Mr. Rodriguez holds a Master of Business Administration from Florida Southern College, a Bachelor of Arts in geography from the University of South Florida, and then associates of arts and liberal arts from a polka community college.

[50:21] He also served as a corporal with the United States Marine Corps assigned to field radio operations.

[50:26] The building director is an authorized position in the current adopted budget, and the existing

[50:31] appropriations are sufficient to cover a negotiated base salary of approximately 146,411 dollars,

[50:39] and employ benefits of approximately $40,730 dollars.

[50:43] So, Madam Chair, members of the board, it is my honor to recommend the board confirm the appointment

[50:48] of Mr. Jerry Rodriguez to serve as the next director of post-building division effective Monday,

[50:54] August 24th, 2026.

[50:59] Have a motion and a second.

[51:01] Any questions of discussion?

[51:03] Hearing none, all in favor?

[51:04] Opposed?

[51:05] Motion carries.

[51:08] Madam Chair, Board members.

[51:10] I want to thank you and very humble.

[51:13] I'm grateful for the opportunity to come back and work for both county.

[51:19] A little loss of words, so we're here with me.

[51:23] I want to thank Mr. Beesley.

[51:25] been done here at a review panel in the HR department for their due diligence in their

[51:33] recommendation. My goal is to lead and support the building division and the fine work

[51:41] they do work with our partnering county divisions and departments in the PCBA. My goal is to be

[51:51] responsive and provide solution driven outcomes for our residents, customers, and our business

[51:58] community.

[51:59] I want to thank you again.

[52:00] Thank you.

[52:02] And good luck.

[52:04] Welcome aboard, Jerry.

[52:04] You got some big shoes to fill.

[52:06] Thank you.

[52:14] Final item, Madam Chair for the Managers Office.

[52:16] Item number G2 is to request the board to approve and land purchase agreement between

[52:20] Richard E. Wheeler Jr. including family and Polk County in connection with the

[52:26] program project site number EL-142-25 as recommended by the Conservation Land Acquisition

[52:35] Selection Advisory Committee. This will be a property acquisition cost not to exceed

[52:39] $3,615,000. In February of 2023, the board adopted Resolution Number 2023-009, which

[52:49] created the Polk County Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee or the

[52:55] The classic was in response to a bond referendum approved by Pope Voters in November of 2022 to finance capital projects related to the acquisition, preservation, protection, management, operation and restoration of environmental lands, water resources and important fish and wildlife habitat.

[53:14] The classic reviews and evaluates properties nominated by property owners and provides a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners as to whether or not staff should pursue the acquisition properties for the program.

[53:27] One such nomination was provided by Mr. Richard E. Wheeler, Jr. and family for continuing

[53:33] for continuous attracts of land located along the north side of Masterpiece Road to the west

[53:40] of Timberlane Road in the Lake Wales area.

[53:43] The property was evaluated by the classic which recommended approval and in July of 2025

[53:47] the board approved staff to pursue the acquisition of the property.

[53:52] The county hired an independent appraiser to establish a value of the property,

[53:55] which is comprised of two rectangular shaped tax parcels containing a total of approximately

[54:01] 80 acres.

[54:02] The owners of the property have agreed to accept the county's offer in the amount of

[54:07] $3,600,000 and have executed an agreement for sale in purchase of the property.

[54:13] The county attorney's office and the real estate services director have reviewed the agreement

[54:17] and recommended approval.

[54:19] Proving the agreement, authorizing the issuance of funds for the purchase and hiring the American

[54:24] government services corporation to close the transaction will allow the county to take ownership

[54:28] of the property for its intended purposes.

[54:32] Funding for this environmental preservation initiative by way of this property acquisition

[54:36] is available in the parks and natural resources five year adoptive community investment program.

[54:42] 3,115,000 will be provided from the Environmental Lands Acquisition Fund and 500,000 will

[54:48] be provided through a Florida Defense Support Task Force grant.

[54:52] So Madam Chair, members of the Board, I think, in keeping with the Board's priority commitments

[54:56] to environmental preservation or equality improvements in habit.

[55:00] I would request the Board to approve the proposed land purchase agreement and authorize the issuance of funds not to exceed $3,600,000 for the identified property purchase.

[55:12] I'd also request the Board to approve the hiring of the American Government Services Corporation to close the transaction and to approve paying closing costs in the estimated amount of $15,000, whereby the total transaction being approved by the Board today is not to exceed $3,615,000.

[55:31] I have a motion in a second. Any questions or discussion?

[55:35] Madam Jeremy.

[55:36] Yes.

[55:36] I just wanted to point out, you know, this particular piece was one of the parts I talked about

[55:41] on our wildlife corridor when we talked about the masterpiece property. Obviously this is infrastructure

[55:47] we have to put in there. But then with the addition of this, being added to kind of this clustering

[55:52] of property now does connect the wildlife corridor. So we're not envisioning a five-foot-wide

[55:57] to be something more appropriate. This does allow for that some super excited that we're able to

[56:03] take it this property into our program and looking for it to happen to work in her group to

[56:08] really make that connection and continue on on the Florida Wildlife How Without. Thank you.

[56:13] Thank you. Commissioner Wilson. Yeah, that particular piece, you know, we've looked at it

[56:19] a long time ago. We knew what it was going to do, what it meant to us, and how it would work all

[56:23] together, so that just goes back to how important this is on our federal program, I mean,

[56:31] classic deal, it really, we have really put some together some good pieces of property and

[56:37] for conservation, and I'm very proud to be part of that.

[56:40] We have a great team doing that, and we've got them, I can't say we got them lined up, but

[56:46] we've got plenty that we can be looking at and keep it into every month, so I'm very proud

[56:51] to have with what you do and everybody else.

[56:54] Anybody else?

[56:56] Okay, I have a motion and a second on more questions.

[56:59] All in favor?

[56:59] All right.

[57:00] Oppos, motion carries.

[57:02] That's it from me, Madam Chair.

[57:03] Thank you.

[57:04] Let's go to commissioners.

[57:06] Commissioner Trumpman.

[57:08] Just want to remind everybody today is our primary election day.

[57:12] So please get out and vote, saying your frustrations

[57:16] on social media into your neighbors, gets nothing done,

[57:19] casting your vote does.

[57:22] Anything else?

[57:24] Okay, Rick Wilson?

[57:25] Yeah, just what she said.

[57:28] Commissioner Brasswell?

[57:29] I don't have anything.

[57:30] Okay, Commissioner Scott.

[57:32] Yes, Pam, I'd like to point Levi James Stillwell as a member,

[57:36] seat six of the Polk County Historical Commission for the three year

[57:39] term from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2021.

[57:43] Thank you.

[57:44] I have a motion in a second.

[57:46] Any questions or discussion?

[57:48] Here we now know all in favor.

[57:49] All right.

[57:50] Opposed?

[57:50] Motion carries.

[57:52] Anything else?

[57:52] No, no, no, no, no.

[57:53] Thank you.

[57:53] I don't have anything else.

[57:55] And we will go now to our hearing part of the meeting.

[57:59] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[58:00] Before we get all right.

[58:01] Expected hearings.

[58:02] I will go over the public hearing.

[58:03] General procedures.

[58:05] I would remind everyone if you wish to speak on any of the public hearing items that you need

[58:09] to fill out a speaker card in the back and give the card to a member of the

[58:12] communications staff.

[58:14] We ask that you please turn off your cell phones or other devices that may

[58:17] to track from the public hearings, please adjust the microphone and state your full name and

[58:20] address for the record before you begin speaking on the topic.

[58:25] Individuals speak in the public comment section of a matter will be strictly them at three minutes.

[58:30] The board is experiencing these matters and is able to discern what is legally relevant

[58:34] to an issue and what is not.

[58:36] If we reach those relevant or repetitive it only serves to frustrate and necessarily prolong

[58:39] today's business, the commission inspects the ability at all times during all public

[58:43] hearings.

[58:43] speaking out of turn, shouting out from the audience, this sort of, quote, sounds are

[58:46] utter, says, well, another speaking are acceptable, and you will be asked to leave the

[58:50] chambers for the remainder of the day.

[58:52] If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter

[58:56] considered here today, you will need a record of proceedings, and that for such purposes,

[59:01] you will may need to ensure that a verb-rated one record of the proceedings is made, which

[59:05] record includes the testimony evidence upon which the appeals to be based, which you must

[59:09] together at join expense.

[59:11] Anyone audience who wishes to speak and present testimony today must be sworn in, I'll

[59:15] testimony given during public hearings, shall be deemed to be sworn.

[59:19] At this time, if you're going to address the commissioner's speak on any case today, please

[59:23] stay in and raise your right hand and answer out loud to the following questions.

[59:27] This is for the land use cases.

[59:30] These were, for the testimony or evidence, you provide to the commission in days of truth.

[59:33] The truth and nothing but the truth.

[59:36] Thank you.

[59:36] Now, chair at this time will go over the expedited hearing, procedures, expedited

[59:40] hearings over to help pursuant to resolution number 222-089.

[59:45] Expedited hearings are used when no opposition was present at the Plan of Commission here,

[59:48] and the applicant agrees to the expedited hearings.

[59:51] And recommendation of the Development Review Committee is for approval.

[59:54] Expedited hearing procedures are the following.

[59:56] Other staff briefly introduces a case that hearing will be open for public comment.

[1:00:00] If you want to speak stern public comment, the applicant will be given the opportunity to respond.

[1:00:05] At the public comment, the board will consider the land use case. At any time full presentation of staff can be

[1:00:09] requested from the commissioner, the applicant or member of the public. All documents attached to the

[1:00:13] den on or den part of the record of the land use case. Unless removed from the list of experts by motion, the board, all

[1:00:18] individuals on the list of experts attached to the den on or den of experts for the purpose of the land use case. At this

[1:00:23] time, I would turn it over to Mr. Mr. Justice School to present the expedited hearings.

[1:00:26] Thank you Mr. Mink, you're more than Madam Chair for the record, Ben Ziscolland Development

[1:00:30] Director.

[1:00:31] There are eight items on the expedited public hearing portion of today's agenda.

[1:00:36] Item number N1 is an expedited public hearing for case LDCPAL 2026-4 organic matters text

[1:00:44] to consider a future land use organic matters to consider a future land use map change

[1:00:51] on approximately 71 acres from Business Park Center to Industrial.

[1:00:57] The subject site is located on U.S. 17 just south of the city of Bartow.

[1:01:03] As you can see on the screen, at a larger scale, Bartow is both to the east and the west

[1:01:09] with the exception of the land that is right on Highway 17.

[1:01:14] Zooming in closer to the subject property, you can see that there is an industrial site

[1:01:19] to the north and to the south, but the subject site still retains a BPC to designation.

[1:01:26] The request on the right hand side, although the purple doesn't quite color match,

[1:01:30] is to match the industrial by changing the land use from BPC to industrial.

[1:01:35] So this entire section of U.S. 17 will have an industrial land use designation.

[1:01:40] This is a large scale comprehensive plan amendment because it exceeds 50 acres.

[1:01:44] It was reviewed by the Planning Commission and received unanimous recommendation of approval.

[1:01:49] So following any questions or comments today from either the public or the board staff recommends

[1:01:54] Transmiddles to the Florida Department of Commerce.

[1:01:57] Any questions for staff?

[1:02:00] Hearing none, we'll open it up for public hearing number.

[1:02:03] Do we have anybody for this one?

[1:02:05] Not for this one, ma'am.

[1:02:06] Okay, thank you.

[1:02:06] I'll close the public hearing and bring it back to the board.

[1:02:11] I have a motion in a second, and the questions the discussions here in non-all-in-favor proposed motion carries.

[1:02:20] Item number N2 is an expedited public hearing for case LDCPAL-2026-3, socrum loop west LCC CPA,

[1:02:29] to consider a future land use map designation on approximately an acre and a half,

[1:02:34] changing from residential low to linear commercial corridor.

[1:02:38] The subject site is located on so-crum loop

[1:02:41] just to the east of US Highway 98.

[1:02:45] As you can see on the screen, underneath the word current,

[1:02:49] there's a larger linear commercial corridor,

[1:02:51] which is on both the east and the west side of US Highway 98.

[1:02:55] The subject parcel does have the residential low designation.

[1:02:59] The request is to expand the LCC by one parcel.

[1:03:04] You can see an existing commercial development or a commercial property just to the west of the site to the north as an existing church.

[1:03:12] The request is to expand this this 1.49 acres.

[1:03:16] As you'll recall over the last several meetings, there was a text amendment to the Comprehensive Plan which will facilitate or allow this expansion.

[1:03:27] This is an acre and a half, but it is within the green swamp, which therefore qualifies it as a large scale comprehensive plan.

[1:03:34] So, very, very small large scale comprehensive plan amendment.

[1:03:38] The item did appear before the Planning Commission and received unanimous recommendation of approval.

[1:03:43] So following any questions or comments, staff also recommends transmitting this to Florida Commerce.

[1:03:49] Any questions for staff?

[1:03:50] Yes, ma'am.

[1:03:52] All right, so just a couple.

[1:03:54] If we go back to, there was a,

[1:03:57] is like an outdoor storage and kind of RV storage of is north on 98 that the one in front

[1:04:04] approval was expanding their existing site. It's like an RV storage or something like that.

[1:04:08] We said at that time that along 98 the DLCC corridor had been established for many years and

[1:04:13] there wasn't going to be allowable expansion easter west to extend LCC but that particular use.

[1:04:21] I think we did it as a TSD. I'm going outside of my area of expertise but there was a

[1:04:25] I'm not saying you swear with a sign that allowed them to have the expansion of their

[1:04:29] business without it being LCC, as the original property was, and I'm just going to

[1:04:34] curious on the LCC that you're referring to on the text of them, and that was for the

[1:04:39] project, the site that was in Polk City, is that correct?

[1:04:42] I was going to allow the Polk City expansion, just trying to see where this kind of

[1:04:45] group looks to get it beyond where we were historically.

[1:04:50] I'm not recalling exactly which other land use case you're referencing.

[1:04:55] What I will say is this is with in the Polk City special protection area.

[1:05:00] So it was this exact parcel that had been asked. We had an asterix in our land development code that did not allow the LCC within the Polk City Special Protection Area to expand.

[1:05:13] That asterix only applied to this parcel everywhere else throughout the county. There is a process where a linear commercial corridor could come before the Planning Commission and the Board to seek an expansion.

[1:05:26] So by removing that asterix and that footnote from the code, it now put this parcel on equal

[1:05:32] playing field with the rest of the county.

[1:05:35] We knew that that text amendment was an anticipation of this request coming before you.

[1:05:40] But as you can see, where the existing LCC exists up and down 98, the Polk City selected

[1:05:49] area planned, follows the US-98 corridor, and then turns, do east on Socrum Loop. So everything

[1:05:57] to the west of US-98, or everything to the south of Socrum Loop, is not in the Polk City

[1:06:04] Special Protection Area. The only LCC parcel that was in the Polk City Special Protection

[1:06:10] Area was this particular parcel here. So that footnote prevented this one property from

[1:06:18] seeking the expansions before each day.

[1:06:20] So I guess just from my own information,

[1:06:22] how did the folks that are from a historical standpoint?

[1:06:24] How did the folks that are special protection area

[1:06:26] get down to the Waiklin?

[1:06:27] That's the way it's away from the folks that are there.

[1:06:31] That certainly predates my time with the county

[1:06:33] and when that line was drawn,

[1:06:36] but common planning practices using a major roadway

[1:06:40] to be a differentiator.

[1:06:42] So clearly that was done at the time

[1:06:43] when they used the US-98 in the Soak Room loop corridors

[1:06:46] as the dividing line.

[1:06:47] but the methodology or the thought process

[1:06:49] that went into that pre-dates me,

[1:06:51] maybe some other staff would be able to answer that question.

[1:06:54] Okay.

[1:06:55] So this doesn't, like you said,

[1:06:56] this is just gonna be for this parcel.

[1:06:59] I guess when I heard folks city before I didn't realize

[1:07:01] spatially, we were talking about 98 North and North Lake

[1:07:04] and I was thinking more towards folks city,

[1:07:07] despite nature of them, okay.

[1:07:08] Thank you, appreciate the clarification.

[1:07:10] Yes, sir.

[1:07:11] Any other questions for staff?

[1:07:14] Hearing none, I'll open it off of public hearing.

[1:07:16] Do we have anyone for this one? No, ma'am. Okay, I close the public hearing and bring it back to the board

[1:07:23] Have a motion in a second any questions discussion on the motion here in non-all in favor

[1:07:31] Opposed motion carries

[1:07:33] Item number N three is an expedited public hearing for case LDCPA L2025-2

[1:07:39] U.S. 98 and peace river AR

[1:07:42] to consider a future land use map designation change on approximately 116.5 acres from phosphate mining to agricultural residential rural.

[1:07:53] This is a continuation of an effort directed by the board to seek out properties that had a phosphate mining designation that had never been owned or operated by a mining company or not part of a mining plan.

[1:08:06] In this particular case, you can see that there's 116 acres of land on the north side of US-98 just to the east of the city of Fort Mead.

[1:08:18] These properties all contain residential development and residential dwellings that were built in the 1960s.

[1:08:24] This amendment will accurately reflect the use of the properties as residential and agricultural and not part of a phosphate mine.

[1:08:34] This will afford the property owners the rights to use their property for residential and agricultural purposes as as designed and as has existed for over 60 years.

[1:08:46] This also appeared before the Planning Commission with the unanimous recommendation of approval.

[1:08:51] Being that it exceeds 50 acres, it is a large scale comprehensive plan amendment.

[1:08:55] So following any questions or comments, we also request a favorable vote to transmit this to Florida Commerce.

[1:09:01] Any questions for staff?

[1:09:04] You're in none.

[1:09:05] I hope you're in a public hearing.

[1:09:07] Yes, ma'am.

[1:09:07] We have one.

[1:09:14] No, ma'am.

[1:09:14] So just for the record that was Mr. Butler,

[1:09:17] and he's no longer wants to come up.

[1:09:19] Just we have a record.

[1:09:21] Thank you.

[1:09:22] So we close the public hearing and bring it back to the board.

[1:09:29] Have a motion for approval in a second.

[1:09:32] Any questions or discussion?

[1:09:34] Hearing none.

[1:09:34] All in favor?

[1:09:36] Opposed?

[1:09:36] Motion carries.

[1:09:39] I remember N4 is an expedited public hearing for case LDCPAL 2025-3, Parish and Keller ARR to consider

[1:09:47] a future land use map designation change from phosphate mining to agricultural residential

[1:09:51] rural.

[1:09:52] This item is nearly identical, very, very similar to the previous item.

[1:09:57] Again, it is a piece of land to the...

[1:10:00] east of the city of Fort Mead, slightly east of the previous item. This also includes multiple residential properties that have contained residential structures since the 60s.

[1:10:11] You can see them on the screen here just to the south of U.S. 98 as it makes its bend. You can see the parcels here all containing residential structures.

[1:10:21] The current future land use map has most of this designated as phosphate mining. These properties were not a part of a phosphate mine or owned and operated by a

[1:10:30] cross fate company, and the request is to change their designation to agricultural residential

[1:10:35] rural as well.

[1:10:36] The accumulation of these parcels is 66.5 acres, so since that exceeds 50 acres, this

[1:10:42] is also a large scale comprehensive plan amendment, following any questions or comments, staff

[1:10:46] recommends approval to transmit to four to commerce.

[1:10:50] Any questions?

[1:10:51] Yes.

[1:10:52] No questions.

[1:10:53] Just comment.

[1:10:53] Again, just for a refresher, we've had some residents have to come in and do this on their own

[1:10:58] and it's several thousand dollars, so thanks for being proactive and getting this cleared up

[1:11:02] once we saw some of this happening, thank you.

[1:11:07] Any other questions or comments for staff?

[1:11:10] Here in nine, I open it up a public hearing, Amber, do we have anyone?

[1:11:13] No, ma'am, we do not.

[1:11:14] Okay, close the public hearing and bring it back to the board.

[1:11:20] Have a motion in a second, any questions discussion?

[1:11:23] Here in nine, all in favor?

[1:11:25] Opposed?

[1:11:26] Motion carries.

[1:11:28] Item number N5 is an expedited public caring for case LDCPAL 2026-5, Indian Lake Estates,

[1:11:35] sewer and duplexed text, items N5 and N6 are companion items N5 relates to the comprehensive

[1:11:42] plan and N6 is a corresponding item for the land development code. Both of these items are

[1:11:50] text amendments which would allow the construction of duplexes in the Indian Lake Estates

[1:11:55] community and will allow those due pledges to be connected to septic, it will allow them to be

[1:12:01] a shared septic between the two units of a dueplex. So each dueplex, while it's two separate

[1:12:08] living units will have one shared dueplex. Item N5 is the comprehensive plan text. This was

[1:12:15] transmitted to the Florida Department of Commerce and received no comments. Your planning

[1:12:20] commission did recommend this for approval and following any questions or comments today.

[1:12:24] staff recommends adoption of this text amendment.

[1:12:28] Question for staff?

[1:12:29] Yes, Commissioner Brasswell.

[1:12:31] Why does this run a bell, my head?

[1:12:32] Do we do this for an individual parcel before and now we're

[1:12:37] just changing the comp plan?

[1:12:39] There was a request to exempt the connection to sewer about a year ago.

[1:12:46] This specifically requires the due places to share a septic.

[1:12:50] So it cuts the number of septic tanks in half from what was proposed before.

[1:12:54] The request was for individual septic tanks about a year ago.

[1:12:59] So this is a modified request.

[1:13:01] All right.

[1:13:02] Any other question for staff?

[1:13:05] Here and now I open for public hearing, Amber.

[1:13:07] Do we have anyone?

[1:13:08] No, ma'am not.

[1:13:09] I close the public hearing and bring it back to the board.

[1:13:14] I have a motion on a second.

[1:13:16] Any questions?

[1:13:18] Discussion?

[1:13:18] Hearing none, all in favour?

[1:13:20] Opposed?

[1:13:21] Motion carries.

[1:13:23] Item number N6 is an expedited public hearing

[1:13:25] for case LDCT, 2026-12, Indian-like

[1:13:29] states, land development code, duplex and use

[1:13:32] table text change.

[1:13:34] And as previously mentioned, N6 is a

[1:13:36] companion item to N5.

[1:13:38] This is the change to the land development code text.

[1:13:40] This item also received unanimous

[1:13:42] recommendation from the Planning Commission

[1:13:45] as a land development code text amendment.

[1:13:47] this particular item was not subject to state review, but it is before you today and on second

[1:13:52] reading for adoption and staff recommends approval. Any questions for staff? Hearing none,

[1:14:00] I open it up for public hearing, Amber, do you have anyone for this one? No, ma'am. Okay,

[1:14:04] I close the public hearing and I bring it back to the board.

[1:14:09] Have a motion and a second,

[1:14:10] any questions discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? All right. Opposed, motion carries.

[1:14:16] Item number N7 is an expedited public hearing for case LDCPS-2026-8 Catling Government Center to consider

[1:14:26] a future land use map designation change from residential low to institutional on approximately

[1:14:31] 29.62 acres. The subject site is in the Catling area the site of a future county government

[1:14:40] center. This is part of the greater effort of county government to decentralize services to the

[1:14:46] This request to change to institutional is consistent with the land development code in the comprehensive plan.

[1:14:54] Institutional is a land use that is designed to provide services to residents such as

[1:15:00] Schools, government facilities, and churches. Therefore, it's deemed to be compatible with almost

[1:15:06] everything that surrounds it in particular with residential communities as the desires to put

[1:15:13] those community services near residential communities to allow the services to be accessible

[1:15:19] to residents. This item did appear before the Planning Commission and received unanimous

[1:15:24] recommendation of approval, and it is here today as a small scale comprehensive plan amendment

[1:15:29] It requires only one hearing, therefore today's hearing is an adoption hearing and staff recommends approval.

[1:15:37] Questions for staff?

[1:15:39] Haven't I opened up the public hearing?

[1:15:41] Amber, do we have anyone?

[1:15:42] Yes, ma'am, we do.

[1:15:59] Mr. Abba, come here.

[1:16:31] Good morning.

[1:16:32] Tamed Abba, come here for the record.

[1:16:34] The 2777 gives only Galilee Road.

[1:16:38] Now, what effect does this project have on me?

[1:16:41] I live on that side of the swamp.

[1:16:42] So everything you build across 98 on the West hand side builds up that swamp and floods my

[1:16:48] area.

[1:16:49] Gives it on and gives it on a yellow-weight road was flooded last night last big storm we had.

[1:16:54] The curve was flooded.

[1:16:55] People going around that curve was flooded.

[1:16:58] This is basically public records, but I'd like to explain to the public how Polk County

[1:17:06] is the fastest growing county in the country.

[1:17:10] that being that we had a public meeting, we had Mr. Scott had a public meeting. We had almost

[1:17:20] 200 people there. I'm really discouraged that I'm here by myself today. It just really

[1:17:26] blows my mind, but I can understand why. Because we had that meeting. Three of the commission's

[1:17:33] refused to even come that could care less about what goes on out there. They're going to get

[1:17:40] and we know that. But we did. We tried to keep informed, we tried to be a part of the service.

[1:17:50] At that meeting, there was 39 of us to gave our address, or not our address, our email address,

[1:17:57] and our names wanting to be informed of everything going on. We never got any information

[1:18:03] you're not the meeting, of course, because there's a lot that sign on the property that's

[1:18:08] turned white and used to be orange when it's put out there. It's meant there's so long

[1:18:12] that you can't see what the sign says to start with. People did make the comments and

[1:18:17] nobody wanted to hear them. All right, here's a lot of them right here. I brought them.

[1:18:23] There was even suggestions. Nobody wanted to hear them. The county, the planning department

[1:18:29] informed me of the day that there was no emails even sent to them.

[1:18:35] No email sent to them, folks.

[1:18:37] No, Michael Hurra, Michael Scott.

[1:18:41] I've got one directly to you specifically.

[1:18:44] Now, it's not our fault that you people can't communicate.

[1:18:48] Nobody in this building can communicate.

[1:18:51] Everybody should have known about these emails.

[1:18:53] They should have known about the questions, suggestions,

[1:18:56] This is not government, I don't know if you've ever seen these, I have no idea.

[1:19:01] But they were in public record.

[1:19:04] That's why I push public records because if I take this to court, which I'm liable to

[1:19:10] do so, I need all the information I can get.

[1:19:13] So I'm requesting right now as well, I want to see the whole program.

[1:19:18] You just said at the beginning of the meeting that I could do that.

[1:19:20] I want to see the entire program that they got, and I'll read, but 14 seconds left.

[1:19:29] Madam Chair, so Mr. I've got me a request and a full presentation.

[1:19:35] Mr. Zisco, you've already presented a full presentation.

[1:19:37] Yes, I will call Eric Peterson, the case planner, to load and present the full case file.

[1:19:42] That means all the information and everything to do with buying the property.

[1:19:45] He's going to provide his full presentation.

[1:19:47] I need a really good reason why we need that sooner.

[1:19:52] Staffers on what's your force? Staffers on what's your father's presentation? Thank you, Mr. Harpercoming

[1:20:00] Good morning, Eric Peterson, for the Land Development Division. This is our case in synopsis that

[1:20:06] have been explained. Just a refresher on why we're here, the current county facility that's at

[1:20:14] 930 East Parker. It's too small, and our lease is expiring, so we need to find a new location for

[1:20:19] it. So it's part of a decentralization of government services. We've got a number of

[1:20:30] county courthouse annexes one that was just completed between

[1:20:34] Hain City Lake Alfred and Lunar Haven.

[1:20:38] You also saw a little bit about the one today that will be

[1:20:43] located in the Lake Wales area.

[1:20:47] There's the central facility where the sheriff's training

[1:20:51] center is and this is the new and moving it from downtown Lake

[1:20:54] Lynn Moore towards the center of the population that it serves.

[1:20:57] in the North Lake Lanaria.

[1:21:03] The site is around other government facilities.

[1:21:07] We have a middle school and elementary school.

[1:21:12] There's a county fire station.

[1:21:14] And this is the site for the government center.

[1:21:21] The fire station is here.

[1:21:24] The elementary school here.

[1:21:26] And here's our site.

[1:21:27] You can see the area around it.

[1:21:29] 110 maillers were sent to area property owners, and we had no response.

[1:21:36] The site has a lot of grading that needs to be done, so one of the things that will

[1:21:40] be a mitigating factor in this is bringing down the height of the property to a standard

[1:21:45] height that gives us the ability to expand the retention ponds and provide for more stormwater.

[1:21:52] It was talked about in the public meetings that this would be converted to a type of park,

[1:21:58] pedestrian facility, things of that nature, and that will be coming forth to you in the

[1:22:04] design. It won't be quite as big as the Northeast Government Center, but for the impact analysis

[1:22:10] we use the Northeast Government Center as a model for how much traffic and use of water

[1:22:18] and sewer and things of that nature. We have more than adequate capacity to serve it all.

[1:22:23] So with that, I'll conclude. It's efficient. It has good access, good connection to everything

[1:22:29] This designation provides clarity so when people look at the land use in the area they see that this is going to be a government facility

[1:22:36] and it in support of the residents around it.

[1:22:40] This is the main reason for putting it out there is to serve the people in this area of the county.

[1:22:45] With that, I'll stand for questions.

[1:22:48] Any questions for staff?

[1:22:51] Is there going to, will we have courtrooms in this one?

[1:22:55] Yes, I hear that.

[1:22:56] is a plan to have court court rooms there as well.

[1:22:59] That's really two.

[1:22:59] Two minimum possibly three and expansion to four.

[1:23:03] I guess where I'm getting it is, why is it smaller?

[1:23:06] What's not going to be there that Lake Alfred has?

[1:23:09] We're not sure about the tax collectors.

[1:23:13] He has a facility in downtown Atlanta.

[1:23:16] So he may have a presence, but we think it may be a smaller scale.

[1:23:20] Okay. All right. Thanks.

[1:23:23] Commissioner.

[1:23:23] I'm not sure.

[1:23:24] It's gone.

[1:23:24] Yeah, just wanted to add clarity as far as the going back to Mr.

[1:23:28] Our Program is comment.

[1:23:29] And then obviously, thank you for the reason for the summary.

[1:23:32] The community meeting tunnel that we had, so all those comments were taken down and writing,

[1:23:38] there was follow up on the ones that we needed clarity on.

[1:23:42] So there's literally all those comments were logged.

[1:23:46] And so I'm sure public record requests are going to have those as well, but we have been

[1:23:51] very keen to understand what the concerns were of the community.

[1:23:55] Again, this being a government center, when you look at the amount of developments occurred

[1:24:00] over the last 15 to 20 years in North Lakeland, there are a lot of services that are lacking

[1:24:05] and this being one of those when you look at what the residents need.

[1:24:11] You know, it's either, I'd say it's either, I mean anything in an affinity land piece, but

[1:24:15] to have this parcel be just another community development and still have no more government

[1:24:19] services, you just, you continue to add to the problem of a lack of providing to the residents

[1:24:26] alone, you know, in North Auckland.

[1:24:27] So again, in our efforts, I'm on the subject, so I'm actually commenting for both the architect

[1:24:32] engineer and for the construction manager at risk.

[1:24:35] So my intent is to definitely have as much of a thumbprint on this project, the benefits

[1:24:40] to community and to not just for not taking the Northeast government center and copying

[1:24:45] and pasting it and making it look exactly the same.

[1:24:48] and Kathleen, we are very aware of the aesthetics and of the additional functions of this needs to have to benefit the residents around it and not just be an 8 to 5 office that you go.

[1:25:00] I want to thank everyone for their services, but something as passive elements as well. And we'll continue to do that. And, you know, if we have another community meeting to be determined, the last one was, you know, interesting meeting. I'm fine to hear any any in all comments. I can take that in a problem. But it's one of the things I want collaboration to help us come up with great solutions as a community. For me to have a town hall meeting and have nothing but statements of, you know, we hate this.

[1:25:30] that doesn't get us anywhere to have a better community.

[1:25:32] It's no different than if we have another different

[1:25:34] specized, you know, this is about the government center,

[1:25:36] but if we have another topic that we disagree on,

[1:25:39] and all I can do is talk about how much we hate each other.

[1:25:41] That doesn't really get us anywhere positive.

[1:25:44] So I would just encourage those in the community.

[1:25:46] If you have other comments, if you're watching this video now,

[1:25:48] or if you're watching it later on,

[1:25:50] please email my office, if you have more concerns,

[1:25:52] we will certainly take those in the consideration.

[1:25:54] Thank you.

[1:25:55] Thank you, anybody else?

[1:25:57] Okay, thank you.

[1:25:59] We have, I believe, Mr. I have become, we have at least 15 more seconds of his time left.

[1:26:06] Mr. I have become you have anything additional you want to do not 15 seconds.

[1:26:10] Thank you Mr. Mook, I appreciate that. Mr. Scott, I don't see any numbers.

[1:26:17] Show me some numbers. How often is people there, how much is the emphasis used?

[1:26:21] What are they going to be in there? I need more answers of what is actually going to be there.

[1:26:26] You stated that they had they did make a lot of comments

[1:26:29] There was nothing in the public records. There was any other talk about it between any of you between any of the people out there. Nothing. Thank you. Thank you

[1:26:38] Thank you

[1:26:40] Okay, Amber, do we have anyone else for this? No, man. We do not. Okay, so then I close the public hearing and I bring it back to the board

[1:26:50] Sorry

[1:26:51] have a motion to for approval in a second any question discussion hearing none all in favor

[1:26:58] oppose motion carries in Madam Chair the final item on the expedited portion of this

[1:27:06] agenda item and eight is an expedited public hearing for case LDCT 2026-15 vehicle service

[1:27:13] in RACX to consider a text amendment to the land development code which would allow vehicle

[1:27:19] services mechanical as a C1 conditional use in the regional activity center districts of the

[1:27:26] U.S. 27 selected area plan. I presented this two weeks ago on first reading and indicated

[1:27:31] that vehicle service in this area, the selected area plan is the only area within the county

[1:27:39] that restricts vehicle service everywhere else within the county and other selected area plans

[1:27:45] allows vehicle services in the regional activity center. So again, this would put this district

[1:27:49] on par with the rest of the county.

[1:27:51] The US-27 selected area plan is a highly dense, highly active

[1:27:55] selected area plan.

[1:27:57] The Regional Activity Center is regional by nature,

[1:28:00] and these types of uses do support visitors

[1:28:03] and regional traffic that comes to the US-27 selected area plan.

[1:28:08] The C1 designation versus a permitted use.

[1:28:13] The C1 will implement conditions most notably

[1:28:15] that all activity will be conducted

[1:28:17] inside the building for any vehicle repair. This is the adoption hearing. So following any questions

[1:28:24] are common staff recommends approval. Any questions for staff? Yes. Commissioner Brasswell.

[1:28:29] I've got a question about a phone call I had from a guy. And I guess maybe California or someone

[1:28:38] like that, they're starting to have like this a Jiffy Loop with a 711 with a car wash. It's all one

[1:28:47] thing. And he said they're gaining popularity. Do we have a land use that would cover

[1:28:55] all that? How would we handle something like that?

[1:28:59] And this and kind of anything to do with this case in particular, but I'm just curious how

[1:29:03] we would handle it.

[1:29:04] I think what we would do is we would look at, over those three, the convenient store, the

[1:29:08] car wash, and the vehicle service, which is the most restrictive use. And it would most

[1:29:13] likely follow that approval process for the most restrictive of those three, but I have

[1:29:17] cross-reference if those all those uses are on par with the same. Right, right. But

[1:29:23] but typically what we would do if there's multiple uses is we would go with the more

[1:29:27] restrictive use and that would go through the the review process. All right, thanks.

[1:29:33] Any other question for staff? Hearing none, Amber, do we have anyone for this one? No, ma'am. Okay,

[1:29:39] so I closed the open it and closed the public hearing and I bring it back to the board.

[1:29:46] have a motion in a second, any questions, discussions, hearing none, all in favor, opposed motion carries.

[1:29:54] Madam Chair, that concludes the expedited portion of the public hearings.

[1:29:59] Now I believe I turn it over to Mr.

[1:30:00] Mr. Lowry for the regular hearings.

[1:30:10] Good morning. For the record-scout, Larry Real Estate Services Director.

[1:30:13] I have two items this morning. The first staff is requesting the board by its own motion vacate

[1:30:20] a plated drainage easement, as shown in the plata cypress point, record-implat but 63 at page 40.

[1:30:26] The county recently completed a drainage improvement project on cypress point each east, which consisted

[1:30:32] of the construction of a new drainage pipeline running north from an inlet located within the

[1:30:37] to Lake Eloys, the new pipeline replaced an older pipeline that was damaged, not functioning

[1:30:43] properly and undersized, which ran from the Colossack eastward, and it's in this red

[1:30:48] area shown on the screen, towards a canal which also drains to the lake. Due to the flat

[1:30:55] of drainage easement, it was so narrow, it was only five feet wide, and situated in such

[1:30:59] close proximity to existing residences on both sides, it could not be utilized for the project.

[1:31:04] and we got easements from the property owners to the north.

[1:31:08] The Platypublic drainage easement, which has located over a lot's 40 and 41 of the

[1:31:12] plat is not suitable for any drainage used by the county based on its size and location,

[1:31:17] and it has requested that the platypublic drainage easement be vacated to remove the encroachment

[1:31:22] and the encumberment of the easement over the lots.

[1:31:25] Vacating the platypublic drainage easement will remove the encumberment of the easement

[1:31:28] and allow the property owners to fully utilize the area in conjunction with their properties.

[1:31:32] The county's rows and drainage division staff and the county engineer reviewed the request and have no objections.

[1:31:38] Staff recommends the board adopt a resolution to vacate the plated drainage easement as more fully described in the legal description contained in the resolution.

[1:31:47] And I'll arrange standing for any questions.

[1:31:51] Any questions for staff?

[1:31:53] Okay hearing none.

[1:31:55] I opened it up for public hearing.

[1:31:56] Amber, do we have anyone?

[1:31:58] Not for this one, ma'am.

[1:31:59] Okay, thank you.

[1:32:00] We close the public hearing and bring it back to the board.

[1:32:03] Thank you.

[1:32:04] Thank you.

[1:32:05] Have a motion in a second.

[1:32:07] Any questions?

[1:32:08] Discussion?

[1:32:08] Hearing none?

[1:32:09] All in favor?

[1:32:10] Opposed?

[1:32:11] Motion carries.

[1:32:13] For the next time, the county received a petition from Bart Allen as authorized agent for

[1:32:18] 1917 development LLC to vacate a portion of deeded and maintained right away for spring road and the Auburndale area.

[1:32:26] Spring road was, until recently, a county maintained roadway running from Braddock Road and Northward to a dead end.

[1:32:32] There are out-of-way for spring road consists of Radaway conveyed to the county in a

[1:32:36] 1945 deed recorded in deedbook 75 that page 311 along with a maintained Radaway map recorded in

[1:32:43] 1973, excuse me, and mapbook 2 at pages 273 and 274.

[1:32:49] Additional Radaway for the roadway near its intersection with Braddock Road was conveyed to the county by the state of Florida,

[1:32:55] basically in conjunction with the Pope Parkway in 2005.

[1:32:58] Spring Road was recently severed in conjunction with improvements to the Polk Parkway, which included a new interchange at Braddock Road.

[1:33:06] The road away by six portions of the petitioner's property and they're requested the vacation to remove the vification.

[1:33:12] And prepare the property for development or sale.

[1:33:15] Additionally, it was determined that the maintained road away extended northerly and to properly owned by the state of Florida as part of its sun tracks facility.

[1:33:23] You can see that here on the screen is going into the existing facility.

[1:33:26] No evidence could be found that this portion of the right away was previously vacated

[1:33:29] as to county staff of assets that had been included in the vacations as well.

[1:33:33] After the petition was filed, the petitioners property was sold to the term pike to be utilized

[1:33:37] in conjunction with the SunTracks facility, future expansion project.

[1:33:42] Term pike was aware of the petition prior to the purchase and has provided consent along

[1:33:46] with continued assistance in this process.

[1:33:49] They came the subject right away where we removed the public's interest, which will remove

[1:33:52] the bifurcations and allow the term pipe to fully utilize its property.

[1:33:57] The appropriate kind of visions and utilities were notified and have no objection to the vacation.

[1:34:02] Gulf Stream Natural Gas did request an easement for existing facilities which cross on this general area.

[1:34:08] And term pipe has been actively working with them to fill that request.

[1:34:13] Staff remains the board adopted the resolution to vacate and close the portion of

[1:34:17] needed a maintained right away for spring road as fully described in the legal description

[1:34:22] contained in the petition and the resolution and our main standing for any questions.

[1:34:26] Any questions for staff?

[1:34:28] Commissioner Scott.

[1:34:29] As far as the one that this is approved today and it's vacated, as far as the demolition

[1:34:34] of the roadway and all that, that's up to the property owner there's nothing the county

[1:34:37] has obligation to do.

[1:34:39] Correct.

[1:34:39] Now we've made no agreements to do.

[1:34:41] They would be on them.

[1:34:42] Very good.

[1:34:42] Thank you.

[1:34:43] Any other questions?

[1:34:45] Okay, here we know I open the public hearing number. Do we have anyone not for this one man?

[1:34:50] Thank you. We close the public hearing and bring it back to the board.

[1:34:53] Motion for approval.

[1:34:55] Have a motion and a second. Any questions?

[1:34:58] Discussion? Hearing none? All in.

[1:35:00] Any favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Item 03 is consider adoption of the ordinance of the Pope County Board,

[1:35:08] a kind of commission sent out of the Pope County property maintenance ordinance as the board is aware.

[1:35:13] This is actually amending a 2008 ordinance to clean up some language.

[1:35:18] It's the ordinance that code enforcement uses to crack code violations if the property owner fails to do so.

[1:35:25] through that process. The property owners are given notice. They're given an opportunity to

[1:35:29] peel it to a special mastery. And once that occurs, if they are, they don't peel it,

[1:35:34] then the code enforcement will go out and bait the violation and then the causes,

[1:35:38] the sesicin, the property. So this is clean up some language that also makes it clear that

[1:35:43] the property owner's own local road is responsible for maintaining the property up to the

[1:35:48] edge of pavement. It also creates a process to allow code enforcement or allows the county to

[1:35:54] bank violations for individuals who fail to maintain their drainage easements.

[1:35:59] That's on their property, their private drainage easements, and if they don't crack those

[1:36:04] violations in the county can maintain those private drainage easements or make the necessary

[1:36:09] change our maintenance to it, and the charge that costs back to the property owners,

[1:36:14] that helps out in that that helps out clearest to drainage and for the upstream property

[1:36:19] owners and stuff.

[1:36:20] So, it's a recommended for the board to approve this at this time and I'll say for any questions.

[1:36:26] Any questions for the attorney?

[1:36:29] Hearing none, I'll open out for public hearing number.

[1:36:32] Yes, ma'am.

[1:36:33] We have two.

[1:36:46] Thank you.

[1:36:49] And the first one we have is Kyle Roy.

[1:36:54] You come on up here.

[1:37:02] Kyle, stay your name and your address and you have three minutes.

[1:37:05] Before I start, could I ask if you could

[1:37:09] and put a paper that I have up on the screen.

[1:37:12] Yes, Katie.

[1:37:35] My name is Kyle Wright, and I live at 102

[1:37:38] Valencia Street, Winter Haven, Florida.

[1:37:42] And I'm speaking today to give my opinion

[1:37:45] on this ordinance.

[1:37:48] So first of all, I like that the provisions for the rights

[1:37:54] of way and drainage easements are made explicit.

[1:37:57] And I like that the code enforcement process is defined and the is explicitly defined in the ordinance so we can read it and we can know what the process is before without having to like watch the magistrate meetings to figure out what it is.

[1:38:14] In general I like it when rules are clearly defined and that's why I have a small problem with the definition for prohibited overgrowth.

[1:38:26] So in the start of the provision, you can see that it explicitly calls out grasses and annual

[1:38:36] plants and it gives an exception for wooded plants that are part of intentional landscaping.

[1:38:44] And I think that is a problem because I do have some grasses that I would like to grow over

[1:38:49] 18 inches. You may have heard of them. They are barley, corn, goat grass, millet,

[1:38:56] sorghum, and wheat. These are all grasses, and I'm interested in growing them eventually.

[1:39:03] So I wouldn't want to, you know, be forced to cut them down to 18 inches because that would kill them.

[1:39:09] And I also have some annual plants that I would like to grow above 18 inches.

[1:39:14] Such as tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin, watermelon, peas, beans, squash, eggplant, basil, mint, thyme, cilantro, ginger, peppers, sunflowers, and American grown-up.

[1:39:27] I know what you're thinking, as long as they're not uncapped, it's fine, but I respectfully disagree, because the word uncapped is a subjective term.

[1:39:39] And the last time I checked, this is a county government not in HOA, and I would appreciate it if we kept our rules based on matters of fact and not matters of opinion.

[1:39:55] With that being said, here's my recommendation for a edit to you.

[1:40:00] Do this provision. On general areas of the law, excluding those areas covered above any dead or living

[1:40:07] plant life that has grown to exceed 18 inches in height and is not a part of intentional landscaping

[1:40:13] or poses a hazard.

[1:40:17] As you can see, this version is unambiguous and easy to read, exactly what

[1:40:21] I'd like to see. I hope you agree. Thanks for listening to me.

[1:40:27] Thank

[1:40:31] you, Attorney Randy, I don't know if you have any comments on this or not this time.

[1:40:37] At this time.

[1:40:39] Thank you.

[1:40:42] Next, we have Abba Company.

[1:40:48] I want to share that.

[1:40:49] I want to share what that was about.

[1:40:51] I agree with him.

[1:40:53] I think they need to be explicit.

[1:40:57] Okay.

[1:40:58] No one else, Amber?

[1:41:01] No, we do not.

[1:41:02] So we close public hearing and bring it back to the board.

[1:41:09] Randy, I mean, he makes a lot of sense.

[1:41:13] Yeah, I read both.

[1:41:14] I don't necessarily see the difference.

[1:41:17] I think the plant, I could see where we're not,

[1:41:20] I've never seen where we ordered and went cut down to

[1:41:23] Mado plants.

[1:41:24] Right, right.

[1:41:24] I mean, the attentional.

[1:41:26] I mean, the attentional.

[1:41:26] Never the attentional of it.

[1:41:28] So if we want to clarify that cut garden plants,

[1:41:33] I'm trying to figure out, can we just take two weeks

[1:41:37] figure this out and bring it back.

[1:41:39] We can.

[1:41:40] I don't have no issues with that.

[1:41:42] Yeah, I mean, like I said, everything he said makes sense.

[1:41:46] Yeah, I'm reading that.

[1:41:47] I don't see the difference, but there is, obviously.

[1:41:50] So let's, let's, what do you need a motion to just

[1:41:53] motion to continue this to the September first of the next

[1:41:57] week, if I'm not mistaken.

[1:41:59] So I'm a rock.

[1:42:00] Not a, not a clock.

[1:42:02] So I'm a, so I have a motion and a second to continue this

[1:42:06] is on September 1st. Any questions or discussion on that?

[1:42:11] And it's September 1st at 9 o'clock, don't you?

[1:42:13] Okay. Any questions or discussion on that?

[1:42:17] Yes, Commissioner?

[1:42:18] Yeah, I just want to thank the President for bringing the clarity.

[1:42:20] And again, that's part of how we're governed is to have their inputs.

[1:42:23] So thank you for that.

[1:42:24] Thank you. Any other questions?

[1:42:27] Or anything like that? Okay.

[1:42:29] Hearing none, all in favor?

[1:42:30] Aye.

[1:42:31] Opposed, motion carries.

[1:42:32] So we will continue this in September and we look at this.

[1:42:38] Thank you.

[1:42:39] Okay.

[1:42:40] And I think I did close the public hearing.

[1:42:43] I want to make sure I did do that.

[1:42:45] Okay.

[1:42:45] Thank you.

[1:42:46] All right.

[1:42:46] Now we will go on to the general public audience.

[1:42:50] Opportunity be held.

[1:42:52] Do we have any?

[1:42:53] Yes, ma'am.

[1:42:54] We do.

[1:43:06] Thank you.

[1:43:09] Okay.

[1:43:09] We will start with Kevin Noble.

[1:43:16] Good morning.

[1:43:17] commissioners, my name is Ken Chinoval, 112345, Outerus Lebroude in Barteth, Florida.

[1:43:24] Can I see if his maybe get closer to the Microsoft?

[1:43:30] I'm sorry, my name is Ken Chinoval, and I live at 2345, Outerus Lebroude in Barteth, Florida.

[1:43:37] Okay, I'm speaking after the day is because I'm seriously exceeding it all like

[1:43:41] road, I've seen, it says that my driver, I'm at Christmas night, we've seen how bad

[1:43:48] that it gets. It gets that that's the third, third, my truck entrance and it gets

[1:43:56] that up every day and that I'm, and I feel that I'm, that I need to, it needs to turn

[1:44:02] signal both sides do and that curb, the first curb, there was a one accident there.

[1:44:09] That was the one that that me and the night me in Chris and I had

[1:44:14] Says I don't want nobody else to have an Iraq's or around the road

[1:44:20] That um

[1:44:21] Says that that curb is so bad. It that um, it's so sharp and

[1:44:27] And I feel that maybe maybe

[1:44:30] The speed on the curb can be reduced for say the reasons

[1:44:36] Yep, yeah, and I use that me and we use that road every day

[1:44:40] and it's so bad that we don't only want to have the accident there and we are lucky.

[1:44:53] Yeah, so both sides of the intersection, they do need turn signals and we don't want the...

[1:45:00] We don't want the airspace to get back to the cell, so we could try to re-options, but

[1:45:06] turn lane on out on old language roads to a 60-foot turn lane there, or arrow, or a flag with

[1:45:14] altars road hazard, arrow markings, and in that way there would be no confusion. And that way,

[1:45:21] we don't have to make host calls. This says that when a car turns left, there's good

[1:45:26] chance that they're going to hit somebody else.

[1:45:29] They don't pay attention and they're going to turn up on somebody in

[1:45:32] hit them and we don't want that.

[1:45:35] We don't want, we don't want no more calls calls.

[1:45:38] I'm sure you agree.

[1:45:39] And Chris, when I would agree with me, so if you have a chance to

[1:45:47] harden and it proves that it improves all the old

[1:45:51] those roadings, there was 60, put a turn lane there, or Aaron Markins, and approved that curb.

[1:46:01] Yeah, at the old-legal road, if you don't approve that curb, and make it safer for everybody.

[1:46:08] I would have, I appreciate it very much, and my daughter, Chris, and I would appreciate too.

[1:46:14] So, so take it, take it, take it, take it, take it, take it down, Liz.

[1:46:18] Thank you.

[1:46:22] Maybe we could look into that as well.

[1:46:23] Yes, we take that under advisement.

[1:46:25] Yes, and provide us some updates.

[1:46:30] Okay.

[1:46:30] Thank you.

[1:46:32] Next is Kay Bork.

[1:46:43] Good morning, commissioners.

[1:46:44] My name is Kay Bork.

[1:46:45] I'm 1133 Brook Road in Fort Mead.

[1:46:48] Well, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to speak.

[1:46:51] And for the work behind the scenes to address some of the issues that we've been

[1:46:54] and fallward over the past year. Appreciate that very much. Today, I want to talk about the

[1:46:59] importance of Spaneter and what prevention matters when the system's already overwhelmed. People

[1:47:04] say that Spaneter won't fix everything and it won't. But that's okay. We've got to start somewhere.

[1:47:11] Spaneter will not stop backyard breeders. It won't rewrite animal laws. It won't magically

[1:47:16] create more adopters or more rescues or bigger shelter rescue budgets. But here's what it does do.

[1:47:23] It gives a rest of the system a chance to catch up.

[1:47:27] Imagine trying to empty a bathtub with a clogged drain while the faucet's still running.

[1:47:33] You can grab a bucket to start bailing the water out.

[1:47:36] You can work faster or grab a bigger bucket.

[1:47:38] You can ask 10 friends to come help you bail.

[1:47:41] But realistically, unless somebody turns the water off, you're fighting a losing battle.

[1:47:46] That's where prevention comes in.

[1:47:48] Every cat or dog prevented from being born into an already overwhelmed system

[1:47:52] is one less animal competing for home,

[1:47:55] one less animal needing shelter are waiting for a rescue,

[1:47:59] one less animal in the street creating a public health issue,

[1:48:02] one less animal adding to the workload of veterinarians,

[1:48:05] animal control offices, shelter, rescues and volunteers.

[1:48:08] Prevention does not erase the crisis,

[1:48:10] but it does slow the flow.

[1:48:13] And sometimes slow in the flow is exactly

[1:48:15] what gives the rest of the system a chance to breathe.

[1:48:18] The adopters, the fosters, the shelters, the veterinarians.

[1:48:21] The rescue groups, the animal control officers, they're all trying to manage what's already here.

[1:48:28] Prevention is how we start reducing what comes next because we can keep grabbing bigger buckets.

[1:48:33] We can keep working faster.

[1:48:35] We can keep asking more people to help.

[1:48:37] But at some point in time, we've got to turn off the flow.

[1:48:41] Now, I'm not here to ask you guys to put county money toward this.

[1:48:45] because I recognize Mr. Braswell, I actually viewed the text,

[1:48:50] I mean the revenue meetings on Friday and her drip proposal,

[1:48:54] which I think is pretty cool.

[1:48:56] But I realize the questions that are there on our minds

[1:49:00] about County Revenue, but there are small pockets of volunteers,

[1:49:06] non-profits working to develop Spaniard and Programs

[1:49:08] in Pope County today.

[1:49:10] They're based on donations and grants,

[1:49:12] and they're fueled by volunteers.

[1:49:14] So I want to encourage all who can to support these programs and when possible, use the

[1:49:19] influence to call attention to these programs.

[1:49:22] Spay neuter may not pull at the heartstrings, and as a result may not bring in as many

[1:49:26] donations as a sick parvo puppy, but the only way to slow the flow is to support prevention.

[1:49:32] And had the parvo puppy's mama been spayed, there would have been no parvo puppy.

[1:49:37] So I encourage us all, county people, commissioners, everybody that's hearing this today.

[1:49:42] support these local groups that are trying to get the Spainood or process started.

[1:49:48] And hopefully one day we'll be as good as to keep Polk County beautiful program.

[1:49:54] Thank you, Kay.

[1:49:57] Next we have David Butler.

[1:50:06] Good morning. David Butler, my address is exact.

[1:50:12] I didn't see the presentation as we talked about with Mr. Brasswell, some options or whatever for the new budget, but he did propose a one-cent sales tax. That's probably a pretty good option because of everybody participating tax program. However, I haven't seen a list and it may be in that presentation, she just spoke of. If anything, if you decided to do away with, they could say the tax payer's money, is there a list out there? If any programs you all think could shave a few dollars off?

[1:50:38] This is your time.

[1:50:39] I don't think Tom seems to be able to do that.

[1:50:41] Yeah, I'm not asking for questions about that.

[1:50:43] Yes, ma'am.

[1:50:43] Actually,

[1:50:45] but I haven't seen anything like that

[1:50:47] where you've gone through the programs and said,

[1:50:49] you know what?

[1:50:49] This program isn't working.

[1:50:50] Let's do away with this program.

[1:50:52] Let's say the taxpayer is the one who's on this program.

[1:50:55] The share's been a too much money on an airplane.

[1:50:58] Let's sell that airplane and get a cheaper one.

[1:50:59] It's out there.

[1:51:00] You know what's about to deal?

[1:51:02] This deputy's up here this morning.

[1:51:05] She was one of my, well, I told her,

[1:51:08] I don't know how long, I don't know a long time.

[1:51:12] That deputy does not get paid any extra money at home or doesn't run that dog.

[1:51:15] She doesn't get paid overtime for training.

[1:51:18] You know what she does?

[1:51:18] She gets extra hour off.

[1:51:21] Is that fair?

[1:51:22] They're walking the gunfire.

[1:51:24] Take rounds out to you and have to do way or have to do without overtime while you fly around

[1:51:29] on a three million dollar airplane instead of driving like everybody else has to.

[1:51:33] It's not right.

[1:51:36] Mr. Wilson asked you, today's election day.

[1:51:38] As you last week, if you come up with eight things that you've done throughout your time, is that list available anywhere?

[1:51:44] Are those that you're not going to expect?

[1:51:49] Tell my ordinances.

[1:51:54] Ms. Trautman, a while back, was very proud and rightfully so.

[1:51:58] But in order to job past for the advertising signs and intersections.

[1:52:04] You're incorrect.

[1:52:06] You weren't proud of that ordinance?

[1:52:09] There is no ordinance related to the snipe signs.

[1:52:12] I'm at the stop signs?

[1:52:14] It's not.

[1:52:15] Snip signs.

[1:52:17] Oh, damn, I apologize.

[1:52:18] I'm misunderstood.

[1:52:19] But I thought it was a, I thought you, must have, I'm sorry.

[1:52:23] So anyway,

[1:52:25] you can enact ordinances.

[1:52:28] Miss Borgas for a ordinance for Spay and Newtor.

[1:52:33] Please do that.

[1:52:34] Please do that.

[1:52:36] It's easy.

[1:52:39] So Mr. Wilson, is there a place for that list of accomplishments?

[1:52:44] Thank you. Thank you. Madam Chair, may I? Yes. Mr. Butler. I would just reiterate what you've

[1:52:51] heard. See our spoken before from Mr. Braswell and others. We are always available to make

[1:52:58] appointments with and if you've got beef for lack of a better word, some issues that you

[1:53:02] want to talk about, it could be much more effective to cover those. We don't need anything else

[1:53:08] today and I'm not going to go against the procedures. But please feel free to make appointments

[1:53:12] With us, we can get a lot more done on a one to one, rather than just in a little three-minute

[1:53:17] you know, pieces of information, but if you would like to actually talk about some issues

[1:53:22] and have more than three minutes, we're always open for constituents to make appointments.

[1:53:29] Could I have my 39 seconds? Thank you. Thank you.

[1:53:32] Can I have my 39 seconds please? The one? No.

[1:53:35] Can you have extra? Yeah. I have 39 seconds. Yeah. Yeah.

[1:53:39] That was not meant as a beef at all, with the sign thing.

[1:53:42] I thought your past an ordinance to find people that left advertising signs at the

[1:53:47] intersection.

[1:53:48] That's not the case.

[1:53:50] That is not the case.

[1:53:51] I'll be glad to tell you why.

[1:53:53] I feel that that's important in what we're doing, but it would take more than three minutes.

[1:53:56] Again, I just encourage you to make appointments.

[1:53:59] Well, please don't say it's a beef.

[1:54:00] I was applauding you for making that thing.

[1:54:01] I said rightfully so.

[1:54:03] Please don't say that as a beef.

[1:54:06] Okay.

[1:54:06] The first time I ever talked was going to be the last time I ever spoke and Mr. Wilson interrupted me, told me he didn't like my attitude.

[1:54:15] So please correct him when his be first.

[1:54:17] Okay, thank you.

[1:54:20] Just for the record, the presentation that we had Friday was basically lining up $133 million worth of cuts to identify what all

[1:54:36] available to cut. Should have been a three pass.

[1:54:42] Okay, next we have John Robertson.

[1:54:52] Good morning.

[1:54:53] My name is Jonathan Robertson. I live at 60 to 11 silver leaf lane in Lakeland Florida. Thanks for letting

[1:54:58] me have three minutes off.

[1:55:01] I'm just going to read an email that I sent about a week ago to you all. I know you're busy. So dear commissioners, I hope this message finds you well. I'm writing to express serious concern regarding the estimated 100,000 plus stray and feral cats in Polk County and ongoing lack of a coordinated county-wide trap-neuter return program.

[1:55:23] Without systematic intervention, this population continues to grow rapidly.

[1:55:29] I'll step aside and say I know the 100,000 is an estimate.

[1:55:32] The lower estimates have been 30,000, but even 30,000 or more,

[1:55:36] it thinks a bit out of control.

[1:55:38] As a volunteer, working with the SPCA of Lakeland,

[1:55:42] I personally trap sterilized and return,

[1:55:46] dozens of cats in the area just east of Harden Boulevard.

[1:55:49] So if you imagine Carlton Music Center,

[1:55:51] If you've ever been to Carlton Music Center and look at their trash dumpster, I've put a cat house back there, right?

[1:55:58] The sequins go in and I trap them and do what needs to be done.

[1:56:02] Also, I'm involved with the retirement community just east of that, which is the Citrus Community Retirement Center.

[1:56:10] I worked with our community manager because they have probably a hundred stray cats running around there.

[1:56:15] I've reviewed the county's website and available public materials, but have found no information regarding planning, budgeting or any active initiatives to address this issue at the county level.

[1:56:28] I would appreciate any update on any current efforts, including whether the board has considered allocating resources for comprehensive TNR program or partnering with existing animal welfare organizations.

[1:56:42] other Florida counties such as Pinellas. Look, Polk County, where the best county in Florida, right?

[1:56:49] I agree. Not so for TNR program. Pinellas has this beat, soundly. Pinellas has successfully reduced the

[1:56:57] straight cap populations through their well-established, robust TNR program. This demonstrates the

[1:57:03] challenges solvable with the sustained policy commitment and funding. I respectfully request that the board

[1:57:13] And provide a clear response outlining next steps.

[1:57:17] I'm available to discuss the issue further or share my on-the-ground

[1:57:21] observation.

[1:57:22] If that would be helpful, thank you for your attention.

[1:57:24] I took a vacation day to be here to speak with y'all.

[1:57:28] Those are coveted at Public's Corporate.

[1:57:29] Let me tell you.

[1:57:31] Thank you for attention.

[1:57:32] This community concern.

[1:57:33] I find it very important.

[1:57:35] Cats like to meet.

[1:57:37] If it's 100,000, it's going to be 200,000 before we know it.

[1:57:40] will be 500,000.

[1:57:45] Ask AI what Penelas County has done to be so effective. We'll have one

[1:57:50] of your assistance. Jump on Grocker, open AI, and just type in how his Penelas County

[1:57:55] has been so effective at their TNR program. I can tell you, it starts with a basic, supportive

[1:58:00] legal framework. It's not rocket science. Thank you all so much.

[1:58:04] Thank you, John. We'll find my email if you have any questions.

[1:58:06] Yes.

[1:58:09] Okay, next we have David Cole.

[1:58:33] Good morning.

[1:58:33] My name is David Cole.

[1:58:34] I live at 933 North Swanney Avenue in Lakeland, Florida.

[1:58:40] It has to do with cats.

[1:58:42] Over three years ago, a nonprofit group comes to me.

[1:58:45] And one of them, if I would help trap cats to get them fixed.

[1:58:50] Up to $2,000 of my own money, we were down to 4 female cats.

[1:58:55] Every male in the neighborhood had been fixed.

[1:58:59] 19 months ago, as Ronald Reagan used to say,

[1:59:03] your various fear for a private citizen,

[1:59:06] I'm from the government, and I'm here to help you.

[1:59:10] Well, sure enough, a AC officer that showed up,

[1:59:15] told me stop feeding cats. I stopped feeding cats.

[1:59:19] Nine months ago, he told me to clean up my front porch,

[1:59:23] So he could see my front porch.

[1:59:25] I cleaned off my front porch.

[1:59:28] This AC officer had a management and management problem

[1:59:31] that was really severe, really severe.

[1:59:36] My neighbor, which witnessed both times,

[1:59:39] he said, you know, that guy would have shot you

[1:59:42] if he'd had a gun.

[1:59:43] And I'd agreed with him.

[1:59:45] OK, so I've gotten to compliance.

[1:59:48] I got a citation.

[1:59:51] I met this date statute.

[1:59:54] I make the county ordinance statutes, our ordinances.

[1:59:58] Well, along Honest, you'll got a citation.

[2:00:00] I fought it when across the street to the court. It was a magistrate. She said she's going to be biased and un-on-opinionated.

[2:00:09] Well, I presented a 15 page document how the citation was not following any ordinance. She brushed it aside.

[2:00:18] She cut me off four times from speaking. The animal control officer stopped me abruptly and so covered me four times during the proceeding.

[2:00:30] I'm a big man, I can take it. I paid the fine. So my question is, what am I supposed to do?

[2:00:44] I'm in compliance. My neighbor pointed out to me, everybody in the neighborhood feeds cats except for me.

[2:00:49] everybody, but the lady that's complaining has cats in her property, but she is not confronted

[2:00:56] by animal control. So my question is, as I don't get at the great depression when the

[2:01:04] bumps used to go around from north to south, and they look at a house and fit with Mark,

[2:01:08] then you can get food there. And I mark now for the rest of my life of my property.

[2:01:17] If the animal

[2:01:18] I need to know from somebody, seriously, I mean, I'm in a dilemma.

[2:01:24] I cannot live in the fear of constantly.

[2:01:26] Every day they look out my door to see if I'm going to get a citation.

[2:01:29] For something, I'm not doing.

[2:01:32] Thank you for your time.

[2:01:35] Thank you.

[2:01:36] Mr. Beesley, can we have him?

[2:01:38] Can we have David talk to someone that would help him with his situation?

[2:01:44] Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.

[2:01:47] You've already spoken, I'm dealing with Mr. Beesley.

[2:01:51] Yeah, this may be an animal control citation.

[2:01:54] I'll be glad to refer to the statement.

[2:01:56] Just check on that and see.

[2:02:00] Thank you.

[2:02:01] Mr. Abercomb is next.

[2:02:09] Good morning again.

[2:02:10] James Abercomb is 27-37.

[2:02:12] Give someone a yellow arrow.

[2:02:14] And I sit here and listen to you guys.

[2:02:17] And every one of you say come please, please call me.

[2:02:19] I mean, it was still a state this talk,

[2:02:22] this kind of my office do this.

[2:02:24] It's not public record anymore folks.

[2:02:27] I'm afraid, like a lot of people in this building,

[2:02:30] so I'm making it on a threatened me.

[2:02:32] I've got that.

[2:02:33] What do you think?

[2:02:34] It's good possibility happens every all the time

[2:02:37] around this building, trust me.

[2:02:40] And once again, I asked for a complete definition

[2:02:45] of why we need the building.

[2:02:49] Why do we need that building?

[2:02:51] Right now, we're having a massive discussion about property taxes and how everybody's going

[2:02:57] to go broke and how we know how the money to have police and so on and so forth, but

[2:03:02] yet we're everything we're building right now, everything in the process and it's already

[2:03:07] in the process, eight fire stations ahead of time, fire going on right now, we're doing

[2:03:14] these public buildings. And once again, I don't see a reason for it. I don't see where

[2:03:18] the traffic is. Everything's online anymore. And it's on phone. They can walk into

[2:03:23] a lot of these stores now. The place and all that stuff you can get it, you can find

[2:03:29] a seat. There's one out there about the UPS store on North Lakeland. So I don't understand it.

[2:03:35] Every building you build as well for the people is a tax exemption folks. No more taxes on

[2:03:43] property anymore. $5.5 million, but a $15 million bill then, when no taxes, how are we

[2:03:54] going to make that up? We're expected to make it up. You want us to have more tax bills.

[2:04:00] You're going to add to our property taxes now, as it is this year. I'm sure of it. I don't

[2:04:05] understand it. You're supposed to be, I don't represent few folks. You were elected to represent

[2:04:11] me and the people in Polk County. Now, how do you justify spending that kind of money when we're

[2:04:18] about to go broke anyway? It doesn't make sense to me.

[2:04:26] Thanks. Thank you. And the last one is Ms. Debbie

[2:04:30] Hicks.

[2:04:38] Good morning. Debbie Hicks, 236 Alderman Road Lake and Florida. I actually was not going

[2:04:44] speak this morning. But I was so impressed by the stormwater technical advisory committee

[2:04:51] that Dave Carter, that was impressive. I don't truly understand your advisory committees

[2:04:58] because sad to say we don't-

[2:05:00] I don't have an animal one yet, but I know it's coming. And when it does, that is the example that I would like to use for the success.

[2:05:11] That advisory committee was able to move the county forward in their stormwater, the way you handle stormwater. I don't know anything about it.

[2:05:19] And I would like to thank and believe that an animal wellness advisory committee would do the same thing for this county with these issues that we've heard talked about today.

[2:05:32] So anyway, I want to congratulate them and when we get that animal advisory committee, we're going to do the same. Thank you.

[2:05:40] Thank you, Ms. Hicks.

[2:05:42] Anybody else, Ms. Amber?

[2:05:44] Okay.

[2:05:45] Then I close the public hearing in any other comments.

[2:05:50] Then we're adjourned.

Board of County Commissioners on 2026-08-18 9:00 AM

Agenda

Transcript