Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

to one another with open hearts and minds. May we not be quick to judge and criticize, but instead seek to understand different perspectives. We pray that you would give us the discernment to make the best decisions for the greater good. We trust that you will guide us on this path and lead us to reach consensus that reflects your will. May our words and actions be guided by your love and grace. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Chaplain Hanley. At this time, we have public comments concerning agenda items. Amber, do we have any?

Not for agenda items, ma'am, no.

Thank you. Now we turn it over to our county comptroller, Ms. Butterfield. Good morning.

Today we have for you to approve and ratify payroll checks number 04770 through 04825 in the amount of $55,166.11. We have 3,232 direct deposits in the amount of $4,859,045.42 dated July 24, 2026. We have wire and electronic fund transfers of $40,076,702.24, dated July 21 through August 3rd of 2026. And lastly, invoice checks number 509461 through 510161, totaling $18,3676.44, dated July 21 through August 3rd, 2026, for your approval. and ratification, please.

Madam Chair, motion for approval. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions, discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

We also request approval of your board minutes for your regular board meeting that was held on July 21 of 2026, please. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions, discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries. Anything else, ma'am? Yes.

Madam Chair, I have one piece of information. The clerk's office, my office has just launched e-certify, which is a process where you can obtain, customers can obtain copies of official records completely online. So you do not have to come to our office. You can do everything online. And they're digital documents that are delivered immediately to the customer. They are tamper-proof, and the digital signatures and encryption ensure that they're authentic, certified copies of the original document. And so we have all the information on our website, which is polkclerkfl.gov. Thank you. Okay. Thank you.

Now we move to the approval of the consent agenda. I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries. We move to county attorney. Thank you. And now county manager, Bill Beasley.

Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the board, members of the viewing audience. The manager's office will have four items for board consideration this morning. Item G1, if I could ask Mr. Neal Duncan and his immediate family to kind of maybe come to this podium on my right here. Madam Chair, members of the board, item G1 is to request the board to confirm my appointment of Mr. Ryan Neal Duncan to serve as the next director of the Tourism and Sports Marketing Division. The Polk County Charter does specify that the county manager's appointment of executive service employees is subject to confirmation by the Board of County Commissioners. I have appointed Mr. Ryan Neal Duncan as the next director of the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Division, effective Monday, August 17th, 2026, which happens to be my wife's birthday. With more than 26 years of experience in tourism, sports marketing, destination development, and community engagement, Mr. Duncan has the leadership experience in promoting Polk County as the premier destination for leisure, travel, and sporting events. Mr. Duncan began his career with the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce in 2000 as the Director of Membership and Special Events. In this role, he led membership development, managed community events, strengthened partnerships with local governments, businesses, and civic organizations, and supported tourism and economic development initiatives throughout the Bartow community. In 2006, Mr. Duncan joined the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Division as the Senior Business Development Manager where he led the division's corporate sponsorship program, cultivated strategic partnerships, and supported destination marketing initiatives that contributed to Polk's tourism and economic development efforts. Since 2019, he served as the division's senior sales events manager. In that role, he has led the county's sports tourism program, managed major event recruitment efforts, coordinated partnerships with national governing bodies, and local stakeholders as well as helped position Polk County as a nationally recognized destination for sports tourism. His leadership has contributed to hundreds of sporting events generating significant economic impact across Polk County. Mr. Duncan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Sports Management from the Indiana State University. He has been actively involved in the community throughout numerous leadership roles, including serving as the president of the Bartow High School Athletic Booster Club, vice president and board member of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, and a member of the Florida Sports Foundation Summit Steering Committee. His contributions to the tourism industry have also been recognized through the Sports Events and Tourism Association's 2025 Sports Tourism Organization of the Year Award. The tourism and sports marketing division director is an authorized position in the current budget and the existing appropriations are sufficient to cover the negotiated annual salary of $146,000 and the employment benefits of approximately $40,645. So Madam Chair, members of the board, I look forward to Mr. Duncan's continued leadership in advancing tourism promoting economic development, and enhancing Polk's reputation as, again, the premier destination for visitors, sporting events, and community partnerships. As such, I would highly recommend the board confirm my appointment of Mr. Neal Duncan as the next director of our tourism and sports marketing division, effective Monday, August 17th, 2026. Move for approval. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries. Neil, take it away.

Thank you, Mr. Beasley, and good morning, commissioners. I'm truly honored, humbled, and excited for this opportunity. I don't know that I necessarily saw this coming 27 years ago when I was an intern with Polk County Sports Marketing, but I'm excited all the same. For more than two decades, I've proudly served as a member of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners in this organization, and it's been a privilege to be part of the county and a division that consistently delivers exceptional results for residents, businesses, and visitors. Jerusalem Sports Marketing has enjoyed tremendous support from this and previous boards, as well as the county manager's office. That support, along with the outstanding leadership of Mark Jackson, has helped build one of the premier destination marketing organizations in the country. Mark's legacy and the dedication of our talented staff, including our great management team of Mark, Chris, and Justin, have positioned us for continued success. While we are proud of what we've accomplished, I believe our greatest opportunities are ahead of us. I look forward to leading by example, maintaining and extending strong partnerships, supporting our outstanding team. Some of those members are here today, and I appreciate that, and continuing to grow tourism and sports for Polk County. in ways that create long-lasting economic benefits for the residents of this county. I'm also grateful to have my wife, Leanne, here, our middle son, Logan, my in-laws, Ronnie and Belinda, and because of the power of PGTV, my mother is in Indiana watching right now. Hi, Mom. We're missing a few family members because, as you know, school is starting. She's a teacher, so she's skipping some meetings. You're welcome. But our oldest granddaughter is starting school, and so she's at orientation, so we're missing a couple of the family. In all seriousness, thank you, Mr. Beasley, county leadership, and to the commission for your confidence, your support, and the opportunity to continue serving a county that I truly love, Polk County, and being a part of the Board of County Commissioners. Thank you.

Any comments from any of the commissioners? I just got one. Well, yes.

Bill, I think you said it best. Maybe Friday, I don't remember when. Mark Jackson built a deep bench out there at Lake Myrtle. And there's a lot of talent there. Congratulations, Mark, for You know, taking over. Like I said, you've got a lot of great people to work with. And I do believe that there are some good things to come out there. I don't think people realize how much activity you guys generate, the economic impact you guys generate. And I didn't realize it until I got in this job, and I drive by Lake Merle all the time, and I'm like, this place is packed. And, you know, there's buses from, you know, wherever coming in. I just wish Auburn Hill could get a hotel. That's something you're going to need to work on. We need restaurants, and we need hotels in Auburndale. So I'm just plugging that now.

But congratulations. Thank you. That was the part I was excited about, the future. Yes, sir.

Well, I just want to say, Neil, congratulations to you. Great job. And I know that you and the team are going to expect some wonderful things coming from you. You've got big shoes to fill, but I know that you will do that. And I'm glad to see you. The team here is supporting you in this because I know that all four of you have done a marvelous job with creating a strong organization. So congratulations to you. We look forward to hearing great news about what's coming forth.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. Okay.

Madam Chair, members of the board, item number G2 is to request the board to approve a construction contract with Kaminga and Rudwitz Incorporated in connection with the County Road 540 Cypress Gardens Road at Lake Ned Road Intersection Improvements Project. Today's board action will reflect a total contract expense not to exceed $1,931,532.85. Polk County has completed the public process to solicit bids from qualified contractors for the construction of intersection improvements at County Road 540, Cypress Gardens Road at the Lake Ned Road intersection. This project consists of constructing a modern roundabout at this intersection. The work includes associated roadway, drainage, signage, pavement markings, and related infrastructure improvements necessary to enhance safety, improve traffic operations, and provide an acceptable level of service from all approaches. Bid number 26-218 was issued and 10 contractors submitted a bid. The apparent lowest responsible bid was submitted by Kaminga and Rudvets in the total amount of $1,839,555.85. A recommendation of award was issued and no protests were received. In accordance with resolution number 13066, $91,977 is included in the total contract award to address allowance and contingency work conditions. The contract time for this project has been set at 210 calendar days for final contract completion. Funding for these planned intersection improvements is budgeted and available within the Rojan Drainage Five-Year Community Investment Program specific to the Transportation Trust Fund. So Madam Chair, members of the board, I think consistent with the board's commitments to roadway infrastructure improvements, where congestion management and safety are paramount concerns, I would request the board to approve the proposed construction contract with Kaminga and Roodvets in the amount not to exceed $1,931,532.85. in connection with bid number 26218, the County Road 540 Cypress Gardens Road at Lake Ned Road Intersection Improvements Project.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries. I'm glad to see this project moving forward.

It's a busy little intersection. Yes. Madam Chair, members of the board, the next, the final two items from the manager's office, item G3 and G4, are directly related in that they're almost identical types of work at two different regional wastewater treatment plants. Item agenda G3 is to request the board to approve an agreement with PCL Civil Constructors Incorporated to provide construction manager at risk pre-construction services in connection with the Northwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Project. Today's board action will reflect an initial contract expense not to exceed $989,597.52. In February of this year, the board authorized staff to negotiate an agreement with PCL civil constructors to provide construction manager at-risk services in connection with the Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Project. The project consists of upgrading the treatment processes to replace aging equipment, construction of a new equalization basin, plant-wide electrical instrumentation and supervisory control and data acquisition system improvements, new solids treatment processes, and associated piping and related site work. Pre-construction phase services include working with the design consultant, Carollo Engineers, and the county staff to provide value engineering suggestions, constructability reviews, management of pre-bid conferences with potential subcontractors, bid solicitation services, along with the management of all pre-award meetings. After pre-construction services are complete, PCL civil contractors will present to the county a guaranteed maximum price to construct the facility improvements. This additional cost will be brought back to the board for approval as an amendment to this initial proposed agreement. The construction manager shall furnish and pay for all services, materials, and labor to fully perform and complete the construction of all anticipated work. Funding for these needed major plant upgrades is available within the utilities community investment program budget. So Madam Chair, members of the board, I think consistent with the board's priorities to provide Polk County utility wastewater customers with appropriate utility services that meet all regulatory requirements and that represents a sound investment on the part of the Polk County Utilities rate payers, I would request the board to approve an agreement with PCL Civil Constructors to provide construction manager at risk pre-construction services in connection with the Northwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Project in an amount not to exceed $989,597.52. I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussions?

All right.

Final item, Madam Chair, item G4 is the companion item to G3. This is to request the board to approve an agreement with the Vogel Brothers Building Company to provide construction manager at risk pre-construction services in connection with the Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Project. Today's board action will reflect an initial contract expense not to exceed $897,566. Again, in February of this year, the board authorized staff to negotiate an agreement with Vogel Brothers to provide construction manager at risk services in connection with the Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility project. The project consists of upgrading the treatment processes to replace aging equipment, construction of a new equalization basin, plant-wide electrical instrumentation and supervisory control and data acquisition system improvements, new solids treatment processes, and associated piping and related site work. Pre-construction phase services include working with the design consultant, Carollo Engineers, and the county staff to provide value engineering suggestion, constructability reviews, management of pre-bid conferences with potential subcontractors, bid solicitation services, along with management of all pre-award meetings. After pre-construction services are complete, Vogel Brothers will present to the county a guaranteed maximum price to construct the facility improvements. This additional cost will be brought back to the board for approval as an amendment to this initial agreement before all construction efforts begin. The construction manager shall furnish and pay for all services, materials, and labor to fully perform and complete the construction of all anticipated work. Funding for these needed major plant upgrades is included and available within the utility's five-year community investment program budget So here again, Madam Chair, consistent again with the board's priorities to provide Polk County utility wastewater customers with appropriate utility services that meet all regulatory requirements and that represents a sound investment on the part of the Polk County utility rate payers. I would request the board approve an agreement with Vogel Brothers to provide construction manager at risk pre-construction services in connection with the Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $897,566. Second. I have a motion and a second.

Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

That's it, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Now we go to Commissioner's report or comments. Commissioner Troutman? Not at this time. Commissioner Wilson? Commissioner Braswell?

Yeah, one thing. Bill, it's August 14th, right? We're going to discuss the... Yes, sir, next Friday. We're going to be discussing the potential of Amendment 3 and its impact on future budgets.

Specifically, yes, sir, specifically the seven fund sources that are ad valorem based and what they fund today, and they give the board a very deep... overview of just what's done and to start prepping the board for

where cuts may be necessary if and when that occurs okay and i just wanted to bring that up so that the public is aware and um maybe more than just neil's mom are watching pg tv today and if they want to find out what the future holds uh that'd be a good thing and it's a good point uh madam chair and it may be that because it's part of the agenda review

it may be that we do that in this boardroom on that Friday instead of four Oh seven, because there may be some folks once we notice this meeting and that the subject matter, there may be some folks and there'll be a lot of division staff. There'll be available here. Okay.

So we may, that's a good idea.

Yeah.

I think it's just good to get it out there so that we can see what direction we're headed.

Thanks.

That's all great.

Uh, commissioner Scott.

Yes, ma'am. Just one thing, uh, for the respect, uh, career source bulk, and then we're going to have an upcoming work session. on that, but that is one of the organizations that the county is on the board as far as a participant, but not a required position by any state statutes, but we are looking into a career source poll. It's a great organization, but speaking with the state, we know there's some deficiencies there. And we're currently in that lower quarter of rankings and have been as low as last place in the last several years. I just want the public to know that, again, we are certainly mindful of anything county-related. And if you have an issue, please bring it to our attention. We're happy to dive into it and understand if there is or isn't something there. And this is one of those things. A great organization has done a lot of great for the community, but could do a lot better. So I'm looking forward to that work session that we'll have and bringing some improvements to CareerSourcePolk.

Thank you, Commissioner Scott. And I don't have anything, so we'll go to lay board appointments. Commissioner Troutman?

Yes. There we go. All right. Appoint Angel Sims to the Housing and Neighborhood Development Citizens Advisory Committee for a three-year term August 1st of 2026 through July 31st, 2029. Second. Second.

Okay, I have a first and a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

I move to reappoint Bianca Brooks to Housing and Neighborhood Development Citizens Advisory Committee for a three-year term August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2029. Thank you.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries. Commissioner Wilson?

Madam Chair, I reappoint Bridget Lattimore to the Housing and Neighborhood Developments Citizen Advisory Committee for a three-year term starting August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2029. Second. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries. Mike Scott?

Yes, ma'am. I'd like to reappoint Danielle Boulayet to the Housing and Neighborhood Development Citizens Advisory Committee for a three-year term, August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2029. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions, discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

I would like to reappoint Susan Hurlburt to the Housing and Neighborhood Development Citizen Advisory Committee for a three-year term August 1st, 2026 through July 31st, 2029. Second.

Motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

And I move to reappoint Yufanda Kinsler to Housing and Neighborhood Development Citizens Advisory Committee for the three-year term August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2029. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Now we go to the expedited hearing.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Before we begin the expedited hearings, I will go over the public hearing general procedures. I'll remind everyone, if you wish to speak on any of the public hearing items today, you need to fill out a speaker card in the back and give the card to a member of the communication staff. We ask that you please turn off your cell phones or other devices that may distract from the public hearings. Please adjust the microphone and state your full name and address for the record before you begin speaking on topic. Individuals speaking during the public comment section of a matter will be strictly limited to three minutes. The board is experiencing these matters and able to discern what is legally relevant to an issue and what is not. Information that is relevant and repetitive only serves to frustrate and unnecessarily prolong today's business. Commissions expect civility at all times during all public hearings. Speaking out of turn, shouting out from the audience, despicable sounds or utterances while another is speaking are unacceptable and you will be asked to leave the chambers for the remainder of the day. If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered here today, you will need a record of the proceedings and and that for such purposes you may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based, which you must gather at your own expense. Anyone in the audience who wishes to speak or present testimony today must be sworn in, and all testimony given during public hearings shall be deemed to be sworn. At this time, if you're going to address the commission or speak on any case today, please stand, raise your right hand, and answer out loud to the following question. Do you swear to affirm the testimony or evidence you provide to the Commission today as the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Thank you. Madam Chair, at this time I will go over the expedited hearing procedures. Expedited hearings are held pursuant to Resolution No. 2022-089. Expedited hearings are used when no opposition was present at the planned Commission hearing. The applicant agrees to the expedited hearing and the recommendation of the Development and Review Committee is for approval. Expedited procedures are the following. As the staff briefly introduces the case, the hearing will be open for public comment. If anyone speaks during public comment, the applicant will be given an opportunity to respond. At the public comment, the board will consider the land use case. At any time, a full presentation from the staff can be requested from the commissioner, the applicant, or a member of the public. All documents attached to the agenda item are deemed part of the record of the land use case. Unless removed from the list of experts, by motion of the board, all individuals on the list of experts attested to the agenda item are deemed experts for the purpose of the land use case. At this time, I will turn it over to Mr. Zisco to present the expedited hearings.

Thank you, Mr. Mink. Good morning, Madam Chair, members of the board, and the audience. My name is Ben Zisco, Land Development Director for Polk County. There are two items on the expedited public hearing portion of today's agenda. Item number N1 is an expedited public hearing for case LDC PAL 2026-4, Organic Matters CPA, to consider a large-scale comprehensive plan map amendment to change 71.26 acres from business park center to industrial. Madam Chair, we would like to request this item be continued to your next meeting in two weeks on August 18th, please.

Yes, please. Did you get the time?

I said August 18th. It would be 9 o'clock a.m.

Thank you.

We would need a motion to formally continue that item, please. Move to continue. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion in the motion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

Item number N2 is an expedited public hearing for case LDCT 2026-15, vehicle service in RACX, to consider an amendment to the land development code to allow vehicle service mechanical in the regional activity center of the U.S. 27 selected area plan. vehicle service mechanical And as depicted here is a short duration small minor repair to vehicles which include things such as oil changes Minor vehicle repair it does not include Extended repair such as auto body work or those those types of operations this type of use is allowed in the other selected area plans throughout Polk County as well as in the county as a whole. The request is to add this use as a C1, which is a conditional use, and the condition by placing it as a conditional use would be that all activity occurs inside a structure. The US 27 selected area plan is approximately 4,900 acres. The regional activity center within that is only about 195 acres, so slightly less than 4% of the entire selected area plan. Also important to note that with this request, this use would not be allowed in any portion that is within the green swamp area of critical state concern. This amendment appeared before your planning commission and received a unanimous recommendation of approval. It is before you today on first reading, so following any questions or comments from the board or the public, there is no action required, and we will bring this back to you in two weeks for adoption.

Thank you. Any questions for staff?

No, ma'am, we do not.

Okay, it was a public hearing, and since it's first reading, we don't take any action.

Thank you, ma'am. That concludes the expedited portion of today's agenda.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The first item we have is the de novo. Prior to presenting the case, I will go over the procedures. Following is the summary of the procedures governing de novo hearings pursuant to Polk County Resolution 2022-090. The procedures are the following. First, staff will present the staff report and recommendation. After staff presents the staff report and recommendation, the applicant will have 30 minutes to present the applicant's case. At the applicant's presentation, any organized opposition will have 30 minutes total to present their case. If more than one person or entity qualifies as organized opposition, 30 minutes is split equally amongst them. For example, if three individuals qualify as organized opposition, then each will have 10 minutes to present their case. Organized opposition shall consist of any entity or individual that has filed an application for day noble hearing or which has received written authorization from at least five entities or individuals to speak on their behalf, and those entities or individuals have agreed to waive the ability to speak during the public comment portion of the public hearing. After the organized opposition presentation, the public comment portion of the public hearing will be open. Each speaker during the public comment will be allotted three minutes. Individuals who are represented by the organized opposition will not be allotted three minutes in the public comment section. Once public comment has been closed, the applicant will have five minutes and any time reserved from the applicant's case presentation to respond to the organized opposition and public comment. After the applicant's response, the chair will close the public hearing and the board will discuss and vote on the matter. The de novo hearing record is the following. All documents attached to the agenda and presentations given shall be deemed part of the record unless removed from the record by motion of the board. County staff submitting the staff report shall be deemed experts in land planning unless disqualified by motion of the board. Applicants, organized opposition, and the public may request documents to be entered into the record during their presentation. Applicants, organized opposition, and the public may request a witness to be recognized as an expert during their presentation. Advocates organize opposition and their witnesses are subject to cross-examination by the other party. Ex parte communications, the board members received numerous communications from the public. Unless otherwise stated, it should be presumed that ex parte communications have been made to the members of the board regarding the matter. During the hearing, the applicant organized opposition to the public request the board disclosing ex parte communications or site visits they've had regarding the matter and questioned the board regarding the communications and site visit. Unless a board member accuses himself, they have determined that he or she is able to hear the case and fairly and partially make a decision on the matter based on the substantial competent evidence in the record. Just a reminder, decorum, the Board expects civility at all times during the public hearings. A reminder, this is a quasi-judicial matter. Day-noble hearings are quasi-judicial, which means the action entails applying land development policies to a specific land development application in a fair and impartial manner. The Commission's review is limited to two areas, consistency and compatibility. Therefore, the evidence and testimony you give must be relevant to whether the applicant is consistent with the Polk County Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code, and whether the application is compatible with the surrounding area. Information that is relevant or repetitive only serves to frustrate and actually prolong the day's business. Regarding consistency, the Commission must determine whether the application is consistent with both the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, The staff report and presentation will provide expert analysis and opinion regarding the applicable Criteria as well as a recommendation as to whether the application is consistent with those criteria Regarding compatibility the Commission must determine whether the application is compatible with surrounding area the Commission will provide will be presented with testimony evidence at the hearing, both written and oral. By law, the only evidence the Commission may consider is competent substantial evidence, which means evidence that is sufficiently relevant and material that a reasonable person would accept as adequate to support a conclusion. The following items are compatible substantial evidence. EVIDENCE THAT IS FACT-BASED AND RELEVANT TO THE APPLICAL CRITERIA. STAFF REPORTS AND STAFF PRESENTATIONS. CITIZEN TESTIMONY MAY BE COMPETENT AND SUSTENTIAL EVIDENCE SO LONG AS IT IS FACT-BASED. IT MAY INCLUDE TESTIMONY REGARDING SUBJECT MATTERS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE EXPERTISE SUCH AS AESTHETICS, COMPATIBILITY OF A PROJECT WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD. However, popularity polls, petitions, testimony that is hypothetical, speculative, based on fear, or consists of generalized statements that do not address the land development criteria are not competent and substantial evidence. For example, fear that a project will cause increased traffic or crime is not conclusive. competent substantial evidence. Lastly, expertise is required for technical issues like traffic analysis, engineering, drainage, wetland impact, school, utility, capacity, light and noise pollution or the application Impact on property value, citizen testimony is generally not competent substantial evidence unless the witness is qualified as an expert in that area. At this time, commissioners, I would ask for, if you will disclose any ex parte communication, site visits, personal knowledge, or other information you may have regarding this item 01 that you may need to disclose at this time. Commissioner Troutman.

Ex parte communications with the...

Applicant?

Yeah, the applicant. I was trying to think of who was applicant in this one.

Yes, ma'am. Commissioner Wilson? Yes, the same. I had a meeting with them in my office. Madam Chair?

Meeting with applicants.

Yeah, I met with the applicant and the neighbors. Commissioner Scott? I met with the applicant and then drove by the site. Did not go into the site, but I've driven by the site. All right.

Thank you.

At this time, I'll turn it over to the case planner, Ian Yancey. Good morning, Ian Nance, Land Development. Staff is recommending denial of LDCU 2025-35, a request for a kennel use located at 3656 Cavill Avenue. The site is located south of Highway 92, north and west of the city of Auburndale in Section 18, Township 28, Range 25. For the record, 42 mailers were sent to area property owners on July 17th. One board was posted July 16th, and a legal ad was published on July 22nd. Staff has dogged no responses. This is a de novo hearing and appeal the Planning Commission's approval of this case with conditions by a 3-2 vote on June 3rd, 2026. The documents listed on the screen, including the applications, staff's findings, reports, and slideshows are entered into the record. This is a context view of the subject site, a lot of record within the Caveville Unit 1 subdivision planted in 1925. The property is near the seat of Auburndale with access and frontage onto Caveville Avenue. This is a closer view on the right. The lot is approximately 157 feet wide with a depth exceeding 1,280 feet. According to the property appraiser, there's a site-built home and a mobile home on the property. In 2025, three residential accessory building permits were issued for structures placed to the rear of the homes as shown on the slide to the left. In March of 2025 a neighbor filed a codes complaint stating that a dog rescue business was operating at this location. After further investigation the accessory structures were discovered to be used for boarding dogs. This was found to be in violation of the land development code since kennels require planning commission approval in a residential suburban future land use district where this property is located. As a use, kennels are typically located and allowable through administrative approval in rural, industrial, and heavy commercial future land use districts as shown in the table below, in which are planned to accommodate non-residential uses that create noise, odor, traffic, and other non-residential impacts. Residential suburban is the only residential district aside from agricultural residential rural that allows kennels though public hearing is necessary in RS to determine compatibility on a case-by-case basis. For any conditional level of approval, LDC Section 303 provides the minimum standards shown here. All structures must be 50 feet from property lines with a Type C buffer, kennel sites must be at least 40,000 square feet, and all dogs need to be confined with sanitary facilities approved by the Health Department. Kennels are also required to minimize adverse noise or odor impacts detectable off-site. Just as an example, this is Brand Road in South Lakeland and a business park center to future land use district with two kennels uses the Polk County Bully Project and SPCA. These are different intensities, but both fall under the kennel use. Crosspaws Pet Rescue is a not-for-profit operation that advertises canine rescue and adoptions. The applicant has submitted the site plan to the right. The existing kennels do not meet the 50-foot setbacks, so the applicant is proposing new kennels to be located at the northern end of the property, meeting these setbacks. The existing buildings are proposed for storage. The applicant has also proposed conditions shown in the upper left, including disapproval will be specific to this organization, that the site is not open to the public. grooming and boarding services for dogs outside of the Cross Paws organization be prohibited, and that the organization maintain records and receipts of all off-site solid waste disposal. Staff was invited to the property in February, though for the record I was not in attendance. The picture to the right shows the inside of one of these kennels, and the photos on the left are the outside views of the facility and the outdoor run and pen areas. The applicant has already added fencing to the site to help buffer from neighbors. To the right are site photos. The one at the bottom is looking in from the driveway on Caveville Avenue, and the one at the top is from the western property line. At the June Planning Commission hearing, staff recommended denial of this application, but the Planning Commission approved it 3-2 with the following conditions. That the kennels be fenced, there's no public access, and the caretaker residents be established on site to provide full-time care of the dogs. Staff's recommendation of denial stands for this hearing. Simply, staff finds it difficult to deem it compatible with surrounding uses. As the comprehensive plan policy below reads, compatibility is defined as a condition in which land uses can coexist in relative proximity to each other in a stable fashion over time so that no use is unduly negatively impacted. This is a non-residential use between residential properties. Kennels have their planned place in non-residential district and permission in residential suburban is relying on the compatibility of surrounding uses. Noise is the primary issue here. Especially with dogs, noise is challenging to monitor and no LDC noise level standards are applicable in the RS. Code enforcement has already been called to the site for noise. Even if the kennels are moved to the rear and away from the homes along Caveville Avenue, it places them closer to homes in a neighborhood to the west. Furthermore, the enjoyment of the immediate neighbor's backyard can be compromised wherever these structures are placed. Finally, who is allowed on site, whether they are employees, volunteers, or members of the public, is also difficult to monitor, as would be restricting the number of animals kept here. Any conditions proposed are reliant on further code citizen complaints and staff investigations to enforce. And no registration or operating permits, which would require ongoing monitoring, are required by the LDC for kennels. Again, staff recommends denial. There are members of code enforcement staff here if you have questions for them, and I think you'll stand for questions.

Any question for staff? Hearing none, then we move forward with the applicant. Where is she? There she is.

Good morning. For the record, Sarah Case, Next Level Planning and Permitting. My address is 3825 South Florida Avenue, and that is in Lakeland. Good morning, Chair and members of the board. So we're gonna cover a significant amount of information today in a specific amount of time that is allotted. There are several components that I want to distinguish from the start. There is a clear distinction between the ownership of the property and the cross pause overall operation. And I think just from the onset that that has been the confusion there. So you all know the history. You heard from the staff report. A little bit of that is, yes, we were cited for code enforcement. But all of this stemmed from, we think, that the property is in a non-residential name in a residential land use. But as we move forward, I will be explaining the framework of how we fit into the conditional use process and measures that have taken for mitigation, et cetera. Trying to get used to this new system, I'm sorry. Okay, so again, to distinguish between crossed paws pet rescue and their process and procedures, and then the property. So I'm gonna address the first. So the owner, Stephanie, receives a call for a dog needing help. She picks up or traps the dog, assesses the situation. Does the dog have a chip? Yes, the owner is found, and then they're given back to the owner if they have a chip.

I am so sorry.

Do you need assistance, Eva? Oh, always, yes.

So do you have a clicker? So the next steps are if the dog is injured, then they assess the dog. It's either taken to the vet and remains there until ready for release. Once released, Stephanie contacts her foster community, and then Stephanie and Mary Ann, board members, approve the application. And I feel like I missed a slide. There we go. I am so sorry. Okay, so this is the medical care recovery and foster, and I'm actually going to have both Aaron Galatko and Stephanie Bedillo, the owner, come up and present a little bit more about who they are, what they do, the ownership, and a little bit of history, the current status, as well as the current use and the intended use for the property moving forward.

Good morning. My name is Erin Galaco. My address is 2710 Derbyshire Avenue. I'm the Vice President of Cross Paws Pet Rescue and I have been sworn in. I would like to begin by addressing the purchase of this property. The board members facilitated the funding of the property from a local nonprofit. Because of the 501 and IRS compliance rules, the property had to be in the name of Cross Paws Pet Rescue to comply. I want to make it clear there was never any intent to mislead anyone or circumvent the county's rules. When we searched for a property, we intentionally looked for one that would have the least impact on surrounding residents. We chose a property that was not located in a dense subdivision, was situated on almost five acres, and fit both our mission and our budget. Most importantly, this property would allow Stephanie to live on site with the dogs that have become permanent members of her family. These are not dogs waiting to be adopted. This is the forever home of the dogs who are not able to be adopted. While the property is owned by the rescue, no rescue operations occur at this property. No adoption events are held here. The public does not go there to adopt dogs and incoming rescue dogs are not brought there. As of yesterday, Crosspaws Pet Rescue has successfully placed 210 dogs in the Loving Homes. That represents 210 dogs that did not become a financial responsibility of Polk County. Beyond adoption, Stephanie regularly assists families who cannot afford dog food or emergency veterinary care. She helps law enforcement agencies, including the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Animal Control, the Hardy County Sheriff's Office, and other municipalities by assisting with stray and injured dogs and trapping dogs. Stephanie has quietly served this community for years because she believes every dog deserves a chance. None of us expected to be standing before you today. We have gone through the proper channels to come into compliance with the county. The planning commission carefully reviewed this request and recommended approval. They recognize what this request truly is, a limited low impact use that allows a nonprofit to continue serving Polk County while providing a permanent home for the dogs that have nowhere else to go. Today, we respectfully ask that you reach the same conclusion. This request is not about expanding operations. It is not about increasing activity. It is simply about allowing these dogs to remain in the home they already know and allowing a nonprofit that has consistently served this community to continue doing good while complying with the county's requirements. On behalf of Cross Paws Pet Rescue, Stephanie, our supporters, and most importantly, the dogs who depend on us, I respectfully ask for your approval of this conditional use permit. Thank you for your time.

Good morning, commissioners. My name is Stephanie Badeo. My address is 106 Margaret Street, Arbondale, Florida. I started Cross Paws Pet Rescue in 2018. I have been sworn in. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak today.

I have dedicated my life to rescuing dogs that have nowhere else to go.

Our rescue has operated solely through generosity of private donors. We received no county funding... and are not asking the county to provide any additional resources. I want to explain to you that I am very different from organizations like the Coalition Animal Rights and Advocates. We are independently funded by private donors and do not rely on the county funds and also we do not rescue cats. Today I am simply asking the opportunity to continue caring for these animals by living on the property with my dogs. Originally, the rescue dream was to find commercial property for the dogs. Only it was not until we found the specific property I realized I could actually live there with my dogs. My supporters helped purchase the property in December of 24 because we believed it would provide a forever home for my dogs that I already had. Our intent was never to avoid county regulations or operate outside the rules. We believe we were following the proper process. After purchasing the property, we obtained building permits, electrical permits, and began renovating the home where I intended to live. The dogs moved onto the property only after accessory buildings were completed. The dogs living on the property are all microchipped and registered in my name. Many have lived with me for five to 12 years. They are no longer simply rescues. They are my personal dogs that have become my family. Everything I do is centered around giving dogs a chance that many never receive. My husband, my sister, my niece, or me are the people that access the property. Right now, since I do not live on the property to be a good neighbor, we start at 6 a.m. and are done by 8.30. Both neighbors have leave prior to 6 a.m. The dogs bark when we initially enter the buildings, but they do not bark continuously. We let the dogs out again at 2 prior to our neighbors returning from work. The dogs are let outside and run, do their business. They go outside on rotation. They are housed with AC and fed and watered. When code enforcement cited us and told us the path to comply, we entered the process. I never intended anything illegal on this property. My idea was to live on the property and provide a forever home for my dogs. We thought we were doing everything legally. We never thought we would be here today. I respectfully ask you to consider my intentions, my willingness to comply with every condition placed on this permit and the positive work that cross pause has done for this community. I understand the responsibility that comes with this request and I'm committed to being a good neighbor and following every requirement of this conditional use permit. I respectfully ask your support and continue providing a forever home for these dogs and continue the work that has come my life mission. Thank you for your time and consideration. and your service to Polk County.

Thank you, Stephanie.

Now that we have heard, and we would like to answer any questions that you all may have when the timing is the proper time, but we really felt like it was important to distinguish that Even though the property is owned by Cross Paws Pet Rescue, the rescue operations are held off-site. The dogs that are on-site right now are owned by her, and they are registered to her. There are a lot of dogs, but they are housed inside, but they are her personal property. So I know that staff touched on this a little bit, but I'm gonna dig a little bit deeper into the 2.1 use table for standard land use districts. So we've heard probably ad nauseum that we're here for a C3 conditional use permit. But I would encourage you to dig a little bit deeper and on this chart, you can see where kennels, boarding, and breeding are, and then highlighted where at the top, I'm sorry, the key to the table shows P, permitted use, C, conditional use level of review. And then further down the row that says kennels, boarding, and breeding, you see that agriculture rural or residential rural is permitted. We're C3 and RS. And then as you go along through the other land use categories in Polk County, you'll see a variety of the conditions of approval. The ones that are blank means they are not a permitted use at all for kennels, boarding, and breeding. Any of the land uses, that row is empty. And that's important because Table 2.2 refers us to Table 9.1 and what are their procedures. So you can see in the top left, the larger highlighted area where it says all other permitted uses, the requirement is a final development plan with a level two. Level two we consider kind of in the field as engineering plan review. Level three we always say means planning commission and then level two, plan approval. And then I didn't even highlight level four, but that goes from the planning commission to you all and then back to a C2. But what is important is that even if it is a permitted use, further on in the Table 9.1, it says all conditional uses shall comply with the conditions outlined in Chapter 3. These are the conditions outlined in Chapter 3. Chapter 3, it basically is an alphabetical listing of conditions. So just because a use is permitted, it is still when they apply for their level two engineering plan review, they still have to comply with these conditions of approval. So I wanted to give you an example. So bear with me. For instance, like I said, it was alphabetical. I'm going to go back to this chart. So in kennels boarding and breeding the row, if you go all the way over to where it is permitted, IN BOTH HEAVY INTENSITY COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND PHOSPHATE MINING. MANUFACTURING EXPLOSIVE AND VOLATILE MATERIAL IS AS WELL. AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE VERY BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE, MANUFACTURING EXPLOSIVE VOLATILE MATERIAL. EVEN THOUGH IT'S PERMITTED, P, PERMITTED BY RIGHT, THEY STILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS AS LISTED IN CHAPTER 303. items 1A through X and so on and so on. So I felt that it was important to bring that to your attention because much focus has been on that we are not a permitted use in the RS land use district. We are an allowable use. Those that do not have anything in the box means it's not even an allowable use. We are an allowable use. and that's why we're here before you. I'm trying to lay the framework, which is the pathway for approval for this conditional use specific to this property. On the left is a site plan that is included in your staff report. We found that it was a little confusing with the match line, so the one to the right is our revised site plan. It shows the conditions of approval as agreed upon by both our team and the Planning Commission. I will show you, I will submit into record that this site plan is to scale and we were able to determine distances based on a one to 200 scale and I'll go into that in a little bit. So as provided to the planning commission, we had applicant initiated suggestions of suggestions of approval. I do appreciate the fact that staff read those into the record so that you all could hear them. These are items that we were proposing. The beautiful thing in my opinion about a conditional use permit is you all can place conditions on this that give you a level of comfort specific to this site. Each condition and each project that comes before you is site specific and you all have the opportunity to look at it on a case by case basis and impose any conditions that you see fit that would help mitigate with compatibility. So part of the staff report, I put an excerpt in here and showing, I don't know if you can see how light it is, but it's basically an aqua where our site is. And you can see that we have commercial enclave to the north of us, which is actually the rear of our property. in existing Texas pipe and supply. But I highlighted a portion of that from the staff report for RS because it talks about promoting the proper transition of land from rural to urban. So I'll come back to the slide in a minute, but I want to bring up similar uses that staff included in their presentation. So this is Humane Society of Polk County. And side by side, we have an aerial, but then we have the overlay of Business Park Center. We see that staff indicates that 536 feet away is residence, and it is surrounded, or the whole entire area district is Business Park Center. So we work with that a lot in a rural county that we have some vested rights and overlapping land uses, but there happens to be residential in the business park. But then we go to Polk County Bully Project, same thing, but you can see to the right of the screen, you have an established, platted subdivision to the east of SPCA and then also close to Polk County Bully Project. They are in the BPC2 category, as was Humane Society, but they too have to comply with Section 303 criteria, uh, conditionally use criteria standards for operating the kennel boarding and breeding. This also came from staff where it shows some dimensions. So I want, um, to point out 818 feet from the building, uh, or the property line of Polk County bully project to the residential area. And then you see with the SPCA, 210 feet and 270 feet respectively. So in order to do a fair comparison, I did a aerial overlay and then also with our site. Staff has shown us the distances between the existing residential that they have. And to scale, we are showing that we're actually 700 feet from where the existing permitted buildings are that we are going to vacate and become personal self-storage. And then new kennel buildings are going to be moved 700 feet back. And there was concern about existing residences that are to our west, and so we also showed 412, 434, 436. So you can see that the veterinary clinic for the SPCA is 210 feet, 270 feet from established residential, and 536 feet on the Humane Society of Polk County. Again, this is our proposed site plan that shows it all together on one page, where we are abutting, how we feel moving 700 feet back puts quite a bit of distance between any existing residential, and we feel with the conditions that are required of us in Section 303 that proper mitigation, we can be compatible and coexist with our neighbors that are existing on the present site. So before you today is a land use issue. It is not anything other than a land use issue. And I want to focus specifically on that, how we can through the paths that we have taken that the land development code affords and allows for us moving forward. for the conditional use permit. And at this time, I'll have any questions. I know I have 10 minutes left on the clock, but I can turn it over to the appellant.

Questions?

Madam Chair.

Yes.

Ms. Case, can you just go back to that slide that had the SVCA with the dimensions on that for the spacing? So the 210 feet, you're saying that's from the, is that a storage building that said SVCA, or you said that was a veterinary facility?

It's a veterinary clinic on the campus. No, maybe. Well, it's where the dogs run out there, but this is a slide from staff, and they were just showing structure from a residential property line. So it is a structure affiliated with SPCA.

Okay. I see the orientation now. I've been there several times. I just wanted to make sure. Okay. Very good. Thank you.

Anybody else? Yes, Commissioner Trotman.

Can we go back to the purchase of the land? Was this handled through real estate professionals? How did we come about the purchase to start with?

Well, I do believe that Erin touched on that. Would you like to hear from her again?

I suppose. I mean, I'm just trying to understand...

We did use real estate professionals to purchase this property, yes.

I didn't know if that was a trick question.

No, it goes to understanding the use of the property. If a real estate professional understood what the use of the property was, it's kind of concerning to me that we're looking at a real estate professional suggesting that this property be used for this. And, and just, again, the professionals knowing land use and the importance of that when selling property.

Am I allowed to comment on that? I would think so. Yeah. Okay. So my comment to that is that is wherein the confusion lies. If this, property had been purchased in Stephanie Badillo's name, there may be complaints from the neighbors, as we know that there have been even prior to dogs being on site. However, it would be in an individual's name rather than a non-profit that is non-residential. The name of it. Stephanie's going to live there as per the conditions that we agreed to. But we're not asking for this not to be a residential land use. We're asking to allow for her to keep her dogs on site and moving the, I want to say operation, that it's much more benign than an operation, but move her dogs that she owns that are in the three buildings currently and move them 700 feet back No operations are on site. People don't come on site to visit, to adopt. There are no events on site, and that is why I really wanted to go on record and clarify that the confusion is that the property was purchased in Crossed Paws Pet Rescue, Inc. Madam Chair.

Yes. So it's been stated that these are her dogs. However, it's also stated that she picks up dogs and that they then go out to be adopted.

I'm just going to answer your question. She has a very large community of fosters. Those dogs don't come onto this property. She finds a foster for them. She calls up her fosters and they go there after they leave the vet, you know, depending on, but she does not bring them to this property.

Anything else, Commissioner?

Madam Chair, if I may?

Yes.

Is there, and this may be a question for staff or Ms. Casey to be able to answer it, from a threshold on number of dogs you can have on a property. So if Stephanie buys this property in her individual name, there's no rescue name associated with the purchase at all. And she has, I believe there was 60 or so dogs around there that are... housed on the property. If she moves there as an individual and has 60 dogs on the property, I guess, is there a code issue that we have there that she has to meet as an individual or what is the threshold within the county to trigger it to be considered a kennel versus just an individual with a bunch of dogs? There's no limit on our land development code for the number of dogs you can keep on site. Okay, so if she buys this in her personal name and she moves onto the property and has, I'm just going to make up a number, 100 dogs that she has, unless she doesn't have that many, but if she has 100 dogs, then truly there's nothing that the county would require her to do to maintain that. Outside of, I know they can't be running around the neighborhood, and there's certain things on that animal welfare would be a separate thing. If they're all well taken care of, they're chipped, and they're on a property and it's all fenced in, It doesn't matter what she does, correct?

It's really the accessory structures being used for housing these dogs. Your personal pets generally, and it's not true for everybody, of course, but kept inside. You have a singular limitation, I would think, for each person on how many dogs that the land development code is not going to regulate. But it's the structures and how they're being used that's kind of the predominant factor here.

So if I build, and just me educating myself, if I build a dog house and I've got six hunting dogs that I take and go out and hunt with them on the weekends and I house them, my property but I want to build a 40,000 square foot building the house six dogs does that consider it being a kennel where I need to come in as an individual and apply for being a kennel operation since they're my personal dogs I'm just building them a really big dog house running dogs I would probably say no okay I mean I just I guess that's where I'm looking at is like how does this to miss case's point if this is in the individual's name on the property purchase and these are individually owned dogs that are not being adopted, rescued, or farmed out. There's no commercial operation. There's no use of the property as a commercial operation. How does this get kicked into being required to follow the rules for a kennel as even going down the conditional use item? I understand if it's an active rescue and they're doing it, I get all that. And to me, it aligns with the conditional use that they're seeking. But if they're being individually occupied and it's... individual that owns all of the animals and they're all chipped and registered in her name How does this kick it to a kennel operation?

A few things we've noticed here as we've reviewed this, and correct me if I'm wrong too, I don't believe the owner lives on site at this time, so we just have these structures out there with the dogs. I do understand there are houses there, and that's why they were permitted to have these accessory structures. We, of course, do have the confusion with the ownership. There's also, in one of the slides I presented, the inside of them you have vaccination records probably shown, which is a state requirement if you're... selling or adopting dogs. There are elements of it that would lead staff to believe that it's non-residential use. That might be your distinction between having your beagles outside in the cage. You don't usually have your vaccination records out front for them. You have... water bowls and go feed them and call it by the end of the day.

And that's why I was looking for clarity because I haven't been to the site. So if there's other elements, again, from a surface of just saying individual buys a property, moves on the property with the dogs and they're there, like that's, you know, one kind of column. If this is more of commercial elements, when I say commercial, if there's indicators of it's beyond what I would say is normal for an individual to have on-site if it's binders of stuff or other things that would lead to it being some type of adoption or penal organization. That's the information I would want to know just so I can understand the completeness of the operation because, again, I've seen it and there's nothing specific with this applicant. We've obviously had cases come before us where there's facts and then there's not quite all the facts. Sure. And I just need all of the facts I can possibly get to make a determination for what we're hearing here today.

And again, if I'm wrong, too, as I understand, there are receipts of dumping waste. It's not normal for normal pet ownership to take large amounts of waste to have it dumped. It's just another factor we've kind of evaluated with this. Thank you.

I would like to reply, if you don't mind.

Am I allowed? You're within that time. Go ahead. Is that okay with you? Yeah.

Okay. I'd like to respond. We keep those records for in the off chance animal control shows up and honestly to stay organized. Staff was privy to that information that we do not adopt off of site or on site. We adopt off site. Also, we get fined if we don't have all that information from animal control. I can assure you there are no adoptions going on there. And for the waste, that is something we do as a courtesy to the neighbors. And obviously we don't want all of the waste on the property. That does not mean we're running a commercial operation on the property.

Madam Chair.

Yes.

So again, that statement right there, I am extremely confused.

Okay.

Because y'all are saying that these dogs on site are her personal dogs. But now you're telling me you keep the records there because you need them should they be turned over to somebody else.

No. Animal control has been called multiple times to the property. We have it ready to show if they have questions. They're not being turned over. It's for authorities if they have questions on the dogs, not for anybody else. It's for Stephanie's also organization. Does that clarify?

It clarifies, but I'm just getting mixed information from what I'm bringing in.

Okay. Well, we'll hear the other side of it. Yes, Commissioner Wilson.

Polk County Animal Control requires us to have tags and their rabies certificates. That is why they're on the front of that. If somebody calls and says, my dogs are barking, they're going to come in and they're going to say, we want to see your dogs. They want to make sure they're clean and they're well taken care of and there's nothing wrong with them. But they also want to take a picture of every single rabies tag to make sure I am complying with the county. That's why they're on the front of there. It's not for any other purposes other than when they come in, I don't have to try to scramble through all my folders. They can just snap their pictures that they need to snap because they do. They'll come in and snap pictures, and that's where the rabies tag is there and their rabies certificates there showing that they are current and complied. And you have to do that with your personal dogs, every single one of them. So the dogs on the property are mine. I do have other rescue dogs, but they're in foster. I have not brought any new dogs to that property, only the dogs that have never been adopted. Most of them dogs five to 12 years.

Thank you.

Commissioner Wilson?

Yes. You might have said it earlier, Sarah, but I didn't hear why was code called out on what different, what was it for? Just for information here.

Yes. So apparently there was a call saying, staff's report said it was from a neighbor. We just know that there, there was a call and the call was there are 50 kennels on site and dogs yapping. And so when that email came through, staff then replied with, there's already been a case opened for this. So the timeline I have learned, um, an email discussing what is required of kennels and the definition.

Well, you don't have to go through that. They were called for noise. Is that what you're saying?

And then code enforcement went out on site and reported that there were no dogs on site. March 18th, 17th, 18th code enforcement and they are here and they can, um, testify as well. They went on site, and visited saw that there were some two buildings were under construction, possibly a third foundation, I believe is what the note said, and that there were no dogs on site. They went again in April, again in May, and the dogs were actually moved on site July 4th, 20 or the July 4th weekend, 2025. So four months before dogs were even on site, Code enforcement got a call that there were dogs on site barking.

All right. Thank you.

Madam Chair. Yes. Just for staff perspective, do we have a member of the code enforcement team that can come up and at least attest to the documentation that we have or don't have? Yes, sir. That would be great. Thank you.

If I may, Madam Chair, just a reminder, this isn't for the code enforcement case. They're just specifically some of the facts of what they've seen. Also, I think at this time, just a reminder to the board, really what's before you is a land use case involving whether or not a kennel... It doesn't matter what the pet ownership is, but whether or not a kennel at this location is consistent and compatible per the land development code. So I want to be careful that we don't go too far into the code enforcement case. My understanding is the code enforcement case is still pending. At this time, so ultimately, they may go in front of Special Mastery and make some arguments regarding whether or not the kennel applies to their use. And at that point, the Special Mastery will make that decision based on the application of our code. So just so we don't go too far into the code enforcement part of it, that we remind ourselves that while we're here is to figure out if a kennel or decide whether or not a kennel is compatible and consistent. for this location.

Randy, if I may, on that regard, as far as the actual application itself, then if it was determined that this is not a, let me ask you this, Frank. We can't determine here if this is a kennel operation or not. We simply have to decide if a kennel is compatible and consistent with the area. If the applicant wanted to pursue it not being considered a kennel, that's a different meeting, different day. Is that correct?

That's correct. Okay.

So I think just from the code enforcement side, I guess it's just to confirm or dismiss what was just stated is all I'm looking for, but it doesn't really have a whole bunch of relevance to what we're talking about.

That's correct. I think the question was asked about noise and stuff, so I think they can apply that they did receive. They can confirm whether or not they received a complaint, that they heard noise, or what their case may be.

So my name is Tanya Long. I'm the code investigation supervisor for code enforcement, and David Lambert is the investigator for the case. Um, I think the two questions originally in March, the original complaint we received was they were as advertisement of fundraising activities that were going to be occurring on site. Um, at that time we did go out and investigate at that time. And if we can tell you what we found, but we did not find that the dogs had come in until July. Um, and that's when the noise complaint started and we started meeting with neighbors in July and they were cited officially after the July date. Um, in March, we did meet with members of them, um, of their organization to let them know that this would be a requirement before moving the dogs on site. Um, and, but they still did it without the approvals.

Thank you. Don't go anywhere. I got a question. I have a question. Okay. So we have no limit on dogs on individuals' property, which I think is something this board needs to remedy in the near future because looking into it, other counties do. We have the ability to regulate that, and we probably should. Forget about this specific case. If someone somewhere has a dog that barks constantly, is there anything anybody can do about that? Is that a code violation at some level?

It's handled underneath the animal control ordinance, and I believe they have requirements for what constitutes a nuisance barking dog and certain time limits, if I'm correct.

It's like 15 minutes continuously, right?

I believe so, but I don't enforce that ordinance, so I can't tell you exactly, sir. I understand.

I believe that is also found in your noise control ordinance. It can be enforced through that? Right, through the sheriff's office is the only enforcement of that. All right, thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. Sarah, if you have a few minutes more. I know you do. Initially, it was said that you had proper channeled and recommended approval for this, the acres for the five acres. What does that mean? That's why I had question mark. Who gave you the proper or what was the proper channel you went through?

I'm sorry.

That's okay.

I will back up and clarify the best that I can. So what I meant by that is we are not disputing that code enforcement. There's an active case. Um, Code enforcement is the one that said the proper channel would be to get a level three conditional use permit for a kennel. The owners, they were refuting that they are a kennel because in comparison to the Bully Project, to SPCA, and to Humane Society, they are so different than that. They are not open to the public. They do not have events there. there is, they don't do any activities of the adoptions. Nothing like that. People can't go and adopt. They can't go and get vaccinated. Their pets vaccinated, spayed or neutered. And that's why I really wanted to establish the clear separation between the land use case that we're looking at right now for this property on Kayville versus where the the rescue operations are actually happening in Auburndale. We're talking about this property and because we are trying to come into compliance, the pathway to come into compliance was the level three conditional use review. For instance, not to confuse anything else, but let's say we were RCCR land use or RL1 land use. There is a blank, in that row for kennels, boarding and breeding, we would not be before you today because it's not even an allowable use in any of those land use categories that are shown with a blank. So we knew what we were getting into when we did apply for the C3 level three conditional use and have stated that in addition to what is in chapter 303, we're saying all right, let's put some more conditions on there just so that you all know that despite what social media says, despite angry neighbors and sheriff's department going out there, animal control going out there, code enforcement going out there, that we are trying to be good neighbors and we're trying to right any wrong that we inadvertently did by bringing this before you I've been asked several times, we'll just switch it around and put it in Stephanie's name. No, because this is going to, this needs to come before you so that you all know what is going on and that you all have a level of comfort with the extreme mitigation measures that we are taking for her dogs that are in those three existing buildings and we're moving them to the rear of of the property, which is 700 feet, which is farther away than the other uses that are in BPC2 adjacent to single family.

So based on the information that you just had posted up there, you're meeting all the conditional uses that was proposed.

Okay. Here are the conditions of approval.

Yeah. I just, okay.

That is, this is standard. This is anybody that wants to be in the category of a kennel, whether it's a permitted use or not.

So there was no operations taking place at this place at all.

I don't like to say the word operations because there's not, the dogs are being fed and you heard.

Well, I mean, outside up, you know, people coming in and adopting dogs and all that. No traffic of anybody coming in and out.

It's the equivalent to a single family residence and, Under oath, you were told that Stephanie, her husband, her sister, and her niece, they are the ones that go and feed the dogs. And she gave you the hours that they do that. That is the coming and going. So many of the volunteers and supporters of this rescue have not even been on this site. Yes, it was advertised at one point, hey, we're looking to buy a piece of property. And that is social media took that over. but I'm under oath. We are standing before you saying there are no operations on site right now. There haven't been since her dogs moved in July 4th.

And it was mentioned also, I'm not sure if you did or if, um, Aaron did, someone did the, you have private donors that are providing funds for this. Correct. And the funds are adequate for to serve this, this, um, this area for the dogs.

There are never adequate funds when, um, you know what I mean? And I know, I know because of the emotion, it was, um, maybe hard to understand, but using the flow chart, that is why I wanted it on record is that I'm going to summit in layman's terms because, um, while I represent the rescue, I'm not part of the rescue, but what happens and what happened after the planning commission hearing in June, that very day, Stephanie got a phone call. And she gets calls from any police municipality, Auburndale specifically, Haines City. There were some letters of support for our previous case. But she gets a call. They say, we've got a dog on the side of the road that was hit. She comes out there and picks them up. And then she does whatever she has to do so that they are not euthanized. So We are proposing this under your pathway of allowing kennels with additional conditions and criteria in order to be a service to Polk County and avoid any kind of dependency on public resources for euthanizing

And I have also heard, whether it was today or when we met, you have a board that overlooks this? They do have a board.

You heard from two of them this morning.

Karen, come up and speak a little bit about that, please. What would you like to know? Tell me a little bit about the board. How many members and what actions do they take?

So we have myself.

We have a board member here.

Stephanie is president. I'm vice president. And then Marianne is secretary. So we have open communication. I talk daily with Stephanie and Marianne. Anything big, any big decision, I hear about, and I typically hear about all the dogs. Stephanie also has rescued. But I oversee a lot of the financial. I'm in contact with the bigger donors. So, yes, we do have the funds to cover what we need to do. Okay.

Okay. That was what I needed to know. Thank you. Thank you.

Madam Chair, if I may. Yes. So, Ms. Casey, maybe I'll answer this, or maybe one of the other members. something that i'm not hearing kind of connecting the dots completely as we talk about so there's a call made from armandale or haine city dogs on the road stephanie's going out getting the dog and that dog is it i guess the very direct question is is there any dog that's not registered or microchipped to Stephanie coming on this property at any point in time for five minutes, five days, five hours before it goes to a foster. So is there any intake whatsoever that ever occurs on this property or that could occur on the property?

No, they never come to this property. We also have another property, the adoption depot, where a lot of the adoptions take place. But we have a very large foster organization or, you know, connections.

Got it. But yes, they don't come on this property. Never has any intake at all, just maintaining and managing her own dog.

Yep, the forever home of the dog she's had for a while.

Got it. And then if there is a dog that comes in, I know she said five to 12 years on the duration as far as the dogs, but presumably so. If you had a new dog that you wanted to bring in, it's already registered and microchipped to you before it's coming onto your property, correct? Correct.

You're asking if I bring any other dogs onto the property?

I'm just, I guess, asking from a future perspective, if you had another dog that, you know, it's like, hey, that's a dog that I want to own as well, that that dog would be this. My question would be, is it the same deal where it would be registered and microchipped to you coming into your property, just like the other ones are that are on the property now?

They would, yes. But... I wanted to give an instant. I had a dog that we were called in two weeks ago, a puppy on the side of the road with a broken jaw. I took that dog in, took it to the vet, had it treated, and it went straight to a medical foster. I don't bring any new dogs onto the property. What's there is there. That's it. I'm not trying to be some crazy dog lady. I own them. I love them, and I've had them for a long time.

Thank you.

I've got a question. Yes.

I guess, Sarah, what I'm not understanding, what do you need a board for if you're just an individual keeping dogs on your property?

Well, that would be a question for Erin.

Yeah, so Cross Paws Pet Rescue is a 501c3 with the IRS. It is a requirement. Cross Paws does do adoption, so we are a not-for-profit. None of this takes place at the property in question.

it doesn't take place there, but you're controlling what happens there. Is that what I'm understanding?

Um, Stephanie is trying to live there at this property. Are you talking about the property in question?

Yeah, what we're here to talk about, this parcel and what's going on on this parcel. Okay. Nobody lives there, right?

Right. We have stopped construction on the house. The house was not able to be lived in at the time of purchase. We have stopped because we're not going to continue to build if we're not going to be able to stay.

But I guess I'm losing the connection why you need a board to, I mean, you don't need a board to raise money just to feed these dogs, do you?

It's a 501c3 board's required through the IRS.

So nonprofit or profit, so it's a corporation that's operating this kennel, would that be correct?

No, there are no operations on this property. I guess I'm missing what you're asking.

I mean, boards are for commercial operations where people make decisions that affect whatever it is. This is a board that has no impact, but it does. It decides what happens on this piece of property. That's just how I would see it.

No, we do adoptions. We had over 200 adoptions. That's off-site. So that's really what the board's for.

Right. Okay. I don't want to belabor the point, but I guess the more direct question is, in this case, it brought it up. Because in my mind, I'm thinking, too, instead of you guys even being here for a C3 today, why isn't the property just in Stephanie's name individually? It's got 61 dogs or 85 dogs or 150 dogs or two dogs. It doesn't matter. As long as they're not, you know, against the noise ordinance for the nuisance dog deal. To me, it all simplifies. But if the... adoption 503c is being utilized to fund the purchase of the property and is being used to fund the building of the buildings and those proceeds are also being used to feed and maintain the dogs. I'm not here to meddle in your business, but I guess that's where maybe that's not allowable because if it was in her name, then you can't obviously funnel money out of a nonprofit into a personal name to take care of personal business. But that's where I get, I just see that to me the simpler path as this individual name, you don't even have to worry about a C3, you just build the accessory structures, live on the property, and you're done.

We spoke to an attorney, and that was not an option.

Gotcha. Because of the 501c3 or something?

No, because of the code violation in the neighbors. Gotcha. Yep. The problem was not going to go away for us, even if we moved the property out of the 501c3 in her name.

Understood. Yep. Thank you. Okay.

And if I could add to that, people play that game all the time, and we want to be very transparent. We were cited, code enforcement. The buildings don't meet the kennels boarding and breeding setbacks of the 50-foot compatibility buffer because at the time we weren't cited as a kennel. And we are saying we're not even moving the buildings. It's too expensive to move them. These are her personal dogs. They're all registered to her. I only have a copy. I can circulate it. These are all the tags that were renewed in May. Just bottom line is this is a piece of property that's an RS that is allowed to have a kennel, assuming that it's going to be like every commercial kennel that Polk County already has. We're just different, but we're saying, okay, we're a kennel. Give us permission for Stephanie to have her personal dogs housed in those buildings that are proposed now because the ones that we have don't meet setbacks for that criteria. We want to build new buildings 700 feet away from where the existing buildings are with all the conditions of approval as required standard by code, plus the additional conditions that we are saying, please impose them on us. Let's talk about it. But Stephanie wants to live there and have her dogs. These are the dogs that she did rescue. They were rehabilitated for whatever reason, and now they're too old to be adopted out through the rescue. So no rescue operations are operating on site. This is really Stephanie's homestead once the house gets built, but why throw good money after bad? They're not going to do that unless they are allowed through the C3 use to be. One of the conditions that the planning commission put on this is that a caretaker resident shall be established. We're not changing the land use. We're asking for NRS land use that's allowed by code as a C3 use. We're asking for permission to have a kennel with all of the conditions that come, a conditional use permit to allow a kennel with all of the conditions that come with it for her personal storage and then the proposed kennel buildings. That is what we're, So the name is confusing, yes, but we are here for a land use matter, and that is the use of the property that would be in compliance with Polk County Land Development Code.

Thank you. Okay, we're ready to move on. Thank you, Sarah. And you'll have an opportunity to come back up and address anything that's brought up by the public hearing.

At this time, Madam Chair, we have the applicant for the de novo. I believe it's Gary Bozeman. Yes. Is who we have listed. Just to confirm land development, do we have anyone else to be organized opposition at this time?

I do not believe so, Mr. Bozeman.

So Mr. Bozeman will have 30 minutes to present his case.

I had a speech written. But I'm just going to skip that. What they're claiming and what I understand.

Could you, sir, could you give your name and address, please?

Oh, I'm sorry. Gary Bozeman, 3642 Cable Avenue, Arbondale, Florida, 33823. I live right next door to the property. But even on their own website, it shows that this is a rehabilitation center. Okay. And this is where their dogs come a pit stop until they are adopted out. This is on their own website. Shall I pull it up and play it for you? Would you all like me to pull up the website and play it for you?

I think we're okay.

Yeah, I'm okay. Without it.

Okay. Okay. But the barking is constant. The smell is horrendous. I don't know what they're doing with the dog feces, the urine. I'm taking it as just being washed out onto the property. That's about it. To my belief, what they're doing is good, but it has its proper place and it's not in a residential neighborhood. right next to me, putting up with the barking six to eight hours a day, seven days a week. Thank you.

One second, because I have a gentleman walking up and stuff. You're the organized opposition. You get 30 minutes. One second, sir, please. Thank you. You got 30 minutes. Now, you can have people come up during your 30 minutes, or they can speak during. Okay. They signed. They signed.

So, they will speak during.

So, you'll speak. She's fixing to open public comments, and then you'll get an opportunity to speak during that public comments section.

Okay.

So, Mr. Bozeman, you're done with your presentation at this time?

Yes, sir. That's about all I have is they are. bringing dogs there to rehabilitate. And they do not adopt out of there. They have a little office off of Main Street. But on their own website, it states that this is their new rehabilitation center in Arbondale. There's a whole video. And they even state this is just a pit stop for these animals. Thank you.

So that closes the 30 minutes for them, am I correct? Now we open it up for public speaking. We're gonna open it up for public speaking and then you'll have your turn for that. Amber, do we have anyone?

Yes, ma'am, we do.

And I apologize for calling you Amanda, I just wanna change your name.

Amanda, are you here?

It's not the first time.

Madam Chair, I keep calling her my aunt.

Now, these are the people that have signed up, Mr. Meek. After this, if there's anybody that wants to speak, we will allow them to speak.

If they want to sign, they need to fill out the yellow card.

So if you want to speak about this, you need to sign the yellow form so that we can have it, so we can go ahead and get it notated and give it to... Lauren is back there, Lauren, raise your hand. Yeah, she's back there, she'll take it. All right, we'll start with Angel, Angel Sims. Please, when you come up, state your name and your address, and then you have three minutes.

Thank you.

My name is Angel Sims. I live at 506 Hillside Drive, Auburndale, Florida, 33823. So years ago, I started looking for a mom and pop rescue to support, and I landed very quickly on cross paws. I found her to be utterly excellent with nothing but concern for her animals, and it is that concern for her animals that is making her a good neighbor. A lot of the things that are in the staff report that lead to the conclusion of denial have already been addressed here today. For example, the number of site visits and the drop-offs, no more than an average family. I'm one of her supporters of many years who've never been on the property. I went and I parked in front of what looks like a Jurassic Park kind of fence at the beginning. At the entrance and I kind of stood there for a while and I waited and I was listening for dogs Didn't hear anything. I went to my truck honks my horn still didn't hear any dogs. I've done this three times over the past month I've not heard dogs barking so the idea that it's constant just doesn't ring true for me personally and what I've observed and seen The Complaints about the odors we've discussed that just being hauled away and I think that it's not good governance to tell somebody Stephanie and Crosspaws were told, sure, go ahead, do this. How many dogs can I have? All of them that you want. And then retroactively go back and say, wait, that wasn't what we meant. Never mind. Clearly something needs to be looked at in terms of how rescues are handled in the county. But that's something to be done further down the road. I hope that you guys will follow the lead of your planning commission and vote in favor of this conditional use. the front of the property because honestly having been not just to the front side of the property but during the whole block around this is a place that I would look at as a potential for something like this especially concerning how the animals are cared for indoors they' re not she doesn' t let 70 dogs out at one time they' re taken out in shifts so that they have room to run and when I drove around the back side of the property it' s wide open it' s a lovely wide open actually a decent fit for a project like this. Thank you so much for your time and your consideration. I hope you will let this sweet lady who says she's not a crazy dog lady, but that has sailed. And if crazy dog lady was a hero kind of designation, I would nominate her. So I hope you'll just let her keep doing what she's doing. She has stayed out of all of the drama involved in animal rescue in Polk County. And at first I wondered why. And now I realize it's because that's what's best for her dogs that she's given to her to take care of. So, again, thank you so much for your time.

Thank you. I have Steve Everett.

Yes, ma'am.

My name is Steve Everett. The address is 3710 Caveville Avenue, Auburndale, Florida. Lifelong residents of Auburndale. I've been there for many, many years. Okay, so that's who I am. And I need more than three minutes to address the 45 minutes of oratory that's been here and answer some questions. One, I might need to know, can you get in trouble for lying up here?

Mr. Everett, you have three minutes, so it's not time for us to answer questions, but just for you to address your concerns. And I'm sorry that you were not included with Mr. Gary's 30 minutes. That's something you should have talked, but you've got three minutes now.

All right, ma'am. I'll try to get the highlights. They said that there's never been anything organizationally done there. They had a pure rally. Over there, I was there. This is testimony that I'll swear to. They had a rally that filled up the whole place, showing off their dogs, trying to get donations. I saw some dogs going in and out. So don't tell me it's not a kennel, okay? It's in the wrong place. They're talking about moving it to the back. It's still right next to my property in the back, and it's wrong. When she first came out there, I said, she said, oh, yeah, I'm pet paws rescue. That's fine. All right. Then you're going to put in a kennel. Oh, no, it's a pet rescue. Well, whether you call it dog feces or dog or canine feces or dog shit, it smells the same and it's constant. And he can say those dogs. You can walk out three o'clock in the morning and that's all you can hear. And I got a question for you. Any of the board members? And I got a tape, and I'd like to play it for three seconds and see if you could put up with that 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the rest of your life. I'm retired. All I'm going to do is live peaceably, okay? Regardless of what name you put on it, whether it's a business, which it is, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it is a duck. It's a business that she makes money off of. The dollars go in and out. They've lied. Okay? Plain and simple. And look, I'm not a lawyer. I'm just trying to use common sense. Would any of you be willing to put up with that the rest of your life? And if you vote in favor of them continuing to operate, you're lying if you say yes. Okay? I mean, it's terrible. She may be saving the world, that's fine. Saving the dogs, that's great. But she's, somebody told me one time, a weed is a plant that's out of place. That is a weed. It's where it should not be. She may be doing great things, I'm not knocking that, okay? But she picked the wrong place. And all these things that she says, what's the proof of it? Who knows that she's actually carrying dog manure off? I feel smelly. And this is personal testimony, all right? So all these questions you ask, and they answered, they lied, okay? Operations going on there. And I only get three minutes, and I'm telling you, that is not,

Thank you. We have Mary Ann Bozeman.

Good morning. My name is Mary Ann Bozeman. I live at 3636 KVL Avenue. And I'm over 90 years old. And I've lived on my property over the 60 years. I'm a widow. I've raised four children on that property. And I built my life there until recently. And I live peacefully and independently. And until recently, in all my years, I have never experienced the level of stress and emotional distress that I'm enduring now. since the arrival across Paul's Pet Rescue next door. The mental anguish caused by this business has significantly affected both my emotional and physical health. I own five acres, which I have walked daily to maintain my strength and well-being. I also have a koi pond and a garden that I tend to regret care. These activities are no longer... A source of peace for me. The constant barking and whining from news of her dogs making it impossible to enjoy my property. I now walk in fear. Fear that a dog could escape and confront me while I'm alone. The noise is unbearable. The odor is something no homeowner should have to endure. After I contacted the code enforcement to seek help, cameras were stalled facing my property. In addition, my character has been publicly attacked on social media by the operator of this business. Beat defamed in my community where I have lived nearly all my entire life has been deeply hurtful and humiliating. Most troubling of all, a man was sent to my home to question me about the objection to this business. I live alone. being approached while working in my yard by a man of pointed questions, frightening and intimidating. I consider this behavior to be bullying and harassment, and I believe anyone in my position would feel the same. This property was purchased with the intent to operate a dog rescue. Within a residential zone community, since then, there have been reports of increased stray dogs in the area, either because people abandoned animals pleading the rescue would take them or because the dogs are escaping the property. This poses a serious safety concern, not only for me, but the entire neighborhood. I respectfully ask, how can the county allow this activity to continue? This business has knownly circumvented regulations and proceeded without regard for proper zoning, permitting, or the well-being of surrounding residents. I fear that without meaningful intervention, this operation will only grow larger, further impacting the safety and quality of life of those who live nearby. Liens and fines may be discussed, but I ask you, are they truly effective when the business is funded by donations and has already demonstrated disregard for laws and regulations? where are my rights as a homeowner, has followed the rules, paid taxes. At my age, I should be able to live peacefully and enjoy the rest of the time that I have left on this earth. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Next I have, I think it's Gary Lee Bozeman. Oh, you're the one, okay. I didn't realize that.

I was the head officer.

Next I have Ruth Chrischeid. Sorry, I butchered the names. I'm trying to read the handwriting.

Good morning. My name is Ruth Krischek. I live on 8606 Cross Creek Road in Polk City. I'm speaking on behalf of Cross Paws Pet Rescue. Cross Paws Pet Rescue is an amazing asset to the community. My personal experience with Cross Paws Pet Rescue has been as a volunteer and an adopter. As a volunteer at an open house years ago, I have first-hand seen the love, care and hard work that goes into rescuing animals from tough situations. Volunteering with CrossPaws Pet Rescue has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Stephanie Berlino's dedication is unmatched and the amount of work she puts into her animals is incredible. The entire team is passionate and professional. The community turnout for the event was a true testament to the great work they do. She and everyone was very welcoming. The event was greatly organized and a lot of dogs found great new homes. Cross Bars Pet Rescue is deeply committed to the better of their animals. As an adopter, the process was seamless and entirely focused on the animal welfare. They were honest and responsive and truly put the pet first. The process was thorough but very fair, showing how much they truly care about finding the right home fit for the animal. The communication was excellent and they were completely transparent about the dog's health and vaccination records. We love our dogs, and I have to say they were a really good fit for our lifestyle. I love that Crossbow Pet Rescue strictly enforces spaying and neutering before puppies or older dogs go into their forever homes. This rescue organization does not humanely euthanize, but rather Ms. Bedillo keeps them as her personal dogs. Thank you to Stephanie Bedillo and the entire team for doing such an incredible job with these animals. I highly recommend and support Cross Cause Pet Rescue. Thank you. Thank you.

Next, we have Linda Baco.

Hi, my name is Linda Baco. Address is 214 Inverness Way, Northeast, Winter Haven, Florida. and I have been sworn in. I'm here this morning to speak in support of the conditional use zoning approval for Cross Paws Pet Rescue. Cross Paws has made meaningful contributions difference in Polk County, rescuing over 200 dogs each year. These animals that may otherwise be abandoned, neglected, left without medical care are placed on the risk of euthanasia. It does more than simply providing temporary shelter. Each dog receives food, safety, attention, and the medical care it needs while waiting for a suitable permanent home. That work requires an extraordinary commitment of time, money, compassion, and personal sacrifice. At the heart of the rescue is Stephanie Badiou, who truly is a crusader in chief for these animals. She's dedicated herself to protecting dogs that cannot speak or advocate for themselves. She works tirelessly to ensure that each animal in our care is dealt with kindness and dignity. I understand zoning conditions decisions require commissioners to consider both individual property concerns and the broader interests of the community. I ask that you consider the valuable public service CrossPaws provides. I respectfully ask the commission to uphold the conditional use approval and grant the zoning approval needed for CrossPaws to continue its important work. please allow Stephanie and cross pause to remain a positive forth for animals and families throughout the Polk County. And I just got one personal thing to add. Um, I remember Stephanie talking about bark dogs barking in her home and I remembered I had a little music machine. that played opera music, and the dogs instantly stopped barking. So I bought six machines for her, and she has spread them around. And it works amazing, because I remember going to her home, and the dogs were insane. But the day after I delivered the machines, the next time I went there, it was dead silence. So I have a hard time believing that there's... any barking going on. Thank you for your time, your consideration, and your service to our community. Thank you.

Thank you. Next I have Mary Lou Hammond.

I don't know if it's afternoon or morning still, whichever it is. Still morning. My name is Mary Lou Hammond. I live at 4610 Arcola Place in Lakeland. That is in Shalimar Creek. If any of you know what that is, it's a 55 plus community. I moved down here. I have been sworn in. I moved down here right during COVID. Probably within a year, I started seeing the videos of Stephanie and I was a I was pulled in at that point because I'm a huge dog lover. I'm a huge animal lover. I've probably known Stephanie for about three years. And I have... watched her enough to know that her heart is probably the biggest heart I have ever met and I'm 75 so I've met a lot of people in my life. I don't know how she does it. I truly don't. I'm going to make this real short. I don't have anything I wrote down or anything but the dogs that are on that property are her personal dogs. Only because other people didn't want those dogs. And my question, I guess, that I come back to all the time with all of this is, what do you do with these dogs? This is Polk County. It's unbelievable. Do we euthanize them all? She's not going to do that. Her heart could not even begin to do that. My heart could not begin to do that. So these dogs are her dogs. She takes care of those dogs, feeds them. I know the food she buys and it comes from Sam's. It's not cheap. She has a lot of donors, people just like me. I don't have a lot of extra money. I have kids that we're helping. I have grandkids. We all know where our money goes. And yes, I am retired, but I only have X amount of money. So what I can give her, I do on a monthly basis. I don't give to a lot of organizations that get money from the federal government, from state, from county. She gets none of that. Zero. So she has to depend on people like me. I stand behind her 150,000%. She's exceptional. End of story. Thank you and have a good day. Thank you.

I don't have any other. Do you? No, ma'am, I have not received any. Okay, so we close the public hearing and we give Sarah an opportunity to address some of the concerns that were brought up.

Madam Chair, if I may, before Ms. Case comes up. Ms. Case, this is to give you an opportunity to also respond, but as one of the... public commenters have brought up. I went on the crosspawspetrescue.org on their website. There is a YouTube video that's posted on their website that specifically states, it's got the video of the site. It talks about this is just a pit stop of our dogs. And that's the interview that was done with Stephanie. It's on here. It goes, the whole content of this video is that this is a, on the title is Crosspaws Pet Rescue Rehabilitation Center in Arvindale. So I know, again, this is a land use case. What I would like to hopefully hear is a reason why this is portrayed this way, because literally the video is showing these finished structures with the dogs in it and saying that they're literally waiting for them to find their forever home, and it's based off of this, and their emergency care is given. The context of this video is specifically all from a content. It's all around this site with the buildings, with these facilities. And for this being a rehab center for the dogs. And again, it is what it is. I just, I expect clarity in what information we're being provided. And for this video to portray these dogs that are at this facility in Arbondale, that's in front of us today, are simply waiting for their forever home, directly contradicts with the testimony that's been given today. So that, again, it's on your website. And I just want to have some feedback. So you guys have your time.

That is correct. The video was put up because at the beginning we hadn't been cited by the county. We didn't know we did anything wrong. I thought I was doing everything by the book with our permits, everything. But as soon as we got cited by that, I don't bring any new dogs there anymore. We can't. We're following the process. Those dogs that are at the property are my dogs. I have not brought any new dogs. Our intentions were because I thought I was doing everything legal, but obviously we're not. I mean, they said that we violated, so we just went to comply with the violation.

Why wouldn't you take the video down?

I'm taking it down. I didn't even know it was still up because I don't handle the website. So that is coming down immediately. I did not know it was still up, but that was, that was our intentions. But when we found out we couldn't do that, we don't do that. And I have not done that. Everything that has been spoken here today is the truth.

Just again on this video, it's literally four minutes and 54 seconds that directly contradicts everything that's been given today.

Right. Well, that was right then when we first put the buildings up. You're absolutely correct. It was put up. That was our intentions.

Well, these have, not to contradict, but these show... those kennels in one of those buildings. I can tell by the structural photos with dogs in the kennels. So we're talking about after July of 2025, like some of those video content has dogs.

I just, again, well, we've been doing those videos for quite a time, but we didn't post it until after the fact. So we have been doing all those videos through, um, the guy that handles my, my website, um,

Yeah. Again, it's just, I talked to our attorney. He said I should bring it up since I did go to it. It's not, you guys, no one presented it directly as, well, I didn't know the video was up, but, but again, I mean, you're the president of the organization, correct?

Correct.

You're on the board of directors.

Correct.

You guys report to IRS as a five one three C with an active board that speaks every day about the matters. Correct.

Correct.

Okay. So I'm just saying from given information to this board, um, and for it to be directly contradicted with online video that's produced on your website by your team or you whomever filmed this, and you're in it speaking about what it does, to me, it's... That was the initial intention. Yeah.

Okay. Let's go ahead and have Sarah. Thank you. Let's go ahead and have Sarah address the other issues, and then we can bring it back to the board.

The information that was just raised when our neighbor mentioned the video, I asked them to check their phone because I thought it was incorrect and they in fact did show me that there is that video active. And I was hoping that it was not active because you heard Stephanie say that the intent was find a piece of property have this active rescue. But then as we have morphed into today from when the pop, the property was purchased December of 2024, we know that we cannot do anything of the such that she is advertising on her website. Um, I really don't know a whole lot else to say. I really wanted this to be focused on a land use issue. Could you pull my presentation up, please? So even with the competent substantial evidence that you've heard from me today regarding a land use issue, not regarding Stephanie personally, not regarding and having separated the two uses, we did have a video but it's not coming up, and the conditions of approval were over and beyond this would be the The pathway for you all to enforce That Again I I wasn't prepared to hear that there was an active link on the website But I will say It's a very confusing issue in the fact that the ownership, we really wanted to lay this case out, that it is separate and activity is operating separately. And we feel, for all intents and purposes, that the compatibility was mitigated with the distance and the extra measures that we took to propose new buildings. But... I would ask for your consideration to deny the appeal by Mr. Bozeman and uphold the Planning Commission's approval. And I'll stand for any questions. Any questions?

Madam Chair, before we go for consideration, just so the board has it, you have a slide that has what the additional conditions of approval are, right? Just so they can see that as they...

I'm sorry. Yes.

Yeah, I believe these. Okay.

Yeah, that's the one I was referring to earlier. Okay. Thank you, Sarah. So we bring it back to the board.

So, Randy, I got a question. I'm not in favor of this operation based strictly on from a land use standpoint, based on noise and odor. What kind of motion do you need?

It would be a motion to deny the application. You're not moving on the actual de novo. You actually are doing the denial of their application.

Okay, so I move for denial of their application. Second.

Okay, I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? Commissioner Troutman.

So this case has been very challenging for me as I have considered the facts. And I think it's important that the public understand this is a decision based upon land use and regulations. And when you look at the definition of compatibility, and I'm going to read it verbatim, a condition in which land uses or conditions can coexist in relative proximity to each other in a stable fashion over time, Such that no use or condition is unduly negative impacted directly or indirectly by another use or condition Oftentimes when we are considering that statement We're looking at density. We're looking at activity. We're looking at lot sizes We're in this case. I think we truly have to look at and consider the negative impacts when we're looking at land use this case does not stop in any way what crossed paws pet rescue is doing from what testimony has been provided this case has nothing to do with their rescue because we're told that these are just personal animals if you have to go down that route and you that's where you are these are your personal animals And if you're living there, you might have a code case come at you every other day for the barking. I don't know, but this in no way is about, we're not here to talk about compassion. We're not here to talk about animal welfare. We are here to talk about land use. And when I look at this case and I defined and look at the definition of compatibility, I do believe that there is harm, and I don't believe this is going to be a stable situation over time. As much as I would love to see a very positive pet rescue place, I do not believe that this is the place for a kennel if this is her personal home and she lives there that's another route that the parties will have to decide in another venue but when we look at strictly land use i do not believe that a kennel run by crossed paws spca or anyone is the appropriate place at this time in this residential area and therefore i would support the motion that has been presented Okay. Anybody else?

No. Well, I'm looking at this as a land use case, excuse me. Also, and the, the, the last slide that was put up there with the conditional use There you go. From the, from what I've heard today, all of those have a med or are going to be med. And these were put up there by the planning commission. Um, If you meet those conditional use place there by the Planning Commission, then I think I'm going to approve this. I'm in favor of this. We said something about the dogs coming in the shifts, the barking and all that stuff. I'm here to look at the case, the land use case, and basically has the conditions been met. But I'm going to add this personal touch to this. We talk about the need to, like we've been dealing with the cat issues, the ladies that are coming in for the cat, that we need to do something for the animals in Polk County. We are, I see you doing that right now. I'm just thinking about these animals, these dogs were not in those kennels. They would be roaming all over Polk County. And then we would have another issue. So we agree that we need to do something, but when it comes to our backyard or being put in our backyard, that's when we start disagreeing. And I think this is... a project that is helping not only the people, the dogs, the people, but also helping Polk County. I like the fact, and I don't say I like, but I like to hear the fact that there are donors out there helping, providing monies, providing the funds to be able to move this project forward. Now those are my personal, has nothing to do with the land use case. Those are my personal opinions. If someone doesn't do it, who will? Then it falls back on us. that we're not doing our job, just like we're hearing with the CAD issues. So I'm going to approve this project or this land use case. I'm through. Anybody else? Okay. So we have a motion. We have a second. For denial.

That's a motion to deny the application, LDCU 2025-35, Cross Falls. And I have a second of that motion. Yes.

Yeah, you did. All right. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Aye.

Did you oppose it?

Yes, I voted.

All right. So the motion passes to deny it.

Thank you, Madam Chair. We have one more public hearing. Madam Chair, at this time. Tabitha Alpers will present the public hearing for the board to consider an adverum tax exemption.

Let's give them a few minutes to leave the room. Okay? We're ready to move on.

Good morning, Madam Chair and Commissioners. For the record, Tabitha Alpers, Budget Management Services. Item 02 is a public hearing to consider the adoption of an ordinance granting an ad valorem tax exemption to a Newport County business, Amaya Solutions, Inc., and to approve a performance agreement with the company. The company plans to create 50 new full-time jobs at an average annual wage of $112,116, which is more than 200% of Polk County's 2026 average annual wage. The company plans to construct an approximately 200,000 square foot headquarters manufacturing and distribution facility and will invest 20 million in construction of the property along with an additional 6.49 million in tangible equipment. Based on these guidelines and the board's current guidelines, the project qualifies for 70% reduction in applicable ad valorem taxes for an eight-year period beginning in 2030 through 2037. The property appraiser's report estimates that if the exemption is granted, approximately $99,983 in ad valorem taxes will be lost each year of the eight-year exemption period. the county would receive the remaining 30% of the property's taxable value as new ad valorem tax revenue during the exemption period, which equates to $42,850 annually. Additionally, new tax revenues gain for the school board would be $113,882 annually for MST use $17,679 annually. And for the Southwest Florida water management district, $3,942 annually representatives from the central Florida development council and the company are also in the audience to answer any questions the board may have regarding the project. With that, I'll stand for any questions.

Questions? What's the current property tax for this, the current property year, the tax year as far as property tax that we're collecting right now?

It's about $4,500, I believe, is what we had. It's about 12 acres. Can you confirm that, Sean?

I think it's $107, right?

It's a very small amount. It's a very small amount. It's vacant land. It's on the west side of Braddock Road.

Just for those in the public to understand, when we do these ad valorem tax exemptions, it's not as though we are exempting the property from tax. We're getting less revenue in. We truly are attracting the business, getting the high-skill, high-wage jobs in. and we're increasing the tax revenue generated by the property. And ultimately, there's a long-term gain once the ad valorem exemption expires. Now we have the full 100% of it. So sometimes I think that gets lost when public hears these types of items come up. They think that the county is somehow giving away the land, which really are not. We're developing a great relationship with a good community partner. So I appreciate that. Thank you.

Well, we're actually losing $100 and gaining $150,000.

It seems to be in that game.

Madam Chair, if I may, just for the record, my understanding is Mr. Shaman Lott with Central Florida Development Committee, Council, sorry, basically stated in response to Commissioner Scott's question, it was $107 that we're currently getting for taxes on this property. Is that correct? All right. Thank you.

Well, we're also looking at the amount of jobs that are created because of this. So, yeah, there's a lot of benefits. Anybody else? Okay. So, public hearing. We'll open it up for public hearing. Anybody that wishes to speak on this subject, please come forward. Or do we have any?

No, ma'am, we do not have anyone.

Then we close the public hearing. I did say Amber. Then we close the public hearing, bring it back to the board.

Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions, discussion? Hearing none.

Just real quick. Just welcome to the new property owners. We are appreciative of what they're bringing to the county. And I know they're coming from another county. We'll leave it unnamed. So we appreciate them transferring over to Polk County.

Okay. Anybody else? Okay. Hearing none. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

Thank you, Madam Chair. That's all the public hearings at this time. We will go into the request for general public. an opportunity to be heard.

Okay, so now we go into the general public to be heard. Do you have any, Amber? Yes, ma'am. We got four, okay, whoops. All right, Ms. Hicks, Debbie Hicks, is she still here? I know it's been a long morning.

Debbie Hicks, 236 Alderman Road, Lakeland, Florida. I appreciate all that you guys do. I hope that we understand how difficult it is for rescues and how much they do. Websites are important, but when you're rescuing dogs and you're doing things, a lot of times that kind of stuff sits off to the side because you're busy. I do want to, because I want to move on from that. I stopped by Animal Control when I was here the last time because their website said there was 19 dogs and 18 cats. And I'm thinking, now wait a minute, they got 100 or so animals a week probably coming in. That's all they got? Well, when I got there, which the people there are great, and when I got there, they took me out. For one thing, it's so clean. It's old, though. We still need a new facility. But God bless those county people that are cleaning it up. I don't know how they do it. It's clean. But the thing of it is the website was inaccurate. And the website is not user-friendly and it has very minimal stuff on it. So I do want to bring that. And those old fans on that north side, we could hardly talk when I was talking to the workers because they're so noisy. But saying that... I'm not sure we just need a committee. We need a division in this government. We need a division for the animals because this is a big problem. And the thing of it is, it's a county problem. And the county, as you can see, wants to help. They may not always do it in the right way and follow all the regulations that half of us don't even know they exist. But they're helping. The money's coming in. The volunteers are coming in. And I think the TNVR, we need to look at helping these individuals and rescues financially as to how they can do it. Anyway, that's it. That's it. I appreciate what you guys do. I understand. But now I think we need a division instead of a committee. But that's another time. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Hicks.

Madam Chair, if I may.

Yes.

Ms. Hicks, if you don't mind, and not a have to, but a request if you have spare time. For Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and Sumter County, if in the future you have time to go visit each one of those animal control facilities and then just make an appointment with my office, I'd just like to knowledge share with you. I've completed all three visits and have my own observations, but I'd like to get your input based on if you just go and independently visit them and just take the tour and make your notes and then if you don't mind getting with me and we can kind of compare what we both did.

Sure. Which ones? Pasco?

Hillsborough, Pasco, and Sumter.

Sounds good.

Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

Madam Chair, may I? Yes. Also, Ms. Hicks, I hope the message that you carry that we made a land use decision today. There's no doubt that Crossed Paws is doing wonderful things. And according to their own testimony, that all happens off of that site. So their rescue operations should not be impacted one bit. And she does have a great reputation as far as that. But the land use that was before us, is separate from the rescue. So I just hope that you help that information be conveyed correctly. Sure. I understand. Thank you. Thank you.

Next I have David Butler.

Good morning. If I can have 10 seconds to tell y'all, that was a tough case y'all did with cross-paws. I appreciate all the work y'all just did on that. Whether you agree with the decision or not, I think you worked hard and you made the right one. That being said, I'm David Butler. My address is exempt. We watch movies about influential people throwing parties for politicians to raise money or provide positive exposure for a candidate. In turn, that politician owes this person the debt. Now I'm sure that only happens in the movies. In June or July... of 2018, when I was working at the sheriff's office, a decree came from on high that if you wanted to advance your career, you would attend a party for a particular candidate and donate. I didn't go to that party because it don't sit well for people to tell me who to donate to and vote for. Well, again, in 2026, last month or month before, the sheriff threw another campaign party for a particular candidate, and that, again, deputies were encouraged to attend. Now, I wasn't there to see if he would encourage them to donate or not. But, again, that doesn't set well with me for an employer to hold over somebody's advancing career to donate to a particular candidate. In the movies, this always leads to the politician owing somebody a favor. Always. That probably doesn't happen here, but it certainly gives an appearance of impropriety to me. Is it possible that a connection to the Sheriff pitching this party and encouraging deputies to donate. Why he gets to buy a plane that's $3 million when a $1 million plane could do it. Is it why we don't have or it took so long to get meaningful changes in animal control? It may or may not be. I don't know. It looks bad. It looks bad. The appearance of impropriety could be minimized if a candidate gets word that the sheriff did influence people to donate to a campaign by giving that money back to the deputies. Probably pretty easy to do. Now, Mr. Wilson, you're up for re-election. I would like for you to, you've been here for eight years. One thing per year that you've initiated and fought to fruition that has helped the county per year. So eight things during your time here that you've initiated and and brought to help the county. You don't have to do it today. If you would, I'd like to have that. Thank you.

Thank you. Next we have Mr. Abercrombie.

Good morning. James Abercrombie for the record. Good morning. 2737 Gibson yellow a road folks when I walked away here last last meeting I Tried to get this stuff out In the regulation in the The contract and The general meeting the for the fence There's a contract for the fence in the contract it states right here. I have to get my glasses out again. All records stored electronically by the county' s custodian public records if the vendor has questions regarding the application of chapter 119. They were supposed to get rid of the fence. Trash. I call it trash. There's a big difference between trash and recyclable. I still believe, and my public records request to Mr. Mink last session, provided rights to access public records. However, that does not require a public agency to create a new record. Therefore, that's once again, when I try to record something, I can't do it. That's wrong. Conduct research, answer questions or provide explanations regarding records that do not exist. There's no such thing as a record that does not exist. I don't know where you get all this information from. But that basically right there again shows you that man's running this show. He's telling you what the meaning of 119 is in the floor statues. To further that definition there in the meeting Friday, Mr. Meek also stated the fact that Ms. Santiago did not have any ideas of some of the civil actions that happened, had no idea what's going on there. Watch your public records. Don't look stupid. Jokes. I understand you're doing a little talk to Florida, state of Florida, Tallahassee. I would recommend you call the state attorney general's office and ask him about these public records. He's going to be the one that's going to be honest and forthwith with you more so than this. We need some honesty and integrity in this business, folks. And I'm going to continue this until I get some answers. I'm not going to stop it. I've got a lot more I'm going to be bringing forward, too, but I've got to get this resolved. I want to see what happened to that fence. I want to know who reaped the benefits from that fence. That was my money, citizens' money, for that fence. We paid for it originally. We paid to have it taken out. We paid for it to be recycled. I want to know. Thank you, Mr. McCombie.

Madam Chair. Yes. Commissioner Scott, was that the information? I believe that I know you provided a large stack. Can you clarify whether what he's asking for was in what you personally have provided and reviewed?

I can confirm the contract or the contract documents for the, he's referring to the Hunt Fountain fence replacement project, but in that records request, the printouts, that was in there and I'll summarize and Mr. Mink can confirm or specify, but it was for the contractor to install a new fence and remove and dispose of properly the existing fence. Now there was not a requirement in the contract document for it to be recycled or otherwise have any kind of chain of custody to literally document every step of where the old fence went to. It was simply to properly dispose of it.

Okay. But you yourself reviewed that record and then passed it along to him? Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you.

You do not have the jurisdiction to comply or to state what is family records or not. Mr. Abercrombie, you've had your time. Thank you.

Thank you. You don't have the jurisdiction. Thank you. All right. Stephanie, you have one more? Stephanie Widener. Is she here? That big monitor blocks my view, Amber.

Yes, ma'am.

Good afternoon.

I don't know, do I need to be sworn in or something?

Were you sworn in? No, she doesn't need to because you addressed it. Just state your name and address, please.

Stephanie Widener, 9055 Hickory Walk, Haines City, Florida, 33844. I'm here as, I just haven't been here in a while, and I want to address, again, the commissioners have been hearing multiple citizens advocate for the whole year, last year, last summer, better animal welfare as well as funding policies, as well as funding continuous low-cost spay-neuter programs year-long. This seems to be a repeating pattern. We have multiple people here today talking about issues. A lot of these issues will not exist had the county provide some funding for low-cost. We are overwhelmed. Ever since COVID is where I think it started a lot, not just here, but statewide, nationwide. Animals could not get in to get spay-neutered. People don't want to take them to animal control. They're afraid they'll get euthanized, which is a very real possibility here. We're the third largest, apparently, in the nation, from what I hear, first in the state. That is not a reputation Polk County should have. We have the money. I've been here with speed bumps costing five grand each. I love it when I go over them now. Five grand, 10 grand, 15, okay. We have money. We have had money for other things. When are you guys going to approve money for continuous year long and see what happens? Follow the science. We could avoid many of the issues brought up by all these homeowners concerning the barking dogs, this, that, running dogs, everything that you've heard and code enforcement hears and animal control hears. All sorts of issues, stray cats, not just stray cats, but cats multiplying out of control. I went to animal control a few weeks ago to help a neighbor look for her lost pet. There were no cats showcased. They have a beautiful little area when you walk in, but there were no cats in there, not one. People walk in. You go into a big warehouse-type building, like they said, high ceilings, fans, lots of noise. Cats don't like all that noise. The fans maybe help the people stay cool, but dogs... pant to cool off cats don't necessarily do that. But they could use that room to showcase some of the adoptable cats, get people interested. There were no cats in that area. While we were there, Hope for Brevard, which I do appreciate them, a rescue out of Melbourne. They drove from Melbourne because they probably heard our issue. And they took out apparently about 80 cats to go take over to Melbourne and adopt out. This is great for them and I appreciate it so much, but why are we still having other people help? How did they find out? I could be wrong, but I don't think we reached out to them. Anyway, it means that we are not doing our mission. Animal control is not fulfilling their, I guess, core mission. It should not be euthanizing 50% of the animals that go in there. I believe you guys need to literally fix the problem and fund a comprehensive low-cost spay-neuter program. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Madam Chair. Yes. Ms. Stephanie, were you once associated with a rescue here in Polk County?

No, not necessarily a rescue. I came as a private citizen last summer because I had met some people. Okay. I don't even know how I got into this. I was online, I guess, and saw it, and I said, okay, I'll come. I'm off during the summer. Okay.

And just to clarify, I would say with my conversations with Captain Varnador there, that he is reaching out and really working to establish and reestablish relationships with fosters and other agencies because we do get such a high volume. So I don't know for sure, but it is likely that he contacted them.

I know. I understand. But I'm saying, why are we... We wouldn't have to contact those rescues. I'm on several different groups of different varieties online. We shouldn't, we wouldn't have the issue if we were doing our job.

Madam Chair, if I may. Yes. Just in having taken the animal control tour that I've been on for the last six months, I will say in speaking with some of the other, and it's just throughout the state, the counties that have the regulations in place for dogs and cats where it's requiring animal control to take in the cats are all overwhelmed by the volume of cats that come in, especially in the spring season when the kittens are being birthed. it is overwhelming to all of them. The counties that I've spoken to that are just truly a trap, neuter, release county where there's no requirement for them to retain the cats, they don't have an overrun issue because they don't have the requirement to house them. So that's really the commonality that I've seen is the population of cats relative to the population of people is truly just outnumbering any kind of capacity that you can obtain through infrastructure of these counties. It's not just a Polk County thing. But I will say the coordination that Polk County Animal Control does and the coordination that these other animal control facilities do, they've all, for the most part, all have a dedicated, why I say as a liaison or coordinator for speaking to the rescues and speaking to the different animal controls and really doing, I think, a tremendous job to minimize the amount of euthanasia that's occurring. But it certainly is a very uphill battle when you look at the volume of cats, just based on firsthand information. Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam Chair, if you'd like, maybe we take a five-minute break.

We think it needs a five-minute break.

Because we've got about a 40-minute video presentation after that.

Okay, so at exactly 1141, we'll be here. So let's go ahead and start. Mr. Beasley?

Yes, ma'am. Madam Chair, members of the board, this is just about... but it also focuses on what portion of that five years is included in the proposed FY26-27 budget. So I'll let John take it away and kind of roll with it.

All right. Good morning, commissioners. This year's community investment presentation is continuing with the trend of the videos and accompanying drone footage. I think you'll enjoy it again. Our communications staff always does a whale of a job, and they're always up for that task. Like last year, the communications staff has also produced a quick reference guide, which you should have in front of you. Also, all the videos are on a USB, so you can always refer back to that. The quick reference guide will have the location, scope, and cost of any of those projects. And so what you'll see today is what we did last year with the assistance of the division directors. and their staff from the five divisions highlighted here today, you'll get kind of a good feel for the major projects and what makes up next year's CIP budget, which is, again, well, we didn't say the number, but it totals a little more than $781 million. That's for the coming fiscal year, which is part of the total next five-year CIP budget, which is around $1.85 billion. The format you'll see in the videos is how we did it last year. You'll see projects that were completed within the last year. You'll see projects that are under construction. And finally, you'll see projects that are in the design phase. To remind the board, this is only a snapshot of some of the over 100 CIP projects that comprise the CIP. And then at the conclusion of each video, the directors, after they say a few opening words, they'll be available for any questions. And all these videos will run on social media and on PGTV. So to get started, we're going to start with the one-time money discussion. The first video will highlight what the board agreed to back on July 17th and how to allocate that one-time money. which was in this coming fiscal fiscal year is about $69.1 million. Um, I think the board knows we took a different approach this year and the priorities, the one, two and threes, um, which you can see there on the screen, the difference of, of those. Um, And so the board agreed to allocate on priority one projects $41 million, almost $42 million, and then 27 goes into reserves. I think the board knows that should property tax be approved, then you've got that $27 million that you could use. And so you'll see that here in this first video. Should property tax conversely not be approved, then you have that $27 million, which the board agreed to allocate to the priority two projects, about $25 million of that. and about $1.7 million goes into reserves. So if there's no questions on one-time money, we'll start with that one, and then we'll get into the five divisions. So no questions. We'll get started. Thank you.

Welcome to Polk County Government's proposed one-time capital projects money presentation for fiscal year 2026-2027. One-time money is generated from the prior year's audited general fund ending balance, minus any projects already approved by the Board of Commissioners.

It is simply to... That was my bad. Apologize about that.

Did we mention we got the system yesterday?

The audio was amazing, though.

Welcome to Polk County Government's proposed one-time capital projects money presentation for fiscal year 2026-2027. One-time money is generated from the prior year's audited general fund ending balance, minus any projects already approved by the Board of County Commissioners. It is simply defined as the total actual revenue over total actual expenditures. The total one-time money available for the proposed projects is $69,141,274. One-time money for fiscal year 2026-2027 will be handled differently this fiscal year. Due to the unknown outcome of the ad valorem property tax proposal, which goes before statewide voters in November, capital projects have been broken into three priority levels. Priority 1 projects are mission-critical, essential projects. Priority 2 projects are strongly desired, programmatically important projects. And Priority 3 projects are considered after higher priority needs are met. By division, the following fiscal year 2026-2027 Priority One capital projects are recommended for one-time money funding. From the Facilities Management Division, Joint Facilities Administration Polk County Sheriff's Office Warehouse, Fire Rescue Training Center Phase 2, Fleet Northeast Facility at the Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, Court Annex Design, EOC Expansion, Tax Collector's Bartow Office Renovation, and the Clerk of Court's Bartow Office Renovation. The total one-time money expenditure for Facilities Management Priority One Capital Projects is $25,788,478. From the Fire Rescue and Emergency Management Division, the Dispatch Console Replacement at Emergency Communications Center, and the Fire Rescue Paging System Replacement, the total one-time money expenditure for Emergency Management Priority One Capital Projects is $5.7 million. From the Roads and Drainage Division, the following infrastructure and signalization projects. Grandview Flyover, US Highway 1792 at Government Center Boulevard, Crystal Lake Drive North at Longfellow Boulevard, Carter Road South at Eagle Brook Christina Boulevard, and State Route 17 Scenic Highway at Hatchinaha Road. And the following drainage improvement projects. Crystal Lake Drive North, Coyote Road, Lake Ship Drive, Colonial Avenue, Forest Brook Drive East, 138 Oak Square South, South Pipkin Road, Armstrong Road, Alachua Drive, Overlook Drive, and Sunset Circle. The total one-time money expenditure for Roads and Drainage Priority One capital projects is $10,335,000. The total proposed Priority 1 capital projects one-time money expenditure is $41,823,478. If the ad valorem tax proposal receives the necessary 60% of votes needed to pass, the remaining $27,317,796 will be moved to the county's reserve fund. Priority 1 for mission-critical must-do projects, $41,823,478. no allocation for Priority 2 less critical projects, and no allocation for Priority 3 projects. The county's reserve fund of $27,317,796. If the referendum fails, the remaining $27,317,796 will be allocated to Priority 2 projects and the county's reserve fund. Priority 2 projects will receive $25,569,966. No Priority 3 projects will be funded. And $1,747,830 will be moved to the county's reserve fund. The following Priority 2 projects are recommended for funding by division. The Facilities Management Division Priority 2 projects include the Agricultural Center, Overage to Complete Phase 1, South County Jail Generator Replacements and Fuel Tank, South County Jail Chiller Replacements, South County Jail HVAC Controls Upgrade, County Administration Building HVAC VAV Replacement. Priority two projects for the Roads and Drainage Division are Rifle Range Road Bridge Replacement, County Road 559 at Gapway Road, Ernie Caldwell Boulevard at Grandview Parkway, Tiger Road at Walnut Street, and Mount Olive Road at Berkeley Road.

Madam chair. One thing I failed to mention too, is that if the property tax does not and board members, if it does not pass, then we would come back with a budget, a CIP budget amendment, probably late November, early December to fund those priority two projects. If there's no questions on, on that, then we'll,

Any questions? Okay, we're good.

Let me be clear on that. With the priority to the equestrian center, the ag center, so that is with that allocation that would fund everything that's in phase one?

Yes, ma'am. That is anticipated phase one, yes.

If property tax reform fails, if property tax reform passes, that is one of the major capital projects that would be forfeited.

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome. First up will be the Roads and Drainage Division, and Mr. Jay Jarvis is here to give us the intro.

Good morning, Commissioners. For the record, Jay Jarvis, Roads and Drainage Director. First of all, I want to take the opportunity to thank not only my staff for helping prepare the information data for, for our CIP budget, uh, but also our communications division for working with them on this video, putting this together, getting all the information. They spent no less than two days with Jay called day with Jay, uh, going around looking at different projects, these projects as they were looking at them. And then also of course the budget office for pulling this information together. Um, As has been stated, these are just some highlights of our proposed CIP, what we've done, what we're doing, and what we're proposing. Please understand, we have a total of 98 projects in our proposed CIP. These are just a few snippets of that. Also, one of the things is our reoccurring contracted maintenance that we have in our budget, a big part of our budget relative to like pavement management, pipe replacement, those types of things. I think the only thing in the video is related to the new sidewalks that have been proposed by the sidewalk advisory committee. So yeah, With that being said, enjoy the video, and I'll be available for questions afterwards.

Infrastructure is more than roads, drainage systems and construction projects. It is the foundation that supports every neighborhood, business and journey made throughout Polk County every day. Whether it's improving safety or enhancing transportation connectivity throughout our community, the work completed by the Polk County Roads and Drainage Division staff every day directly impacts the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Polk County. Join us as we highlight some of the projects that were completed this year, the projects that are currently underway, and future projects that will shape the road ahead for Polk County. This year, Polk County completed several important projects designed to improve safety and connectivity. In Mulberry, a major drainage improvement project helped to reduce roadway flooding and improve stormwater management for the Imperial Lakes community. The $7.13 million drainage improvement project addressed a section of Imperial Lakes Boulevard that regularly experienced flooding after significant rainfall. The project consisted of raising a quarter-mile section of Imperial Lakes Boulevard, installing and replacing storm sewer systems, replacing the Misty Lake outfall pipe to improve water flow from the lake, and constructing a wet detention pond to better manage stormwater runoff in the area. With Imperial Lakes Boulevard serving as the only access route for several neighborhoods within the community, the project serves as a major infrastructure improvement project that will protect the roadway from flooding impacts for up to a 100-year storm event. Three intersection signalization improvement projects recently completed in Davenport have helped to strengthen traffic operations and enhance safety for drivers and pedestrians traveling throughout the area. At County Road 54 and Westside Boulevard, intersection signalization improvements were completed to improve safety and traffic operations. At County Road 54 and Heritage Pass, intersection signalization improvements were also completed. The project included the installation of a new traffic signal system to control vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area, milling and resurfacing the roadway, and improving the intersection's existing sidewalks and constructing new sidewalks where needed. Further south, at the County Road 547 and North 10th Street intersection, signalization improvements were also completed. The project added turn lanes and new signalization equipment to improve safety. The Holloway Family Trail project is another shining example of the County's commitment to improving transportation and connectivity options for all residents and visitors of Polk County. The $8.6 million project consisted of constructing an approximately 2.51-mile paved multi-use path which links the Fort Frazier Trail at Winter Lake Road West to Lakeland's recreational trail system at the Glendale Street and Lakeland Highlands Road intersection. The Holloway Family Trail project allows cyclists, walkers, and outdoor enthusiasts to safely travel their way throughout Polk County. In Davenport, new sidewalk was constructed along County Road 547 between Pete Lane through Redgrave Road to add a safer route for pedestrians traveling in the area. The County Road 547 sidewalk improvement project cost $261,560.42 to complete. In Winter Haven, approximately 1,112 feet of new sidewalk was constructed along Avenue J Northwest between 28th Street Northwest and West Lake Cannon Drive Northwest to help increase pedestrian safety and improve connectivity in the area. The Avenue J Northwest sidewalk improvement project cost $200,821 to complete. Roadway improvements were also completed on Northport Drive east of Terry Road in Lakeland to support an affordable housing project planned for the Cumbie area. The Northport Drive project consisted of clearing unopened platted right-of-way, putting down a stabilized base, and plating 100% recycled hot asphalt for roadway construction. The project cost $150,000 to complete. Across the county, additional improvements work to enhance public safety and support transportation initiatives. Intersection upgrades at US Highway 27 and Tierra del Sol Boulevard, and County Road 54 and Mayfair Boulevard. Intersection upgrades on West Lake Hamilton Drive at Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven. New sidewalks in Lakeland, Davenport, Eagle Lake, and Auburndale. Drainage enhancements in the Indian Woods Trail subdivision. On Lakeview Street and Fairway Avenue. And Glenview Drive in Lakeland. Drainage enhancement projects funded by the American Rescue Plan along Palmer Road in Alturas. drainage enhancements in South Lake Wales and drainage enhancements in the Juanita area of Winter Haven. Together, these projects help build a safer, more connected Polk County. With these projects complete, the Roads and Drainage Division continues moving forward on projects that are now under construction. One of those projects is the North Galloway Road and West 10th Street roundabout project in Lakeland, where staff are working to bring improved traffic flow and reduce traffic delays. The estimated completion cost of the project is $3.1 million. Once completed, the project will improve safety, keep traffic moving more efficiently, and provide long-term benefits for motorists traveling through the area. Another roundabout project currently underway is at the Spirit Lake Road, Old Eagle Lake Road, and Sheffield Road intersection in Winter Haven. Upon completion, the project will improve connectivity and create a safer travel experience for motorists. Another project taking shape in Lakeland is the Chestnut Road Phase II sidewalk improvement project. Phase 2 construction will include adding approximately 2,140 feet of new sidewalk along Chestnut Road North between Yates Street and Marvaline Drive to improve pedestrian safety throughout the area. In Winter Haven, the Thompson Nursery Road Phase 1 Segment 1 project, which will include a 1.9-mile extension from the Eloise Loop Road and Rifle Range Road intersection to US Highway 17, is currently underway. Project construction began on July 20, and the estimated completion cost is $33.5 million. Beyond these county projects are three ongoing developer agreement projects, which are being built by private developers but funded by Polk County to help support future infrastructure needed for potential growth across Polk County. The roadway expansion project on FDC Grove Road in Davenport is one of those three developer agreement projects currently under construction. The FDC Grove Road project, which will span from Massey Road to Heller Brothers Boulevard, will improve roadway operations by adding 12-foot lanes, a bike path, and 5-foot-wide sidewalks along the roadway. The estimated completion cost for the developer agreement project is $5.8 million. In Lake Wales, construction continues on the Thompson Nursery Road and Peace Crossing subdivision developer agreement project. The Thompson nursery road and peace crossing subdivision project will support future infrastructure needs in this growing area, the estimated completion costs for the developer agreement project is $5.4 million. The final developer agreement project under construction is the bargain barn road realignment and davenport. This project, which will connect US Highway 1792 to Lee-Jackson Highway and is expected to be completed in 2027, will improve roadway connectivity and traffic flow throughout the area. The estimated completion cost for the developer agreement project is $3.8 million. In addition to projects currently under construction, several Polk County Roads and Drainage Division projects are on the horizon to support future growth. In Davenport, the Northridge Trail Phase 1 Segment 1 project is planned between Four Corners Boulevard and Sand Mine Road. The project will add approximately 2.5 miles of a paved two-lane roadway to alleviate traffic congestion on US Highway 27. Project construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026 and be completed in the fall of 2028. The capacity project plan for Dean Still Road in Davenport is another example of the county's commitment to improving connectivity and supporting future growth in Northeast Polk County. The project will widen Dean Still Road from a two lane to four lane roadway from US Highway 27 to the future Northridge Trail. Construction is estimated to begin in the fall of 2027 and is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2028. South of Dean Still Road, Phase 4 of the Northridge Trail Project will also help to support connectivity and relieve traffic congestion throughout the area. Phase 4 of the Northridge Trail Project will add a two-lane roadway from Dean Still Road to Waverly Barn Road in Davenport. Project construction is estimated to begin in the fall of 2027 and is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2028. Another planned intersection improvement is the Cypress Gardens Road and Lake Ned Road roundabout project in Winter Haven. This project is aimed at helping improve safety, creating a more efficient traffic flow, and to benefit the drivers traveling in the area for years to come. Project construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026 and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027. In North Lakeland, a signalization project is planned for the Kathleen Road and Deason Road intersection. Project construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026 and be completed in the spring of 2027. In Polk City, a joint initiative between the Polk County Roads and Drainage Division and the Florida Department of Transportation is taking shape. To complement the traffic signalization being constructed by the FDOT, the county will add a right-hand turn lane on Mount Olive Road at the State Road 33 and Mount Olive Road intersection to increase safety. Turn lane construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026 and be completed in the spring of 2027. Polk County also has a few additional future projects planned across the county, including the County Road 557 Phase 1 Capacity Project expanding the roadway from Swoop Street to Interstate 4 in Lake Alfred. Project construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026. An intersection signalization project at the Country Club Road-Buckeye Loop Road intersection in Winter Haven. The Lake Deer Outfall Drainage Improvement Project, aimed to enhance the drainage system along Avenue E Northwest in Winter Haven. And seven proposed sidewalk projects that will be constructed to improve safety and connectivity in Winter Haven, Lakeland, Haines City, Davenport, and Frostproof. The sidewalks will be constructed on Overlook Drive Southeast between Dundee Road and Lake Daisy Road in Winter Haven. Queens Cove Boulevard between Spirit Lake Road and Majesty Loop in Winter Haven. Lake Eloise Drive North and Avenue Z Southeast between Lake Summit Drive West and 14th Court Southeast in Winter Haven. Park Bird Road between Banana Road and Duff Road in Lakeland. Johnson Avenue East from Shops at the Grove to Midway RV Park in Haines City. A newly realigned portion of County Road 630 to Lake Reedy Boulevard North in Frostproof. and County Road 547 between County Road 54 and Wildflower Ridge Boulevard in Davenport. Beyond future projects managed by the Polk County Roads and Drainage Division are two future facilities projects, including an inspection and testing lab and the Eagle Lake Maintenance Unit that will help support roads and drainage operations. These completed current and future projects are a small representation of the 98 active community investment projects that demonstrate the Polk County Roads and Drainage Division's continued commitment to enhancing safety, improving connectivity, and building a stronger, more resilient transportation connection for generations to come. The total fiscal year 2026-2027 CIP budget for the Roads and Drainage Division is $227,972,161.

Any questions for Mr. Jarvis?

I'm sorry, go ahead. Go ahead.

I just wanted for education purposes, when you say we've got a developer agreement but funded by the county, that could often lead to some confusion. Could you please explain that process?

Yes, ma'am. These are projects that are identified already as needed capacity projects that were already an identified CIP project. So the developer comes along, has impacts on the intersection. So instead of maybe doing their proportionate share, it's their proportionate share and then some to do the improvement because they can typically do it faster and do it cheaper than what we could go out and do it on our own. And if they're there anyways, having to do some improvements anyway, It's been a good quid pro quo relationship, quite honestly, over the years, and it's a good public-private partnership to allow these improvements to move forward quicker.

Okay. Thank you.

Jarvis, I see quite a bit of sidewalk projects. Are these recommendations from the sidewalk committee or are these just areas that staff have?

No, the list that you saw was basically the sidewalk advisory committee's recommendation of list of projects to put in our budget for this coming year.

Okay, thank you. Madam Chair, let me just add two notes. The Imperial Lakes Drainage Improvement Project and that road elevation project We've had some significant rains in the southern portion of Lakeland over the last six days, not a peep from the Imperial Lakes community. That solved that problem. And the second piece that we showed was County Road 557. I alluded to it Friday. That is a construction award that will be coming to the board in the next couple of weeks, John, month or so. It's somewhere close to $90 million. Madam Chair.

Yes.

Just two things. One, on the Park Road sidewalk, so that drainage system that's there that goes underneath that segment of Park Road, I know there's issues there from a longstanding. So I just want to make sure. The idea of a sidewalk there is good because it connects Duff Road to some of those newer communities, but obviously that's got a lot of issues along that segment there.

Yes, sir. The typical thing of sidewalks are more drainage projects and utility relocation projects nowadays. But, yes, that will be looked at as far as the drainage and what we can do to enhance that as part of this project.

Okay. And then for the Imperial Lakes project, that one with the drone footage that we had, I noticed there's – is that just a sand bottom that's in that pond is the reason it – So the pond water just looked kind of turbid? Yeah.

The usual, once you have and you've had some rain and get water in it, you're going to have a little bit of turbid water. It's just the timing of when the video was shot.

Right. I'm assuming it was kind of near after completion of construction is when that was shot then. Okay. Very good. Thank you.

If there's no further questions, we'll move on to Polk County Utilities. Tamara Richardson. to introduce this set of videos.

Good afternoon, Tamara Richardson, Utilities Director. I would like to just kind of opine for a minute. I think that if the public had an opportunity to see what goes into producing a budget for a county like Polk County, I think they would be not only very surprised, but they'd be very impressed. We have several divisions, all of us, are we treat every single nickel like a precious resource and we all work very hard not only to improve the quality of life for our residents but also to provide a future for their families so that they can stay here And live and work here. And I think that if they saw what went into it and how efficient we are, I think that Amendment 3 would have no chance in heck of passing. I just wanted to say that. But I'm happy to present our budget, our capital projects budget, for the coming fiscal year. It represents not only expanded capacity but also investment in our existing infrastructure to preserve the investment that we've already made in extending the life of our existing facilities so that they continue to produce the results that we need and protect public health and safety. We also always have to keep one eye out on the coming regulations. So these projects are all designed to do that. Our staff has done a great job of putting these numbers together and always looking for ways to save money and provide the results that we need in the most cost-effective way. And I do want to also thank Communications. I think our stuff is very exciting, but they really make it look exciting. So I think they do a great job. So I'll stand here for questions when it's finished. Thank you.

The Polk County Utilities Division is committed to protecting public health and safety by providing residents with sustainable, high-quality water and wastewater services to meet the needs of Polk County's residents. From capacity and water supply projects to support the growing population to maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure, Polk County Utilities prides itself on efficiency, fiscal stewardship, and excellence in service. Polk County Utilities has a strategic, proactive renewal and replacement program designed to systematically upgrade, repair, or replace aging infrastructure. Critical for ensuring consistent service and preventing failures, the renewal and replacement program preserves public investments in the utility infrastructure. A major component of the program is the renovation or total reconstruction of lift stations in the wastewater collection system, as well as preventative maintenance of the 402 lift stations owned and operated by the county. Last year, 37 lift stations were either renovated or replaced. The upgraded lift stations incorporate materials that resist corrosion and are designed for the safety of operators. The standardized control panels are designed to communicate with the SCADA system and are ultimately protected by the utility's cybersecurity program. The upgrades and replacements of existing lift stations total $11 million with funding from the Community Investment Program and renewal and replacement budgets. Polk County Utilities is responsible for public health and safety, especially when providing potable water to our customers. Recently completed upgrades to the Babson Park Water Production Facility will help us do just that. The purpose of these upgrades is to reduce the potential for disinfection byproducts to form within the water system by removing naturally occurring organic matter from groundwater prior to disinfection. The upgrades to the facility included construction of a new 150,000 gallon ground storage tank, construction of a new high-service pump station, and electrical, site, piping, and associated infrastructure improvements. The completed project ensures that the Babson Park water production facility will continue to deliver safe drinking water that complies with regulations and standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. The total cost for this project was $5.58 million. American Rescue Plan funds were used for this project. All major infrastructure has been installed for the upgrades at Babson Park Water Production Facility. Testing and permitting are expected to be completed by September 2026. To support growth in the northeast portion of the county, the Northeast Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility is also being expanded from 6 to 9 million gallons per day of treatment capacity. This facility uses a series of treatment steps to treat wastewater to public access reclaimed water standards. This water is then distributed throughout the region to be used for irrigation purposes. The use of reclaimed water helps preserve our natural resources as it replaces the need to pump groundwater for irrigation, which in Northeast Polk can make up more than 50% of residential water usage. The project will also include additional treatment processes needed to provide advanced wastewater treatment to meet the more stringent requirements for nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The new design will ensure compliance with the recently adopted Basin Management Action Plans. Construction began in early 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2029. The cost of the project is $253.8 million. The next project is a partnership between the utilities and solid waste divisions, which demonstrates the benefit for Polk County residents when county divisions work together. The Septage Receiving and Leachate Treatment Facility, which will be located at the North Central Landfill in Winter Haven, will be able to accept up to 200,000 gallons per day of septage and treat it to reclaimed water standards. The project was proposed in response to changing regulations that limited septage disposal options. The regulations are intended to reduce nutrients entering the environment and migrating into water bodies to reduce or prevent blue-green algae blooms. This facility will offer an efficient and environmentally responsible option for haulers to dispose of domestic septage collected in Polk County. The treated water will ultimately be used in landfill operations as process water. The total cost of the project is $33.4 million. Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2026. In anticipation of the construction of a new school in eastern Polk County, the Board of County Commissioners directed Polk County utility staff to prepare for growth in the East Regional Utility Service area. To accommodate the anticipated need for additional services, Polk County purchased a 195.7-acre site along Masterpiece Road for $8.5 million. The property will accommodate a county complex including a new sheriff substation, a roads and drainage facility, a fleet maintenance facility, and the new Polk County Utilities East Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. The inclusive northwest parcel has been set aside for conservation purposes by the Parks and Natural Resources Division. The Engineering Services Agreement was approved by the Board for $976,382, which included the preliminary design for the facility, as well as the site design to accommodate the complex. Once the design for the facility is completed, an amendment to the agreement will be brought back to the Board for consideration to continue the project. The East Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility is anticipated to be constructed by 2032. The final project we will highlight in this presentation is an innovative solution for supplementing Polk's drinking water supply and is in the early stages of planning. Since August 2023, testing has been ongoing at Polk County's direct potable reuse pilot facility to evaluate the process as a viable alternative water supply option for Polk's residents. The project is a localized solution to the challenge of identifying alternative water supplies to supplement groundwater for current and future needs. If approved by the Board, the design of a full-scale facility at the Cherry Hill Water Production Property could begin in 2027. The design will include advanced water treatment technology that will take the highly treated reclaimed water from the Northwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility and further treat it to current and anticipated drinking water standards. The full-scale facility could produce as much as 1 million gallons per day, which would be blended with 3 million gallons per day of groundwater currently serving the Northwest Service Area. As the project becomes better defined, a total budget will be developed. The proposed CIP budget for the initial phases of this project is $27.3 million. Polk County Utilities is committed to our mission of protecting public health and safety, environmental stewardship, and implementing technology and innovation to provide service to our customers and our residents effectively and efficiently. In addition to this overview, Polk County Utilities has 48 active community investment projects that will expand capacity, improve reliability, and develop new and innovative solutions to satisfy the changing regulatory environment and meet customer expectations. The total fiscal year 2026-2027 CIP budget for the Utilities Division is $159,130,903.

Any questions? Yes.

Tamara, on the potable reuse water, and I was listening, maybe I just didn't catch it. What's going to be the tripping point? What's going to say, okay, it's good, we're going to do it, let's proceed? What are we waiting on?

We are in the process of permitting now to be able to put the water in now. So as soon as you guys say it's okay, we've presented.

So all the evaluating's done. Right, all the evaluating's done.

It's, again, the cleanest water you'll ever have in your entire life.

Okay, all right, thanks. Commissioner Braz, I'll add to that. I think we have a, let's talk a little bit about the communications ramp up because it's going to be an interesting persuasion to the public. about where this water came from and how we're gonna blend.

I don't know where the water comes from now. I get it. Yes, sir. Yeah, but water has become the most frustrating subject. And education, yeah, I agree.

You'll hear more about that in the coming months as we ramp up that public education campaign. Yeah, okay, thanks.

Madam Chair.

Yes, I'm sorry. I'm just telling her, no, I'm not a tester.

I was going to sign up for the taste testing event. I'm the man. Two things. One is, so with respect to the water treatment and going into the, from an overall approach of communication for people and the whole toilet tap concept, obviously it's not bad. stigma to it forever. One of the things that I most recently had a conversation about with a constituent was they weren't as concerned about the water being safe, but they're concerned about it being stripped of everything that you normally get from water. So from a mineral perspective, and if you live on, you know, a rural area and have a well, obviously the water isn't distilled water and stripped of everything and it's like neutral. It has some stuff to it that's actually helpful for your body. So I guess it's just not necessarily an answer today, but I think as we convey the message out there, we need to provide a reassurance that you are still getting the benefits of water as if it came out of a well for whatever that may be.

I agree. Water tastes best when it does have a little bit of minerals and a little bit of calcium in it. So the process we're using does not strip it. We're using nanofiltration so that has a little bit larger opening so it does allow those to go through without but still hold back the anything that we don't want to go through. So it will have some calcium and some minerals, so it does have that taste. I agree, when you take too much out, it tastes, I don't know how to describe it, but flabby. And nobody likes that, so this will not, this water tastes, again, excellent.

So I think that's the number two challenge for us. Number one is the safety side of it. Number two is, is it too clean to be beneficial as a water source?

Yeah, it's not. And that's a good point, that will be. But the part of our campaign is to go out there and actually give them samples to taste. Again, I think you guys are going to love it. I can't wait. I have glasses with your names already made. I'll volunteer.

I'm good. You can save mine. I'll toast to Rick. The second thing on the masterpiece complex that we have in the northeast area for that expansion, So I know at one point in time we talked about with that conservation area to the northwest, we were going to have a dedicated segment or a segue through this property that would be kind of like that wildlife corridor, but that was absent of the figure that we presented. So I just want to make sure that we still, there was a dotted line, but it wasn't.

The dotted line does kind of represent that that's the general flow. But the area for the wildlife corridor, that's where we'll put most of our ribs because they're still open ground. And so that's where we are accommodating that need.

I just think of messaging when we come out with future graphics for it.

Sure, yeah.

Right now it looks like we're giving like a sidewalk for the Milwaukee. Yeah, a little path. I know that's not our intent. I want to make sure.

Some signalization.

Yeah, we don't need to go full tilt with something that's more significant in a visual context that represents appropriately. Thank you.

Two things. Number one, will the customers have a choice whether or not they participate in the toilet to tap and when it's mixed back in with other water? Will there be a choice?

No, it'll just be mixed in with the water that goes out just as, like I think it was Commissioner Braswell said, they don't really know. They're not even going to know what it is. It's all blended. And it is a small amount. It'll be like 500,000 of the... DPR water to 2 million of the, of the groundwater. So it is a smaller, smaller proportion.

And then secondly, this may, obviously I don't think it's going to be in your CIP, but we've heard a lot in the news recently about the need for security in our water plants. Do you have any comment or on that?

Yes, we have a pretty robust cyber security program and we test it all the time. We just recently did, I believe they call it a penetration test to see if they can get in it, but there's also the physical security, so it's both. And we have a master plan, and we are constantly upgrading that. So the physical security includes fences and badged access, and then even on the inside, then you have another layer of access for panels. So we definitely are, it's always an ongoing process as technology improves. So I feel like our cybersecurity and our physical security plans are appropriate for our size.

Thank you. Anybody else? Thank you, Tamara.

Thank you.

Next up, Madam Chair, Commissioners, is the Solid Waste Division. And Mr. Brian Cogswell is here to present that item. And I'll tell you, this is the shortest video that you'll see.

Hey, good job, buddy.

thought about you so Brian Cogswell for solid waste I'm the director today we're presenting just two of our CIPs with the focus on the customer experience and keeping them safe and one expanding the lifespan of the the landfill cells so short and quick I'll come back up when it's done answer any questions

The solid waste division has two major projects currently in the design phase both projects play an important role in improving the efficiency safety and long term sustainability of solid waste operations in polk county. The North central landfill transfer station improvements project includes a comprehensive redesign of the facility. Planned improvements include a new customer drop-off area, scale house, outbound scale, and fire hydrant system. These upgrades are designed to improve safety, increase operational efficiency, and enhance the customer experience. Wider entry lanes and improved traffic flow will help reduce customer wait times while providing an alternate route that will separate public traffic from heavy equipment traffic. The new drive-up freestanding system will also allow the facility to operate more efficiently with fewer resources and personnel. The final design phase is currently underway. Additional planned improvements include rehabilitating and enhancing the site's fire protection system and improving access roads and stormwater management system. The total budget for this project is $7.3 million, with construction beginning in late 2026. The phase four landfill expansion project is currently in the design and permitting phase. This project will expand landfill capacity by approximately 82 acres and is expected to provide about 13 years of additional disposal capacity for Polk County residents. Construction will take place in stages to ensure uninterrupted landfill disposal services. Design and permitting are expected to be completed by early 2027. These projects are a small representation of the 24 active community investment projects that demonstrate the Solid Waste Division's commitment to the environmental stewardship of Polk County. From improving the customer experience at the transfer station to responsibly expanding landfill capacity, Polk County Solid Waste is advancing smart, forward-thinking infrastructure that supports residents, strengthens operations, and protects the environment. The total fiscal year 2026-2027 CIP budget for the Solid Waste Division is $71,664,051.

Very short. Questions?

I say you're going to add 13 years to it. We've got a lot of years to go on this thing. How many years do we have before the landfill is built? So...

Back in 2018, they did a study and they estimated 150 years. We're still over 100. I don't have the exact number, but we're on par. We're on course. Even though we're getting about a million tons a year, we're still failing as we anticipated back then.

Madam Chair, I could not imagine Polk County without a landfill. In this day and age, the fact that we own, operate, control our own destiny when it comes to solid waste management, what the prior board thought of 30, 40 years ago was unbelievable in what we're seeing today.

Commissioner?

Thank you. With respect to the transfer station, once construction begins, I know we have the overall layout of how the ultimate project is going to complete, but what's our plan for phasing that so that we have uninterrupted operations of that transfer station for normal business?

That's a great question, and it is part of the plan. It's all part of the engineering. The construction will be separate from the operation. There will be no delays. The biggest foreseen impact is going to be the scale house renovations. So we're trying to do a prefab or a pre-built model that could be lifted and placed by a crane. So very minimal impact, and we've already planned for portable scales renovations. to have that whole operation move to the side during the construction of the scale house. But the construction of the transfer station to the convenience center, uh, there's traffic patterns that we are already set that up. That'll be independent of each other. Okay.

And I think we spoke about this before, but as far as the width of the new scales that was taken into consideration of right a little bit wider of a scale than what's there now. Is that correct? That is correct.

Uh, and they're changing the materials. Come a couple of our scales currently are steel. Uh, And a couple are concrete. So the new renovated scales are steel again, but require less maintenance. Very good. Thank you. Yes.

Any other questions? Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. All right. Next up, Madam Chair, Commissioners will be the Parks and Natural Resources Division and Ms. Tabitha Beal.

Good midday, everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to present the Parks and Natural Resources Division's Community Investment Program. Every project you're going to see shortly reflects the board's vision to invest wisely in the health, well-being, and quality of life of our residents and strategically strengthens the infrastructure supporting our economic stability. This year's capital program includes 49 projects supported by a diverse portfolio of local revenue, state and federal grants, public-private partnerships. Through this strategic planning and aggressive pursuit of outside funding, we've secured more than $66 million and grant funding that's part of the CIP that you're about to see, allowing us to maximize the return on local taxpayer investment. So I'd like to recognize the outstanding work of the Parks and Natural Resources team, the budget team, communications, your support here at the board to pursue those, and our many partners, whether it's state, federal, or nonprofit, that made this possible. And with that, I hope you enjoy the video.

The Parks and Natural Resources Division's proposed Community Investment Program represents the county's dedication to park enhancements and expansions, conservation corridor acquisitions, water resource protection, and stormwater infrastructure improvements. These projects are consistent with the mission of the county and align with the values, trends, and outcomes identified in the division's strategic plan. Polk County Parks and Natural Resources staff maintain and manage a diverse system of more than 130 parks and preserves, which includes more than 135 multipurpose fields, 45 boat ramps, five campgrounds, seven centers, historic venues, and the county's only ATV park. Facilities like these require maintenance and upgrades to keep pace with utilization and to ensure a safe and enjoyable recreational experience for our residents and visitors. Continuing with the progress made in fiscal year 2024-2025 and addressing aging lighting with the use of one-time money, additional funding was provided in fiscal year 2025-2026 for the Fort Meade Park T-Ball Field, Hunt Fountain Park Football Fields, Juanita Park baseball fields, and all fields within East Central Park, equipping these facilities with the latest LED technology. During the first quarter of 2027, we will be improving the lighting throughout Jan Phil Park and on the softball fields within Mulberry Park. These improvements will ultimately improve lighting while creating less light pollution, reducing power bills, and ensuring safe play. The fencing replacement program began in fiscal year 2024-2025 with the Board's one-time money funding commitment and has continued in the 2025-2026 fiscal year with the installation of black vinyl-coated chain-link fencing and backstops at the following parks. Loyce E. Harp Park Mulberry Park Juanita Park Cumbee Park Polk City Park, Jan Phil Park, Fort Meade Park, and East Central Park. Loyce E. Harp Park, one of the county's most heavily used parks, is undergoing multiple park improvements. Recently, due to the deterioration of the existing pedestrian bridge between the parking lot and soccer fields, a new bridge was constructed and installed. Additionally, a concession building with restroom facilities was added to help support the senior baseball field. A basketball court and new restroom facility will be constructed adjacent to the dog park and skate park area. Three all-inclusive playgrounds opened this past year. Inclusive playgrounds provide children with different abilities the space to play and engage in activities that support physical, social, and emotional development. These playgrounds feature wheelchair-friendly ramps, sensory-rich interactive panels, and adaptive swings ensuring children with different abilities are integrated into the play experience. Inclusive playgrounds are located at Loyce E. Hart Park in Mulberry, East Central Park in Dundee, and Northeast Regional Park in Davenport. The two-decade-old Fort Fraser Trail received an upgrade with the addition of the Fort Fraser Historic Lookout. Located adjacent to the original fort, just south of the intersection of US Highway 98 and Boy Scout Road in Bartow, the lookout provides a resting area along the trail with amenities that include a paved area with a mini-shelter, a historical marker, benches, bike racks, and an educational kiosk where the public can learn about the history of the fort. the highly anticipated Crystal Lake Boardwalk Replacement Project is underway. The project addresses longstanding safety concerns by demolishing the deteriorated structure and constructing a new boardwalk for public use, providing a great spot for residents to gather by the water and fish. Located less than a mile from Crystal Lake Elementary School, the boardwalk is expected to open in August 2026. Arguably one of the most challenging park amenities to maintain are natural grass athletic fields. Continuous year-round play has a detrimental impact on multi-purpose fields. High demand and expanded seasons leave inadequate time for field recovery, resulting in unsafe playing conditions. Converting fields to synthetic turf drastically decreases the time needed for proper maintenance, making year-round play possible. Hunt Fountain Park and Poinciana Community Park are currently undergoing the conversion to synthetic turf. When complete, Hunt Fountain Park will have four synthetic turf multipurpose fields, while Poinciana Community Park will consist of three fields and a cricket pitch. East Central Park is currently in the design and permitting phase of this synthetic turf field conversion process. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to begin in Spring 2027, which will include one multipurpose field and one senior baseball field. Additionally, in the next three fiscal years, the Division plans to complete the conversion of the remaining seven multipurpose fields within Simmers Young Park. Investments in parks, inclusive playgrounds, trails, passive recreation areas, and specialty amenities create destinations that serve residents and visitors of all ages, abilities, and interests. It's no surprise that the demand for recreational resources has grown right along with the population. Construction of the Polk City Park football field has significantly increased the use of the park. At Wabash Park, new amenities including a basketball court and walking trails have been added to expand recreational access for the surrounding community. This project is funded through the Community Development Block Grant Program and located near the county-supported Wabash Community Resource Center. Development of the Daughtry Road Park property is the result of substantial population growth in the North Lakeland area and the high demand for athletic field usage at Hunt Fountain Park. The Daughtry Road Park Master Plan approved by the board in 2008 recommends that phase one development includes construction of three synthetic turf multipurpose fields, concessions, restroom facilities, and associated infrastructure to provide fully functional athletic facilities. Phase one of park development is set to commence during the winter of 2026. The next phase at the Bone Valley ATV Park includes the addition of a campground entrance road, utilities, parking, campground, and additional tracks and trails for visitors to enjoy. Design and permitting for these additions are expected to be completed by the beginning of 2027 and will put the county in a competitive position to receive future grant funding and ultimately will be instrumental for recruiting and hosting major events and races. These improvements are key to attracting the type of events that can make a large financial impact. As the county continues to experience significant population growth, the demand for parks and preserves continues to increase. In response, the Division is expanding protection of environmental lands and water resources. Division staff manage more than 30,000 acres of natural land, 115 lakes, and 47 streams. The management of these facilities and natural systems provides residents and visitors with diverse recreational opportunities and helps to build strong, healthy, and resilient communities. Land acquisition for preservation and conservation purposes is supported by the residents who, in 2022, approved the Environmental Lands Referendum that dedicates funding to acquire and manage water, wildlife, wilderness, and working landscapes in Polk County. In the past year, Polk County Parks and Natural Resources staff have succeeded in protecting nearly 900 acres of high-priority lands. These locations are highlighted on the map in orange. In total, since 2022, our program has assisted in conserving approximately 5,500 acres of land in Polk County, and more than 33,000 acres have been nominated to the program. Many of these sites are close to other conservation lands, which you can see marked on the screen in dark green. The purchase of these sites for conservation purposes serves to create a continuous connected environment for plants and wildlife, which is represented by the entire highlighted area on the state map in light green. Many properties are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which stretches over 18 million acres of wild Florida habitat, connecting the Everglades to the Panhandle. Ongoing efforts in the Ridge to River Corridor include the November 2025 purchase of the Masterpiece property, totaling 636 acres and utilizing $12 million in environmental lands funding. The property lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Gopher tortoises and sand skinks call this property home, as well as federally endangered plants. Staff are working to pursue an FWC-permitted gopher tortoise recipient site here, which will address impacts associated with future off-site county infrastructure projects. By the end of 2026, the county will acquire an additional 465 acres. The total investment of the Masterpiece Updike property is 1,228 acres for $24 million, with potential reimbursements through several grant partnerships. The county has also facilitated partnership agreements for conservation easements at the Walters, Hunt, and G3 Ranch properties as part of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. County contribution to these easements is $1.5 million towards a combined appraised value of about $8.75 million. These agreements will protect productive farms and ranches supporting our local economy while contributing to aquifer recharge and water quality. In December of 2025, 75 acres of parcels within the Walk-in-Water Creek Corridor near the county's North Walk-in-Water Creek property were acquired at a cost of $224,574.60. All parcels lie within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and contribute to the protection of Walk-in-Water Creek. providing important buffers for management and access to county lands. The following Kissimmee Corridor projects are located within the Avon Park Air Force Range's sentinel landscape and the Florida Wildlife Corridor, contributing to regional conservation objectives by protecting critical wildlife habitat, maintaining a connected landscape. In February 2026, the combined 39-acre Russell and Morrison properties were purchased for $759,181 through a Florida Department of Commerce Defense Infrastructure Grant. In June 2026, the county completed the acquisition of the 215-acre La Cala property through a strategic partnership between the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program and the Stormwater Municipal Services Taxing Unit. The project anticipates a $1.3 million reimbursement in readiness and environmental protection integration funding. These land acquisitions will continue to help the long-term protection of the county's water resources and their quality, as well as protect wildlife, wilderness, and working lands, ultimately creating sustainable wildlife corridors. However, the county also purchases land with important water resources to protect. Another successful partnership project was implemented under the Stormwater Municipal Services Taxing Unit Small Scale Surface Water Enhancement Project with the City of Winter Haven. Located on the shore of Lake Pansy, the 153-acre Astute property was acquired by the City of Winter Haven to protect existing wetlands and create additional water quality benefit to the northern chain of lakes. The county contributed $600,000 from the Stormwater Municipal Services Taxing Unit, and in exchange, a conservation easement was granted. Partnering to protect this land improves water quality for Lake Pansy and Lake Rochelle, which are listed as impaired by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. One major project completed this year was the Simmers Young Park stormwater pond. Innovative stormwater best management practices were implemented to treat the park's stormwater and surrounding community's impact on water quality as it drains to Lena Run and eventually into Lake Hancock. The project included the installation of a rain garden, bioswale, bioabsorption media or BAM, upflow filter system, nanobubbler for water oxygenation, and the planting of native vegetation. These enhancements, as well as the installed fishing dock, will improve the kids' fishing pond on the northern edge of the property, which was also stocked with catfish and sunfish by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Additionally, the county is in the design phase for a wetland treatment expansion project on the west side of the property. The county invested $2.7 million on these stormwater projects. The Lake Annie Marsh is a 165-acre former muck mine located south of Dundee and east of US Highway 27 that captures and stores water that eventually flows to the Peace Creek Canal and down to the Peace River. Restoration of the Lake Annie Marsh included berm excavation and improvement, invasive species removal, planting of native vegetation, and installation of water control structures. Currently, this phase of the project is in its final stages and these improvements aim to boost water retention in the marsh and improve water quality. Once the construction of the site is completed, the county plans to open for public access, providing passive recreation opportunities such as hiking, nature study, and wildlife photography. This project was largely funded through the American Rescue Plan. The next water quality improvement project is the ongoing restoration of the Lake Lulu Wetland. This 150-acre wetland on the south end of Lake Lulu is where water from the southern Winter Haven chain of lakes enters the Juanita Drainage Canal, eventually making its way to the Peace River. Restoration includes removal of invasive plant species and extensive native plantings. Overall, this project will benefit the ecological communities and natural systems in and around the lake by providing restored wetland habitats along the southern shoreline. A second phase of the project is underway, which will help reduce nutrient pollution and provide new recreational opportunities. Land acquisition and restoration for this project cost $2.9 million and was largely funded through the American Rescue Plan and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Parks and Natural Resources Division has a robust community investment program with 49 projects coming from diverse revenue sources. The division's capital program is supported by more than $66 million in grant funding and $19.8 million in one-time money. The total fiscal year 2026-2027 CIP budget for the Parks and Natural Resources Division is $148,535,108. Commissioner Braswell.

I have a question and some comments. So when we, and this is all about putting land into conservation one way or the other, whether it's an easement, whether we buy it outright, do you know, is there a percentage of how much we've been able to put into an easement versus buy outright? And I'm not trying to stump you here. And actually the answer probably doesn't matter number wise, but I think it's important for people, whether they're here viewing or whatever, to understand when we can get it into an easement, we can spend a lot less money and put a lot more land into it as opposed to just outright buying something, um, which in a lot of cases, as a farmer, I know this mostly pertains to ranchers, but it allows them to continue to not give up their farmland, ranch land, to be able to continue how they make a living, but it benefits you and me and our grandkids and great-grandkids somewhere down the line. And I think it's also important to understand that Polk County doesn't do this in a vacuum or by itself. I think your video mentioned we do it with federal partners. We do it mostly probably with state partners. And I also think it's political season and there's a lot of idiots running for office right now. And for me personally, there's some scary ones that could be elected that don't ever need to see the inside of the Florida Department of Agriculture. And I think you know who I'm talking about. But I want to point out, Wilton Simpson, as the Commissioner of Ag, has put 175,000 acres of land in environmental easements or outright purchased. And that's... Of the 20 plus years that program's been in effect, it's only got like 225,000. I mean, he's put almost all of it in there just in the last four years. Those are the kind of programs that matter. Those are the kind of programs that last forever. And unfortunately, people don't understand that. They don't understand the system. Nobody's ever going to come in this state and tell you you're not going to be able to sell your land for something. And there are people out there that are selling people this snake oil, and it's never going to happen. And programs like this are how things really get done, how land really does get protected, how the, what do you call it, the wildlife corridor, how it'll be protected. So I think it's important just to emphasize those kind of things.

Yeah, and speaking to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program that Commissioner Simpson has championed in the recent years, Polk County was actually the first local government to partner with the state. And so we, now they're partnering with a lot of counties. So that program helps us extend just both local dollars and leverage the state dollars for those conservation easements. Now moving forward. forwards of how we decide whether we use a conservation easement as a tool for conservation or whether it's a full fee. Usually that's based on the landowner's decision when they come to us. As you know, families have to make difficult decisions. So we have both of those opportunities right now. I would say, um, In September will be more conservation easements closing because our rural and family projects will be closing. To date, we're heavier on the full fee acquisition.

Yeah, and that's understandable. It's the owner's decision, like you said. But I remember five years ago, The emphasis on the state was, let's just buy it and own it. And that limits you to, you know, there's only so much money to do that. When he came into office, he said, this is crazy. We need to get environmental easements on this property, let them keep ranching it, do whatever they're doing, and we'll get more of it. And it's been a highly successful program.

Yeah, and as you know, the agriculture community has been the land stewards of Florida's wild lands for years. Right. We just look at this as a partnership with them that are able to stay in it to continue that moving forward, where the community still reaps the benefits of the water quality improvements, the storage, the wildlife quarters, and all those kind of things as well. So definitely an important program.

Yeah, thanks.

Commissioner Wilson. Yeah, and just what you were just talking about, you know, back in the day, buying up a lot of land, and they didn't take care of them very well. And if I remember right, they started moving some of that land years ago, putting it back in the public. But you know, that just goes, what's going on now, especially with what Wilton's done. And it's just like us on our environmental lands program and us working with other counties that want to do that. A lot of people don't know this, but a lot of counties are coming to us wanting to see how we've done it, how we do it, and with our partners. And we need a lot of counties to get on board with that because that's just helping the overall picture of this deal. So very proud to be part of that and this county being part of it.

Commissioner Scott?

Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Just for clarity for those that watch us now or watch it later, if you look at this year's budget, it's $140 million, and then we drop down to $12, $15, $10 million. Can you just give some dynamic explanation on what that really is? And a lot of people would look at it maybe as how do you decrease by order of magnitude and still keep things going?

So we have several revenue funds that are involved in this year's CIP. This is the last season that you'll see the American Rescue Plans will be finalized out at the end of this fiscal year. not the fiscal year, but the big at this calendar year. So still showing up some in the fiscal budget for next year. Um, as I mentioned, the 66 million in grant funding. So those phase out, they're not recurring funds. Those are project oriented. Once they're completed, the project's done. We move on. In addition to that is also 19.8 million of one time funding that the board has dedicated from previous years for parks projects. So, there's a large portion of that budget project that we've been very fortunate to achieve with staff's hard work and the board support that isn't recurring into future years. Anyone else?

Tabitha, I just want to say thank you. I think I could be wrong on this, but I think your department pulls in the most grants of the other departments. Is that correct? And it's truly, you know, you are an entity in yourself. And so I think the people of Polk County benefit greatly from your skills. This is definitely what the people say that they are wanting and needing to continue what they feel is the Polk County way of life. So just thank you for your efforts in continuing to to be a trailblazer in some of these programs.

Thank you. It's definitely a team effort, and with your support, we appreciate it. Anybody else?

Thank you. Thank you, Tabitha.

Madam Chair, in closing with Tabitha, is the tip of the spear for next Friday's presentation, you will hear a lot about parks and natural resources, water resources, land conservation and all, and that may be the biggest hit subject to property tax reform that's going to come our way. I think last but not least, John.

Yes, sir. So last but not least is Keith Tate in the Facilities Management Division.

What's that? I'm just kidding with you. I said you always get put back in the line, don't you?

That's it. Good afternoon. Keith Tate, Facilities Management Director. As long as your day has been, the process to produce these videos has been even longer. And thanks to the collaboration of our Communications Division, the Budget Office, and our Facilities Management staff, it has led to the video that you've been looking for the entire day. And that's the last one. Our CIP video is a direct highlight of your commitment to public safety, the courts, the sheriff's office, the constitutional officers, and the medical examiner. After your review, if you have any questions, I'll be happy to stand for them.

Thank you.

Hope County is growing, and with that growth comes the need for services. The Polk County Facilities Management Division is helping to shape the future by delivering the infrastructure and public facilities that support residents, help strengthen services, and enhance quality of life. From public safety to economic development, completed projects are already making an impact across this 2,011 square mile county. The new Polk County Sheriff's Ridge District Command at Point Siena strengthens law enforcement presence and improves service delivery in one of the county's fastest growing areas. The Polk County Sheriff's Office Matt Williams and DOG K-9 Training Facility provides specialized space to support advanced training and readiness for critical operations. The Polk County Sheriff's Office Lawrence W. Crow Jr. Transport Station enhances secure transportation and operational efficiency for the justice system. The Tourism and Sports Marketing Building Renovation and Expansion Project creates new opportunities to promote Polk County, Florida as a destination for visitors, events, and economic activity. And the Polk County Fire Rescue Training Center's modern facility is designed to support first responders in enhancing real-world training and emergency readiness with the latest technology in public safety. These completed projects represent investments that are already being used to serve our community today. Across Polk County, construction is actively underway to provide the structures needed to house the personnel that will provide vital services to our county. Emergency response capabilities are expanding with the Lakeland Hills EMS Station, Eagle Lake Fire Rescue Station, Bradley Junction Fire Rescue Station, and Colusa Lake Fire Rescue Station. Critical infrastructure improvements are also underway for the 10th Circuit Courthouse emergency generator upgrades, helping ensure continuity of operations during emergencies and unexpected events. These projects represent more than buildings. They represent readiness, resilience, and service. While some facilities are under construction, many more are taking shape in the planning and design phase. Future government services are being programmed in projects like the Kathleen Government Center and the new Court Annex Building, creating additional capacity to serve residents efficiently. The Agricultural Center Complex is more functional and user-friendly, with opportunities to increase revenue by hosting events such as rodeos, shows, and more. The Joint Use Warehouse with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Facilities Management Division will support operations and long-term resource management across departments. Healthcare and public service investments continue through the Medical Examiner's Office renovation and expansion, and improvements supporting critical county functions. Public safety remains a priority with new and upgraded emergency facilities including the Willow Oak Fire Rescue Station, the Christina Fire Rescue Station, and the Polk County and City of Bartow Smith Lane Joint Use Fire Rescue Station. Every design begins with a vision, creating space that serves today while anticipating tomorrow's needs. As Polk County continues to grow, planning for the future becomes more important than ever. The polk county facilities management division is proud to lead the future construction of the Community health East bartow campus creating a modern facility that will expand access to quality health care services for residents. Other upcoming initiatives include the polk city fire rescue station. And the now crest fire rescue station. Progressing with the future Polk County Fire Rescue headquarters, this state-of-the-art facility will span an estimated 20,000 square feet, providing ample space for emergency response coordination and administrative operations. These investments are designed to support public safety, expand capacity, and strengthen essential services. Building infrastructure is about more than meeting demand. It is about protecting communities, reducing response times, creating operational efficiency, and ensuring county services remain strong for generations to come. Every Facilities Management Division project is an investment in the future. Together, we're building a safer, stronger, and more accessible Polk County. These highlighted projects are just some of the 30 CIP projects supported by the Division. The total fiscal year 2026-2027 CIP budget for the Facilities Management Division is $141,492,769. The total CIP budget reflects both the Polk County Fire Rescue and Facilities Management Divisions.

Questions for Keith? Okay. Thank you, Keith.

Madam Chair, that concludes all the videos. This is a capture or a synopsis of the almost approximately $781 million CIP budget for next year and a five-year CIP budget of around $1.85 billion.

Madam Chair.

Yes, sir.

I just want to take this time. I know there's a lot of work. I've produced some YouTube video content on the business side of things, and to do the level of graphics and the continuous movement that you guys have integrated, into these videos along with the drone coverage and everything else. That is a tremendous amount of effort. I know for us and for the public, it's a much easier content type to view. And instead of watching the slide presentations go by with some background music. So I really do appreciate the effort that I know it went into this. It's hundreds of hours, if not thousands, I know it. And I just think everybody that did a part in it, give yourself a hand because you guys deserve it. So thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else? Anybody else? No? Okay.

That's it, Madam Chair.

Then we stand adjourned. It's a long day.