Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Good morning, everyone. If you would please take a seat. We will begin with our meeting, our board meeting, July 21st, 2026. And we will start with the invocation by Chaplain Hanley. Please stand and remain standing for the pledge.

Good morning. I would invite you all to pray with me. Heavenly Father, thank you for this day and for the opportunity to serve this community. We ask that you pour out your truth, your grace, your wisdom and understanding on us so that we can accomplish what is best for this county. We ask your blessings and protection over all who visit here and for all who call this county home. And I ask this prayer in Jesus' name. 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.

Good morning, commissioners, staff, and visitors. I'm Caitlin Hoverkamp, public and media relations officer for Polk County Government. Today we are recognizing six employees for their service to Polk County. I'd like to invite the employees to come to the front as their names are called, and then if the honorees will remain at the front while the commissioners return to the dais behind them, we'll take a group photo at the end. Kimberly Lawson has served the residents and visitors of Polk County for more than 20 years. In 2003, Kimberly joined the Polk County Sheriff's Office as a human resources representative with the agency's human resources department. Throughout her time working for the Sheriff's Office, Kimberly also served as an employment placement specialist, a benefits specialist, an employment analyst, and then as a benefits supervisor before transitioning into a new role with Polk County government. In 2023, Kimberly moved into her current role to serve as a human resource analyst with the Polk County Human Resources Division. Kimberly obtained her bachelor's degree in business administration from Warner University, and she is a member of the National Society for Human Resources Management. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband, Terry, and her son, Jacob, and spending as much time as she can near the ocean. Amy Parkins has served the residents and visitors of Polk County for 30 years. In 1995, Amy joined the Polk County Sheriff's Office to serve as a personnel clerk and staffing specialist for the agency's Human Resources Department. Throughout her time working for the sheriff's office, Amy also served as a background investigator, employment placement specialist, civilian recruiter, employment services manager, and employee relations manager before transitioning into her new position with Polk County government. In 2022, Amy moved into her current role, serving as the employment and benefits manager for the Polk County Human Resources Division. Amy obtained her bachelor's degree in public administration from Berry University. She is a member of the National Society for Human Resource Management and a member of the local Mid-Florida Society for Human Resource Management. In her spare time, Amy enjoys caring for and propagating houseplants, swimming, relaxing at the beach, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband, Chad, their sons, Liam and Evan, their daughter, Alexis, and her father, Claudio. In the future, she looks forward to traveling following her retirement. Ryan Cordick has worked for the Polk County Transportation Planning Organization for 30 years. Ryan began his career with Polk TPO as a transportation planner one and served in several roles with the organization including serving as a transportation planner two, transportation planner three, senior transportation planner, and transportation planning administrator before being promoted to his current position serving as the Polk TPO executive director. Ryan obtained his bachelor's degree in geography from Northwest Missouri State University. He is a Florida certified public manager, holds a professional certification in geographic information systems from the GIS Certification Institute. He is a graduate of the Polk Vision Leadership Class of 2018, and he currently serves as the co-chair for Polk Vision's Transportation Safety Team. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys spending time in the mountains of North Carolina with his wife Chanda and their son Aaron, and he enjoys cheering on his son at Lakeland Highlander cross-country and track events throughout the year. Eric Phillips has worked for the Polk County Utilities Division for 30 years. In 1996, he began his career with the division working as a customer service representative. Throughout his career, Eric has served in a number of roles, including working as a data technician, project coordinator, development supervisor, and utilities analyst before being promoted to his current role serving as a capital projects contracts manager for the division. Eric obtained his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Florida and obtained his master's of business administration degree from Florida Southern University. He has also obtained his certified public manager credentials from Florida State University. Eric is a member of the Way Community Church in Lakeland and he has served as a children's pastor from 2017 to 2025. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Donna, their two daughters, Delaney and Adelina, going on vacation, rooting for his favorite local sports team, working out, hiking, reading, and serving in church and recovery ministries like the Celebrate Recovery, a freedom small group aimed to help individuals overcome hurts, habits, and hangups. In the future, he looks forward to retiring and to continue living one day at a time in the grace and peace of Jesus Christ. Thomas Coulter Jr. has served the residents and visitors of Polk County for 35 years. In 1991, he began his career working as a mosquito control worker. From there, he transferred into a new role serving as a communication equipment technician with the Information Technology Division. Throughout his time working for Information Technology, he also served as a radio and telephone technician, telephone specialist, hardware technician, and then a PC coordinator for the division. In 2004, he transferred to the Polk County Emergency Management Division to work as a PC coordinator in the radio services office before his promotion to his current role working as a network analyst for the division. Thomas is a Lakeland High School graduate and a United States Marine Corps veteran where he served as a ground radio repairman for four years before he began his career with Polk County. He has obtained a number of professional information technology certifications throughout his career. In his spare time, he enjoys deer hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife, Jeanette, and their daughter, Toria, and their two grandchildren. In the future, he looks forward to being in the garden and enjoying as many sunsets as he can with his beautiful wife. Bill Beasley has served the residents and visitors of Polk County for more than 20 years. In the summer of 2006, his initial assignment was as a deputy county manager over the infrastructure divisions. Mr. Beasley also served as the interim Polk County utilities division director for a short time before returning to his deputy county manager role. His appointment to the county manager's position was confirmed by the board in the summer of 2019. Mr. Beasley received his Bachelor of Arts from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and his Master's Degree in Engineering Administration from the George Washington University. He is a licensed engineer in the states of Virginia and North Carolina. He is a lifetime member of the American Public Works Association and is a past member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Water Works Association. Mr. Beasley remains actively involved with the Florida Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Cynthia, riding their bikes together along the many paved trail systems located across the state of Florida. And in the absence of their grandchildren, he enjoys providing their two Shih Tzu dogs with a lot of love and attention. They have three children and five beautiful grandchildren that reside in Texas and North Carolina. He also has several siblings who live in Missouri, Virginia, and Maryland. Aside from visiting many friends and family members after his planned retirement in January of 2027, and being an avid college major and minor league baseball fan, he plans to attend as many games as possible across the United States. One of Mr. Beasley's retirement goals is to volunteer and give back to the Polk community that has given him so much support and encouragement during his 20-plus year career serving the residents of Polk County.

Madam Chair, that represents 165 years of service to Polk County. Thank you.

Don't try and run away, Mr. Beasley. We have some photos. So if you don't mind going back up there, Mrs. Beasley, if you would please join us. As most of you know, Mr. Beasley is retiring in January of 2027. So we are going to take advantage of whatever opportunities we have to embarrass him with photos. Yeah, we needed the dogs. If the DCMs and the ladies would please join Mr. Beasley up front. I'm going to make this as difficult as possible on you.

Well, hello.

I'm the chairwoman. You need to go in the middle.

Yep. So if you've noticed, there seems to be an abundance of directors in the house today. Come on down. Yep. Randy, you're not safe either. Come on down.

Anybody working today, Bill? All I know is we're talking about things right now.

I know. Yeah. It's going to be tough. You're a graduate. You're a juror. You're a man. Yeah. Who's in front? I'm in the back.

I'm in the front.

This side, we're good.

One more. Ready? One, two, three.

Have a good day. Have a good day.

Thank you, sir. Have a good day.

Well, go ahead and have a couple of seconds so that we get those that need to leave will leave quietly and the ones that will remain. And congratulations to all the recipients today, especially Mr. Beasley. Good job. I think they like you.

They're good people.

Okay, at this time we will move on to public comments concerning agenda items. Ms. Amber, do we have anybody? No, ma'am, we do not. Okay, thank you. And now we will go to county comptroller. Stacy's not here, but Tara Lee is. So what do you have for us this morning?

Good morning. Today we have for you to approve and ratify payroll checks number 04750 through 04769. in the amount of $23,133. We have 3,156 direct deposits in the amount of $5,001,758.83. Those are dated July 10th, 2026. We have wire and electronic funds transfer of $11,270,181.79. Those are dated July 7th, 2026 through July 20th, 2026. Madam Chair, motion for approval? I have a motion and a second. We also have a few more. We also have checks numbered.

They jumped the gun. I'm sorry.

I did. We also have invoice checks numbered 508621 through 509460, totaling $17,074,198.87, dated July 7, 2026 through July 20, 2026. Will you approve and ratify, please? Yes, I will try this again. Madam Chair, motion for approval.

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

Aye.

Opposed?

Motion carries. We also request the approval of the minutes of your regular board meeting that was held on July 7th, 2026. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any questions, discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Anything else? No, ma'am. Okay, well, thank you. All right. We're going to the approved consent agenda.

Motion for approval.

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

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries. Randy Minks. 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 number G1 is to request the board to approve a construction contract with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida in connection with the Country Club Road at Buckeye Loop Road intersection improvements project. Today's board action will reflect a contract award totaling $2,774,976.16. Polk County has completed the public process to solicit bids from qualified contractors for planned intersection improvements along Country Club Road at its intersection with Buckeye Loop Road. The work consists of installing a new traffic signal and roadway turn lane construction to include related drainage improvements. The goal of this project is to improve the overall operational performance of the intersection by implementing improvements that will provide an acceptable level of service on all approaches. Bid number 26217 was issued and eight contractors submitted a bid with the apparent lowest responsible responsive bid being submitted by Ajax Paving in the total amount of $2,642,835.16. A recommendation of award was issued and no protests were received. In accordance with resolution number 13066, $132,141 is included in the total recommended contract award to address allowance and contingency work conditions. The total contract time set for this project is 330 calendar days. Funds for these proposed roadway safety and efficiency improvements are budgeted and available in the roads and drainage five-year community investment program within the Transportation Trust Fund. So Madam Chair, members of the board, in keeping with I think is the board's roadway safety improvement priorities, I would request the board to approve a construction contract with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida in an amount not to exceed $2,774,976.16, all of which is in connection with bid number 26217, the Country Club Road at Buckeye Loop Road Intersection Improvements Project. Madam Chair, motion for approval.

Second. I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.

Madam Chair, members of the Board, item number G2 is to request the Board to approve a construction contract, again with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, this one in connection with the Kathleen Road at Decent Road Intersection Improvements Project. Today's Board action will reflect a contract award totaling $2,150,875.08. Polk County has completed the public process to solicit bids from qualified contractors who were interested in construction of planned roadway improvements along Kathleen Road at its intersection with Decent Road. The work includes converting the existing stop-controlled intersection into a signalized intersection, extending the existing turn lane on Kathleen Road, extending the turn lane on the Decent Road approach, and constructing a new southbound right turn lane on Kathleen Road. These improvements will enhance the level of service at this intersection by allowing the vehicles on decent road with a safer and more efficient access to Kathleen Road. Bid number 26225 was issued and two contractors submitted a bid with the apparent lowest responsible responsive bid being submitted again by Ajax Paving in the amount of $2,048,453.08. A recommendation of award was issued and no protests were received. In accordance with resolution number 13066, $102422 is included in the total recommended contract award to address allowance and contingency work conditions. The total time for this contract has been set at 155 calendar days. Funds for these proposed roadway safety and efficiency improvements are budgeted and available in the roads and drainage five-year community investment program. within the Transportation Trust Fund. So Madam Chair, members of the board, here again, in keeping with the board's roadway safety improvements priorities, I would request the board to approve a construction contract with Ajax Paving Industries in an amount not to exceed $2,150,875.08, all of which is in connection with bid number 26225, the Kathleen Road at Deason Road Intersection Improvements Project. Motion for approval. Second.

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

Madam Chair, I just wanted to say I know a lot of the community were waiting on this project to come and it was certainly delayed. A lot of coordination had to happen with CSX and some other components of the project, but we certainly as a county understand the importance of this intersection improvement and certainly glad to see it come to fruition now for construction and it'll be very well done. uh received in that community and safety-wise certainly on decent and kathleen is of utmost concern so appreciate the board's support on this thank you for your comments anybody else okay hearing none all in favor aye opposed motion carries madam chair members of the board item number g3 is to request the board to approve a construction contract with cathcart construction company

connection with the peace creek canal stormwater infrastructure project today's board action will reflect a contract award totaling one million six hundred and fifty seven thousand thirty seven dollars and sixty nine cents lake hamilton is an important water body within the peace river watershed with flows moving from lake hamilton into the peace creek canal and ultimately to the peace river In 2020, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection identified both Lake Hamilton and Middle Hamilton as impaired with chlorophyll, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Rather than assigning total maximum daily load restrictions, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection approved an alternative restoration plan in 2021 calling for nutrient reduction and restoration projects throughout the Lake Hamilton chain of lakes. To support this restoration effort, Polk County secured an $850,000 state grant to enhance water quality and restore wetland habitat within the Peace Creek Canal hydrologic basin. The project will capture and divert excess stormwater from the Peace Creek Canal onto a county-owned parcel located on the northwest shore of Lake Hamilton. restoring historic wetland hydrology, expanding wetland areas, and creating treatment wetlands that will naturally reduce nutrient loads entering Lake Hamilton. Proposed project funding will cover phase one construction of the Lake Hamilton Water Quality Improvement Project. The primary objective is to restore and construct wetlands that provide significant water quality treatment benefits. Polk County has completed the public process to solicit bids from qualified contractors interested in the construction of a weir structure, wetland creation, native vegetation installation, and site stabilization to maintain existing flood stages and discharge volumes from the current county-owned property. Bid number 26080 was issued and two contractors submitted bids. The apparent low responsible bid was submitted by Cathcart Construction in the total amount of $1,578,131.69. A recommendation of award was issued and no protests were received. In accordance with resolution number 13066, $78,906 is included in the total recommended contract award to address allowance and contingency work conditions. The contract time for this project has been set at 360 days for final completion. This project is funded in part through a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant totaling $850,000. The remaining contract funding requirement will be funded from Polk's Stormwater MSTU program, and this is an approved project in the board's adopted community investment program. So, Madam Chair, members of the board, I think in keeping with the board's commitments to improve surface water quality and the restoration of wetland habitats, I would request the board to approve the proposed construction contract with Cathcart Construction Company in connection with the Peace Creek Canal Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements Project in an amount not to exceed $1,657,037.69. Madam Chair, motion for approval.

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

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

Madam Chair, members of the board, final item from the manager's office, item number G4 is to request the board to approve a contract with Central Florida Health Care to support the purchase of medical equipment for their Lakeland Community Health Care facility. Today's board action will reflect that reimbursement agreement not to exceed $1,512,116.53. Central Florida Healthcare is a federally qualified health center providing primary and specialty care, dental, and behavioral health services throughout Polk County. Central Florida Healthcare is contracted with Polk County to provide services to low-income Polk County residents. This contract will become effective on July 27th of 2026 and terminate on July 26th of 2027. Funding provided under this contract will be to reimburse the purchase of medical, dental, and diagnostic equipment for Central Florida Health Care's Lakeland facility. Equipment typically includes autoclave and various dental items, exam tables and various medical items, and various diagnostic gear to include electrocardiogram equipment. This funding request was recently presented to and approved by the Citizens Health Care Oversight Committee. Funding for this public health initiative is available from Polk's Indigent Health Care Fund. So Madam Chair, members of the board, I think in keeping with the board's priority commitments to various community health initiatives, I would request the board to approve the proposed contract with Central Florida Health Care in connection with the purchase of related medical, dental, and diagnostic equipment to support their community health care mission in an amount not to exceed $1,512,116.53. 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.

Okay, we'll go now to the commissioners. Commissioner Troutman.

Just wanted to remind the public that beginning on Monday, we will have a closure to Highway 60 for at least two weeks. That's going to be a real inconvenience for a lot of people, but I think we need to make sure that the word is getting out. And again, this was initiated by CSX, which we do not have any control over.

Anything else? No, ma'am. Okay.

Commissioner Wilson. Just to follow up on what she said, people don't realize what this may cause. Truck traffic and car traffic will not be diverted in the same way. So it's going to be a major undertaking on Highway 60. And like Commissioner Troutman said, it's CSX and not us. But nothing else matters, Chair.

Thank you. Commissioner Braswell?

I don't have anything.

Commissioner Scott?

Yes, ma'am. Just an update. On July 30th, I plan on completing a visit of Sumter County Animal Control so that I complete my tour, if you will, of Hillsboro, Pasco, and Sumter County. So look forward to bringing back some information to Polk. But overall, again, we're doing a great job and want to keep supporting our animal control and advocates for animal rights. And we'll keep at it. That's all, ma'am.

Thank you. And I do not have anything. So we'll go to straight to the expedited hearing.

Yes, Madam Chair. Before we go expedite hearings, I will go over the public hearing general procedures. I remind everyone, if you wish to speak on any of the public hearing items, 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 a topic. Individual speaking during the public comment section of a matter will be strictly limited three minutes. The board is experienced in these matters and is able to discern what is legally relevant to an issue and what is not. Information that is relevant or repetitive only serves to frustrate and necessarily prolong the day's business. The commission expects civility at all times during all public hearings. Speaking out of turn, shout out from the audience, disrespectful 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 that for such purpose, you will 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 and present testimony today must be sworn in. 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. This is for the land use public hearings. Do you swear, affirm the testimony or evidence you provide to the commission today, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Thank you. Madam Chair, at this time, I'll go over the expedited hearing procedures. Expedited hearings are held pursuant to resolution number 2022-089. Expedited hearings are used when no opposition was present at the planning commission hearing. The applicant agrees to the expedited hearing and recommendation of the development review committee is for approval. Expedited procedures are the following. After staff briefly introduces case, the hearing will be open for the public comment. If anyone speaks during public comment, the applicant will be given the opportunity to respond. After public comment, the board will consider the land use case. At any time, a full presentation from staff can be requested from a 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 attached to the agenda items are deemed experts for the purpose of the land use case. At this time, I will turn it over to Mr. Ziskell. present the expedited hearing.

Thank you, Mr. Mink. Good morning, Madam Chair. My name is Ben Ziskell, Land Development Director for Polk County. There are six items on the expedited public hearing portion of today's agenda. Item number N1 is an expedited public hearing for case LDCPAS 2025-24, Shimmering Drive CAC, to consider a future land use map designation change from residential low to community activity center on approximately 3.87 acres. The subject site is located on the east side of Highway 37, just south of Shimmering Drive. The intersection of 37 and Shimmering Drive turns into Shepherd Road as it gets west, just for some context. So Shepherd Road and Shimmering Drive are the same road. It's called Shimmering Drive on the east side. The subject site is approximately 3.87 acres, but the overall community activity center in this area that already exists is about 93 acres, so this is a small expansion to an existing community activity center. It is directly south of the Imperial Christina Plaza. This item appeared before the Planning Commission and received a unanimous recommendation of approval, so following any questions or comments today, staff recommends approval and adoption of this change.

Any questions for staff? The manual opens up for public hearing. Do we have anybody in here? No, ma'am, we do not. Okay, I'll bring it back to the board.

Second.

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

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

Item number N2 is an expedited public hearing for case LDCT 2026-5, skimmering drive LDC text amendment to consider property specific amendments to appendix E of the land development code. This item is a companion item to the item that was just approved to establish an activity center plan for the subject site. If you look at the site here on the screen, you can see that of the just shy of four acres. Approximately two acres of it is upland. That is the north half of the property. where the remaining 1.7 acres is a wetland area. This activity center plan specifically relates to access to the site. It will provide that the two-acre upland portion will receive one access point from Shimmering Drive, somewhere near where my cursor is located, and that the other access point will be on this easement located on the western portion of the boundary. So again, this is a companion item. It specifically goes into the land development code to provide those parameters for access. This is a text amendment on second reading before you today for adoption. It was unanimously recommended for approval by your planning commission and following any questions or comments, staff recommends adoption.

Any questions for staff? Okay, hearing none. Amber, do we have any open? I opened up the hearing. Do we have anybody? No, ma'am, we do not. Okay, thank you. I'll close the hearing process and bring it back to the board. I have a motion and a second. Any questions, discussion? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.

Item number N3 is an expedited public hearing for case LDCPAS 2026-10 Grayline X CPA to consider a future land use map designation change from residential suburban to industrial on approximately 3.81 acres. Subject site is located on the south side of Highway 60, just to the west of the Willow Oak community, west of the city of Mulberry. As you can see on the screen, The Pulley Creek creates a natural buffer or a natural separation from the site to the adjacent residential to the west. The properties located across 60 on the north and to the east of the site are linear commercial corridor having a commercial type of node at this location. Also note that on the north side of 60, The pulley Creek portion then does have a preservation land-use designation I point that out to to show that the the Creek creates a hard buffer where this commercial development Will stop at the creek creating a natural buffer from from any residential properties to the west the applicant is interested in locating a business here that is Is in the industrial land-use categories, but is not as intense as some of the heavy industrial we'll see So the next item will actually specifically reduce the list of uses and voluntarily restrict what will go on this property. So this request, while it does map the property as industrial, in harmony or companionship with the second item will be much less impactful for the area. The Planning Commission reviewed this and unanimously recommended approval and in conjunction with the next item, staff recommends approval and adoption of this land use change to industrial.

Any questions for staff? Hearing none, I open up for public hearing. Amber, do we have anybody? No, ma'am, we do not. Thank you. We close public hearing. Bring it back to the board.

Madam Chair, motion for approval.

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

Madam Chair, I remember N4 is an expedited public hearing for case LDCT 2026-7, Grayline X, LDC text amendment. Voluntary restriction placed on the property in the form of a text amendment land development code the item will specifically address Enhanced landscaping and signage restrictions, but more importantly the applicant is voluntarily restricting some of the more intense industrial uses That would be allowed on the industrial property specifically limiting any salvage yards or any auto or or any other uses that specifically create noise, dust, and other side effects that end up becoming incompatible with the residential to the west. This is in conjunction with a proposed end user that the applicant is working to secure on the site. And subject to these restrictions, staff is recommending approval of this amendment. The item did appear before the Planning Commission and received unanimous recommendation of approval. It is on its second reading and adoption. So following any questions or comments, staff recommends approval.

Questions for staff? Commissioner? I don't have questions, but just a comment. I want to say thank you for working with our applicants, and I'm hoping encouraging this, the more transparency that we can provide when they're willing to narrow that down. I think it gives our residents a better understanding of what's coming. So thank you for working through that.

Any other question or comment? Okay, hearing none, then I open it up for public hearing. Amber, do we have anybody? No, ma'am, we do not. Thank you. We close the public hearing and we bring it back to the board. Move for approval. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

Madam Chair, item number N5 is an expedited public hearing for case LDC-PAL-2026-2, Main Street Corridor text, to establish a new section within the comprehensive plan's future land use element, creating a Main Street Corridor land use category. This is... This is a new land use category that is intended to provide redevelopment tools in some of our underserved redevelopment areas. As you're aware, Polk County has two established CRAs. One of them is simply paying debt service at this time. The other that is still operational is the Eloise CRA. That Eloise CRA only has about four years left, but there are a number of communities across Polk County that are considered redevelopment areas and are identified in the comprehensive plan as redevelopment areas this land use category we believe will give more flexibility and more incentive for those communities to to offer flexibility in land use choices and to help stimulate redevelopment in those underserved communities this item is before you as adoption today it did receive unanimous recommendation of approval from your planning commission and we believe that this is a while not a financial tool this is a regulatory tool that we think in can greatly serve the underserved communities within polk county uh... with that following any questions or comments staff recommends and request adoption any questions for staff hearing none i open it up for public hearing amber do we have any for this no ma'am we do not thank you we close the public hearing and we bring it back to the board

Motion for approval.

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

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

Madam Chair, the last item on the expedited portion today, item N6, is an expedited public hearing for case LDCD 2026-3 Goldenrod Lane RL4 sub-district change to consider a sub-district map change from residential low 1 to residential low 4 on approximately 17.1 acres. The subject site is located on the screen, and you can see here that it is a large piece of land surrounded by residential development that are around a quarter of an acre. The average density surrounding this parcel, as you can see on the screen, is somewhere between 3.75 acres and 4.17 acres. This item did appear before you for a land use change from pre-DRI to residential low. By rule, the default for a residential low land use change is to default to the RL1, which requires 40,000 square feet or almost one acre sites. But as you can see, the surrounding area being that it is quarter acre sites only. This request is to change the sub-district to that R04 so that this property can be subdivided and developed with approximately quarter acre sites. The approval, the item went before the Planning Commission and received unanimous recommendation of approval and following any questions or comments, staff recommends approval.

Any questions for staff? Hearing none, I'll open it up for public hearing. Amber, do we have anybody? No, ma'am, we do not. Thank you. I close it, a public hearing, and bring it back to the board.

Madam Chair, a motion for approval.

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

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

Madam Chair, that concludes the expedited portion of today's agenda. Moving to the regular public hearings, item 01 is a land use item, but that has been withdrawn by the applicant, so I'll turn it over to Mr. Mink to explain that more, and that concludes land development's portion today.

Madam Chair, we did receive a letter of withdrawal from... Ed W. Smith, as president of the Save Cruise Lake Incorporated. This is the same individual that requested the de novo. So we're requesting the board and recommending the board to accept the withdrawal at this time. And we need a motion for the acceptance.

I have a motion and a second for withdrawal from the 01. Any questions or discussion on this? Hearing none, all in favor? Opposed? Motion carries.

Thank you, Madam Chair. At this time, I'll turn it over to Mr. Scott Lowry for the presentation of the next item.

Good morning. For the record, Scott Lowry, Real Estate Services Support Manager. I only have one item today, and staff is requesting the board, by its own motion, adopt a resolution vacating a portion of deeded right-of-way. The county was contacted by Lori Proctor regarding right away located on the northern portion of her property. Highlight here with the cursor. After a review of the area, it was determined that a portion of right away deeded to the county in 1956 for Grady Polk Road was left isolated after a realignment of Crystal Beach Road to the west over 50 years ago. A portion of plotted right away associated with the old alignment was previously vacated. It's hard to see, but this highlighted here with the cursor. but the deeded portion was not included and remains in place. This portion of the right-of-way has not been utilized for roadways since the realignment, but is and has been used for drainage purposes. Through ongoing discussions with Ms. Proctor, she has agreed to convey additional right-of-way along Crystal Beach Road. Again, this area right here. Additionally, she has agreed to grant a drainage easement over the vacation area to accommodate existing drainage facilities. Vacating the subject right away and authorizing a county deed to Ms. Proxer to release any interest that may remain for title clearing purposes will allow her to assemble and utilize the area with her property. Also accepting the drainage easement and quit claim deed will give the county the easement needed for drainage. and additional right away along Crystal Beach Road. The appropriate utilities and county divisions were notified and have no objections to the vacation request. Staff recommends the board adopt the resolution to vacate a portion of deeded right away as further described in the legal description contained in the resolution. Also request board authorize the conveyance of the county's interest via county deed and request board accept a drainage easement as well as a quick claim deed for additional right away from Lori Proctor. And I'll remain standing for any questions.

Any questions for staff? Hearing none, I open it up for public hearing. Amber, do we have anyone?

No, ma'am, we do not.

I close the public hearing for point two and bring it back to the board.

Motion for approval.

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

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Next item 03 is a public hearing to consider an ordinance amending Section 4 of the Polk County Indian Health Care Plan Extension Ordinance, Ordinance Number 25-076, which changes the process for amending the county's health care plan for providing health care service to qualified residents. This agenda item is for the board to adopt a resolution which approves the new plan. The major changes in this is that the board can now change the plan based on adoption of a resolution before you had to adopt the ordinance. And the resolution that has to be presented to the board increases the eligibility to 300% of the federal property level and is recommended for approval.

Okay, I open up the public hearing. Amber, do we have anyone for this one? No, ma'am, we do not. Okay, I close the public hearing and I bring it back to the board. Move approval. I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion?

Madam Chair, if I may?

Yes, please.

I just want to say this is another way I think the county looks forward on how to best serve our residents and especially for those that are most vulnerable and in need. This is a way for us to keep looking ahead and understanding while needs of people vary, the net needs to be broader sometimes to help those that really do need it. So I am Super proud that we are as a county able to identify that and have this ordinance that will help us help other people.

Thank you. Anybody else? Hearing none, all in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Motion carries.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Next is a public hearing to consider adoption of a resolution approving proposed revisions to the utility division schedule rates, charges, and fees. And Ms. Tamara Richardson is going to be presenting this matter.

Good morning, Kim Richardson, Utilities Director. In 2024, the Polk County Utilities came forward with rate adjustments. We hadn't adjusted our rates in quite some time, so we came forward and adjusted the rates. At that time, the board directed us to do this a little bit more frequently so that we wouldn't have to have major changes. So two years later, we did a rate sufficiency study. So it's pretty much updating the former rate study to make sure that what we have proposed is still valid. And it turns out it is still valid except for the connection fees. Due to lots of reasons, we have... changing regulations. We have very crazy, unpredictable construction costs. It became apparent that we needed to increase the connection fees to make sure we can pay for capacity projects that are coming up in the future. So this proposal includes five different measures. One, to increase our connection fees. Two, to make our reclaimed irrigation rates similar to the potable rates. Right now, the reclaim rates are much less money. So we're just bringing them up to be a little bit more even playing field. It's a conservation effort as well. And then also it's establishing the rate for the septage receiving at 15 cents a gallon, 15 cents a gallon. And it's continuing some of the indexing that we have on the other rates that came in 2024 for two more years. So that's what this proposal is for. I have here with me Murray Hamilton, who is our rate consultant with Raftelis, if anybody has any questions or concerns regarding this topic.

Any questions for staff? Okay, hearing none, we'll open it up for public hearing. Amber, do we have anyone? No, ma'am, we do not. Okay, close the public hearing and I bring it back to the board. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any questions or discussion?

Madam Chair, I was just going to ask for clarity for those that may be watching or watch later. When we talk about the reclaim, I know in a lot of communities, reclaimed water is seen as a product that there's not a lot of need for uptake. Could you just give some background? I know we are not that scenario. We actually have a need for more, but then we can produce. But if you could just give some clarity for that.

That is very true. Thank you. The reclaimed water used to be a disposal issue. Reclaimed water is after it's gone through the wastewater plant and has been treated to high public access reclaiming standards. we use it for irrigation. That offsets the need for pumping directly out of the aquifer for irrigation. That's a one-to-one offset. Reclaimed water is just as valuable as potable water when it comes to those types of usage. Also, not everybody has access to reclaimed. Some people have no choice but to irrigate with potable water to just make this a more even playing field and to encourage conservation because as you mentioned we do in some of our areas we frequently run out of reclaimed water for irrigation we have to supplement with potable water is a very valuable resource and it needs to be treated as such and it actually is more expensive to treat to produce reclaimed water than it is to produce potable water then and then now we're in the situation that if we have to find all if we have to find additional water for irrigation now we're into the alternative water supply projects and those are even more expensive. So it's, this makes sense to bring them up for, to make sure we're conserving and we're getting, and we're in, we're, it's, it's an even playing field for all of our residents and that we're actually conserving this very valuable resource.

Commissioner, did you have someone to commission the trauma? Okay. Commissioner Braswell.

Refresh my memory. Um, Don't we have a project taking reclaimed water from the northwest over to Haines City along Beanstill?

There is one that's proposed. It is not funded at this time simply because we have other projects that had a priority, but that is a project that's still on the books, but it's just not funded at this time.

Okay. I don't know why I'm thinking that we got federal money for that. Did we get a little bit of federal money?

We got federal money for the design.

Okay. And is there a time frame to use that or lose it?

No, we'll do the design. The design will happen. Oh, okay. We'll do that. And then it'll wait until we have the money to fund that project.

Commissioner Brown, I believe that's such a large project, such a long route. the design is funded through federal funds, I suspect that we may end up having to do that project in phases. What's the ballpark number to complete it?

Tens of millions?

Tens of millions.

Talk about a large diameter line running 18, 20 miles.

24 to 36 inch for 18 miles, something like that.

We're producing that much reuse water over there right now that doesn't have a home.

Right, yes. The northwest has more of a rural nature and it doesn't have the in-ground irrigation systems like the northeast does.

So that water just goes to spray fields?

Right now it's going to, we have an aquifer storage and recovery well. It goes into the well.

Oh, okay.

Yes. Yeah, you know, it's been a couple, I don't know, about a month ago we had a discussion on this and, you know, I kind of showed my disinterest in this. You know, We spend an awful lot of money on water, which we always have to take care of our water. It's one of our most precious resources. But when it comes to raising our rates, I know for quite a while we didn't raise rates and then trying to keep the cost down to our public. And then when we had to raise, because we're not in the business just to lose money, but there's a lot of discussion that can be done here. And I'm just telling this board right now, I'm not for raising our rates. I am not. I mean, we've got enough in this for right now. We need more discussion to make me satisfied. It's just me saying this. You know, we have our septic receiving in here. That's a new deal. I understand that. You know, but on our rates, I'm not – we've got to discuss some more and look at some more options. I'm just – I know we have our experts telling us all this, but it's just the way I feel.

Yes.

Don't want to put you on the spot. Septage receiving facility date? I know 90 days later than the last time.

We always were told. What? It was in August, I believe, what we were told. I think it's September for final, I think.

I apologize, but I think it's September for final completion.

And final completion, and then you'll bring in some of the trucks and kind of, Work out the kinks.

In August and September, we're going to start getting the septage in from trucks to start the process, start seeding the plant.

And then one more question. So you've got a connection fee. What do we have for impact fees on utilities? We don't have impact fees. We just have the connection fees, yes. Just the connection fee.

I'm sorry, did you have any comments? Okay. Any other questions for staff? Hearing none, we'll open it up for public hearing. And Amber, do we have anyone? No, ma'am, we don't. Okay, so we brought it back to the board.

Move for approval.

Okay. Does somebody second it?

Yeah.

Okay. I have a motion and a second. Any questions, discussion on the motion? Yes. I think we did.

Yeah.

in a second on the board with Braswell and Troutman, I believe was the motion in a second on the floor right this time.

So we have two seconds. Any other discussion or questions? Hearing none, all in favor? Aye. Opposed?

Aye.

Motion carries. Thank you.

Okay.

Then we will move on to the general public hearing.

Anybody that wish to speak on any topic?

Do you have any?

Yes, ma'am. We have 10.

Okay, we will begin with G. Robert, I think it's Whedon, and I'm sorry I mispronounced your names, but it goes with the territory.

Right. Robert Whedon.

I was close. Thank you. Would you state your name and address, and then you have three minutes.

Dr. Robert Whedon, 8631 Ringe Road, Polk City. And there we go. Thank you, Caitlin. I've been here before, trying to educate you on the humane and effective methods of community cat management known as TNVR, trap, neuter, vaccinate, return. Yet here we are. The recent case of a rabid kitten highlights the long-standing problem in Polk County, the lack of humane and effective management of feral and free-roaming cats, commonly called community cats. This case underscores the need to amend the Polk County Animal Ordinance and reflects a failure of leadership by both the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and Sheriff Grady Judd, who oversees Polk County Animal Control. Polk County Animal Control relies on the archaic and inhumane trap and kill model. After years of effort, intake and killing remain stubbornly high at significantly recurring costs to taxpayers. Just consider these deplorable statistics. In neighboring Hillsborough County, sterilizing and vaccinating community cats cost far less than impounding, housing, and euthanizing one. $103 less per cat. Peer-reviewed studies in municipal programs show TNVR cuts shelter intake, slashes euthanasia, and saves money. Here are examples of other Florida municipalities who have figured it out. Why is it that Polk County cannot? And look at what our neighbors to the northwest have recently done. Income-based spay and neuter services for own pets and TNVR. And don't you have a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers? Apply the cost gap to Polk County's own numbers and the savings add up quickly while euthanasia and shelter overcrowding go down. Here are three things you can do right now to help the pets and people of Polk County. adopt a TNVR ordinance, and I've already done the heavy lifting for you, I sent you all a modified animal ordinance last year, no discussion, fund targeted low-cost spay-neuter, and partner with rescues and volunteers. Remember this slide? They call it TNVR because we're vaccinating these cats for rabies and thereby creating a barrier to the disease between wildlife and domestic pets and people. If you had enacted an animal ordinance that supported TNVR, then this case may never have happened. Why won't you do the right thing? There's one more slide, Caitlin. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes.

Got a question about the TNVR and simply if you don't mind, given your experience, obviously as a vet, so you trap them once and you vaccinate them. So then what happens in the subsequent years? Because I know I have to take my dog either one or, you know, every two years to get her vaccination. So how do you how does one? Revaccinate.

Well, there are a couple of ways. Progressive programs will re-trap cats and vaccinate them. And one of the advantages of microchipping these cats is we have a permanent record of when they have had a vaccine. And so we know that we can booster them. The way the rabies vaccine is licensed by the USDA, the first one is valid for a year. Each subsequent one is good for three years. But research has shown that that immunity lasts much longer than just that one year. And the problem with some of these cats is that they're not 12 weeks of age, which is the minimum label age for rabies vaccine, according to the USDA. And oftentimes these programs are forced to vaccinate kittens that are obviously less than 12 weeks of age and return them to the colony. People have argued, how do you know that that works? Well, we didn't until recently. I was the lead author on a study that was published in the Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health that looked at response to rabies vaccine in kittens less than 12 weeks of age. And they all had significantly protective titers after vaccination. So we know, to answer your question directly, Commissioner Troutman, we know that the immunity lasts longer. Legally, they need to be trapped and boosted, and most progressive TNVR programs, colony caretakers, will re-trap these cats and they will be boosted.

Thank you very much.

Yes, ma'am.

We have Kay Borg.

Good morning, Commissioners. Kay Bork, 1133 Brook Road in Fort Meade. When it comes to animal welfare in the county, we've seen advocates with different advocacy groups bringing different concerns and ideas to the board and providing very different perspectives and approaches. But no matter the approach or the origin of the ideas, we're all in it for the same reason, to provide a better outcome for the animals of Polk County. I want to thank you all for hearing us. We've been speaking a long time. Y'all have listened to us and have looked into some things behind the scenes, and we really appreciate that effort. And we know it's already begun to make some difference and will continue. Even though there continue to be opportunities for improvement in the shelter, we know that the shelter is not where the animal overpopulation crisis begins. The shelter, along with the county rescues, are where the consequences end up. While we debate shelter numbers, countless animals are still living in neglect. They're abused, chained in backyards, abandoned, or roaming the streets unaltered. Animal control is overwhelmed. The community lacks affordable spay and neuter services, appropriate ordinances to support necessary enforcement, and proactive outreach to prevent suffering before it reaches the shelter. Couple of examples. A pet owner who escaped an abusive relationship reached out to a local rescue. She's been bouncing from place to place trying to find a place for her family and her two dogs for six months. This past week, she was faced with an impossible choice. She finally found housing, but the dogs are not allowed. She and her small daughter were devastated first to lose their beloved pets, then to know that they'd be euthanized in the shelter because they have no space. The local rescue, also overflowing, stepped up to help with foster help. A senior dog was found wandering on South Florida Avenue still wearing his harness. She'd been rehomed just a week ago. She has a large mass that needs to be removed. She was surrendered into the rescue's care. A rescue plea was made yesterday for this morning that five six- to eight-week-old puppies need to be rescued from the shelter. Foster stepped in to save them. A local rescue was gifted with a large amount of dog food, more than they could use. So they put out a plea to the county, to the community, and said, hey, come get dog food. There were dog families showing up all day long asking for that help. These community rescues are fully donor-supported. Community members donate hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. They donate thousands of rescue hours and hundreds of fosters step up. This is a clear indication of how important animal welfare is to Polk County residents and also that we've not yet made a dent in the source of the problem. If we truly want fewer animals entering shelters and fewer animals being euthanized, we have to focus on the source of the problem, preventing unwanted litters and expanding affordable spay and neuter. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you.

Next we have Jose Antonio Palacio.

Good morning. Guadalupe Jaramillo, Zero Wiber Grow, Dundee, Florida. I would like to give her my three minutes, please.

Good morning, Commissioner. Alethea Pugh, 339 Biltmore Boulevard in Dundee, Florida. Good morning. We have copies of what we'd like to share with the Commissioner. Are we allowed to do that? I'm going to do my best not to hold you past the three minutes. Okay. Thank you. Commission. What you're seeing this morning are a few documents that were prepared in support for the family, the hard middle family there in Dundee. I would ask you to go to sheet number four, which is the request for temporary emergency measures to address stormwater flooding impacts.

Ma'am, are you an attorney?

I am not. The parcel ID is there for identification of the property. Before I proceed, I would like to advise you that an email was sent to Mr. J. Jarvis regarding this property, and this would not be the first time that Mr. Jarvis has heard about this situation. He spoke with the town of Dundee at length a few months ago and also was approached by FOX 13 regarding this property. Dear Polk County and Town of Dundee officials, I am requesting immediate temporary emergency measures to address ongoing stormwater flooding affecting my property as a result of drainage associated with the Weiberg Road public stormwater system. Since the 2021 replacement of a previously blocked drainage pipe on Weiberg Road, stormwater runoff has continued to discharge onto my private property. during rain events. The resulting accumulation of water has created ongoing impacts to use, safety, and condition of my land. While the issue of long-term responsibility and permanent corrective action is being reviewed, temporary measures are necessary to prevent additional damage and reduce the continuing impacts to my property. The current conditions have created concerns, including standing water and recurring flooding after storms, loss of usable portions of the property, saturated ground conditions, impacts to ranch operations and property maintenance, safety concerns involving livestock and animals, continued burden of the property owner to manage stormwater originating from public infrastructure. I'm requesting that Polk County and the Town of Dundee immediately evaluate and implement temporary mitigation options, including but not limited to temporary pumping of removal of excessive stormwater during significant flooding events. installation of temporary drainage, controls of improvements to reduce the amount of water accumulated on my property, erosion and sediment control measures where needed, temporary grading, swells, berms, or other engineering solutions to better manage water flow. Assistance protecting livestock areas and maintaining safe conditions for animals. Regular monitoring and inspections after major rain events until a permanent resolution is completed. A written emergency response plan identifying who should be contacted and what actions will be taken when flooding occurs. This request for temporary assistance should not be interpreted as acceptance of the current drainage conditions. Consent for continued stormwater discharge or a waiver of any property rights claims or remedies available under Florida law. I continue to request documentation establishing the legal authority allowing stormwater from public infrastructure to be discharged onto my private property and to request that both government entities work toward a permanent solution. Please provide a written response outlining proposed temporary actions and a timeline for implementation. Sheet three. Sheet three is the property impact statement dated July 14, 2026. Yeah, your time is up. I'm sorry, go ahead.

Just a question. This property is in the city limits of Dundee?

It is in the town limits of Dundee. It's off of a county-owned road.

And the stormwater is being handled by the county, not the city? By the county, yes, sir. Okay. Thank you.

Madam Chair, she yielded her three minutes to me. May I now take my three minutes?

Speaking to the mic, I'm sorry we can't.

She yielded her three minutes to me. May I now take three minutes because we have an impact statement we'd like to read as well?

You were speaking on her behalf. That's it. You get one time.

Okay.

So that's it.

Okay, and I'm not allowed to sign to speak?

No. Can I make a suggestion? Sure. Make an appointment with me or any of these guys up here and let's dig deeper into this. I tell people this all the time. It's much easier for a two-way back and forth and for people like myself to understand what's going on when we just sit down as opposed to people just talking at me like this. But feel free to just make an appointment, come in, and let's dig a little deeper.

Well, we appreciate that. The family has made many attempts to discuss the situation with Mr. Jarvis. Again, he was contacted by the town of Dundee. He was interviewed by Fox 13. He has been since emailed by the family, and there's been no response. But that's why we're here today.

And that's why I'm asking you to come talk to us.

Okay, so we make an appointment to see one of the commissioners or all of you individually.

Yeah, one or all. It doesn't matter. We all carry the same weight.

Okay. And what do we expect for that meeting to yield?

I don't know. What do we expect to hear from you? And we're not going to go back and forth with that right now, but the easiest way to do this is to sit down one-on-one. That's all I'm telling you.

Okay. We'd like Mr. Jarvis to be in that meeting.

That would help us understand and ask the right questions and things like that, and then we can determine how to move forward.

Okay. Mr. Jarvis can help with that as well.

Yeah. Thank you. Next is Dean Menendez.

Dean Menendez, 334 Appaloosa Hill Road, Polk City. Good morning, Madam Chairman, Commissioners, and staff. My name's Dean Menendez, and I'm the founder of DLB Cat Rescue here in Polk County. Over the years, many people have stood at this podium to talk about the problems facing cats and dogs in our community. Those concerns matter, but today I'm not here to talk about the past. I'm here to talk about the future. Polk County is one of the fastest growing counties in America. Our approach to animal welfare should grow with it. Instead of simply reaching or reacting to homelessness and abandonment, let's try to build a system that prevents it. Let's create partnerships between animal control, local rescues, veterinarians, schools, businesses, and volunteers. Each group has strengths. Together we can accomplish far more than any one organization can alone. I have a vision for what I call a rescue campus, a place where education, veterinary care, spay and neuter services, volunteer training, and emergency animal response all work together in one coordinated location. A campus that supports itself through partnerships, grants, sponsorships, and community involvement while becoming something Polk County can be proud of. This isn't about pointing fingers, it's about building bridges. I believe Polk County has an opportunity to become a model for the rest of Florida. Not because we have the biggest problem, because we choose to create the biggest solution. I'm asking you to keep an open mind as we continue developing this vision. I'd welcome the opportunity to work alongside the county, Animal control, local rescues, and anyone willing to become part of the solution. Together we can build something that can serve this community and its animals for generations, not another tax burden. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Next we have Kevin Noble.

Good morning. Good morning, Pope Knight Commissioners. My name is Kim Tinoa, and I live in 2345 Altruist Loop Road in Bartow. In the past three weeks, I looked it up. Any motorcycle on a rural road without a license plate is illegal. That's been going on the past three weeks, and that has to stop. And whoever's driving a motorcycle without a license plate, they will get a ticket or they'll get their motorcycle confiscated, and they probably won't get it back. And I also looked up the ATVs. They're not allowed on any road, including my road. If the teenagers were to ride that, if something were to go wrong, yesterday they had those four people on it, and that's a safety issue. If the teenager, if they were losing control, who was driving, if they lose control and if they fall off of there, and if the car were to come up and hit them or run them over, that's on the parents. The parents would be responsible for that. And the parents don't want that. So it says an adult should be with them at all times. Yep, but I don't want to see anybody on ATV get hurt. I don't want to see anybody around the neighborhood get hurt. So I feel that it should be addressed, or at least the sheriff's office should know about that. Because it would hurt me that if somebody were to have an accident on ATV and they had to go to the hospital, then the parents are responsible. And I sure wouldn't want that. Nobody should be responsible for that. And it's scary though. It says that when I see somebody on change or on ATV ride through there, it scares me. It says that because I ride my bike on, I rode every day of the week. And when I see a red flag, I see a red flag. Yeah, so if you could reach out to the sheriff's office, because I did reach out to them, but I thought the sheriff's office would let me down. So if you can reach out to the sheriff's office and address the motorcycles with no license plates on them, and that's illegal. Yeah, and address the ATVs with the Sheriff's Office. I don't want no kids to get hurt, so only adults should drive that, not teenagers or adults. So please address it to the Sheriff's Office. Thank you, Commissioners.

Madam Chair. Thank you. Yes, sir. Can you refresh us of the road that you're talking about?

Well, any rural road. Okay. Yes. Thank you. Thank you.

Madam Chair, I'd be glad to close the loop with Chief of Staff at the Sheriff's Office.

Thank you very much. Debbie Hicks, next.

Good morning. Debbie Hicks, 236 Alderman Road. 30 years ago when I moved into Polk County, I met the nicest older couple, and they had a dozen dogs, 12 strays that they had taken in. As individuals, they took these dogs in because they're just loving people. They spayed, neutered, kept them, bought a building for them, had a big yard for them. Then 20 years ago, an elderly man, a deceased or whatever, left an old trailer abandoned. It had over 70 cats. She went down there and her husband, and they rescued the kittens they could and found homes for them, and they ended up with 25 cats. Now, this is where the public works well with animal control. I don't know how the interchange happened, but animal control had to take the rest of them. They couldn't be caught. So I don't know what happened there. But this lady had 11 litter boxes. She put her family room for the cats. Half her carport went to be a catechol for them. She had every one of them spayed, neutered, shots, everything. And I'm saying this because... The public is out there doing so much. The rescues are doing so much. They need some kind of help, acknowledgement, help. And I got on the website this morning for Polk County Sheriff's Office for Animal Control. They only show 19 dogs being available for adoption and 18 cats. Well, if we get that many in... We're supposedly getting all these animals in. Well, why do we have so few? When I volunteered, the kennels were full. We were trying to get out 50 animals a day, trying to get them out so they get 10 minutes out in the yard. But now there's only 19 dogs available. So we need animal control. They have to deal with stuff that the average person can't deal with. And we need them to have a good, solid facility. They need a good facility. And we need that committee so that that way we have a committee to address, like they've talked about, getting the county to try not to have so many animals out there. I will say she has two cats left. They were kittens. They're 20 years old. The rest of them took care of themselves. They stayed at her house. She fed them, took care of them in the community. They just eventually died out. So I just want you to remember that animal control would have a whole lot more problems if they didn't have the individuals like us that just do it because we care. We open up our homes. We can. She's on a fixed income. I asked her if she'd do it again because she doesn't have any money. She said, you know what? I'd do it again. I love the animals. I could take care of them. Yeah, I'd be better off financially. Her home got flooded with Milton. So that came about. So I just want you to remember him out there. Thank you.

Next we have Kelly Quinn.

Good morning. My name is Kelly Quinn. I live at 22 Lakeview Drive on the eastern edge of Polk County in District 2. I am here today to ask this board to treat animal welfare as a core county service that must grow with Polk County's population, as we've been exploding recently. Polk's animal control budget is approximately $5.8 million, while the shelter handles thousands of animals each year. That funding must cover far more than food and housing. It also supports field response, cruelty investigations, bite cases, veterinary care, licensing, and shelter operations, adoptions, and enforcement. When one budget is stretched across that many responsibilities, the result is a system focused on managing a crisis instead of preventing it. I understand that animal control currently operates under the sheriff's office and that the commission does not oversee its daily operations. But the Board of County Commissioners is not powerless here. You approve county funding, control the county's animal ordinances, and can require greater transparency, accountability, and long-term planning in regards to our facility. I respectfully ask the board to take three steps. One, commission a public comparison of Polk County's animal services funding, staffing, vet capacity and outcomes against other fast growing Florida counties. Two, invest in prevention. That includes accessible spay and neuter programs, community cat programs, pet food assistance, foster networks, and stronger partnerships with local rescues. These programs cost less than repeated intake and help keep animals safely in their homes. And then third, evaluate whether sheltering and adoption and life-saving services should eventually be managed through a modern civilian county department while law enforcement responsibilities remain appropriately coordinated with the sheriff. This is not about criticizing frontline employees. They are being asked to manage an enormous workload within a system that has not kept pace with county's growth. Animal welfare is not a side issue here. It affects public safety, public health, neighborhood quality of life, and how responsibly we use taxpayer dollars. Polk County has grown dramatically, so our animal services must grow too. They must modernize and become more prevention focused with it. Thank you very much. Have a good day. Thank you.

Next, we have Joanna Agende.

Good morning, Commissioners. My name is Joanna Mukaiyande, 109 Sandburg Lane, Winter Haven, Florida, 33884. First, I'd like to echo the sentiments of what I heard from our fellow animal advocates here. We do come from different animal groups, maybe even as individuals speaking up for the voiceless. One thing is clear. We all want to do what's best for the animals. I'm not asking for zero euthanasia numbers nor zero community cats running around. That's just not achievable. But we must strive for something better than what we are now. We are still known as the highest skilled shelter in Florida. We're still doing something wrong. I understand the important budget allocations and implementing preventative measures will require upfront costs. But there are long term effects that Dr. Whedon had presented that will lower the cost of running a very busy shelter. We've already seen the community already stepping up, donating thousands of dollars to support local rescues, and this is commendable. It needs to continue, but we also need our county leaders to step up and focus on the prevention side. Spay and neuter vouchers, CNVR, restricting and enforcing backyard breeders, these are not new ideas. I'd also like to bring up two stories I've read recently in local post. The first is from a mother staying at the Salvation Army in Lakeland. She and her daughters are trying to escape a difficult situation. She's asking for a temporary safe place for her dog and cats for a few weeks while she finds stable housing. The second story involves a woman facing an extremely vulnerable situation who, according to publicly discussed accounts and records, she had to surrender her four cats to the shelter after being told they would be held. But after being told they would be held for a period of time, she learned that her cats had been euthanized that same day. For many people experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, eviction, or mental health crisis, pets are family. Yet many people delay seeking help or remain in harmful situations for they have nowhere safe to go with their pets. I've been in this position, that's why I'm bringing this up. We need more options for people and their pets here in Polk County, whether it's a spay or neuter service, safe temporary housing for victims and their pets. We just need something more here. And I understand you all are busy. There's other important matters that needs to be solved. But our animal crisis here is a huge problem. There are too many animals entering the shelter system and too many not leaving. Hence, the high numbers of euthanasia for Polk County. It's sad that people outside of Polk County is aware of this bad reputation. I call this county home now for a long time, and I try to defend the best I can, but there's nothing good to say when it comes to how we treat animals. It's such a big problem. I understand it's going to take time, research, expertise, money. All these issues and ideas presented can be discussed by an animal welfare committee. So why not have experienced rescue groups, veterinarians, community partners to work alongside the county leadership to develop some practical evidence-based solutions. Maybe we could start there. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Next we have Mr. Apocombe.

Good morning, James Abercrombie, 2737 Gibson, Yellow Way Road. I was here two weeks ago, folks, and I was talking about public records again, because I talk about it a lot. I can't ever get straight answers. I can't get anything in writing. I can't do anything. I was talking about Mr. Mink's office. I had been to the planning division. I walked next door to get some more records they couldn't provide. So I was there to ask for public records. I picked up the phone. Stupid. Talked to the young lady on the other end. She says, yes. I gave her my name. Same time she called me. I'd like to have public records. She hung up the phone. She said, I'll be right there and hung up the phone. She come to the door. She opened the door and she immediately told me I had to go to the fifth floor to get public records. They don't have public records there. All right. So I asked her, I says, well, you put that in writing. I want to see it in writing that I cannot get public records from you at this office. She refused to give me the public records. Now, as soon as I walk away, Mr. Mink starts laughing. Accusing me of being a liar. I did give a public request. I asked her to put it in writing for me. She would not allow me to give the other request I was really looking for. Now that was all hearsay, folks. Everything he said to you after that was hearsay. What I'm saying to you right now is also hearsay. Because there's no recording of it. You will not allow me to do it. He will not. I've asked for meetings with you. I could not have the meeting because I wanted to record it. I don't know what you people keep trying to hide, but this happens all the time. I had one meeting with five public or Polk County employees, five of them, and I'm sitting there by myself. They would not allow me to record it. Why? They would not. But at the same time, Ben Dunn sits across the table from me, And once again, this is hearsay on my part. There's five of them to verify or say not. But he told me that's the way it should be in the courts. I should be able to walk in there and give hearsay evidence. That's the way it works. That's not the way it works. We need to get a handle on this. I've heard folks in the audience as well complain about public records, getting 2,000 pages at a time. I get 2,000, then I get 3,000. of the same stuff. You're really trying to make me look bad or something? I don't know, don't care. I'm telling you, I've been doing this for 25 years. I had a really good time with, of course, Mike Herr, Michael, the other Michael, the manager, Michael Craig was the attorney, Joe Jarrett, all of them. I've been through this for 26 years, and I still can't get it today. Of course, we got new management today.

Thank you, thank you. And our last one for today is Jen Hardiman.

Madam Chair, if I may real quick?

Yes.

If I may. I just wanted to make a comment to Mr. Abercrombie. The reason I provided those hard copies was prior comments were made that you had not received those public records requests. So I went back and historically went through and had the office go through and print those. So that's the only reason I would provide that many papers at one time was for inclusion of those requests.

Thank you.

Jennifer Hardiman, Reyes Circle, Lakeland 33813. Commissioners, it's disappointing to watch the Polk County Commissioners and the Polk County Sheriff's Office spend so much time defending and denying concerns instead of proactively addressing them with proven effective solutions. The Polk County budget speaks of integrity. We act justly and honorably, consistent with our words. We walk the talk. Let's discuss. Ordinance 18068, with its inconsistent and confusing language, needs clarity. If our goal is fewer cats on the streets, should we spend our limited resources issuing citations to the people helping reduce the population or partner with them to solve the problem?

You can't have it both ways.

Last I checked, compassion is not a code violation. Your argument to the TNVR program. Sorry. is that returning a sterilized vaccinated community cat to the place where it already lives is somehow abandonment. Consider the catch and release fishing tournament. No one accuses anglers of abandoning fish when they return them to the lake. This fish already lives there. In the same way, returning a sterilized vaccinated community cat to the exact alley where it has lived for years is not abandonment. It's returning a free-roaming animal to its established habitat. And Mr. Braswell, to state that the TMVR program is against the law is a downright lie. The more I hear you speak and the audacity you demonstrate, the more concerned I become. I'm not sure if you think we're fools or if you think that we take what you say as facts, but neither is the case. And the fact that the rest of the board allows this unethical, disrespectful behavior means that either all of you are cowards or all of you feel the same way. Because remember your place in the organizational chart. I'll leave you with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Thank you.

Thank you. We don't have anyone else?

No, ma'am, we do not.

Okay, so I close the public hearing, general public hearing. Nothing else? We're adjourned. Thank you all.

Thank you.