Polk County Board of County Commissioners

Meeting Minutes - Final

August 05, 2025 Regular BoCC meeting

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If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or

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CALL TO ORDER - 9:00 a.m. (RICK WILSON, CHAIR)

INVOCATION

Murphy Hanley, Polk County Fire Rescue Chaplain

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (RICK WILSON, CHAIR)

PUBLIC COMMENTS CONCERNING AGENDA ITEMS

B.1. Comments.

Minutes: No public comments on agenda items at this time.

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

C. APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

C.1. Approve Consent Agenda.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Martha Santiago

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

COUNTY COMPTROLLER (STACY M. BUTTERFIELD, CPA)

D.1. Disbursements.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Martha Santiago

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

D.2. Minutes of Regular Board meeting held on July 15, 2025.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Martha Santiago

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

COUNTY MANAGER (BILL BEASLEY)

G. COUNTY MANAGER (BILL BEASLEY)

G.1. Approve CIP Amendment and budget transfer from the Chestnut Sidewalk

Project to the Willow Ridge, Lake Seward, and Davenport Drainage Projects

within the General Capital Improvement Fund ($2,800,000.00 one-time budget

transfer)

Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley reviewed the CIP amendment and budget

transfer from the Chestnut Sidewalk Project to the Willow Ridge, Lake Seward, and

Davenport drainage projects within the General Capital Improvement Funds. He

recommended approval.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Michael Scott

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

G.2. Approve Amendment Five to the Master Purchase Agreement with Motorola

Solutions, Inc. (total cost of 3 years $4,707,440.00 - Yr 1 $1,402,797.00, Yr 2

$1,563,414.00 and Yr 3 $1,741,229.00)

Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed Amendment 5 to the master

purchase agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. He reviewed the invoicing that will

occur over three years. He recommended approval.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 (BECKY TROUTMAN)

H.1. Commissioner Troutman Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Troutman had no comments at this time.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 (BILL BRASWELL)

I.1. Commissioner Braswell Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Braswell had no comments at this time.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4 (MARTHA SANTIAGO)

J.1. Commissioner Santiago Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Santiago said she wants to brag on the Communications

Department. She said as Commissioners they are always talking about getting

information out there as fast as we can. She said Communications Director Amber

Smith and her team have done an outstanding job in putting out information on

Facebook, Instagram and other places. She discussed a recent skit presented by them

concerning property values. She discussed the positive comments that she read under

the video. She congratulated the team for finally getting the information out to the

community. She said kudos to the Communications team.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 (MICHAEL SCOTT)

K.1. Commissioner Scott Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Scott had no comments at this time.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 (RICK WILSON, CHAIR)

L.1. Reappoint Jacquelyn Codd as a member of the Polk County Sidewalk Advisory

Committee, for the three-year term, October 1, 2025 through September 30,

2028.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Martha Santiago

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

L.2. Chair Wilson Comments.

Minutes: Chair Wilson had no comments at this time.

EXPEDITED HEARINGS PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 2022-089

Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink reminded the audience of the procedures for

expedited hearings and public hearings. He swore in those that plan to speak.

N.1. Public Hearing (LDCPAL-2025-1 GPK Holly Hill Groves 2 CPA Amendment)

(Transmittal Hearing) to consider the adoption of a Large-Scale Comprehensive

Plan Amendment to change the Future Land Use designation on 14.6 acres

from Employment Center - X (ECX) to Residential-High X (RHX). (No Fiscal

Impact).

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal discussed LDCPAL-2025-1 GPK

Holly Hill Groves 2 CPA amendment to consider the proposed future land use change.

He reviewed the land uses surrounding the subject site. He said staff and the Planning

Commission recommend approval.

Upon question, Mr. Ziskal clarified the three parcels that are subject to change.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

Upon question, Mr. Ziskal discussed the email that was received in opposition to this

change. He confirmed there is a red light at the north end of Holly Hill Road.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Becky Troutman

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

PUBLIC HEARINGS

O.1. Public Hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Ordinance

25-036 Master Inwood Street Lighting MSBU Ordinance to replace boundary

description found in “Exhibit A.”

Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink discussed the adoption of an ordinance

amending Ordinance 2025-036 Master Inwood Street LIghting MSBU Ordinance to

replace a boundary description found in "Exhibit A." He said it is being amended to

correct an error in the legal description. He recommended approval.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

ADOPTED

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

O.2. Public Hearing to consider adoption of a Resolution allowing for the Installation

of Seven Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Catherine Drive, Near

Lakeland. (estimated $35,000.00 one-time expense)

Minutes: Roads and Drainage Traffic Manager Amy Gregory discussed the installation

of seven traffic calming devices on Catherine Drive, near Lakeland. She said upon

receiving the request staff collected speed and volume data and reviewed the crash

history. She said this request meets the Board's traffic calming policy criteria. She said

mailers were distributed and they received 80% favorable response votes. She

recommended approval.

Commissioner Troutman thanked Ms. Gregory for getting this done. She discussed her

correspondence with the resident who lives in this area and said they have had to

replace their mailbox and basketball hoop multiple times.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing.

Frank Decker said he is here to support this resolution. He discussed the issues with

speeding on this road. He said there was a police chase to stop a car on this road with

seven law enforcement officers involved.

Chair Wilson closed the public hearing.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

ADOPTED

Martha Santiago

Michael Scott

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

O.3. Public Hearing to consider adoption of a Resolution allowing for the Installation

of Five Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Lakeland Highlands Road,

Near Lakeland (estimated $25,000.00 one-time expense)

Minutes: Roads and Drainage Traffic Manager Amy Gregory discussed the installation

of five traffic calming devices on Lakeland Highlands Road, in Lakeland. She said upon

receiving the request staff collected speed and volume data and reviewed the crash

history. She said this request meets the Board's traffic calming policy criteria. She said

mailers were distributed and they received the required 50% response votes. She

recommended approval.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

ADOPTED

Becky Troutman

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

O.4. Public Hearing to consider adoption of a Resolution allowing for the Installation

of Two Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Stephenson Avenue, Near

Babson Park (estimated $10,000.00 one-time expense)

Minutes: Roads and Drainage Traffic Manager Amy Gregory discussed the installation

of two traffic calming devices on Stephenson Avenue, in Babson Park. She said upon

receiving the request staff collected speed and volume data and reviewed the crash

history. She said this request meets the Board's traffic calming policy criteria. She said

mailers were distributed and they received 80% favorable response votes and

non-votes. She recommended approval.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

ADOPTED

Bill Braswell

Becky Troutman

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

O.5. Public Hearing to consider adoption of a Resolution allowing for the Installation

of Three Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Tangelo Street, Near

Highland Park Manor. (estimated $15,000.00 one-time expense)

Minutes: Roads and Drainage Traffic Manager Amy Gregory discussed the installation

of three traffic calming devices on Tangelo Street, near Highland Park Manor. She said

upon receiving the request staff collected speed and volume data and reviewed the

crash history. She said this request meets all of the Board's traffic calming policy

criteria. She said mailers were distributed and they received the required 50%

favorable response votes and non votes per the Board's policy. She recommended

approval.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing.

Upon question, Ms. Gregory said she does not have a definitive date at this point when

the speed humps will be installed.

Cassandra Richards said she is so excited about the speed humps. She discussed the

issues with speeding in this area. She said there are children in this neighborhood and

said there are school buses that use this road also. She said that she prays that they

get this project done quickly.

Lily Faircloth said the speed humps are needed. She discussed the speeding in this

area. She said they are not stopping at the stop sign or the bus stops. She discussed

the school buses on this street.

Chair Wilson said he hopes Mr. Jarvis will be able to get this project done quickly.

Michael Faircloth discussed the speeding on this road. He said it is going to take

someone getting killed on this road. He said it is sad how people drive with children on

the road. He said they need the speed humps.

Chair Wilson closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Scott discussed the traffic flow and said commuters may be avoiding the

speed humps and using the side streets. He said the county may need to be aware of

this for future needs.

Ms. Gregory said they will do an after study to make sure they know how traffic is

shifting.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

ADOPTED

Becky Troutman

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC/AUDIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE

HEARD

P.1. G. Robert Weedon, DVM, MPH to continue discussion regarding amending the

Polk County Animal Ordinance.

Minutes: Dr. Robert Weedon said here we are again. He discussed the last Board

meetings he attended and the need for a feral cat ordinance. He said surrounding

counties fare much better than Polk County when it comes to live outcome rates. He

said there is a lack of support from the county for the humane and effective

management of feral and free roaming cats. He said the Board never has questions,

discussions, comments, and especially no action. He said he disagrees that this is

Grady's problem; he said the Board of County Commissioners is the governing body for

the county and they can adopt ordinances necessary to carry out both county and

municipal powers and purposes. He discussed the offer made by Best Friends Animal

Society in July 2023, and an offer by a local philanthropist to build a $20 million

state-of-the-art shelter in the county;he said both offers were rejected. He discussed a

$250,000 fund by the county in support of low-cost sterilization that was discussed with

Commissioner Lindsey and he supported it. He said it never became a reality. He said

Grady Judd vetoed both ideas. He asked the Board if they are too afraid of Sheriff Judd

to exercise good judgment. He said he respects Sheriff Judd as a law enforcement

officer but not as a leader of Polk County Animal Control. He said Sheriff Judd is an

avid bird photographer and believes that cats should be killed because they prey on

birds. He said by supporting a Trap Neuter Vaccinate Release Program (TNVR) there

will be less cats to prey on birds. He said it is time for a change and time to join the

21st Century. He asked why there is no action.

P.2. Comments.

Minutes: Eve Salimbene said she is the founder of Street Cat Colony. She said she

works with colonies of cats that are in Polk County. She said they are asking for a low

cost spay and neuter voucher program. She said they need an ordinance for this. She

discussed her meeting with Commissioner Lindsey concerning this program and she

said they were told this would be approved but it never was. She said the people want

this program and the people who elected them want this program. She said they are

working on trapping 59 colonies and there are currently 201 colonies on the list still

waiting for help. She said there is a huge need for low cost help. She said it costs them

$50 per cat at a minimum. She discussed the number of euthanasias that happen in

the county. She said if they would take care of the feral cats by fixing them and

returning them to where they came from Polk County could be a no kill county.

Sharon Garret discussed the businesses and loud music that goes on late at night on

her road. She said there is an issue with finding the owner. She discussed the loud

bass that plays and said they have no concern for their neighbors; she said it is

ridiculous. She said she has had meetings with Code Enforcement Director Autumn

Fenton but that is a slow process. She discussed the cars that line both sides of the

street. She said they need to provide parking for customers. She suggested having the

Sheriff deputies come out and give tickets to everyone for illegal parking. She asked

what the Board is going to do about this. She said there is a noise ordinance in place.

County Attorney Randy Mink said the Board authorized an injunction against this

business. He said they have gone back before the judge to find them in contempt. He

said they are pursuing all legal actions through the courts. He said it does not move as

quickly as some would like. He said they have also pursued code enforcement cases

against the business. He said they were fined $15,000. He said they are taking all legal

steps to bring them into compliance. He said there are certain time restraints they have

to go through before they collect fines through the court system. He said they are

taking every legal action that they can.

Patricia Jacques said she is very concerned about the current practices at Polk County

Animal Control. She said Animal Control officers are picking up cats and are

euthanizing them after they have already been spayed and neutered. She discussed

how other counties handle TNVR programs and study outcomes. She said this would

save money for the county. She asked the county to fund a TNVR program and create

an oversite committee. She said Polk County is facing a animal welfare crisis.

Donna Malone said she is a cat colony caregiver. She discussed the Street Cat Project.

She said without these programs and funding there will be a large stray cat population

in the county. She said they need the county's help.

Annette Wrebleski said she is here to enlighten them on the plight of pot belly pigs.

She said she owns Laughing Pig Sanctuary. She said pot belly pigs are considered

pets until they are abandoned and then they are considered livestock. She said they

are then taken to auction and sold. She said this is a statewide problem. She said they

need to be deemed an exotic pet so they will not be sold at auction. She said there are

30 rescuers in the state. She said she wants to nip this in the bud before there is a

problem.

Ailigh Vanderbush discussed the benefits of a TNVR program. She discussed the

surrounding counties self reporting live release rates. She said it is a state law that they

have to self-report. She said Polk County has a 44% live release rate, which is one of

the lowest rates. She said this is a pride issue for her. She said she has worked all over

the country and the 44% live release rate should embarrass the Board.

Debbie Hicks said she is here regarding the current animal control facility. She said she

has volunteered there and knows that it does not work. She discussed the increase of

population in the county. She said they need a new facility. She said the Sheriff cannot

operate properly when they do not have a working facility. She discussed having an

advisory committee regarding the welfare of animals. She said this is a county problem

and this needs to be dealt with. She asked the Board to do the right thing.

Gerry Dempsey said he is very proud of the Polk County Sheriff's office and said he

worked for Animal Control for 2 years. He said his issue is the extreme heat at the

facility. He said he was treated for while working there due to the heat. He discussed

the overhead fans and said they do not help. He said the heat is overwhelming for the

animals and something needs to be done about this. He said he is proud of the work

the deputies do but the animals do not deserve this. He suggested the Board visit the

facility. He said the kennels are very old and need to be replaced.

Kay Bourque said animal welfare is in crisis. She said there are paradigms in this

county and they need to change they way they think. She said they will not adopt or kill

their way out of this problem. She said they need a new way of thinking. She read a

story concerning having a paradigm shift. She said people are sharing their pain with

the Board and they need to change.

Jennifer Castro said she is here in support of a TNVR program. She discussed the heat

issues at the kennels. She discussed how Hillsborough County handled the

overheating issues with fostering pets; she said this would also be beneficial in Polk

County. She discussed the need for a TNVR program and low cost options for the

community for spaying and neutering. She discussed controlling cat colonies.

James Abercrombie discussed issues he is having with obtaining public records,

fences, and jobs being created through the county. He said he cannot find public

records on this. He discussed the fence that was to be installed at Fountain Park. He

said he has been here to complain about the county manager and the county attorney.

He said they should be taking care of these problems and they should hear him out. He

said he has heard from no one. He said the only conclusion he can come to concerning

the funds for the fence is that someone is taking the money and pocketing it. He said

the Board should be investigating this. He said that was federal grant money. He said

he has been coming here for three months and has heard nothing and received no

public records. He discussed the park on Daughtery Road. He said he has dealt with

other county managers in the past and said he never had this problem. He said the

community is not involved in anything. He said they have no say in anything. He

discussed the drainage problem on Kathleen Road. He said they need to change their

attitudes.

Chair Wilson discussed the public records that Mr. Abercrombie has received and the

timeline. He said one set of public records was not received because Mr. Abercrombie

was on vacation and did not come and pick it up within the required 10 days.

Discussion followed.

Dianne Schaffer discussed the counties that have adopted an TNVR program and the

benefits. She said Polk County is the only county in the state of Florida that does not

have a program like this. She said the facility is overcrowded. She said they are not

protecting the animals in the county. She said killing animals and closing a blind eye is

not love. She asked how many cats need to suffer before something gets done. She

asked that they do the right thing.

Jhoanna Mukai Allende said she is a supporter of animal rescue. She said it is time

that the county makes a change. She discussed the data on the benefits of having a

spray and neuter program. She said this will help people take care of their animals.

She asked them to open their hearts and she read a quote from Ghandi. She said she

is passionate about this. She said they will not stop until something is done.

Stephanie Widner discussed the approval of funds for traffic calming devices. She

discussed the TNVR program and the savings that this could have for the county. She

discussed the cost for spay and neutering. She said Sheriff Judd is popular on crime.