Polk County Board of County Commissioners  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
April 16, 2024 Regular BoCC meeting  
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Rollcall  
Commissioner George Lindsey  
Commissioner Bill Braswell  
Commissioner Neil Combee  
Commissioner Martha Santiago  
Commissioner Rick Wilson  
Present:  
CALL TO ORDER - 9:00 a.m. (BILL BRASWELL, CHAIR)  
INVOCATION  
Deputy County Manager Joe Halman  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (BILL BRASWELL, CHAIR)  
A.  
PRESENTATIONS and RECOGNITIONS  
A.1. Reverend Dr. Alex Harper Recognition  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley recognized Reverend Dr. Alex Harper. He said  
he passed away recently and this is his recognition for his services to the county. He  
said it is with special recognition that he would like Equity and Human Resources  
Director Kandis-Baker Buford to read the recognition.  
Ms. Baker-Buford read a tribute to Reverend Dr. Alex Harper. She said he was an  
active member to the Community Relations Advisory Council (CRAC) for 22  
consecutive years. She said he freely gave his time and energy bringing wisdom and  
wit to the CRAC. She said he has a legacy of volunteering and she said it will continue  
to inspire his loved ones and every member of the CRAC. She said the Board thanks  
his wife and the entire Harper family for sharing him with us.  
Mr. Beasley said Polk County has been blessed and said he was a unique gentleman.  
He said we cannot thank the family enough for him.  
Chair Braswell thanked Reverend Dr. Rayford Harper. He said he was watching on how  
important it is to have these community committees. He said it is critical for a good  
society. He thanked him and his family.  
Commissioner Santiago said she has been a part of the CRAC for six years. She said  
one of the things she enjoyed the most was his wonderful prayers. She said she  
wishes they had a notebook of his prayers. She said serving 22 years on a committee  
is amazing. She thanked them for sharing him with us.  
Reverend Dr. Rayford Harper thanked the Board for this recognition. He said his father  
was a special person,he never met a stranger and he loved everybody. He recognized  
those in the audience who came today. He said time is precious and passing and we  
never know the day nor the time. He said to take the opportunity to say thank you to  
people.  
A.2. Employee Recognition  
Minutes: The Board recognized Todd Ham with Roads and Drainage, Betty Horak with  
Roads and Drainage, Terry Williams with Fire Services, and Alan Edwards with Fire  
Services for their services to Polk County.  
C.  
REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC/AUDIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE  
HEARD  
C.1. Ella O'Neill - Refuse Collection (Bulk Items).  
Minutes: Ms. O'Neill was not present.  
C.2. Comments.  
Minutes: Tom Palmer said he watched the agenda session and he said he supports  
the idea that if we are not going to recycle anymore to take the recycling off the trucks.  
He said they need to consider that the service is going down 30% but the rates are  
going to go up 60% and he said they may get some calls about that. He said the other  
jurisdictions rates are not comparable because they have recycling. He said on Avenue  
J and 28th Street Northwest there are bags of leaves on the side yards and they are  
piling up. He said to be more proactive.  
D.  
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA  
Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink said he added several items based on their  
discussions. He said he also added an item on the Consent Agenda repealing the use  
policy for the Administration Building.  
RESULT:  
APPROVED  
George Lindsey  
Neil Combee  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
D.1. Approve Consent Agenda.  
ELOISE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY  
Minutes: The Board convened as the Eloise Community Redevelopment Agency.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
D.2. Approve Eloise CRA Consent Agenda.  
Minutes: The Board reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners.  
COUNTY COMPTROLLER (STACY M. BUTTERFIELD, CPA)  
E.  
E.1. Disbursements.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
E.2. Minutes of Regular Board meeting held on April 2, 2024.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.  
COUNTY MANAGER (BILL BEASLEY)  
H.1. Approve a State-Funded Grant Agreement and associated resolution with the  
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) ($3,276,934.00 one-time future  
revenue)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the State-Funded Grant Agreement  
and associated resolution with the Florida Department of Transportation for road  
improvements for Thompson Nursery Road Phase I and II, Phase II for West Lake  
Ruby Road to US Highway 27, and Phase I from US 17 to West Lake Ruby Drive. He  
recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
APPROVED  
George Lindsey  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
H.2. Approve Right-of-Way Agreement between Catherine S. Hart and Polk County  
in conjunction with the County Road 557 Project, Parcel 125. ($1,860,625  
one-time expense)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Right-of-Way Agreement  
between Catherine S. Hart and Polk County in conjunction with the County Road 557  
Project, Parcel 125. He recommended approval.  
Chair Braswell said people wonder why roads are so expensive. He said this is a good  
example why.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.3. Approve Right-of-Way Agreement between Timothy Chancy and Polk County in  
conjunction with the County Road 557 Project, Parcel 135. ($448,422 one-time  
expense)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Right-of-Way Agreement  
between Timothy Chancy and Polk County in conjunction with the County Road 557  
Project, Parcel 135. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Rick Wilson  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.4. Approve the lnterlocal Agreement between Polk County (County) and the City of  
Lake Wales (City) for the provision of wholesale wastewater service (County to  
pay to the City for wastewater capacity in the amount of $1,047,849 and  
recurring monthly user fees as described in Section 7 of the aforementioned  
Agreement); budget transfer of $1,047,849 from Northeast Regional  
Wastewater Treatment Facility Electrical and Communication Network  
Conversion project (American Rescue Plan Funds) and an amendment to the  
FY 23/24 Utilities Community Investment Program (CIP) Expansion budget.  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Interlocal Agreement between  
Polk County and the City of Lake Wales for the provision of wholesale wastewater  
service. He discussed the budget transfer of $1,047,849 from Northeast Regional  
Wastewater Treatment Facility Electrical and Communication Network Conversion  
project (American Rescue Plan Funds) and an amendment to the FY 23/24 Utilities  
Community Investment Program Expansion budget. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
APPROVED  
Rick Wilson  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
I.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 (GEORGE LINDSEY)  
I.1. Commissioner Lindsey Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Lindsey had no comments.  
J.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 (RICK WILSON)  
J.1. Appoint Jacquelyn Codd, Esq. as a member of the Sidewalk Advisory  
Committee for the remainder of the two-year term ending September 30, 2025.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rick Wilson  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
J.2. Commissioner Wilson Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Wilson had no comments.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4 (MARTHA SANTIAGO)  
K.  
L.  
K.1. Commissioner Santiago Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Santiago had no comments.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 (NEIL COMBEE)  
L.1. Commissioner Combee Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Combee had no comments.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 (BILL BRASWELL, CHAIR)  
M.  
O.  
M.1. Chair Braswell Comments.  
Minutes: Chair Braswell had no comments.  
EXPEDITED HEARINGS PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 2022-089  
Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink reminded the audience of the procedures for  
expedited public hearings and public hearings. He swore in those who plan to speak.  
O.1. Public Hearing (LDCT-2024-2 Townhomes LDC Text Amendment) (Adoption  
Hearing) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated request to clarify the  
approval process and development standards for multi-family townhome  
developments. (No Fiscal Impact).  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text  
amendment. He said that all townhomes regardless of ownership will be treated as  
multi-family. He said that staff recommends approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
O.2. Public Hearing (LDDRI-2023-3 River Ranch DRI Map H Amendment) (Adoption  
Hearing) to consider an amendment to the River Ranch Development of  
Regional Impact (DRI) to add a mixed-use category. (No Fiscal Impact)  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal discussed the River Ranch  
Development of Regional Impact (DRI) map amendment. He said that the Planning  
Commission and staff recommend approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
Upon question, Mark Bennett, Land Development, said the Development Order for this  
DRI expires January 2027.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rick Wilson  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
O.3. Public Hearing (LDWA-2023-74 Hatchineha Road Access Waiver) to consider  
the approval of an applicant-initiated request for a waiver to LDC Section 705.B  
necessary to allow the issuance of building permits for up to four (4)  
single-family homes on property that gains access solely via an easement that  
exceeds ¼ mile. (No Fiscal Impact)  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal discussed the access waiver to allow  
access for up to four lots. He said that staff recommends approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
P.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
P.1. Public Hearing (LDCPAL-2023-9 RCC Text Change CPA) (Adoption Hearing) to  
consider the adoption of a Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan text amendment to  
modify Objectives/Policies in the Future Land Use Element related to the Rural  
Cluster Center Future Land Use District and activity centers. (No Fiscal Impact)  
Minutes: Mark Bennett, Land Development, showed slides and reviewed the proposed  
text amendment. He said the Florida Department of Commerce had no objections,  
recommendations or comments.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
P.2. Public Hearing (LDCPAL-2023-13 Septic to Sewer Text Change CPA)  
(Transmittal Hearing) to consider the adoption of a Large-Scale Comprehensive  
Plan text amendment to several elements of the Comprehensive Plan will be  
amended that address new septic tank limitations in areas with Basin  
Management Action Plans, a new overlay called Nutrient Restoration Plan  
Overlay (NRPO), and septic tank to sewer conversation in the NRP. This case is  
related to LDCT-2024-24. (No Fiscal Impact)  
Minutes: Erik Peterson, Land Development, showed slides and presented this with  
LDCT-2023-24. He reviewed the proposed text amendment and Land Development  
Code amendment. He said it will require an enhanced nitrogen reducing septic system  
on parcels one acre or less if sewer is not available. He said this requires quarterly  
maintenance. He showed the areas on the map that this applies to. He said that staff is  
recommending approval and this is required by House Bill 1379. He said that the  
county's role is to set up the development before they require the permitting.  
Upon question, Mr. Peterson said this would not apply to anything greater than 1 acre.  
He said it could apply to commercial areas. He said they require some type of service  
based on the model. He said the reporting requirement would be up to the Florida  
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). He said quarterly was something  
from brochures from some of the systems. He said FDEP would be issuing the permits.  
He said quarterly service is a manufactures recommendation  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
George Lindsey  
Neil Combee  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
P.3. Public Hearing (LDCT-2023-24 Septic to Sewer) (First Reading) to consider the  
adoption of a County-initiated request to amend the Land Development Code to  
add the Nutrient Restoration Plan Overlay, restrictions on septic tanks, and  
definitions. (No Fiscal Impact).  
Minutes: This case was presented with the previous hearing.  
P.4. Public Hearing (LDCU-2024-4 North Lakeland Brownfield Designation) to  
consider the designation of a 22.5-acre site as a Brownfield. (No Fiscal Impact)  
Minutes: Mark Bennett, Land Development, showed slides and reviewed the north  
Lakeland Brownfield Designation. He said the intended use is for a warehouse for  
logistics use. He said this is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. He explained the  
definition of brownfield.  
Upon question, Mr. Bennett said they will have to clean it up. He discussed the  
previous uses on the site.  
Mr. Bennett said there was a community meeting and one person attended. He showed  
photos of the site.  
The Chair opened a public hearing.  
Brett Brumund, representing the applicant, responded to questions. He discussed the  
cleanup method with a conditional closure; he said they do not know if that is the  
remedy here yet. He said they can put in a trucking facility without the Brownfield  
designation. He said if they wanted to pave over it that would be an acceptable method  
of remediation. He said if the paving acts as the engineering control you are eligible to  
receive a state corporate income tax credit. He said a portion of the contamination will  
be disposed off site.  
The Chair closed the public hearing.  
P.5. Public Hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance calling a referendum on  
November 5, 2024, for proposed amendment to merge the Efficiency  
Commission with the Charter Review Commission for expense reduction.  
Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink discussed the ordinance calling a referendum  
on November 5, 2024, for a proposed amendment to merge the Efficiency Commission  
with the Charter Review Commission for expense reduction.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rick Wilson  
Neil Combee  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
P.6. Public Hearing to consider adoption of a Resolution to vacate platted, unopened,  
and unmaintained right-of-way (alley) shown on Ransone’s Addition to Bradley  
Junction, Bradley, Florida. (No fiscal impact)  
Minutes: Wade Allen, Real Estate Administrator, showed slides and discussed the  
Resolution vacating platted, unopened, and unmaintained right-of-way (alley) shown on  
Ransone's Addition to Bradley Junction. He said there are no objections to the  
proposed vacation. He said that staff recommends approval. He said there was a way  
of necessity issued through the court for the petitioner.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
P.7. Public Hearing to consider adoption of a Resolution to vacate a portion of  
platted, unmaintained right-of-way shown as 43rd Street on the Replat of  
Davenport Terminals in Davenport, Florida. (No fiscal impact)  
Minutes: Wade Allen, Real Estate Services Administrator, showed slides and reviewed  
the proposed vacation of a portion of platted, unmaintained right-of-way shown as 43rd  
Street on the Replat of Davenport Terminals in Davenport. He said that staff  
recommends approval. He said there was one objection from Duke Energy and they  
were notified of today's hearing.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rick Wilson  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
ANNOUNCEMENTS  
Minutes: Meeting adjourned at 10:09 a.m.