Polk County Board of County Commissioners

Meeting Minutes - Final

December 02, 2025 Regular BoCC meeting

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Rollcall

Commissioner Becky Troutman

Commissioner Rick Wilson

Commissioner Bill Braswell

Commissioner Martha Santiago

Commissioner Michael Scott

Present:

CALL TO ORDER - 9:00 a.m. (MARTHA SANTIAGO, CHAIR)

INVOCATION

Murphy Hanley, Polk County Fire Rescue Chaplain

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (MARTHA SANTIAGO, CHAIR)

PRESENTATIONS and RECOGNITIONS

A.1. Employee Recognition

Minutes: The Board recognized David Carden with Roads and Drainage, Matthew

Reardon with Information Technology, Paul Womble with Emergency Management,

and Cheryl Bailey with Fire Rescue for their years of service with the county.

PUBLIC COMMENTS CONCERNING AGENDA ITEMS

B.1. Comments.

Minutes: There was no one from the public wishing to speak on Agenda Items.

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

C.1. Approve Consent Agenda.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Rick Wilson

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

COUNTY COMPTROLLER (STACY M. BUTTERFIELD, CPA)

D.1. Disbursements.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Michael Scott

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

D.2. Minutes of Regular Board meeting held on November 18, 2025.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Michael Scott

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

COUNTY MANAGER (BILL BEASLEY)

G.1. Approve Consultant Services Authorization (CSA) No. 2025-053-01 with Eisman

& Russo, Inc. (Consultant) for the Chestnut Road Sidewalk Phase 2 and 3

Project. ($395,050.00 one-time expense)

Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed Consultant Services Authorization

No. 2025-053-01 with Eisman & Russo, Inc., for the Chestnut Road Sidewalk Phase 2

and 3 project. He recommended approval.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Rick Wilson

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

G.2. Approve Land Purchase Agreement between Ida Patricia Holley and Polk

County for the purchase of property in conjunction with a project to consolidate

Lift Stations 9 and 10. ($328,500 one-time expense)

Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the land purchase agreement

between Ida Patricia Holley and Polk County for the purchase of property in

conjunction with a project to consolidate Lift Stations 9 and 10. He recommended

approval.

Commissioner Troutman said for us to proactively reach out to the individual that is

about to purchase this property and make them aware of what will be happening next

door to them.

Mr. Beasley confirmed that two lift stations will be eliminated and it will look like there

was not a lift station there.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Rick Wilson

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 (BECKY TROUTMAN)

H.1. Appoint Jason C. Hirsbrunner as a Member of the Citizens HealthCare

Oversight Committee, representing Health Care Clinics, for the four-year term,

December 22, 2025 through December 19, 2029. (District 1 Appointment)

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Rick Wilson

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

H.2. Commissioner Troutman Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Troutman had no comments.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 (RICK WILSON)

I.1.

Appoint William DeHart as a Member of the Lakes Access Advisory Committee,

for the three-year term, November 17, 2025 through November 16, 2028.

(District 2 Appointment)

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Rick Wilson

Becky Troutman

SECONDER:

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

AYE:

I.2.

Commissioner Wilson Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Wilson had no comments.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 (BILL BRASWELL)

J.1. Reappoint Carole F. Philipson, FACHE, CPPT, as a Member (Seat 6) of the

Polk County Industrial Development Authority, for the three-year term, January

23, 2026 through January 22, 2029. (District 3 appointment)

RESULT:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Rick Wilson

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

J.2. Commissioner Braswell Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Braswell said there are elections in Winter Haven. He urged

people to get out and vote. He stated that everybody talks about how they want things

to change, how they want things different, and it will not change until they get out and

vote.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 (MICHAEL SCOTT)

K.1. Commissioner Scott Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Scott had no comments.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4 (MARTHA SANTIAGO, CHAIR)

L.1. Reappoint Liz Antaya as a Member of the Citizens HealthCare Oversight

Committee, representing the Health Insurance Industry, for the four-year term,

December 16, 2025, through December 15, 2029.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Rick Wilson

Becky Troutman

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

L.2. Chair Santiago Comments.

Minutes: Chair Santiago had no comments.

LAY BOARD APPOINTMENTS

M.1. Appoint Angelic Sims to Housing and Neighborhood Development’s (HND)

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) for a three-year term January

1, 2026, through December 31, 2029. (No Fiscal Impact).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

M.2. Appoint Gordon Moore to Housing and Neighborhood Development’s (HND)

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) for a three-year term January

1, 2026, through December 31, 2029. (No Fiscal Impact).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Rick Wilson

Becky Troutman

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

M.3. Reappoint Bridget Engleman to Housing and Neighborhood Development’s

(HND) Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) for a three-year term

January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029. (No Fiscal Impact).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Michael Scott

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

M.4. Reappoint Hattie Wilson to Housing and Neighborhood Development’s (HND)

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) for a three-year term January

1, 2026, through December 31, 2029. (No Fiscal Impact).

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Michael Scott

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

EXPEDITED HEARINGS PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 2022-089

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

Expedited Public Hearings and Regular Public Hearings. He swore in those who plan to

speak.

N.1. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2025-16 Osprey Creek CPA) (Adoption Hearing) to

consider the adoption of a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment

to change the Future Land Use (FLU) designation on a 17.48 acre +/- parcel

from Development of Regional Impact (DRI) in the Rural Development Area

(RDA) to Residential Low (RL) in the Utility Enclave Area (UEA). (No Fiscal

Impact)

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed map

amendment. He said that the Planning Commission and staff recommend approval.

The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

N.2. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-7 Cargo Containers on Residential Property)

(Adoption Hearing) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated ordinance

amending the Land Development Code to allow cargo containers on residentially

developed properties meeting or exceeding one acre. No Fiscal Impact.

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed amendment

for cargo containers. He said that it is one container per acre with a minimum of one

acre. He said that the Planning Commission and staff recommend approval.

The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Rick Wilson

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

N.3. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-8 Pool Safety LDC Text) (First Reading) to consider

the adoption of a Land Development Code text amendment to amend Chapter

2, Section 211, Pools and Screen Enclosures, to refer to Florida Building Code

and Florida Statutes for consistency with above ground pool safety measures.

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text

amendment. He said that the Planning Commission and staff recommend approval.

The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

Mr. Ziskal said this is the adoption hearing and the first hearing was held on November

4, 2025.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Rick Wilson

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

N.4. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-9 SE Polk Mobile Homes) (Adoption Hearing) to

consider the adoption of a County-initiated ordinance amending the Land

Development Code to remove conditional use standards for Individual Mobile

Homes within the Southeast Polk Selected Area Plan to conform with the rest of

the County. No Fiscal Impact.

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed amendment.

He said that the Planning Commission and staff recommend approval.

Upon question, Mr. Ziskal said this is the last area and they believe this is the last

provision they have to change.

The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

N.5. Public Hearing (LDCPAL-2025-9 ECX CPA) (Transmittal Hearing) to consider

the adoption of an Applicant-initiated request for a Large-Scale Comprehensive

Plan text amendment to Policy 2.131-RA4. F. 3. (h) to amend the personal

services and commercial limitation to exceed 30 percent of the Employment

Center-X (ECX) when approved as a Conditional Use in the US 98 SAP. (No

Fiscal Impact)

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal presented this with LDCT-2025-20.

He reviewed the proposed text amendments. He said that staff and the Planning

Commission recommend approval.

Commissioner Scott said he would like to see this as a Level 4 approval and not a

Level 3 for consistency. He said he would like to see this amended as a Level 4.

Commissioner Troutman said her concern with a Level 4 is that we are allowing

government to get bigger.

The Chair opened a public hearing.

Shelton Rice, applicant, said he has not had an opportunity to communicate this to the

client. He recommended a Level 3 Review and said it is consistent with a lot of other

conditions. He said it still has the same analysis with staff and a public hearing for a

vote. He stated he cannot say this is something they are agreeable to and that this is

news to them.

The Chair closed the public hearing

Commissioner Troutman made a motion to approve as written; motion dies for lack of a

second.

Motion with the amendment to be a Level 4 Review for approval.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Michael Scott

Bill Braswell

Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

Troutman

NAY:

N.6. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-20 ECX LDC Text Amendment) (First Reading) to

amend Land Development Code Section 401.04.D.6(g) to amend the personal

services and commercial limitation to exceed 30 percent of the Employment

Center-X (ECX) when approved as a Conditional Use in the US 98 SAP. (No

Fiscal Impact)

Minutes: This was presented with the previous hearing.

Motion to Amend N. 6 to reflect the wishes of N. 5.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Rick Wilson

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

AYE:

N.7. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-22 Recovery Residences) (First Reading) to

consider the adoption of an ordinance amending the use tables in Chapter 2,

Chapter 4, and Chapter 5, to add large group homes into residential future land

use districts; amending chapter 10, definitions, to add recovery residences to

conform with state statute. (No Fiscal Impact)

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed amendment.

He said this is the first reading. He said that the Planning Commission recommends

approval.

The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

Commissioner Becky Troutman

Commissioner Rick Wilson

Commissioner Bill Braswell

Commissioner Martha Santiago

Commissioner Michael Scott

Present:

PUBLIC HEARINGS

O.1. Public Hearing (LDPD-2025-10 Southern Storage TAD) (Adoption Hearing) to

consider a request to approve a Transitional Area District for the expansion of

an existing self-storage facility into a residential future land use designation. (No

Fiscal Impact)

Minutes: Ian Nance, Land Development, reviewed the proposed Planned

Development for the expansion of an existing self-storage facility. He said that staff and

the Planning Commission recommend approval. He showed slides of the area and said

it is compatible with surrounding development.

The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

Commissioner Scott said from a stormwater perspective they are providing the

100-year 24-hour rainfall. He said they are doing what is right from a site design

perspective and acknowledging that there is challenges in the area for stormwater

management. He said he is glad he is doing that.

Upon question, Mr. Nance said that this was planned before the self-storage facility. He

said he is not sure where this discharges to.

Commissioner Braswell said technically there is no reason to coordinate because each

one maintains their own.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Michael Scott

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

O.2. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-18 Natural Encounters LDC Text Amendment) (First

Reading) to add development conditions in Appendix E, Section E105. This will

amend Table E1 and create Subsection V. This will add policies in Section 2.135

in the Comprehensive Plan to reference that this property has development

restrictions in the LDC. (No Fiscal Impact)

Minutes: Chanda Bennett, Land Development, reviewed the proposed text

amendment. She said this is the first reading. She said that staff and the Planning

Commission recommend approval. She showed slides of the site.

Upon question, Ms. Bennett said recreational camping is lower intensity. She said she

does not think the specific number is there but it has to be low intensity and RV parks

are significantly more intense. She confirmed that there will be a paved road going into

this. She said she would have to research if overnight stay is allowed for events. She

will follow up with the Board at the adoption hearing on December 16th regarding

overnight stays.

The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

O.3. Public Hearing: (LDCT-2025-19 Berkley & Braddock Text Amendment) (First

Reading) to amend Appendix E, Section E105, Parcel Specific Comprehensive

Plan Amendments with Conditions. (No Fiscal Impact)

Minutes: Chanda Bennett, Land Development, reviewed the proposed text

amendment. She reviewed the proposed land uses permitted and the future land use

map. She said that the City of Auburndale submitted a letter of opposition. She

reviewed the allowable uses, the development standards, and the landscape buffering

and signage requirements. She stated that the drive-thru is prohibited on Block C and

is allowed on Block A. She showed photos of the site and surrounding areas. She said

this is compatible and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Land

Development Code. She said it is compatible with the surrounding uses. She said that

staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval.

Upon question, Ms. Bennett said the Land Development Code will address the site

access depending on where they place the buildings and the distance requirements.

Blocks B and C cannot be gas stations. She confirmed that the access is not in this

and the LDC will cover as far a distance and the building location.

Commissioner Scott said he wants to make sure there is thought to ingress/egress. He

said if there is a gas station in Block A and you do not have access into or out if in on

Block B that is the nightmare on traffic of whatever is going to be located in Block B

going through it. He said it is not for today on the decision and hopefully the applicant

takes this into consideration as they move forward.

Ms. Bennett showed the block arrows and said the intent is that there is cross access.

She discussed potential site access. She said they do not have to build the driveway

necessarily there but they would have to have some kind of cross access easement so

that if there was an expansion further to the west they would be thinking ahead of time.

She showed the median cut on Braddock Road.

Commissioner Troutman said that it was brought up in discussion yesterday that they

would all have access within each other. She said the placement of this and when you

look at the nature of the Sports Complex and this could support an Activity Center. She

thinks we need to be looking at more than just the residential year-round housing and

the numbers that are there because they have fluctuations based upon the sporting

events. She said this clearly could support an activity center.

Ms. Bennett responded and said that was staff's approach to this. She said the Joint

Planning Agreement (JPA) was approved in 2009. She discussed the growth in the

area since that time frame.

The Chair opened the public hearing.

Travis Avery said this was brought before Auburndale and annexation was discussed

with the city. He said there was a Conditional Use (CU) that the city wanted with this

because it is not consistent with the city's plans for the growth. He said for them to

pursue this development they needed to come to the county for this. He discussed

other areas that are designated commercial and said that this is not consistent. He said

he can speak for the residents in opposition. He said the JPA is loose and old. He said

the city and the county need to work together on this.

The Chair closed the public hearing.

Upon question, Ms. Bennett confirmed that the drive-thru is a prohibited use in Block C.

She stated a Level 3 Review would go through the Planning Commission and that is

the standard with all other Neighborhood Activity Centers.

O.4. Public Hearing to consider adoption of a resolution providing notice of intent to

use the uniform method for the levy, collection and enforcement of non-ad

valorem assessments.

Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink reviewed the resolution providing notice of

intent to use the uniform method for the levy, collection and enforcement of non-ad

valorem assessments. He recommended approval.

The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Michael Scott

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

O.5. Public Hearing to consider adoption of a resolution to vacate and close a portion

of maintained right-of-way for Second Terrace a/k/a 1st Street North in the

Eloise area near Winter Haven. (No fiscal impact)

Minutes: Scott Lowery, Real Estate Services, reviewed the proposed vacation of

right-of-way. He said there are no objections to the proposed request. He said that staff

recommends approval.

Upon question, Mr. Lowery said the parcels to the west are owned by the petitioner. He

said the parcel ending in 4202 is not contiguous with this property and he believes that

is owned by the petitioner. He said they own all the properties surrounding this. He said

if there is access from here now this would all be through easement access and that

would continue onto Second Terrace.

The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Rick Wilson

Becky Troutman

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC/AUDIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE

HEARD

P.1. Kevin Noble to discuss speed limit issues on Alturas Road & Alturas Loop Road

Minutes: Kevin Noble discussed speeding on Alturas Road and Alturas Loop Road. He

said he is speaking on behalf of his neighbor Charles Palmer. He discussed the

speeding on the roads and said they are going ten miles over the speed limit. He

showed a video on his phone of speeding vehicles. He discussed safety concerns with

bicyclists.

Mr. Beasley said he talked to Mr. Noble before the meeting. He said he has talked to

the Sheriff's office about a targeted enforcement along the two roadway corridors. He

said he has spoken to Jay Jarvis' office about things we can do to cause attention to

speeders whether it is rumble strips or radar feedback signs. He said we are looking

into solutions and it is a driver use habit.

Chair Santiago said the flash speed signs for some people does not make a difference.

She said we will continue to work on this.

P.2. Comments.

Minutes: Debbie Hicks said 30 years ago they moved to Polk County, her husband

asked for a divorce and her family bought her a mutt from the flea market. She said

she had that dog for 17 years. She stated this is what got her into rescuing and she

discussed how she loved her dog. She said the Sheriff's office is not talking to them

and they just want to do the right thing. She asked the Board to listen to them and one

day it will change.

James Abercrombie said this is the only format we have to understand how they make

decisions. He said the Friday Agenda Meetings should be open discussions. He said

the three-minutes is not meant to be the standard. He said they are doing a real good

job at controlling. He said Commissioner Scott gave a speech and he thinks it was

addressed to him; he said at least he is talking. He said we are not listened to. He

discussed his roof and said Code Enforcement could do nothing about it and it is up to

him to get it fixed. He said you give respect before you get respect. He discussed Sue

and said her whole life is put out in front of everybody. He said another big problem is

communication and the only way he can prove anything is through public records.