Polk County Board of County Commissioners

Meeting Minutes - Final

June 17, 2025 Regular BoCC meeting

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

INVOCATION

Murphy Hanley, Polk County Fire Rescue Chaplain

Commissioner Becky Troutman

Commissioner Rick Wilson

Commissioner Bill Braswell

Commissioner Martha Santiago

Commissioner Michael Scott

Present:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (RICK WILSON, CHAIR)

PRESENTATIONS and RECOGNITIONS

A.1. Employee Recognition

Minutes: The Board recognized Reyna Kassman with Facilities, Carmen Nieves with

Building, Carl Gilileo, III with Fire Rescue and Larry Clayton with Information

Technology for their years of service to the county.

REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC/AUDIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE

HEARD

B.1. Dartha Shular, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. President, to

propose a county ordinance establishing a comprehensive print and digital

media public awareness campaign to identify, prevent, and combat human

trafficking in Polk County.

Minutes: Dr. Sally Stone, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., addressed the

Board concerning human trafficking. She asked that the county initiate a county

ordinance with print and digital campaigns. She said Florida ranks #3 in the nation for

reported human trafficking cases. She said the victims are being recruited from

schools, hotels, and public transit spots. She said there needs to be more awareness

because it saves lives. She said she understands the planning that will need to be

taken to implement this. She said this is not just an idea, but they are trying to build a

coalition.

Upon question, Dr. Stone discussed the statewide coalition that is held each year and

said there is a website. She said she will provide that information to the

Commissioners.

B.2. Comments.

Minutes: There were no additional comments at this time.

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 June 3, 2025.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Becky Troutman

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

COUNTY MANAGER (BILL BEASLEY)

G.1. Approve cooperative agreement with Carahsoft Technology Corp. for case

management and contract management software modules and implementation

services. ($3,228,188.60 total 5-year expense)

Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the cooperative agreement with

Carahsoft Technology Corp., for case management and contract management

software modules and implementation services. He recommended approval.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Martha Santiago

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

G.2. Approve agreement with The Lunz Group, LLC, for architectural & engineering

services for the Sheriff’s Office - Polk County Joint-Use Warehouse & Facilities

Management Administration Building. ($1,117,825.00 one-time expense)

Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the agreement with The Lunz Group,

LLC, for architectural and engineering services for the Sheriff's Office - Polk County

Joint-Use Warehouse and Facilities Management Administration Building. He

recommended approval.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

G.3. Approve agreement with The Lunz Group, LLC, for architectural & engineering

services for a new roadway maintenance facility. ($556,277.00 one-time

expense)

Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the agreement with The Lunz Group,

LLC, for architectural and engineering services for a new roadway maintenance facility

on Sheffield Road. He recommended approval.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Becky Troutman

Bill Braswell

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

G.4. Approve cooperative agreement and lease agreements with Mobile Modular

Management Corporation for relocatable building and storage solutions with

related services. ($997,923.00 one-time expense)

Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the cooperative agreement and

lease agreements with Mobile Modular Management Corporation, for relocatable

building and storage solutions with related services for various Polk County Utilities

field operations. He recommended approval.

Upon question, Utilities Director Tamara Richardson said the buildings for the Central

office are available now and the other modules will be available in August. She said

staff has already been decentralized. She said this will house management and

support services. She said they want the temporary buildings to be there for a short

amount of time. She said all operators can see any facility from any point, as long as

they have the proper credentials. She said the Central facility does have SCADA for all

of the lift stations and someone is always there for monitoring. She said on-call

employees can view these systems from their home.

Commissioner Scott said this aids in adding another layer of customer service which is

great.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Becky Troutman

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: Upon question, County Manager Bill Beasley said there has been no

changes made to the TDC.

Upon question, County Attorney Randy Mink said Senate Bill 180 has not been sent to

the Governor. He said once it has been they will make the Commissioners aware.

Upon question, Mr. Mink confirmed the Governor does not have to sign it for the bill to

become law. He discussed the approval timeline. He said they will be continuing 3

public hearing items today until they see what is going to happen.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4 (MARTHA SANTIAGO)

J.1. Commissioner Santiago Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Santiago had no comments at this time.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 (MICHAEL SCOTT)

K.1. Commissioner Scott Comments.

Minutes: Commissioner Scott discussed the signs that are being constructed in the

right-of-way promoting home developments and other large projects. He said this is a

safety issue and there are ordinances in place to prohibit signs in the right-of-way. He

asked those that are erecting these signs to please to stop. He said Polk County

Beautiful works hard to keep the county looking nice. He showed slides and discussed

the Myrtlebrook development in north Lakeland. He said this project has had significant

problems since its inception. He said he visited this site yesterday; he discussed the

off-site pumping that is happening. He said SWFWMD is involved. He said in the

community if you see something say something. He said this is an issue that should

have not gone on as long as it has; he showed pictures of off-site pumping, erosion

and reviewed the SWFWMD inspection checklists. He said the SWFWMD inspector

has consistently checked there are no issues. He said as a county we are here to

protect the residents and the environment. He said if the county needs to engage with

SWFWMD to get corrected action they will do that. He said if you are a resident within

this county and you see something that is not right please do not be afraid to speak up.

He said stuff like this should not have been going on for a year without something

happening.

COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 (RICK WILSON, CHAIR)

L.1. 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 of

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

N.1. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2025-3 Lake Gibson Estates CPA) (Adoption Hearing)

to consider the adoption of an applicant-initiated Small-Scale Comprehensive

Plan Map Amendment to change the Future Land Use (FLU) designation from

Residential Low (RL-3) to Residential Medium (RM) on a 2.52 +/- acres. (No

Fiscal Impact)

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal showed slides and discussed the

proposed land use change. He said staff and the Planning Commission recommend

approval.

Upon question, Mr. Ziskal said the allowable height of RL-3 and RM is 50 feet. He said

RL-3 with a PD will allow for 5 units per acre. He said RM without a PD allows for 7

units per acre. He said if they apply for and are approved for a PD it would allow for 10

units per acre. He showed slides of the street view on Daughtery Road.

Commissioner Scott discussed the surrounding houses and the single-story assisted

living facility. He said everything is single-family and not multi-story in this area and

consistent with RL-3. He said this is not compatible. He said he does not see how the

Planning Commission approved this 7/0.

Upon question, Mr. Ziskal said there has been no construction started. He said their

understanding is it will be single-story but they have not received the building permits.

Commissioner Scott discussed his concerns of compatibility if it is changed to RM.

Upon question, Mr. Ziskal said if it is changed today to RM the allowable units will go

from 5 units per acre to 7 units per acre. He said the height is 50 feet for both RL-3 and

RM.

Commissioner Troutman discussed the duplexes that are abutting this property.

Mr. Ziskal said all the surrounding areas are RL-3.

Commissioner Scott said he does not have an issue with duplexes being in RL-3, but if

it goes to RM it allows for higher density than the surrounding areas.

Commissioner Braswell said it does seem odd to have an island of higher density in the

middle of RL-3. He said he would agree with Commissioner Scott.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

DENIED

Michael Scott

Bill Braswell

Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

Troutman

NAY:

N.2. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2025-5 Lake Hancock Road CPA) (Adoption Hearing)

to consider the adoption of an applicant-initiated Small-Scale Comprehensive

Plan Map Amendment to change the Future Land Use (FLU) designation from

Business Park Center (BPC-2X) to Residential Low (RL-1X) in the US 98

Selected Area Plan on a 2.28 +/- acre parcel near the Bartow city limits. (No

Fiscal Impact)

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal showed slides and discussed the

proposed future land use change. He said staff and the Planning Commission

recommend approval.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Bill Braswell

Martha Santiago

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

N.3. Public Hearing to consider the adoption of LDCT-2025-10, a County-initiated to

amend Chapter 2, Section 207, Temporary Uses, subsection 207.L, Road

Construction Material/Equipment, 207.M, Temporary Storage of Vegetative

Debris Collected from Major Storms. (First Reading)

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal showed slides and discussed the

proposed ordinance related to temporary vegetative debris following major storms. He

said this has been coordinated with Solid Waste staff. He said staff and the Planning

Commission recommend adoption. He said this is a first reading and no action is

required today.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

N.4. Public Hearing to consider the adoption of LDCT-2025-4, a County-initiated

request to consider the adoption of an LDC Text amendment to Chapter 9

Development Review Procedures, Section 960(A), Types of Public Notice, by

removing the current text of a 500-foot distance in which mail notices are to be

sent to area property owners and replacing it with 1,000 feet. (Adoption Hearing)

(Continued to July 15, 2025)

Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal said that SB 180 is still pending. He

said due to this they are requesting that items N.4 LDCT-2025-4, N.5 LDCT-2025-03

and N.6 LDCT-2025-5 all be continued to July 15, 2025.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

CONTINUED

Bill Braswell

Michael Scott

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

N.5. Public Hearing to consider the adoption of LDCT-2025-3, a County-initiated

request to consider the adoption of an LDC Text amendment to multiple

sections, to address stressed drainage basins, and improve stormwater

management standards. (Adoption Hearing) (Continued to July 15, 2025)

Minutes: This item was continued to July 15, 2025.

N.6. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-5 Coops & Roosters LDC Text Amendment)

(Adoption Hearing) to reduce the setbacks for structures intended for the feeding

and sheltering of livestock and fowl from 50 to 10 feet. Prohibiting roosters and

other disruptive fowl on properties less than one-half acre. (No Fiscal Impact)

(Continued to July 15, 2025).

Minutes: This item was continued to July 15, 2025.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

O.1. Public Hearing to consider adoption of a resolution to vacate a portion of platted,

unopened, and unmaintained right-of-way as shown on the map of Goldenbough

Association’s Plat of Homesites, Lake Wales, Florida. Also accept a Quit Claim

Deed for additional right-of-way for Goldenbough Road . (No fiscal impact)

Minutes: Scott Lowery, Real Estate Services, showed slides and discussed the

proposed vacation of a portion of platted, unopened, and unmaintained right-of-way as

shown on the map of Goldenbough Association's Plat of Homesites, Lake Wales, FL.

He said there have been no objections to the proposed vacation. He said staff

recommends the Board waive the petition fee and adopt the resolution.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Michael Scott

Martha Santiago

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

O.2. Public hearing to consider adoption of an Assessment Resolution setting the

rate of collection and approval of the Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for the

2025 Local Provider Participation Fund special assessment, and authorizing the

County Manager to execute Letters of Agreement with the State of Florida

Agency for Health Care Administration. (no fiscal impact)

Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink discussed the Assessment Resolution setting

the rate of collection and approval of the non-ad valorem assessment roll for the 2025

Local Provider Participation Fund special assessment and authorize the County

Manager to execute Letters of Agreement with the State of Florida Agency for Health

Care Administration. He said this is recommended for approval.

Danielle Drummond, Lakeland Regional Health, said she is in favor of this resolution.

She said they appreciate the county's collaboration and support. She said this allows

them to provide necessary health care.

Upon question, Ms. Drummond said this is the 3rd year that they have participated in

this program. She discussed the benefits to citizens and the county from this funding.

Commissioner Santiago said she is always hearing that the county does not have

enough doctors, so she is glad that this will help with that issue.

Mr. Mink said the estimate that will be coming back to the county for FY 24/25 is

approximately $75 million.

Upon question, Ms. Drummond said Orlando Health will be part of the program.

Chair Wilson opened a public hearing; no one spoke.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYE:

APPROVED

Martha Santiago

Michael Scott

Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Minutes: Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting at 9:55 a.m.