Polk County Board of County Commissioners  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
April 15, 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  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (RICK WILSON, CHAIR)  
A.  
PRESENTATIONS and RECOGNITIONS  
A.1. Employee Recognition  
Minutes: The Board recognized Jamilia Hardee with Fleet Management, Gloria Reyes  
with Roads and Drainage, Amanda Reynolds with EMS, Deborah Strafford with Fire  
Rescue and Rita West with Cooperative Extension Services for their years of service.  
C.  
REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC/AUDIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE  
HEARD  
C.1. Comments.  
Minutes: Cassandra Richards said Mr. Taylor does keep her updated concerning the  
traffic. She addressed the Commissioners concerning the infrastructure. She stated the  
county needs to be more strategic. She stated there are a lot of hurdles but they have  
to jump those hurdles. She said the city wants the infrastructure and they leave the  
county with the roads. She said something has to be done. She stated she lives in the  
county but she does attend city commission meetings. She said the cities are trampling  
on the county.  
Chair Wilson said Ms. Richards is right and he said it is an uphill battle. He said it is a  
state regulation and he has been fighting it for many years.  
Christopher Ison said he lives in Commissioner Scott's District. He said he is here to  
discuss the Daughtery Road Park. He said his property directly abuts Phase 1 and the  
parking lot will go directly next to his house. He said he has recently updated his home  
and it saddens him that there will be a parking lot right next to it. He said this could  
invite homelessness to this area. He discussed a recent home invasion. He said his  
concern is what that park will look like and what barriers will be utilized. He said he  
wants more than a fence separating his home from the park. He said he would like to  
have a meeting with the Board.  
James Abercrombie said he is here to discuss the Daughtery Road Park. He said he  
wants to present a formal grievance of negligence for land development regulations.  
He read a letter into the record.  
County Attorney Randy Mink said Commissioner Scott did reach out to him to meet  
with Mr. Abercrombie but he had not had the opportunity to do so. He said he has  
advised the Board to not have private meetings recorded.  
D.  
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA  
D.1. Approve Consent Agenda.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
E.  
COUNTY COMPTROLLER (STACY M. BUTTERFIELD, CPA)  
E.1. Disbursements.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Martha Santiago  
Bill Braswell  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
E.2. Minutes of Regular Board meeting held on April 1, 2025.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.  
COUNTY MANAGER (BILL BEASLEY)  
H.1. Request Board approve (1) construction contract with C&T Contracting Services,  
Inc. for the septage receiving and leachate treatment system project  
($21,430,000.00 one-time expense) and (2) CIP amendment and budget  
transfer from the Utilities Capital Expansion Fund Reserve for Future Capital  
Expansion to fully fund the project ($18,343,741.00 one-time transfer).  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the construction contract with C&T  
Contracting Services, Inc., for the septage receiving and leachate treatment system  
project, CIP amendment and budget transfer. He recommended approval.  
Commissioner Scott said hats off to the county for the ultimate facility. He said having  
been involved in the septic business with his dad the evolving regulations are hard to  
follow as a company. He said for the county to put something together not only benefits  
the haulers but will benefit solid waste as well. He said this is one of those collaborative  
efforts although it is county funded. He said it is a great facility and said hats off to the  
entire team of the county. He said he is proud to be a part of this decision.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.2. Approve Amendment No. 2 to Agreement 2022-025 with Hazen and Sawyer,  
P.C. to provide professional engineering services for septage receiving stations  
($488,410.00 one-time expense)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed Amendment No. 2 to Agreement  
2022-025 with Hazen and Sawyer, P.C., providing professional engineering services for  
septage receiving stations. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Michael Scott  
Bill Braswell  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.3. Approve the Local Agency Program (LAP) Agreement between Polk County and  
the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the Old Dixie Trail Project,  
associated resolutions, CIP Budget Amendment and budget resolution  
($2,000,335.00 one-time unanticipated revenue).  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Local Agency Program  
Agreement between Polk County and the Florida Department of Transportation for the  
Old Dixie Trail Project and associated resolutions. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Becky Troutman  
Bill Braswell  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
I.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 (BECKY TROUTMAN)  
I.1. Commissioner Troutman Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Troutman commended the office of Planning and  
Development, Ben Dunn, and his team. She said last week they were sent an email  
that included what they have rolled out with the project viewer. She said this comes a  
long way in making a user friendly way for the public to find what is going on when we  
see the pink signs posted in the area. She said it will be welcomed by the public and  
with what we will hear later with the increased feet requirements for notices. She said  
we are making some steps to make this more publicly known and user friendly process.  
She said thank you for that.  
J.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 (BILL BRASWELL)  
J.1. Commissioner Braswell Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Braswell asked for a spreadsheet on the CLASAC approved  
projects. He also asked for another list of what has been approved and how much for  
the ad valorem tax exemptions.  
K.  
L.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4 (MARTHA SANTIAGO)  
K.1. Commissioner Santiago Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Santiago had no comments.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 (MICHAEL SCOTT)  
L.1. Commissioner Scott Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Scott responded to public comments regarding parks. He said  
Hunt Fountain Park is over utilized. He said when we look at that area for recreation  
needs there is a lot of development that has occurred over the last 15 plus years. He  
said for the county that strategic investment years ago was to be forward looking at  
needing another park. He said he understands the challenges of what you want in your  
backyard versus what the person that owns the land wants. He discussed how Hunt  
Fountain Park is crowded. He said the sign for Daughtery Road Park is there for  
transparency. He said he has pushed with Communications for QR codes to become  
more forthcoming. He said for future projects you will see an improvement in our  
communication. He discussed the GIS map where you can click and see the PDs. He  
said they are listening loud and clear and taking steps to make us better.  
M.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 (RICK WILSON, CHAIR)  
M.1. Chair Wilson Comments.  
Minutes: Chair Wilson had no comments.  
N.  
LAY BOARD APPOINTMENTS  
N.1. Appoint Danielle Tanner as a member of the Housing and Neighborhood  
Development Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for a three-year term, April 15,  
2025, through April 14, 2028. (No fiscal impact).  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
O.  
EXPEDITED HEARINGS PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 2022-089  
Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink reminded the audience of the procedures for  
expedited public hearings and the public hearings. He swore in those who plan to  
speak.  
O.1. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2025-4 Bradley Junction Fire Station) (Adoption  
Hearing) to consider the adoption of a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan  
Amendment to change the Future Land Use from Rural Cluster Center (RCC) to  
Institutional (INST) on ±8.13 acres to recognize an existing Water Treatment  
Facility and County Fire Rescue Station in the Rural Development Area (RDA).  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed land use  
amendment. He said that staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Becky Troutman  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, and Santiago  
Scott  
Absent:  
O.2. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2025-6 ABC Road Caloosa Fire Station) (Adoption  
Hearing) to consider the adoption of a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan  
Amendment to change the Future Land Use designation from  
Agricultural/Residential Rural (A/RRX) to Institutional-1 (INSTX) on ±5.82 acres  
for a new County Fire Rescue Station in the Rural Development Area (RDA).  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed land use  
amendment. He said that staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Michael Scott  
Becky Troutman  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
O.3. Public Hearing (LDCT-2024-28 I-4 SAP LDC Text Amendment) (Adoption  
Hearing) to amend Chapter 4, Section 401.01, I-4/NE Parkway Plan Districts, to  
remove outdated criteria and requirements for residential development from the  
I-4 Selected Area Plan (SAP). (No Fiscal Impact).  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text  
amendment. He said that staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Becky Troutman  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
O.4. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-2 INST-2 LDC Text Amendment) (Adoption  
Hearing) to allow Vehicle Service, Mechanical and outdoor storage in the  
Institutional-2 (INST-2) land use district. (No Fiscal Impact).  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text  
amendment. He said that staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval.  
Upon question, Mr. Ziskal said it would need to be visually buffered with landscaping,  
walls, or opaque fencing similar to other outdoor storage provisions.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Becky Troutman  
Michael Scott  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
O.5. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-6 Mobile Homes in Plats Prior to 1971) (First  
Reading) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated LDC Text amendment to  
Chapter 3 Conditional Uses, Section 303, Criteria for Conditional Uses,  
Individual Mobile Homes, to allow mobile homes by right in subdivision plats  
recorded prior to May 20, 1971.  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text  
amendment. He said that staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval.  
Commissioner Troutman said this is great as far as listening to the Planning  
Commissioners. She said this is making this more user friendly to the public and is  
using common sense in a process that sometimes gets lost.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
O.6. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-4 1,000 Foot Public Hearing Mailer Radius) (First  
Reading) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated 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.  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text  
amendment. He said that staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval.  
Commissioner Scott said this stems from personal experiences where larger acreage  
landowners in certain rural areas were not getting mailers. He said this is another step  
by the county to be more transparent to those residents. He said he appreciates staff's  
efforts.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
O.7. Public Hearing (LDCT-2025-3 Stressed Basins and Stormwater Management)  
(First Reading) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated LDC Text  
amendment to multiple sections of Chapters 2, 7 and 10 and Appendix A of the  
Land Development Code, to address stressed drainage basins, and improve  
stormwater management standards.  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text  
amendment. He said that the Planning Commission recommends approval.  
Commissioner Scott thanked Gator for working on this. He said we saw from Milton but  
really going to historical data when you look at the county on challenge areas. He said  
we want to learn from the past and when you talk about the road base material the  
county is bearing some of the cost on redoing the roadways. He said some of the costs  
could have been negated with the standard we have now in this adoption. He says he  
appreciates the county's efforts and he thanked the engineering department.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
P.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
P.1. Public Hearing to consider the adoption of an Ordinance of the Polk County  
Board of County Commissioners prohibiting camping on certain property, unless  
specifically authorized. (Continued to May 6, 2025)  
Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink requested that this be continued to May 6th for  
them to work with law enforcement.  
Continued to May 6, 2025.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
CONTINUED  
Becky Troutman  
Bill Braswell  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
ANNOUNCEMENTS  
Minutes: Meeting adjourned at 9:51 a.m.