Polk County Board of County Commissioners  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
December 03, 2024 Regular BoCC meeting  
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participate in this proceeding should contact the Communications Office not later than 48 hours prior to the proceeding.  
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CALL TO ORDER - 9:00 a.m. (RICK WILSON, CHAIR)  
INVOCATION  
Murphy Hanley, Polk County Fire Rescue Chaplain  
A.  
PRESENTATIONS and RECOGNITIONS  
A.1. Employee Recognition  
Minutes: The Board recognized Jennifer Huff with Fire Rescue, Marc Zimmerman with  
Tourism and Sports Marketing, Jonathan Collister with Fire Rescue, and Beth Egbert  
with Utilities for their years of service.  
C.  
D.  
REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC/AUDIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE  
HEARD  
C.1. Comments.  
Minutes: There was no one from the public wishing to speak.  
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA  
D.1. Approve Consent Agenda.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Becky Troutman  
SECONDER:  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
AYE:  
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 November 19, 2024.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.  
COUNTY MANAGER (BILL BEASLEY)  
H.1. Approve construction contract with Cobb Site Development, Inc. for the South  
Lake Wales drainage improvement project - ARP ($3,775,058.51 one-time  
expense from American Rescue Plan Funds)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the construction contract with Cobb  
Site Development, Inc., for the South Lake Wales drainage improvement project. He  
recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Becky Troutman  
Bill Braswell  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.2. Approve construction contract with Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc. for the Fairway  
Avenue drainage improvement project - ARP ($1,805,339.00 one-time expense  
from American Rescue Plan Funds)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the construction contract with  
Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc., for the Fairway Avenue drainage improvement project.  
He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.3. Approve construction contract with Harris McBurney Company for the  
Stonewood subdivision drainage improvement project - ARP ($1,059,424.62  
one-time expense from American Rescue Plan Funds)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the construction contract with the  
Harris McBurney Company for the Stonewood subdivision drainage improvement  
project. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.4. Request Board approve construction contract with Enviro-Tech Systems, Inc. for  
the Simmers-Young Park water quality improvement project. ($2,628,681.66  
one-time expense from American Rescue Plan Funds).  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the construction contract with  
Enviro-Tech Systems, Inc., for the Simmers-Young Park water quality improvement  
project. He recommended approval.  
Commissioner Santiago said the last four items come from American Rescue Plan  
(ARP) funding.  
Mr. Beasley said that the county received $140 million as part of the ARP initiative  
about two years ago. He said that the Board designated some of that money for the  
Social Services Program and most for capital investments. He said these funds must  
be obligated by December 2024 and must be fully expended by December 2026. He  
said this is a rush of projects to meet the guidelines.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Becky Troutman  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.5. Approve Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Rural and Family Lands  
Protection Program (RFLPP) of the Florida Department of Agriculture and  
Consumer Services, and Polk County to facilitate the acquisition of a perpetual  
conservation easement on EL-104-23 Raley Groves (Property). (one-time  
expense $1,500,000)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the memorandum of agreement  
between the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program of the Florida Department of  
Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Polk County to facilitate the acquisition of a  
perpetual conservation easement on EL-104-23 Raley Groves. He recommended  
approval.  
Commissioner Scott thanked staff for looking at properties like this. He said it is a  
testament to our commitment as a county to not just preserving wetlands; he said this  
property has a lot of uplands on it. He stated that we are doing a great part of being a  
steward of the future success.  
RESULT:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
H.6. Approve Standard Grant Agreement #L0124 between State of Florida  
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to fund the Headwaters of the  
Everglades - Land Acquisition for Septic Prevention Project. (one-time revenue  
$1,800,000)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Standard Grant Agreement  
#L0124 between State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection to fund the  
Headwaters of the Everglades - Land Acquisition for Septic Prevention Project. He  
recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Michael Scott  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.7. Approve Consultant Services Authorization 2024-011-03 with Dewberry  
Engineers, Inc. for the Timber Shores, Cypress Knee Cove MHP, and Burlington  
and Hartman’s Neighborhoods Septic to Sewer Project ($492,259.06 not to  
exceed one-time expense).  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Consultant Services  
Authorization 2024-011-03 with Dewberry Engineers, Inc., for the Timber Shores,  
Cypress Knee Cove MHP, and Burlington and Hartman's neighborhoods septic to  
sewer project. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Martha Santiago  
Becky Troutman  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
H.8. Confirm appointment of Mrs. Amber Smith to serve as Communications Division  
Director for Polk County Government.  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the appointment of Mrs. Amber  
Smith to serve as the Communications Division Director effective December 3, 2024.  
He discussed her qualifications. He recommended approval.  
Amber Smith said she is honored to be confirmed as the Communications Director.  
She said she is excited to lead an incredible team. She said public service is very  
important to her. She introduced her husband, Roger, and said he is the deputy chief  
for the District Fire Department formally known as Reedy Creek. She discussed her  
family and friends. She thanked the communications team and recognized those at the  
meeting.  
Commissioner Santiago welcomed Ms. Smith and said we are glad to have her. She  
stated we look forward to all that she is going to do at the county level to make sure  
that our information gets out to the constituents and that she promotes all the good  
things we are doing.  
Commissioner Troutman echoed the comments of Commissioner Santiago. She said  
Ms. Smith comes to us with an excellent reputation. She said she will coin the term  
Amber's Army for all the people who just stood up.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Martha Santiago  
Bill Braswell  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
I.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 (BECKY TROUTMAN)  
I.1. Commissioner Troutman Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Troutman had no comments.  
J.  
K.  
L.  
M.  
O.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 (BILL BRASWELL)  
J.1. Commissioner Braswell Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Braswell had no comments.  
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 Santiago had no comments.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 (RICK WILSON, CHAIR)  
M.1. Chair Wilson Comments.  
Minutes: Chair Wilson had no comments.  
EXPEDITED HEARINGS PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 2022-089  
Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink reminded the audience of the procedures for  
expedited hearings and the public hearings. He swore in those who plan to speak.  
O.1. Public Hearing (LDCT-2024-23 Subdivision of Lots with Multiple Structures)  
(Adoption Hearing) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated request to  
allow lots with multiple units in existence for over 20 years to subdivide  
regardless of the minimum lot size, provided certain conditions can be met.  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text  
amendment. He said that the Planning Commission and staff recommends approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing.  
Peggy Booz discussed her property and said they need to be able to rebuild. She said  
they are in a small camper. She said approving this will make it possible to have a  
home again. She asked the Board to help them with this.  
The Chair closed the public hearing.  
Chair Wilson thanked everybody, staff, Planning and Development Director Ben Dunn,  
and Deputy County Manager John Bohde for being involved with this. He said this is  
not changing the rules for everybody and if your house burns down come and see us.  
He said it is the right thing to do and he is glad we are going to get this done for Ms.  
Booz.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Becky Troutman  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
P.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
P.1. Public Hearing (LDCDD-2024-5 Lake Hamilton Bluff Third CDD Boundary  
Amendment) to consider the adoption of an applicant-initiated resolution  
consenting to the amendment of the external boundaries of an existing  
Community Development District (CDD) that is mostly within the Lake Hamilton  
town limits.  
Minutes: Erik Peterson, Land Development, showed slides and reviewed the Lake  
Hamilton Bluff third Community Development District boundary amendment. He  
discussed the surrounding area.  
Upon question, County Attorney Randy Mink said this is for the unincorporated area.  
He said they have to get Board approval before the city can adopt their ordinance to  
expand.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
P.2. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of a Resolution Allowing for the Installation  
of Three Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Lamplight Lane, Near  
Winter Haven. (estimated $15,000.00 one-time expense)  
Minutes: Amy Gregory, Traffic Manager, discussed the resolution allowing for the  
installation of three traffic calming devices on Lamplight Lane, near Winter Haven. She  
said that this meets the traffic calming policy criteria and received the required number  
of favorable votes. She said that staff recommends approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Bill Braswell  
Martha Santiago  
Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, and Scott  
ANNOUNCEMENTS  
Minutes: Meeting adjourned at 9:47 a.m.