Polk County Board of County Commissioners  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
March 19, 2024 Regular BoCC meeting  
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CALL TO ORDER - 9:00 a.m. (BILL BRASWELL, CHAIR)  
Rollcall  
Commissioner George Lindsey  
Commissioner Bill Braswell  
Commissioner Neil Combee  
Commissioner Martha Santiago  
Commissioner Rick Wilson  
Present:  
INVOCATION  
Murphy Hanley, Polk County Fire Rescue Chaplain  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (BILL BRASWELL, CHAIR)  
A.  
PRESENTATIONS and RECOGNITIONS  
A.1. Employee Recognition  
Minutes: The Board recognized Roger Brown from Fleet Management, Kris Keprios  
from Tourism and Sports Marketing, Kimberly Siler from Code Enforcement, and  
Christine Tomlinson for Health and Human Services Indigent Health Care Division for  
their years of service.  
C.  
REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC/AUDIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE  
HEARD  
C.1. Phillip Amerson to discuss speed humps for Lamplight Lane & Twilight Lane in  
Winter Haven.  
Minutes: Phillip Amerson said he is representing his community for speed humps. He  
discussed accidents that have happened on Lamplight Lane and Twilight Lane. He said  
he has a petition signed from the residents with 38 signatures.  
Mr. Amerson will follow up with Traffic Manager Amy Gregory.  
C.2. Comments.  
Minutes: Michael Colangelo discussed the item with the Grenelefe CDD and said the  
hearing is being set for April 2nd. He asked that this be continued so they can get more  
information.  
Chair Braswell said that they will leave this on the agenda and Mr. Colangelo can  
speak to Land Development Director John Bohde.  
James Abercrombie said he will read the final decision into the record. He discussed  
the definition of enforce. He said the Board is acting as judges and said there is no one  
else who can make a final decision. He said that his building re-roof permit was not  
denied and that they put the wrong roof on.  
D.  
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA  
D.1. Approve Consent Agenda.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
George Lindsey  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
E.  
COUNTY COMPTROLLER (STACY M. BUTTERFIELD, CPA)  
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 March 5, 2024  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.  
COUNTY MANAGER (BILL BEASLEY)  
H.1. Approve the contract with Lakeland Regional Health Systems, Inc. and Lakeland  
Regional Medical Center, Inc. d/b/a Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) for  
specialty care services to non-Polk HealthCare Plan (PHP) members and  
navigation services. (Total amount not to exceed $2,400,000 annually)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the contract with Lakeland Regional  
Health Systems, Inc., and Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Inc., d/b/a Lakeland  
Regional Health for specialty care services to non-Polk HealthCare Plan members and  
navigation services. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.2. Approve the contract with Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Inc. (LRMC) for  
the proposed renovations to expand clinical space at their Morrell Internal  
Medicine (MIM) clinic in Lakeland. (Total amount not to exceed $1,500,000)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the contract with Lakeland Regional  
Medical Center, Inc., for the proposed renovations to expand clinical space at their  
Morrell Internal Medicine clinic in Lakeland. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rick Wilson  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.3. Approve a Marketing Partnership Agreement with the Detroit Tigers to extend  
the Tigers Spring Training agreement to continue training in Polk County for an  
additional seven years. ($1,960,000 expense from the Tourist Development Tax  
fund over a period of 7 years)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Marketing Partnership  
Agreement with the Detroit Tigers to extend the Tigers Spring Training agreement to  
continue training in Polk County for an additional seven years. He recommended  
approval.  
Tourism and Sports Marketing Director Mark Jackson said part of the marketing  
agreement includes the Tigers paying for 10,000-15,000 Hawaiian shirts that are  
branded with Visit Central Florida. He said approximately 5.4 % of the visitors from the  
months from February through April are from Michigan. He said that is a testament to  
the Central Florida Development Council and he said it is a great marketing tool.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.4. Approve construction contract with Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc. for the East  
Main at Combee Road intersection project ($787,497.90 one-time expense)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the construction contract with  
Kamminga and Roodvoets, Inc., for the East Main at Combee Road intersection  
project. He recommended approval.  
Commissioner Combee said he was there yesterday and he said that the traffic was  
stacked. He said he thinks this may be an all day long occurrence there.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Rick Wilson  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.5. Approve Consultant Services Authorization (CSA) No. 22-087-02 with HDR  
Engineering Inc., (Consultant) for engineering services for the design of  
improvements on the Country Club Road at Buckeye Loop Road Intersection  
Improvements Project. ($378,645.01 one-time expense)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Consultant Services  
Authorization No. 22-087-02 with HDR Engineering Inc., for engineering services for  
the design of improvements on the Country Club Road at Buckeye Loop Road  
Intersection Improvements Project. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rick Wilson  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.6. Approve Land Purchase Agreement between Alcoma Properties, LTD and Polk  
County for the purchase of property in conjunction with Masterpiece Road at  
Timberlane Road intersection improvements along with a CIP amendment and  
budget transfer. ($525,000 one-time expense)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Land Purchase Agreement  
between Alcoma Properties, LTD, and Polk County for the purchase of property in  
conjunction with Masterpiece Road at Timberlane Road intersection improvements  
along with a CIP amendment and budget transfer. He recommended approval.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Rick Wilson  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
H.7. Approve Land Purchase Agreement between Clint Payne and Tanya Payne and  
Polk County in conjunction with the Upper Kissimmee Watershed Water Quality  
Improvements/Lake Marion Scrub Project. ($225,000 one-time expense)  
Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Land Purchase Agreement  
between Clint Payne and Tanya Payne and Polk County in conjunction with the Upper  
Kissimmee Watershed Water Quality Improvements/Lake Marion Scrub Project. He  
recommended approval.  
Upon question, Parks and Natural Resources Director Gaye Sharpe said they will look  
at recreation and the permitting for a swinging bridge is difficult. She showed the  
access points and the shore lines on the map. She said this is a key area that could  
provide recreation in the future. She said they decided to move on this because they  
had a willing seller and they saw it would help us with encroachment and also allow  
better access if we were to do water quality treatment in the area.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Rick Wilson  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
I.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 (GEORGE LINDSEY)  
I.1. Commissioner Lindsey Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Lindsey had no comments.  
J.  
K.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 (RICK WILSON)  
J.1. Commissioner Wilson Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Wilson had no comments.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4 (MARTHA SANTIAGO)  
K.1. Appoint Marian Ryan as a member of the Conservation Land Acquisition  
Selection Advisory Committee (CLASAC) for the remainder of the four-year term  
ending April 30, 2027.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Martha Santiago  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
K.2. Commissioner Santiago Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Santiago had no comments.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 (NEIL COMBEE)  
L.  
L.1. Commissioner Combee Comments.  
Minutes: Commissioner Combee said Happy First Day of Spring.  
COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 (BILL BRASWELL, CHAIR)  
M.  
M.1. Chair Braswell Comments.  
Minutes: Chair Braswell had no comments.  
LAY BOARD APPOINTMENTS  
N.  
N.1. Reappoint JaQuis McCullough to Housing and Neighborhood Development's  
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) beginning retroactively January  
1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2026.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
N.2. Reappoint Nicole Redmond to Housing and Neighborhood Development's  
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) beginning retroactively January  
1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2026.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rick Wilson  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
N.3. Reappoint Mark Piburn to Housing and Neighborhood Development's Affordable  
Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) beginning retroactively January 1, 2024,  
and ending December 31, 2026.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
George Lindsey  
Neil Combee  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
N.4. Reappoint Tom Wodrich to Housing and Neighborhood Development's  
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) beginning retroactively January  
1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2026.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Martha Santiago  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
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 public hearings and swore in those who plan to speak.  
O.1. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2023-11 Providence N-27 CAC) (Adoption Hearing) to  
consider the Future Land Use Map change from Preservation-X (PRES-X) to  
Community Activity Center-X (CAC-X). (No Fiscal Impact)  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed map change.  
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  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
O.2. Public Hearing (LDDRI 2023-1 Providence N-27 CAC) (Adoption Hearing) to  
consider an amendment to the Providence Development of Regional Impact  
(DRI) for the 1) expansion of the N-27 commercial area (related to  
LDCPAS-2023-11), 2) summarization of the residential and commercial unit  
counts within the Neighborhoods, and 3) extend the buildout dates of Phase I  
and Phase II. (No Fiscal Impact)  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed Development  
of Regional Impact 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  
Neil Combee  
Rick Wilson  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
O.3. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2023-21 Rifle Range HIC) (Adoption Hearing) to  
consider the Future Land Use Map change from Agricultural/Rural Residential-X  
(A/RR-X) in the Rural Development Area (RDA) to High Impact Commercial-X  
(HIC-X) in the Suburban Development Area (SDA). (No Fiscal Impact)  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed map change.  
He said that the Planning Commission and staff recommends approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Rick Wilson  
Neil Combee  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
O.4. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2023-31 Fox Lake Drive CPA) (Adoption Hearing) to  
consider a Future Land Use designation change from Linear Commercial  
Corridor (LCC) to Residential Medium (RM) in the Transit Supportive  
Development Area (TSDA).  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed land use  
change. He said that the Planning Commission and staff recommend 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.5. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2023-28 Lake Marion ROS) (Adoption Hearing) to  
consider the Future Land Use Map change from Poinciana Pre-Development of  
Regional Impact (PRE-DRI#1) to Recreation Open Space (ROS). (No Fiscal  
Impact)  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed map change.  
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  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
O.6. Public Hearing (LDCD-2023-14 Drane Field/Hamilton Road Subdistrict)  
(Adoption Public Hearing) to consider the adoption of a Sub-District Change  
from Business Park Center-1 (BPC-1) to Business Park Center-2 (BPC-2) on  
29+/- acres in the Urban Growth Area (UGA  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed sub-district  
change. He said that the Planning Commission and staff recommend approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
George Lindsey  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
O.7. Public Hearing (LDCT-2023-19 Housing LDC Text Amendment) (Adoption  
Hearing) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated request to alleviate  
certain administrative burdens on citizens to develop and use individual lots,  
reduce the levels of review for certain uses, and provide clarity for citizens and  
staff when applying existing conditional use standards. (No Fiscal Impact).  
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.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
George Lindsey  
Martha Santiago  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
O.8. Public Hearing (LDCT-2023-20 Mining Inspection Text Amendment) (Adoption  
Hearing) to consider the adoption of a Text Amendment to change the  
responsibility of performing annual mining inspections from Codes Enforcement  
to Land Development. (No Fiscal Impact)  
Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text  
amendment. He said this is an effort to change responsibilities from Code Enforcement  
to the Land Development Division for annual mining inspections. He said staff  
recommends approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Martha Santiago  
Neil Combee  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
P.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
P.1. Public Hearing (LDCD-2023-10 Lunn Road Subdistrict) (Adoption Hearing) to  
consider the adoption of a Sub-District Change from Residential Low-1 (RL-1) to  
Residential Low-3 (RL-3) on 2.71+/- acres in the Transit Supportive  
Development Area (TSDA).  
Minutes: Amy Little, Land Development, showed slides and reviewed the proposed  
sub-district change. She said that this is compatible with the surrounding area. She  
said that staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval. She said it is  
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code.  
The Chair opened a public hearing.  
John Hatfield said his property is across the street from this. He discussed the changes  
in traffic and said the addition of these units will need an in-way and out-way and he  
said it will cause more congestion. He said this may lead to a widening of Lunn Road.  
He said they could put more than nine units in. He discussed water in his yard. He  
discussed how this will add to the traffic congestion. He asked them to consider denial.  
Todd Shuff said he lives adjacent to this project. He said going to RL-3 they could do  
multi-family and said to keep this at RL-1.  
Stewart McDonald, representing the applicant, said he is available for questions. He  
said there is no issue with relative distance to intersections. He discussed topography  
and drainage. He said they will do nine total single-family / single-story homes.  
William Tower, owner, said they are doing lower density than what they could do. He  
said he owns the property beside it and they got it rezoned to RL-3 and there was not  
opposition for that.  
The Chair closed the public hearing.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
George Lindsey  
Rick Wilson  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
P.2. Public Hearing to consider the adoption of a Joint Planning Area and Interlocal  
Agreement - Amendment #3 between the City of Auburndale and Polk County  
Minutes: Land Development Ben Ziskal discussed the amendment number three to  
the Joint Planning Area and Interlocal Agreement between the City of Auburndale and  
Polk County. He said this will extend the agreement to March 18, 2027. He said after  
both parties have updated their comprehensive plans they can make changes to the  
agreement. He said staff recommends approval.  
The Chair opened a public hearing; no one spoke.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
AYE:  
APPROVED  
Neil Combee  
George Lindsey  
Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson  
ANNOUNCEMENTS  
Minutes: Meeting adjourned at 9:59 a.m.