Board of County Commissioners · Jan. 6, 2026
Meeting date: Jan. 6, 2026Summarized 2026-09-01 17:16
# Polk County BoCC — Regular Meeting Summary, January 6, 2026
All five commissioners (Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, Scott) were present. Meeting adjourned at 1:04 p.m.
## Most notable item: Highlands Club PD appeal (O.3) — 3–2 split vote
A de novo hearing on an appeal of the Planning Commission's approval of a Planned Development for **747 single-family homes**. This was the only contested vote of the meeting.
- Commissioner Braswell moved approval "as is"; Commissioner Troutman seconded. Braswell later amended the motion to require **a minimum of 70-foot lots within Area B**, to be addressed at Level 2 review; Troutman agreed to the amendment.
- **Result: APPROVED 3–2.** Aye: Troutman, Braswell, Santiago. **Nay: Wilson and Scott.**
- The appellant's side was represented by attorney Richard Grosso (for Barbara Andrews), with Max Forgey and Sue Nelson. Forgey and, separately, applicant witnesses Bryan A. Hunter, P.E. and Don Skelton were each accepted as expert witnesses by unanimous vote.
- Commissioner Scott stated he took issue with the staff report's finding that the project "will not adversely affect the citizens of the immediate surrounding area," saying "if you look to the east it is compatible if you look to the west, north, and south there is nothing around this that is compatible." He said he would prefer "a denial without prejudice or an approval with conditions."
- Scott also objected to applicant attorney Bart Allen's practice of asking staff on the record whether testimony changed their opinion, calling the question "a bit aggressive." Chair Santiago and Commissioners Wilson and Braswell said they did not object to the question. County Attorney Randy Mink explained the staff report is issued before hearing evidence.
- Multiple residents spoke in opposition, citing traffic, flooding (referencing Hurricane Milton), and incompatibility with adjacent horse, sheep, and cattle operations.
## County Manager items (all approved unanimously unless noted)
- **G.1 — WSB LLC**, construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the **County Road 557 widening project**: **not-to-exceed $7,671,349.67**, one-time. Moved by Wilson, seconded by Troutman. This was the largest single expenditure on the agenda.
- **G.2 — Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.**, CSA No. 2022-089-04, design services for CR 542A/Galloway Road at Swindell Road intersections: **not to exceed $495,095.89**. Moved by Troutman, seconded by Wilson.
- **G.3 — Clayton Properties Group, Inc.**, utility infrastructure agreement for Myrtlebrook Development lift station/force main work: **$313,838.72** one-time. Moved by Troutman, seconded by Wilson. **Approved 4–0; Commissioner Troutman recorded absent for the vote** despite being the mover.
- **G.4 — GISJane LLC**, forecasting, detection, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms: **$300,000.00** one-time. Moved by Wilson, seconded by Troutman.
## Public comment on a consent item (COPCN objection)
Mark Bowne, on behalf of Med Fleet Ambulance, spoke in opposition to consent item **R.16**, the initial Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for **Panther Mountain Enterprises, LLC dba Express Medical Transport**, stating the applicant "is a newly formed entity established just over 100 days ago." County Attorney Randy Mink said Fire Rescue and his office reviewed the objection, "did not find the objections valid at this time," and confirmed the fictitious name was filed with the state. The item remained on the consent agenda and was approved.
## Consent agenda
Approved unanimously; moved by Braswell, seconded by Wilson. Notable dollar figures within:
- **R.3** — Digitech Graphics Group, graphic design services master agreement: **$250,000.00 estimated annual recurring**
- **R.26** — Dewberry Engineers, Inc., Lake Seward Outfall Drainage design: **$162,071.51**
- **R.27** — Dewberry Engineers Inc., NERUSA wetland monitoring: **$117,883.86** not-to-exceed
- **R.12** — Marcobay Construction, CMAR pre-construction, new Agricultural Center Complex: **$80,150.00**
- **R.13** — Rodda Construction, CMAR pre-construction, Medical Examiner Expansion & Renovation: **$43,118.75**
- **R.14** — Rodda Construction, CMAR pre-construction, Sheriff's Office/County joint-use warehouse & Facilities Management Administration Building: **$39,050.00**
- **R.31** — Sheriff's Law Enforcement Trust Fund appropriation: **$43,540.26**
- **R.17** — Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Project conservation land purchases (Sherron, Pearce, Rice, Azevedo parcels): **$23,000**
- **R.11** — SHIP rehabilitation program modification, Case #RC24-SHIP-003: **$9,210.00**
- **R.6** — Release of **$327,746.43** performance bond for McDonald's 9-2686 Wahneta (no fiscal impact)
- **R.15** — CMAR continuing services agreements with eight construction firms (no fiscal impact)
## Other approved items (all unanimous)
- **D.1** Disbursements; **D.2** minutes of Dec. 16, 2025 meeting
- **I.1** Reappointment of Charles R. Walter, P.G., to Polk County Industrial Development Authority, Seat 1, term Feb. 6, 2026–Feb. 5, 2029
- **K.1** Appointment of Julie Jackson to Planning Commission (partial term through Aug. 31, 2026)
- **M.1** Appointment of KellyAnn Beach to Tourist Development Council, filling remainder of Dexter Pagara's term ending Aug. 31, 2027
- **N.1 / N.2** Poinciana Bayberry St. — large-scale Comprehensive Plan map amendment (72.27 acres, DRI to Institutional) and companion sub-district change (INST-1 to INST-2), both adopted. Commissioners referenced a planned high school.
- **O.1** Vacation of a 30-foot strip south of Herndon Road. **Approved 4–0; Commissioner Wilson recorded absent.**
- **O.2** Vacation of platted Bryan Avenue right-of-way, plus surplus declaration and private conveyance to Dwann Bowers (**$1,000 one-time revenue**)
## First readings (no votes recorded)
- **N.3** Lake Gibson Estates text amendment limiting the site to 16 units. Commissioner Scott stated he sees the area "needing to stay RL-3 and RM is not compatible." Applicant Sarah Case noted a 7–0 Planning Commission approval.
- **N.4** Alcohol separation requirements and Sunday hours amendment. Staff confirmed no feedback from the Sheriff.
- **N.5** Powerline landscape buffers / Utility Buffer amendment.
## Other items raised
- Commissioner Braswell asked the Board to reconsider the burn ban given recent rain; the County Attorney said the ban comes from the Fire Chief and staff would follow up.
- Chris Peterson provided an update on Florida PACE Funding Agency litigation; County Attorney Mink stated litigation is pending and directed staff not to respond to his questions.
- Debbie Hicks and Cassandra Richards requested an advisory committee on animal control issues.
- Lazaro Castellon asked the Board to dismiss code enforcement fines related to a bus parked at his ministry property. Mink said the Board lacks jurisdiction over the special magistrate's ruling. Code Enforcement Director Autumn Fenton said this is his third case for the same violation, that repeat violations carry an automatic fine, and that a reduction process exists once the property is in compliance.
- James Abercrombie raised complaints about a Planning Commission meeting and his removal from a committee; Commissioner Wilson responded.