Board of County Commissioners · Aug. 4, 2026
Meeting date: Aug. 4, 2026Summarized 2026-09-01 03:56
# Polk County BoCC — Regular Meeting Summary, August 4, 2026
**Attendance:** All five commissioners present (Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, Scott). Meeting called to order 9:00 a.m., adjourned 11:35 a.m. No public comment on agenda items.
## Routine/Consent
Disbursements, July 21, 2026 minutes, and the consent agenda were each approved unanimously (5-0).
## Appointments
- **Ryan Neal Duncan confirmed as Director of the Tourism and Sports Marketing Division**, effective August 17, 2026. Moved by Braswell, seconded by Scott; approved 5-0.
- Six Housing and Neighborhood Development Citizens Advisory Committee appointments/reappointments (Angelic Sims, Bianca Brooks, Bridgett Lattimore, Danielle Bouloute, Susan Hurlburt, YuFonda Kinsler), each a three-year term Aug. 1, 2026–July 31, 2029, no fiscal impact. All approved 5-0.
## Contracts Approved (all unanimous, all listed as one-time expenses)
| Item | Vendor | Amount | Mover / Seconder |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR 540 Cypress Gardens Rd. at Lake Ned Rd. intersection improvements | Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc. | **$1,931,532.85** | Troutman / Wilson |
| CMAR pre-construction services, Northwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility | PCL Civil Constructors, Inc. | **$989,597.52** | Wilson / Braswell |
| CMAR pre-construction services, Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility | Vogel Bros. Building Co. | **$897,566.00** | Troutman / Scott |
Combined total of the three contracts: approximately **$3.82 million**.
## Land Use Hearings
**N.1 — LDCPAL 2026-4 Organic Matters CPA** (large-scale plan amendment, 71.26 acres from Business-Park Center to Industrial): **continued** to August 18, 2026, 9:00 a.m. at staff request. Moved by Braswell, seconded by Scott; 5-0.
**N.2 — LDCT-2026-15 Vehicle Service in RACX** (first reading, adding "Vehicle Service, Mechanical" to the Regional Activity Center district in the U.S. 27 SAP): staff and Planning Commission recommended approval; public hearing opened with no speakers. No vote recorded in the minutes for the first reading.
**O.1 — LDCU-2025-35 Crossed Paws CU (De Novo hearing)** — the meeting's most contested item. This was an appeal of the Planning Commission's 3:2 approval (June 3, 2026) of a conditional use for a kennel. Staff (Ian Nance) recommended **denial**, citing that existing kennel structures do not meet setbacks and that noise is the primary issue, with no noise-level standards applicable in Residential Suburban. All five commissioners disclosed ex parte communications.
Applicants (attorney Sarah Case; Erin Golotko, VP; Stefanie Badillo, President of Crossed Paws Pet Rescue, Inc.) argued the dogs are Badillo's personal, registered animals, that rescue operations occur off-site, and that new kennel buildings would be set 700 feet back. Appellant Garry Bozeman and neighbors testified to constant barking ("six to eight hours a day seven days a week") and odor. Commissioner Scott stated that a YouTube video on the organization's website describing the site as a "Rescue Rehabilitation Center" and a "pit stop" for dogs "directly contradicts everything that has been given today"; Badillo said she would take the video down.
**Outcome: Motion to deny the application — moved by Braswell, seconded by Scott. DENIED (application denied) on a 4-1 split vote.** Aye: Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Scott. **Nay: Santiago**, who stated she would be in favor if the Planning Commission's conditions were met.
**O.2 — Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption ordinance and Performance Agreement for Amaya Solutions, Inc.** (new business). Staff confirmed the current property tax on the parcel is **$107** and the land is vacant. Public hearing opened with no speakers. Moved by Scott, seconded by Braswell; approved 5-0.
## Other Notable Discussion
- **Commissioner Braswell** announced an **August 14** discussion of "the potential impacts of Amendment 3 and the budget." County Manager Beasley said staff will review "the seven funding sources that are ad valorem based" and "start prepping the Board for where cuts may be necessary if and when that occurs." Beasley recommended holding the meeting in the Board room.
- **Commissioner Scott** announced an upcoming work session with **CareerSource Polk**, stating the county is "in the lower quarter of ranking and have been in last place."
- Braswell noted there is currently no limit on the number of dogs on an individual's property and said "that is something this Board needs to remedy in the near future."
## Public Comment (non-agenda)
Multiple speakers addressed animal welfare and Animal Control funding. Debbie Hicks said the Animal Control website is inaccurate and called for a dedicated animal division. Stephanie Widner said Animal Control "is not fulfilling their core mission," called for a low-cost spay/neuter program, and referenced "speed bumps costing $5,000 each." David Butler raised questions about Sheriff's office campaign fundraising and a plane purchase, and asked Commissioner Wilson (up for election) to list eight initiatives. James Abercrombie raised public-records questions about the disposal of a county fence contract; Commissioner Scott responded that the contract required the contractor to "remove and dispose properly of the existing fence," with no recycling or chain-of-custody requirement.