Board of County Commissioners · Feb. 3, 2026
Meeting date: Feb. 3, 2026Summarized 2026-09-01 17:18
## Polk County BoCC — Regular Meeting, February 3, 2026
**Attendance:** All five commissioners present (Troutman, Wilson, Braswell, Santiago, Scott). Meeting adjourned at 10:09 a.m.
**Overall:** Every item that came to a vote passed unanimously (5-0). There were no split votes, failed motions, or withdrawn items recorded in the minutes.
### Major expenditures approved (County Manager items)
| Item | Amount | Mover / Seconder |
|---|---|---|
| G.1 – Construction contract, AC Schultes of Florida, Inc., NERUSA Alternative Water Supply Receiving Facility Supply Well | $1,801,563.00 one-time | Troutman / Scott |
| G.2 – Construction contract, Stokes Marine, Inc., Crystal Lake Park boardwalk | $649,152.28 one-time | Scott / Troutman |
| G.3 – CSA No. 22-084-04, Consor North America, Inc., design of Avon Park Cutoff Rd Bridge No. 164312 replacement | not-to-exceed $345,036.41 | Wilson / Braswell |
| G.4 – Land Purchase Agreement with Wynona Serenceses for a new government center, plus CIP amendment and budget transfer | $5,525,000 one-time expense; $569,500 one-time transfer | Troutman / Braswell |
Notable discussion on G.4 (largest single expenditure): County Manager Bill Beasley described the purchase as the "third piece of the puzzle" for a long-discussed North Lakeland Government Center, modeled on the Northeast Government Center, and said he will later ask the Board for design and engineering funding. Real Estate Services Director Wade Allen said the county currently operates from a leased downtown Lakeland facility never built as a government center. Clerk/Comptroller Stacy Butterfield said demand has exceeded the leased facility's functionality for holding court and jury trials, and the new facility would house another judge.
On G.3, Roads and Drainage Director Jay Jarvis said design will evaluate alternatives (bypass, right-of-way purchase, road closure); Beasley said the item will return to the Board before construction.
### Comptroller and consent
- C.1 Disbursements and C.2 Minutes of Jan. 20, 2026 — approved (Troutman / Scott).
- D.1 Consent Agenda — approved (Wilson / Troutman) as a block, including items listed on the agenda such as:
- CDBG subrecipient agreement Amendment 1 with City of Winter Haven — $575,423.74
- CDBG Public Facilities agreement with Heart For Winter Haven — $200,000.00
- CDBG Amendment 1 with City of Auburndale — $179,152.54
- Stipulated final judgment in *Polk County v. Sean Daniel Freeman, et al*, eminent domain for CR 557 right-of-way (Parcels 108, 109, 110/725, 112) — $852,331
- Property Appraiser: allocation of returned FY24/25 excess revenue plus transfer from General Fund Reserve for Budget Stabilization for aerial photography technology — $250,000 one-time transfer
- Supervisor of Elections: transfer from General Fund Reserve for Budget Stabilization for a space needs study — $50,000 one-time transfer
- CSA 22-094-06, Patel, Greene & Associates, traffic signal design at Avenue G and 42nd St — $176,782.41
- Modification No. 6 to CSA 2017-058-03 with RK&K, LLP, Fort Fraser Trail Extension — $9,996.00
- Amendment No. 3 to Agreement 2022-021 with Stantec, five-year renewal — est. $48,000 recurring annually
- Authorization to negotiate CMAR agreements with PCL Civil Constructors, Inc. and Vogel Bros. Building Co. for Northwest and Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements (no fiscal impact)
- Settlement Agreement with Florida PACE Funding Agency
- Resolution repealing/restating Resolution No. 2025-064 on public comment rules under §286.0114, Fla. Stat.
- Set hearings: two small-scale comp plan amendments (Feb. 17, 2026) and LDCU-2025-29 Mammoth Grove Mine CU appeal of Planning Commission denial of a non-phosphate mining borrow pit (March 17, 2026)
### Appointments
- K.1 Reappointment of Skip Alford, Seat 9, Polk County Industrial Development Authority, term Feb. 6, 2026–Feb. 5, 2029 — approved (Scott / Braswell).
- M.1 Appointment of Lita Epstein to the Tohopekaliga Water Authority Board of Supervisors, remainder of vacated term ending Sept. 30, 2028 — approved (Braswell / Troutman).
### Public hearings (all approved 5-0)
- **O.1 – Six speed humps on Hancock Road near Kathleen (est. $30,000).** Traffic Manager Amy Gregory said the petition met required favorable responses. Two residents spoke in support, citing a child nearly struck at a bus stop and cut-through speeding. Moved by Scott, seconded by Braswell.
- **O.2 – Vacate a portion of deeded right-of-way for Johnson Road, Auburndale; accept drainage easement from Barbara Jean Monday (no fiscal impact).** This was the only item drawing recorded objection: resident Helen B. Gainey objected, said the road is county-maintained, raised flooding concerns, and asked for a delay. Staff (Lowery, Jarvis, Allen) responded that the work extends and improves the ditch, ties into the existing outfall, and could be completed before hurricane season. Another speaker, Mark Hundhausen, said he had been assured connectivity would be maintained. Approved anyway, 5-0; moved by Braswell, seconded by Troutman.
- **O.3 – Vacate a portion of a platted drainage/retention easement, Country Class Estates Phase Two, Lakeland (no fiscal impact).** Staff reported no objections; petitioner volunteered to remove fill to mitigate impact; neighbors were not notified because the area is not adjacent to other properties. No public speakers. Moved by Scott, seconded by Braswell.
### Public comment (non-agenda)
Three speakers addressed animal welfare. Debbie Hicks said the animal shelter is concrete, that floors are hosed off and beds get wet, and that the facility "needs to be redone," suggesting an advisory committee. Commissioner Troutman responded that insulation panels are over the vents and "despite what many people post on social media there is heat in that building." Kay Bourque and Jhoanna Mukai Allende also spoke on animal rescue and advocacy.
### Other notes
Commissioner comments focused on recent freezing weather. Utilities Director Tamara Richardson reported the system "did well" overall, with problems limited to backflow preventers and service-connection leaks, and staff working 24/7; Beasley noted two communities were placed on boil water notice due to loss of pressure. Chair Santiago noted the county's 165th anniversary celebration following the meeting.