Board of County Commissioners · July 21, 2026
Meeting date: July 21, 2026Summarized 2026-09-02 18:17
## Summary of Polk County BoCC Meeting – July 21, 2026
**Routine/Consent Items:** Disbursements, the July 7, 2026 meeting minutes, and the Consent Agenda were all approved unanimously (5-0) with no discussion of note.
**Notable Votes and Expenditures:**
- **G.1 – Ajax Paving Industries contract** (Country Club Rd/Buckeye Loop Rd intersection improvements): Approved 5-0, **$2,774,976.16** one-time expense. Moved by Wilson, seconded by Troutman.
- **G.2 – Ajax Paving Industries contract** (Kathleen Rd/Deeson Rd signal project): Approved 5-0, **$2,150,875.08** one-time expense. Moved by Troutman, seconded by Braswell. Commissioner Scott noted community anticipation and delays tied to CSX coordination.
- **G.3 – Cathcart Construction Company contract** (Peace Creek Canal stormwater infrastructure): Approved 5-0, **$1,657,037.69** one-time expense. Moved by Wilson, seconded by Braswell.
- **G.4 – Central Florida Health Care, Inc. contract** (equipment purchase for Lakeland site): Approved 5-0, not to exceed **$1,512,116.53**. Moved by Braswell, seconded by Troutman.
**Land Use/Development Public Hearings (N.1–N.6):** Six items — future land use map changes, LDC text amendments, and a sub-district map change (Shimmering Dr, GrayLineX, Main Street Corridor, Goldenrod Ln) — all approved 5-0, no fiscal impact, no public speakers.
**Withdrawn Item:**
- **O.1** – Appeal (De Novo hearing) of Planning Commission approval for a 400-unit single-family Planned Development (Pulte Crews Lake PD) was **withdrawn** after the appellant submitted a letter of withdrawal. Board voted 5-0 to acknowledge the withdrawal (moved by Troutman, seconded by Braswell).
**Right-of-Way Vacation (O.2):** Resolution to vacate a portion of right-of-way near Crystal Beach Road, plus related deed/easement actions, approved 5-0, no fiscal impact.
**Indigent Health Care Plan (O.3):** Ordinance amending the process for amending the county's indigent health care plan, plus a resolution adopting a revised plan, approved 5-0.
**Split Vote — Utilities Rate Increase (O.4):**
Resolution approving revised Utilities Division rates, charges, and fees (increased connection fees, reclaimed irrigation rates aligned closer to potable rates, septage receiving rate set at **15 cents/gallon**, and indexing of 2024 rates for two more years) — **passed 4-1**. Moved by Braswell, seconded by Troutman. **Commissioner Wilson voted NAY**, stating his prior "disinterest" in rate increases and calling for more cost-control options before raising rates.
**Public Comment (Non-Voting):** Multiple speakers addressed Animal Control policy, advocating for TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) programs, spay/neuter funding, and formation of an animal welfare committee. One speaker (Kelly Quinn) cited the Animal Control budget as **$5.8 million**. Other public comments concerned unresolved stormwater flooding on Weiberg Road (Dundee area), unlicensed motorcycles/ATVs on rural roads, and a dispute over public records requests (James Abercrombie). No board action was taken on these comments beyond Commissioner Braswell suggesting a direct appointment for the stormwater complaint and County Manager Beasley agreeing to raise the ATV/motorcycle issue with the Sheriff's office.