Board of County Commissioners · July 21, 2026
Meeting date: July 21, 2026Summarized 2026-09-02 18:17
# Summary: Polk County BoCC Regular Meeting — July 21, 2026
## Routine/Consent Items
Disbursements, minutes approval, and the Consent Agenda were all approved unanimously (5-0), with no discussion of note.
## Notable Votes and Expenditures
**Large one-time contracts (all approved 5-0, Troutman/Wilson/Braswell/Santiago/Scott voting Aye):**
- **G.1** — Construction contract with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC for Country Club Road at Buckeye Loop Road Intersection Improvements: **$2,774,976.16** (one-time expense). Moved by Wilson, seconded by Troutman.
- **G.2** — Construction contract with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC for Kathleen Road at Deeson Road signal project: **$2,150,875.08** (one-time expense). Moved by Troutman, seconded by Braswell. Commissioner Scott noted the project had been delayed due to CSX coordination and was important to the community.
- **G.3** — Construction contract with Cathcart Construction Company - Florida LLC for Peace Creek Canal stormwater infrastructure: **$1,657,037.69** (one-time expense). Moved by Wilson, seconded by Braswell.
- **G.4** — Contract with Central Florida Health Care, Inc. for equipment purchase at their Lakeland site: **not to exceed $1,512,116.53**. Moved by Braswell, seconded by Troutman.
**Land use/zoning public hearings (N.1–N.6):** Six land development/comprehensive plan items (Shimmering Dr CAC land use and text amendment, GrayLineX CPA and text amendment, Main Street Corridor text amendment, Goldenrod Ln sub-district map change) were all approved 5-0 with no fiscal impact noted and no public speakers.
**O.1 — Withdrawal:** A De Novo appeal hearing (LDPD-2026-2, Pulte Crews Lake PD) regarding a Planned Development for 400 single-family homes was **withdrawn** after the requesting party submitted a letter of withdrawal. The Board voted 5-0 to accept the withdrawal (moved by Troutman, seconded by Braswell).
**O.2 — Right-of-way vacation:** Resolution to vacate a portion of deeded right-of-way near Crystal Beach Road (Winter Haven), plus related deed/easement conveyances, approved 5-0. No fiscal impact; no public objections.
**O.3 — Indigent Health Care Plan:** Ordinance amending the process for revising the county's Indigent Health Care Plan, plus a resolution adopting a revised plan, approved 5-0.
**O.4 — Utilities rate revisions (SPLIT VOTE):** Resolution revising the Utilities Division Schedule of Rates, Charges, and Fees — including increased connection fees, aligning reclaimed irrigation rates with potable rates, setting septage receiving at **$0.15/gallon**, and extending 2024 rate indexing for two more years — was **approved 4-1**.
- Moved by Braswell, seconded by Troutman.
- **Aye:** Troutman, Braswell, Santiago, Scott
- **Nay:** Wilson
- Commissioner Wilson stated his "disinterest" in the item, noted the county had previously kept rates down and was forced to raise them to avoid losing money, and said more options should be explored before raising rates further.
## Public Comment (Non-Agenda)
Multiple speakers (Dr. Robert Weedon, Kay Bourque, Dean Meuendez, Debbie Hicks, Kelly Quinn, Jhoanna Allende) addressed animal welfare/shelter concerns, advocating for TNVR programs, expanded spay/neuter access, and evaluation of Animal Control operations; Quinn cited the Animal Control budget as **$5.8 million**. Aleatha Pugh raised a stormwater/flooding complaint on Weiberg Road (Dundee area) affecting private property; Commissioner Braswell suggested scheduling a direct meeting. Kevin Noble raised concerns about unlicensed motorcycles/ATVs on rural roads. James Abercrombie and Jenn Hardeman raised public-records access complaints and criticisms of county responsiveness. No Board action was taken on these comments beyond staff follow-up (e.g., County Manager Beasley to raise motorcycle/ATV issue with the Sheriff's office).