[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6547004,"mediaKeyId","3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd","parentId",3407544,"title","Polk County adopts waterway protection ordinance and designates swim areas and vessel exclusion zones for three lakes","audioSeconds",1237,"startMs",3256000,"endMs",4493000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd&start=3256&end=4493","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd/thumbnail_3256000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6547004/Polk-County/Florida/Polk-County-adopts-waterway-protection-ordinance-and-designates-swim-areas-and-vessel-exclusion-zones-for-three-lakes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547004-ce642faf8966e860248de7a417ac09cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153693&Signature=Y8OaGRtECprjQlEdTSmQte1X9Wr58u8A8q73NaCG795378w-APPRVPvbDyRtsynW6y0wWQS3WpfHUMjsoPMzVh2CzzahTOVVh3T88x5f1mWMliwdbdUT33PXixfF1QI~9OmXOIcG1e4nzZlqA~UJ8XAOKb0LS~bfqCxr4tj6Vv3R7eeEeCA1iCV4ueptaMpeKXLUky9E1jpDpqjP0gDwvN~WK2xnhOJ~M6DzmdvAUsg2sUjp4E-6tfH1twLA1WO84Q8h9ZujjPVMBQmbb~NOI~X8klpEQ7YnYi35sMcfG1YRCH~viLq1yXIVTUz4v4ta8GEBiBLl1Zx6adNJjOUUFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Polk County","date","2025-05-20T07:54:00Z","article","The Polk County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt an ordinance consolidating the county's Waterway Protection Code and a companion resolution to establish designated swim areas and vessel exclusion zones in portions of Lake Winterset, Lake Clinch and Lake Ariana.

Ben Ziskel, Polk County land development director, told the board the consolidated ordinance creates a process to establish a designated swim area and a vessel exclusion zone by board resolution. \"As explained ... this became a safety issue that's brought to our attention by the Sheriff's office,\" Ziskel said.

County staff and Sheriff’s Office representatives said the measures address locations where officers have observed swimmers and heavy boat traffic in the same areas. Sheriff’s Office Officer Jason Vonador told the board the areas indicated on the maps have been problem spots and that the designation will \"give us some ... teeth with our bite when it comes to enforcing this.\" He said enforcement previously was limited by the lack of ordinance authority.

The ordinance requires the designated areas be established as \"swim areas\" in order to meet statutory requirements, staff said. Commissioners discussed that signage verbiage is controlled by state statute and that the county will pursue state approval for signage; staff cautioned the signage and formal enforcement may take time to implement.

Several nearby residents spoke during public comment. Kurt Boyette and Jimmy Deese, both Lake Winterset residents, opposed placing a swim area next to certain private docks, arguing the designation would \"invite\" people to walk through private property and increase trespass and noise. Boyette asked the board to consider a vessel‑exclusion-only approach rather than a swim‑area designation. Other residents, including Scott Short, Don Mason and Les Dunson, supported the ordinance and told the board they had seen large groups of boats and wave runners in the mapped areas and wanted enforcement powers to address safety and noise.

Commissioners voted to adopt the ordinance and the corresponding resolution. During debate, commissioners and staff noted the county can add or amend designated areas by resolution in the future and that adjustments can be made quickly if the designations prove problematic. Staff said the signage must be approved through the state (a process that will take additional time) and that the county will proceed to implement the zones as soon as feasible.

The transcript records the board's vote as \"Aye\" with no recorded opposition and the motions carried; the resolution names the three lakes listed above and authorizes staff to coordinate with state officials on signage and to return with adjustments by resolution if needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Polk County - Board of County Commissioners on 2025-05-20 9:00 AM - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Polk County commissioners voted to consolidate the Waterway Protection Code and to designate swim areas and vessel exclusion zones in parts of Lake Winterset, Lake Clinch and Lake Ariana to address safety issues raised by law enforcement.","taxTitle","Polk County, Florida","taxId",2874,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546994,"Polk County staff to use indexed landfill disposal rate of $46/ton and yard‑waste rate of $36.50/ton for FY2026 budget planning",423,4444000,4867000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd&start=4444&end=4867","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd/thumbnail_4444000.jpg","/articles/6546994/Polk-County/Florida/Polk-County-staff-to-use-indexed-landfill-disposal-rate-of-46ton-and-yardwaste-rate-of-3650ton-for-FY2026-budget-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546994-ff6596b1333e17bbbc47cc7c86080bf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153693&Signature=grH22eRc1NTdqCcwpBaByveos~FNpzVnF6BThg~dSr1w2p1aKDW~hgZ4giIpt8h8qe-pgvfSlBJczO4dYVwEdI840ptAuU8ehyA07O7o7~6bOXIRjnHwcXOh3WVWCigSQvFaIALWoErpVUfwefVVpe9cxw6ovrMPesE4VenlmH3-dBgL6787RfLaOQUSE48QzdOdZmFX1xoAjKupSwXsiKdUY7bjEE9zxvaDVZ6VNQrTSeS2YB2hTORrm-YVFkuEfw8c83rvVkhvgK9U3L1KywSzj9783elNZ-7bpzpNX~uwNEmsmLqYIFNEnpUHwmQtPvcvvkbAM8YlS7HtobAxSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 12 work session the county manager and solid waste staff presented a landfill‑rate proposal for inclusion in the fiscal year 2026 budget. The rate structure, presented at the board's direction, begins with a disposal rate of $46 per ton effective in fiscal year 2026 and an annual indexing of 5 percent. For yard waste the board directed a rate of $36.50 per ton effective Oct. 1, 2025, with a 5 percent annual index.

Dale (county staff) explained the plan is intended to fund planned capital improvements and community cleanup reserves. The model shown to the board used an opening unrestricted reserve balance (as presented) and projected drawdown in early years to fund a capital improvement program (CIP) and then rebuilding of reserves in later years. County management said funding for the fiscal‑year CIP is necessary to keep projects on schedule and that indexation helps address capital, operating and storm cleanup exposure.

Commissioners discussed the approach and acknowledged the county has not increased disposal rates at the North Central Landfill in roughly 15 years. One commissioner said if storm frequency subsides the board could consider lowering rates in the future; staff noted the county is pursuing reimbursements from federal and state sources for recent storms and that reimbursements, when received, will replenish reserves.

Staff said they will reflect the indexed rate structure in the FY2026 revenue estimates and that municipalities and major customers will be notified. No formal single recorded roll‑call vote was taken in the transcript for this item; the presentation was recorded as implementing the board direction provided at the Friday agenda review.","County staff will use a disposal rate of $46 per ton indexed at 5% and a yard‑waste rate of $36.50 per ton (effective Oct. 1, 2025, indexed at 5%) in preparing the FY2026 landfill revenue plan, per board direction.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546999,"Votes at a glance: contracts, appointments and a veto‑request letter approved by Polk County commissioners",489,2389000,2878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd&start=2389&end=2878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd/thumbnail_2389000.jpg","/articles/6546999/Polk-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-contracts-appointments-and-a-vetorequest-letter-approved-by-Polk-County-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546999-965f697a86ccdfb1d3c9ba04eddb1e30/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153693&Signature=l5Nk8o4z7Du3FblZclX1IgualO-yBsO7yqJp8SAcFHCA2f1o8OIdQBq~Zgk5nSdasy3czyvKUFG7-3a4p83l8Ud5SpxOqt2b59YUX5SlrTC0ZAHlmwKxt9vCgPL~tN6lBfO6c-1ABhAfF-M8dkot4pcioKJHwok4VaMu1KFD2kRHHm13g6EVmM-0kLLlbRzlWyDOGurWl9Zi~A12zV2I8V5sRNrKFSAsGVvSIJwIKZRSc14TsbfejmG680vNHN0dZDE-6bm2XCtmIr6cn8EmafJgmtCaKAXjk9Ep-yQx7YpCftUEFDl4oc7ZPz5O4jUImMssua4ZIRX4BUVirBwZyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Polk County Board of County Commissioners took a series of formal actions on May 12, 2025. The following is a short roundup of each item recorded in the meeting transcript and the outcome as stated in the audio record.

Payroll, wire transfers and invoices
The board approved and ratified payroll checks numbered 03881–03907 ($28,618.66), 2,870 direct deposits ($4,329,219.91) dated May 16, 2025, wire/electronic transfers totaling the amounts presented (dates May 6–19, 2025) and invoice checks numbered 482759–483554 totaling $21,423,996.57 (dates May 6–19, 2025). Motion carried with no recorded opposition.

Consultant services for Bone Valley ATV Park campground expansion (H‑1)
The board approved a consultant services agreement to provide professional design and engineering services in connection with the Bone Valley ATV Park campground expansion. The total professional-services amount was not to exceed $864,752.29. Funding is available in the Parks and Natural Resources Community Investment Program. Motion and second were recorded and the motion carried.

East Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility feasibility services (H‑2)
The board approved a part‑1 engineering agreement with Corolla Engineers Incorporated to provide feasibility services for up to three potential sites for a future East Regional wastewater treatment facility; the one‑time professional services expense for part 1 was not to exceed $490,426. Funding was identified in the utilities community investment program. Motion carried.

Kathleen Road at Deason Road intersection improvements — CSX agreement and easement (H‑3)
The board approved a construction agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc., to allow CSX to make the necessary field adjustments to its railroad crossing equipment to accommodate intersection improvements, and accepted a perpetual easement deed from CSX with payment for the easement. The total cost to the county for CSX adjustments and the easement was not to exceed $541,047 (including $495,747 for the CSX field adjustments and $45,300 for the easement appraisal value). Funding is budgeted in the Transportation Trust Fund. Motion carried.

Appointments to Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
The board reappointed Mark Ferrera to the Housing and Neighborhood Development Office Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and appointed Vemisha Pitts to the same committee (term noted in the record as running until 05/06/2028). Motions carried.

Minutes and consent agenda
The board approved minutes of the May 6, 2025 regular board meeting and approved the consent agenda items as presented. Motions carried.

Letter to governor requesting veto of Senate Bill 180
Polk County's county attorney summarized the material impacts of Senate Bill 180 and requested direction from the board on whether staff should prepare a letter asking the governor to veto the measure. Commissioners discussed concerns that the bill would limit the county's ability to update its comprehensive plan and land development code and could restrict responses to storm impacts; the board voted to send a letter requesting a veto. Motion and second were recorded and the motion carried.

How votes were recorded
Most motions in the transcript were recorded as \"Aye\" with no opposition and the clerk announced \"Motion carries.\" The transcript does not include roll‑call tallies naming each commissioner for every motion in the consent and H items.

Where funding and next steps were noted
Presenters said funding for the consultant agreements is available in identified community investment programs and that staff will pursue grants or bring part‑2 design agreements back to the board as appropriate. The CSX easement appraisal was performed by the county and accepted by CSX in the amount recorded. For the veto letter, county staff will prepare and forward a letter to the governor's office per the board's direction.","At the May 12 meeting the Polk County Board approved consultant and construction agreements for park expansion and infrastructure, ratified payroll and invoices, confirmed two appointments, and directed staff to prepare a letter asking the governor to veto Senate Bill 180; motions carried with no recorded opposition in the transcript.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6547009,"Residents urge Polk County to adopt separated multi‑use paths on Thompson Nursery Road widening",893,753000,1646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd&start=753&end=1646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd/thumbnail_753000.jpg","/articles/6547009/Polk-County/Florida/Residents-urge-Polk-County-to-adopt-separated-multiuse-paths-on-Thompson-Nursery-Road-widening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547009-62c9b4ed2d82d265f5a2e6d8423cee69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153693&Signature=AUikLImkl-eVK~fTsmHYQaSGD29HamwsseUkaZMl3CHJJgUjrxMhQRrVmgOfDXXrka6g3n2UGBts3XbkgzQh5lhyHM4uHIegads0RMEvhXuS6Na3KcPCwD3OTjGn97rMpKZWgvBbHOwO8wsheqn0l0eMn1LGhO5MUrnEd5B0paXHRqZNvWGFKhnoa9qWvS08Ca6sRqw-hOM6KD0kFlF6j7WMMT4VsOckENk6WU-P7SUZiWlEJ7wARxX-Bwc0L12WfGz1zMBXGCSMvau-lVgVyCyZjULK9iYvtFyarxfywrHqteatAu-1xqyc3~G8qPkKtn~5YGdRpWASDUPyt0Reqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ken Henry, representing a 13‑community Regional Community Council that lies along segments 4 and 5 of the Thompson Nursery Road project, urged the Board of County Commissioners to replace the option that places a bike lane in the roadway with a design that uses separated multi‑use paths.

\"Change the current option 1 design in segment 4 with a bike path in the roadway to a modified option 2, removing the bike path in favor of the multi‑use path of 8 feet,\" Henry told the board. For segment 5 he recommended a 10‑foot multi‑use path on the south side and an 8‑foot sidewalk on the north, saying the design would better separate vulnerable users from fast‑moving traffic.

Linda Fife, vice president of the Traditions at Winter Haven homeowners association, described local traffic conditions and new commercial construction near the intersection of Thompson Nursery Road and Westlake Ruby. She said residents already alter driving patterns to avoid congestion at the Traditions crossing and cited heavy truck and commercial traffic in the corridor. Fife said multi‑use paths reduce the number of conflict points drivers must watch for compared with separate bike lanes plus sidewalks, and she cautioned that some roadway median cuts shown on plats (for example, at a new Publix) contradict the green median shown in design maps.

In the transcript Henry and Fife referenced projected future growth in the corridor — numbers cited in the presentation included \"some 11,000 homes ... 25,000 more people, 21,000 more vehicles\" — and urged the county to consider safety for bicycles, scooters, and other mobility devices. Henry told the board the Traditions homeowners association and associated community development districts had written assurances prohibiting golf cart use outside their communities except for crossing Thompson Nursery Road.

County staff indicated that approximately 90% of segment 4 is designed and that segment 5 design work is underway. Commissioners did not take a formal vote or direct staff to adopt a specific design during the public comment period recorded in the transcript; the presentation was received during the public comment portion of the meeting. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the community's concerns and said design deviations can be made during engineering and construction as needed.

The presenters requested that the board consider consistency with other county multi‑use paths (including a multi‑use path between Auburndale and Haines City) and to prioritize physical separation of nonmotorized users from vehicle lanes.

No formal action was recorded on this presentation during the meeting.","Representatives of 13 communities and Traditions at Winter Haven HOA urged commissioners to change the Thompson Nursery Road widening design for segments 4 and 5, recommending separated multi‑use paths (8–10 feet) instead of a bike lane in the roadway to improve safety amid projected growth and new commercial development.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6547013,"County auditor gives Polk County a clean opinion on 2024 financial statements",347,288000,635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd&start=288&end=635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3407544-df2dd42abaa56ce841f868f05a193ccd/thumbnail_288000.jpg","/articles/6547013/Polk-County/Florida/County-auditor-gives-Polk-County-a-clean-opinion-on-2024-financial-statements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547013-8f70b1fba34f92d0f257d307aa91ff6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153693&Signature=i0xvfap08BrzzSHHwS3Hl5J2RQQPkMYvmGgaQ8g9fuPRvu9D2E4kanhXA4vRXRSKC39GgZ3fMKWUZN3lCMErlAZ93QAgX0A6HU~Pillv8pDWhUKfQwf3bbdvZ307mK9ZODaL4izs~12J-5rQqCXeucUzxtViH0z2WCniITAgmMr2Qx3X0JcwZWoVxXJVSLK5KDNVogGdqyjwNmRR5cG6s10Eji3fudMrL6aMFNOKYPR6rYV2bXIjVdA7MIefBd9r4unM~wavpepUOuTVJ43wclSP-RFcIfM8AKrBNaQA9iw~RIGLWbjFAkr8lIpov26Vyy-teSiaRIWc2B2aqwGd4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lance Schmidt, managing partner for CliftonLarsonAllen's Central Florida practice, told the Polk County Board of County Commissioners on May 12 that the firm issued an unmodified opinion on the county's financial statements for the year ending Sept. 30, 2024.

\"You received an unmodified opinion. That is a clean opinion, and it's the best opinion you can receive on the financial statement,\" Schmidt said. He told the board the audit included additional compliance work (a single-audit-style compliance review) for five programs — two federal and three state — and that the county received an unmodified opinion on compliance for those programs.

Schmidt said the audit team also issued an independent auditors' report on internal control and a Florida-required management letter. \"We had no findings or recommendations there,\" he said. He added the audit involved roughly 3,000 hours of work and included separate reports on landfill closure escrow, county-funded court functions, and two community redevelopment agencies.

The presentation acknowledged a single item discussed at the county's audit and finance committee but did not characterize it as a material weakness. Schmidt praised county staff and the clerk's office for their cooperation in producing the comprehensive annual financial report and a condensed popular annual financial report provided to the board.

The presentation concluded with no formal board action requested; commissioners thanked the audit team and had no substantive follow-up questions recorded in the transcript.

Polk County staff will have the complete annual comprehensive financial report on the public record; Schmidt said the report contains full detail beyond the highlights presented to the board.","CliftonLarsonAllen presented Polk County's fiscal 2024 audit results, reporting an unmodified (clean) opinion on the financial statements, no material weaknesses in internal control, and no findings in the management letter.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Polk County adopts waterway protection ordinance and designates swim areas and vessel exclusion zones for three lakes

Polk County staff to use indexed landfill disposal rate of $46/ton and yard‑waste rate of $36.50/ton for FY2026 budget planning

Votes at a glance: contracts, appointments and a veto‑request letter approved by Polk County commissioners

Residents urge Polk County to adopt separated multi‑use paths on Thompson Nursery Road widening

County auditor gives Polk County a clean opinion on 2024 financial statements