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Planning Commission approves update to five‑year capital improvements schedule totaling about $482 million
Summary
On Jan. 7, 2025, the Winter Haven Planning Commission approved an administrative amendment to the Capital Improvements Element to update the five‑year schedule (fiscal years 2024–25 through 2028–29) and to revise policies 1.1.7 and 1.1.8 to adopt FDOT, Polk County and Polk County School Board work programs by reference.
The Winter Haven Planning Commission on Jan. 7 approved an administrative amendment to the Capital Improvements Element of the city comprehensive plan that updates the five‑year schedule of capital improvements for fiscal years 2024–25 through 2028–29 and revises policies 1.1.7 and 1.1.8 to adopt by reference the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Polk County and Polk County School Board annual work programs.
Staff described the item as routine and required by Florida statutes, saying local governments must adopt a five‑year schedule of capital improvements as part of their comprehensive plan. Staff noted the schedule in this update derives from the city’s operating budget as adopted by the City Commission on Sept. 23, 2024, and includes projects the city intends to seek grant funding for over the next one to two years.
Heather Reuter (staff member) told commissioners the total capital spending reflected in the five‑year schedule is approximately $482,000,000. Reuter said funding sources include a combination of general and enterprise funds, impact fees, grants, bond revenues, loans, state and county revenue sharing, and private contributions. Staff also explained that, to fully implement the concurrency management system, the Capital Improvements Element must reference FDOT, Polk County and Polk County School Board annual work programs; policies 1.1.7 and 1.1.8 address those references.
There were no speakers from the public on this item. The Planning Commission voted to approve case number P‑25‑03, adopting the administrative amendment as presented in the city fact sheet. The approval was recorded by voice vote with no opposing voices on the transcript.
Why it matters: updating the five‑year capital improvements schedule is a routine statutory requirement that aligns the comprehensive plan with the city’s adopted budget and with regional and county transportation and school facilities work programs; it also sets the schedule for projects the city may pursue with grant funding.
Next steps: the planning commission approved the administrative amendment at the Jan. 7 meeting; the transcript records staff’s recommendation and the planning commission vote. Specific project funding and grant applications will follow the city’s normal budgetary and grant‑application processes.
