Residents urge action on animal control facility, ditches and public records at Polk County meeting

Several Polk County residents used the public‑comment period at the July 1 Board of County Commissioners meeting to press county officials for follow‑up on local problems including animal‑control facility conditions, repeated residential flooding in Mount Tabor Estates, difficulty obtaining public records and a homeowner’s permit complaint.

Wallace Lowry, who identified his house at 628 Hobson Road, said he had attempted repairs to his home but encountered what he described as improper demands from contractors when he sought help navigating permits and codes. "When they give me someone to talk to, first thing they say, I'll sign anything you want, but you gotta give me $3,000 first," Lowry said. "That don't sound right. That sound like extortion to me. And I just want…