Polk County holds public hearing on GLO disaster‑recovery funds as residents press for road and drainage repairs

Polk County held a public hearing to collect community input on the General Land Office’s (GLO) 2024 Disaster Recovery Local Communities Program, a HUD-funded competition worth about $97,000,000 statewide. County-hired consultants from David Waxman, Inc. outlined eligible activities, scoring rules and deadlines while residents urged the county to prioritize road, drainage and bridge repairs in Holiday Lakes and along River Road.

The presenter from David Waxman, Inc. told attendees that Polk County is in a tier 1 category, which improves its chances in the competition, and explained the typical award range. "You can ask for anything from $500,000 to $5,000,000," the presenter said, adding that applicants earn up to 10 scoring points by pledging at least a 5% local match (for example, a $250,000 match on a $5,000,000 request).

Why it matters: awards will be competitive and limited; the presenter estimated that, at…