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Commission approves FY‑26 budget ordinance, three sidewalk grant applications and CDBG allocation for RH Malcolm Park
Summary
On March 9 the Winter Haven City Commission approved a second‑reading budget ordinance (O‑26‑09), authorized three Polk TPO Transportation Alternatives grant applications for sidewalk projects and endorsed a $296,202.74 CDBG allocation for RH Malcolm Park renovations.
At the March 9, 2026 Winter Haven City Commission meeting, the commission approved several staff recommendations by voice vote and without public opposition.
Ordinance O‑26‑09 (an amendment to the FY‑2026 appropriation ordinance) was advanced to second reading and approved at the meeting after staff said there had been no changes since the first reading and recommended approval. The city read the ordinance title for the record, opened a public hearing (no speakers), and approved the ordinance by voice vote; the mayor announced the motion carries.
Staff then presented three resolutions authorizing the city manager to submit Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Transportation Alternatives Program grant applications for pedestrian and sidewalk improvements: North Lake Maud Drive (preliminary cost estimate $830,277), 5th Street Northeast (preliminary cost estimate $997,142) and 5th Street Southeast (preliminary cost estimate $851,174). The commission voted to approve each resolution in separate voice votes after staff explained the projects and the TPO application and ranking process.
The commission also considered a CDBG municipal partner proposal to allocate the city’s FY26–27 Community Development Block Grant of $296,202.74 for enhancements at RH Malcolm Park, including a new playground with safety surfacing, new site amenities, picnic area and upgraded ADA access. Staff recommended assigning the allocation to the park project; the commission opened a public hearing (no speakers) and approved the allocation and authorization for the city manager to submit the proposal to Polk County.
First readings were held for O‑26‑07 (rezoning 1519 8th Street Southwest from Industrial‑Light to Multifamily‑Low Density R‑3; the parcel is 0.48 acres) and O‑26‑11 (a budget amendment explaining a rollback of duplicate appropriations creating a net decrease of $1,889,134 in FY‑26 accounts); neither first reading required an immediate vote and both were scheduled for second reading on March 23.
The meeting record shows outcomes by voice vote; no formal roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript.
