Local Politics · Winter Haven, FL
On Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners voted 4–1 to adopt a $377,158,764 budget for Fiscal Year 2027, maintaining the millage rate at 6.5900 mills. The general fund rises approximately 8 percent to $86,135,247, with $19.3 million allocated to police, $18.5 million to fire, and $14.78 million to parks and recreation. Commissioner Chad Davis cast the sole dissenting vote on both the budget and millage rate, proposing a rollback to 6.3888 mills funded by drawing $1 million from the city's unassigned fund balance; his amendment failed 1–4. Mayor Brian Yates countered that the proposed savings would amount to roughly $50 for a $250,000 home and argued against tapping emergency reserves absent unforeseen circumstances. The city's taxable property values grew 4.97 percent to $5.61 billion, with new construction contributing $164.8 million of that increase.
Housing & Development · Lake Wales, FL
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a $144,473,884 budget for the upcoming fiscal year, supported by a millage rate of 8.0462 mills—a 6.85 percent increase over the rolled-back rate. The added revenue funds major projects including $17.5 million toward restoring the historic Walesbilt Hotel, $1 million in citywide street resurfacing, a new south fire station on Hunt Brothers Road, and continued rollout of the Lake Wales Connected downtown revitalization plan. A homeowner with a $200,000 taxable value would pay approximately $1,609 in property taxes, roughly $103 more than the prior year. The city's taxable property base grew by more than $1.5 billion (20.56 percent) over the past year due to new construction and annexations.
Community News · Lake Wales, FL
The City of Lake Wales will construct a 3,200-foot asphalt multiuse trail in Crystal Lake Park, creating a continuous loop around the lake when connected to the Park Avenue Connector Trail. The project includes a scenic lake overlook with outdoor seating, historic-style lamp posts, native landscaping, and reconstruction of a Third Street segment behind the Lake Wales Public Library into an asphalt trail with a Victorian garden. Three existing trails and three in development will link Burns Avenue outside Bok Tower Gardens through the city's parks system to the downtown historic district. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned at Crystal Lake Park at the corner of Sessoms Avenue and 4th Street, with community members invited to attend.
About Your Local News in Polk County
Every night we go through the news sites and public notices that cover Polk County, FL. When several outlets report the same council vote, you read about it once.
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