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As outlined in the Polk County Charter, the Board of County Commissioners
(BoCC) is the governing body of Polk County. Each commissioner
is elected by a countywide vote for a four-year term,
with a term limitation of eight
consecutive years. Each of the five commissioners must
reside in his/her district.
Commissioners from Districts One, Three, and Five are
elected in Presidential election years; Districts Two
and Four are elected in the intervening years.
Elected county officials are subject to recall according to provisions of
state law. The state Legislature is the only governing body with the power to
create, abolish, or consolidate counties.
Each November, a Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected by the members of the
county commission. The Chairman selects the various Board committee chairmen
who, in turn, work with the County Manager and the staff in developing and
establishing Board policies.
Duties and Powers
The duties and powers of the County Commission are contained within
the County Charter, the Florida Constitution and Chapter
125 of the Florida Statutes. Some examples of the
duties and powers of the County Commission include:
- levying taxes and fees for county purposes,
- provide and maintain county buildings,
- provide fire protection and ambulance services,
- provide health and welfare programs,
- provide parks, preserves, playgrounds, recreation areas, libraries,
museums, historical commissions, and other recreation
and cultural facilities and programs,
- prepare and enforce comprehensive plans for the development in the
county,
- establish, coordinate, and enforce zoning and such business regulations
as are necessary for the protection of the public,
- adopt and enforce building, housing and related technical codes
and regulations,
- establish and administer programs of housing, slum clearance, community
redevelopment, conservation, flood control, air pollution
control,
- provide and regulate waste and sewage collection and disposal, water
supply and conservation programs,
- provide and operate public transportation systems, roads, bridges
and related facilities.
The County Commission adopts an annual budget which includes appropriations
for services provided by county government and other
county offices including the Sheriff, Property Appraiser,
Tax Collector and Supervisor of Elections. This budget
also includes appropriations in support of the Circuit
and County Courts, State Attorney, Public Defender and
Clerk of the Court.
The County Commission meets twice a month on Wednesdays
in the boardroom of the County Administration Building in Bartow.
Other meetings are listed in the "Announcements" portion
of the Commission agenda. Florida’s "Government in the Sunshine"
law requires that all county government business takes place in
public meetings and that the public be given adequate notice of
such meetings.
All regularly-scheduled meetings and public hearings of the Board of County
Commissioners are videotaped for later rebroadcast. Check with your local cable
provider for dates and times.
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