ADVISORY GROUPS/CITIZEN PARTICIPATION - 863-534-6444
Advisory groups play a critical role in Polk County government. Some groups were created by state law; others were created by the Board of County Commissioners as advisors in specific areas. County residents are encouraged to participate by expressing a desire to be appointed to these groups or make recommendations for appointments. If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact the County Manager’s Office at 534-6444.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICE - 863-534-5901
The Equal Opportunity Office ensures that Polk County Board of County Commissioners’ staff and employees comply with United States Title VII rules and regulations regarding discrimination or harassment of any kind, including offensive or hostile work environment, and sexual harassment. It also ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and conducts necessary investigations. The office facilitates employee appeal hearings, as well as assists and advises the County Manager and staff on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action issues, minority affairs, and community relations.

Also under the direction of the Equal Opportunity Administrator is the Office of Minority Business Procurement. The Office of Minority Business Procurement works to implement ways to encourage minority procurement participation including training and development of new bidders.

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET - 863-534-6594
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prepares the County’s budget, the five year Capital Improvement Plan, and monitors financial trends and expenditures for the Board of County Commissioners in order to ensure the effective and efficient use of county resources. OMB also serves as the impact fee coordinator, working with other county and municipal agencies to monitor and evaluate building construction and development in order to assess fees commensurate with the impact these activities will have on the county’s growth. OMB also acts as staff support for the Public Safety Coordinating Council whose mission as established under Florida Statutes is to continually assess and recommend improvements to the criminal justice process and system. Publications produced by OMB include: Budget Book, Capital Improvement Program, Impact Fee Manual, Revenue Manual, and Budget-In-Brief.

Polk County’s fiscal year begins October 1 and ends September 30. Under the direction of the County Manager, OMB prepares the proposed budget based on requests from Board departments, elected officials, and any outside agencies.

Budget work sessions are held beginning in May. The proposed budget is presented to the Board each year in July. Both the tentative and final millage rates are adopted in September. For FY 2001/02, the adopted millage rate is 7.727 or $7.73 per $1,000 of taxable value on tangible and/or personal property. The total budget for FY 2001/02 is $848,185,080. However, of that amount, $540,383,853 is the operating budget, or amount planned to be spent during the fiscal year.

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE - 863-534-6090
The Public Information Office (PIO) communicates information about County government to the general public, media, other governmental agencies, and the business community in order to encourage involvement between citizens and their County government.

PIO coordinates with other county offices to ensure accurate and timely distribution of information. This office also operates the County’s switchboard, which receives all incoming calls for the main number to County offices. PIO is responsible for coordinating public information efforts during emergency events. This office assists in coordination of legislative activities for the BoCC. PIO coordinates the videotaping of BoCC meetings for later broadcast on cable television stations. Publications about County services are available through this office.

Message Center - 863-534-7600; 863-293-7600
The Message Center is a prerecorded message system that offers general information about numerous activities in County government.

Speakers Bureau - 863-534-6090
The Public Information Office can suggest County experts available to speak to your group on a variety of subjects. These speakers can complement your program by offering information and answering questions regarding County services.