Polk County Commission

Coker:

• Growth management
• Infrastructure improvement.
• Mental health services.

Price: The decisions we make over the next few years will determine whether Polk maintains its unique charm or becomes just another bedroom community in central Florida. As a County Commissioner, my priorities will be elevating development standards and protecting natural resources, accelerating infrastructure projects, and supporting first responders. I will fight for the voices of our citizens, for quality of life and the future of beautiful Polk County.

Troutman: My top 3 priorities are public safety, smart growth, & improved infrastructure, each integral to the well-being and prosperity of our community. Public safety is paramount and a nonnegotiable. Smart growth must consider the needs of our current residents & ensure that personal property rights are protected and not impacted by any governmental overreach. Funding for infrastructure must be a top priority & county leaders must provide the most timely & economic means for roadway construction.

Coker: As a lifelong Polk County resident, I understand the needs of the average citizen because I’m one of them. I’m running for County Commission to ensure our community’s growth, infrastructure, and mental health services are effectively managed and improved for everyone’s benefit.

Price: I believe elected leadership should prioritize listening to those they represent and make decisions that are in the best interest of all who call Polk County “home.” Many, including myself, are increasingly frustrated with unrestrained development without necessary infrastructure as well as being dismissed when they raise concerns. Our county and its people will flourish when we listen to what they need – not what a handful of “experts” want for our county.

Troutman: I am running for office because I am passionate about making a difference in our community. I aim to listen to the desires of the residents, establish shared goals and a implement a strategic plan for Polk County’s prosperity. My vision is to create a thriving community where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their version of the American Dream. I believe Polk County can become an economic powerhouse while retaining the charm we all cherish.

Coker: No, I believe the commission should have allowed voters to decide on the half-cent sales tax proposal for roads and transportation. To fund these needed improvements, the county should explore diverse funding sources, including public-private partnerships, state and federal grants, and potentially reintroducing the sales tax proposal with clear benefits outlined to the community.

Price: It was the right call when so many are struggling financially. Increased funding for roads should be part of impact fees/requirements for development. It’s no surprise to anyone that opening the development floodgates would result in a need for more roads. It’s not the responsibility of the existing citizens of Polk to wholly fund the infrastructure impact of new projects. That impact should rest on the shoulders of those bringing the sprawl, not on the backs of hard-working residents.

Troutman: The decision not to send a sales tax proposal for roadways to voters last year was a complex & influenced by various factors. Whether it was the right call depends on perspectives & priorities. To address the funding needs for our roads we must ensure new development pays it fair share & that we explore all funding sources to include prioritizing the reallocation of existing budgets. We must ensure we do not place undue financial burdens on current residents or businesses.

Coker: I agree with ending curbside recycling if the current program is not cost-effective or efficient. However, the county should explore alternative recycling solutions that are more sustainable and beneficial for residents.

Price: I truly hate to see it go, but the county indicated that the majority of the items intended for recycling were still ending up in the landfill. I would like us to find ways to incrementally bring it back without increasing rates for residents. Even if it’s not as comprehensive as the prior program, recycling some materials would be better than none at all.

Troutman: In October, Polk County will end its curbside recycling service. This decision actually lowers the environmental impact created by the program itself. In the collection process we are creating a much larger carbon footprint in comparison to the environmental benefits gained from recycling small amounts of plastics. I do believe we should constantly explore more sustainable solutions and encouraging residents to reduce and reuse materials.

Coker: The Polk County Commission has done well in improving infrastructure and supporting economic development. However, they have poorly managed growth, leading to overdevelopment and strain on resources. I would implement better growth management strategies to ensure sustainable and balanced development.

Price: The commission has backed PCSO well, contributing to an extremely low crime rate and attracting new growth. Opportunities include supporting Polk Fire with recruitment and retention, focusing on legitimate concerns with sprawling development in rural areas, and leveraging technology to keep citizens better informed of changes in the county. I would be a proponent of moving at least one meeting per month to the evening for better availability to those who work daytime.

Troutman: Over the past 5 years, Polk County has excelled in addressing pressing water needs and maintaining fiscal responsibility, resulting in lowered property tax rates and a $64 million surplus this year. However, the county struggled to effectively manage trash collection and responding to related issues in a timely manner. I would work to ensure that residents’ concerns are addressed more promptly and that contracts do not include loopholes that allow for continued business with poor performance.

Hall: Find and implement solutions to Polk County’s transportation issues.
Continue working to ensure that our current population and future generations have a clean adequate water supply.
Maintain commitment to our Public Safety Officials; Sheriff’s Office, Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
Make sure that we use smart development practices as Polk County continues to grow.

Scott: We are growing at an accelerated pace which is stressing key infrastructure systems such as transportation, public safety, healthcare, and education. To address this, I would look to find meaningful solutions that will encourage smart growth, strategic development, and stronger communities in Polk County.

Shirah: 1. Make sure the growth of Polk County is smart and controlled; the infrastructure must be in place before developments are approved.
2. Public Health and Safety, our fire departments are strained now, our Sheriff office is also feeling the pressure and needing more deputies.
3. Environmental Sustainability, making sure we have adequate water for the future.

Hall: The four issues in my previous answer will have an effect on our citizens quality of life for years, if not decades, to come; given my experience I can enter into discussions on these issues immediately. Of the four items transportation is the biggest current issue without an apparent solution.
I am running for County Commission District 5 because I grew up here, my children grew up here and my grandchildren are currently growing up here, I want to preserve an excellent quality of life for them.

Scott: Polk County needs leaders who can lead us towards a brighter and better future. Based on my past 17 years of experience as a civil engineer and 20 years as the founder and CEO of Right Trailers, Inc., I have the most relevant and current experience when compared to the other candidates. I will be able to understand the technical elements of the challenges facing the county and work with staff to opine on proposed projects and solutions.

Shirah: Our infrastructure is not adequate to support our growth. Since we are the number one destination for relocation, we must make sure we have the proper infrastructure, we already have issues traveling on our roads in the county, we need smart controlled growth. Many people in Polk County District 5 do not feel they are being heard or represented, I will be reachable and transparent, I have made no promises to builders or any special interest groups, I will represent the people.

Hall: I think that it should have gone to the voters; Polk County’s voters are informed about issues and in the absence of a different solution they should have had an opportunity to make the decision. The backlog of transportation projects is so large that it may take several different revenue streams to get us caught up. One thing that was considered several years ago was the establishment of a Polk Expressway Authority; it may be time to revisit that and pay for some of the large roads with tolls.

Scott: The word “tax” is a term that is heard widely across governing bodies, and most of the usage of that term has a negative association attached to it; however, we have to acknowledge that we are growing and it is not slowing down. I would evaluate the county’s budget as I do in my own business to understand where there may be areas of surplus and areas of deficit. After this evaluation, I would be able to opine on how to best fund infrastructure improvements.

Shirah: Yes, it was the right call. If elected I plan on the builders paying their fair share so less cost will be placed on the people. Increasing impact fees for the developers and applying for State and Federal grants. Most families are living from paycheck to paycheck so my goal would be to not add any more taxes to the hard-working people.

Hall: Yes, I agree with ending curbside recycling at this time; however, we should have the option to restart it in the future. When the program was started there was a market for clean recycled material, now there is not; China was the largest purchaser of recycled material and they have ceased purchasing our recycled goods.
Curbside recycling has a big carbon footprint because the material is handled at least twice utilizing large trucks and in some cases three times if the material is land-filled.

Scott: The recycling program in the U.S. is currently broken and we do not have enough resources to fund and manage centers that can handle recyclable waste materials. Many centers are regionally funded by taxpayers, and unfortunately, those dollars need to be utilized elsewhere. The cost to offer curbside recycling services has significantly increased along with the ability to transport the waste and often times, the recycled materials are still deposited into the landfill. It is cost prohibitive.

Shirah: Yes, presently most of the recycle is also being dumped at the land fill. People have been misled with how the recycle is being handled.

Hall: The Commission has rolled back taxes on the general fund millage 3% each of the last two years and today agreed to rollback the general fund millage 1%. During today’s economy this will help individuals save money on property taxes that can be used in other places in their budget.

Development impact fees are only reviewed every 5 years; I would propose that we shorten the time between reviews to 3 years to make sure that the fees being paid are appropriate.

Scott: During the past five years, the commission has managed to maintain a safe county by providing budgets to fund the public safety departments of the county. The commission has also supported updating the comprehensive plan. I would instill change to provide more guidance to the future development of the county and more transparency to the residents of the county. I will not be a county commissioner, I will be your county commissioner.

Shirah: Lowered taxes for the last 3 years since Covid. The commission has approved too many new subdivisions and developments without proper infrastructure, this is causing a strain on our deputies and fire fighters. Our roads cannot handle the capacity and now we are having to close roads to take care of road work that should have been done initially and paid for by the builders and developers. Our schools are also at capacity, we need better planning.