2016 - 2017 Polk Vision Annual Report 2017 PV AR_spreads | Page 30

LEFT Commissioner Bell updated the audience on job growth, Maggie Mariucci - Co-Chair, Florida Polytechnic University educational opportunities, arts & culture, parks & recreation Donna Sheehan - Co-Chair, City of Winter Haven facilities and tourism. Melony Bell - Polk County BoCC Stacy Butterfield - Polk County Clerk of the Courts Meagin Colson - Polk County Sheriff’s Office Susan Copeland - Polk Education Foundation Marsha Faux - Polk County Property Appraiser Christine Goding - Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office ABOVE Polk County Mayors gather to participate in the 2016 Mayor’s Rountable. Gwinnell Jarvis - Polk County Sheriff’s Office Valeria Jorn - Tri-County Human Services GOVERNMENT ADVISORY TEAM 6TH ANNUAL MAYORS ROUNDTABLE 2017 STATE OF THE COUNTY UPDATE 2018 LEGISLATIVE WARM-UP Joe LaCascia - City of Polk City The Government Advisory Team serves The Mayors Roundtable is a well- The State of the County Update brought On November 3, 2017 renowned author, to bring together all levels of local established, annual gathering of Mayors together citizens from across Polk County political scientist, and University of South government to create more awareness, in Polk County. This unique event allows to hear from Board of County Commission Florida professor Dr. Susan MacManus, will cooperation and support of Polk Vision for discussion on topics critical to their Chair Melony Bell and County Manager Jim moderate a panel discussion with members LEAD Team initiatives. This includes community and the county as a whole. Freeman. Topics addressed included traffic of the Polk County Legislative Delegation. providing review and guidance on both For the 6th year in a row, the Polk Vision congestion (particularly the northern The 2018 Legislative Warm-Up will include foreseen and unforeseen opportunities Government Advisory Team hosted the corridor of highway 27), roads expansion, an overview of the legislative process, that intersect with a strategy or tactic half-day roundtable discussion at Polk the formation of a water cooperative, best practices for effectively engaging impacting the potential success of a LEAD State College in Winter Haven with Jerry public safety and the need to increase legislators and insight regarding important Team’s goal. Miller of Duke Energy serving as moderator. capacity in order to keep pace with a issues potentially to be addressed in the Broadband access and the importance growing population. upcoming session. Tracy Mouncey - Tracy Mouncey & Associates Matt Mucci - AT&T Michael Spake - Lakeland Regional Health Lea Ann Thomas - Polk County BoCC The Team works diligently to effectively of having affordable high-speed internet produce a series of community engagement throughout the county was an important events each year such as the Mayors topic of discussion at this year’s roundtable Roundtable, State of the County, Elected event. Other topics discussed included Leadership Summit, and legislative economic development, infrastructure, and workshops. transportation. VISION Before 2030, Polk County will have a comprehensive system of government that is effective, efficient, diverse and responsive to the basic needs of its citizens. LEFT During the State of the County Update, Commissioner Bell and Mr. Freeman - with occasional I am proud to be part of the Polk Vision Government Team that works to build greater relationships and enhance overall outcomes through reinforced communications, assistance from event host, Sheriff Grady Judd - fielded questions from the audience. partnerships, and awareness of challenges and initiatives of Polk County’s 17 municipalities. It is exciting to assist in fortifying the connections between various Teams, County residents and government agencies, strengthening Polk County as an extraordinary location to live, work, learn and play.” 29 — Donna Sheehan, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Winter Haven Government 30