2018 - 2019 Polk Vision Annual Report PV Annual Report 2018_WEB | Page 37

36 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. Matt Mucci Co-Chair AT&T Donna Sheehan Co-Chair City of Winter Haven Melony Bell Polk County BoCC Stacy Butterfield Polk County Clerk of the Courts Betsy Cleveland Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office Meagin Colson Polk County Sheriff’s Office Susan Copeland Polk Education Foundation Marsha Faux Polk County Property Appraiser 2018 STATE OF THE COUNTY UPDATE Held on April 25, 2018, the State of the County Update brought together residents from across Polk County to hear from Board of County Commission Chair, Todd Dantzler, and County Manager, Jim Freeman. Topics addressed included the impact and after effects of Hurricane Irma, investments in infrastructure, traffic congestion (particularly the northern corridor of US Highway 27), roads expansion, public safety and the need to increase capacity in order to keep pace with a growing population. Christine Goding Community Volunteer Gwinnell Jarvis Polk County Sheriff’s Office Brad Johnson City of Lakeland Valeria Jorn Tri-County Human Services TOP: Commissioner Dantzler updated the audience on Polk's rapid population growth, investments in economic development, and the role of tourism to our local economy. BOTTOM: Event host, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, assisted Commissioner Dantzler and Mr. Freeman by answering several questions posed by audience members. Maggie Mariucci Florida Polytechnic University Tracy Mouncey Tracy Mouncey & Associates Michael Spake Lakeland Regional Health Lea Ann Thomas Polk County BoCC Stacy Butterfield // Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller, Polk County Polk Vision continuously upholds its core principals through the work its members do within the Polk County community, and the Polk Vision Government Team has gone above and beyond to identify underlying issues and bring about systemic change throughout the county. I am thrilled to be involved in efforts to engage the community as a member of the team and have the opportunity to bring together all facets of local government to achieve the team’s vision of a diverse, comprehensive governmental system that fulfills the basic needs of Polk County’s residents efficiently."