City of Winter Haven Annual Report (Fiscal Year 2022 - 2023)

FY 20222023 ANNUAL REPORT

WI NTER H AV E N , F L

55,764

ESTI M ATE D C I TY O F W IN T E R HAV E N P OP U L ATI O N A S O F AP RI L 202 3

$260 M F ISC AL Y E AR 202 2 -2 0 2 3 AN N UAL BU D G E T

BY TH E NUMBERS

26.8%

$88.1 M

REDUCTI O N I N V I O L ENT CRIME

E CO N O M IC I MPACT GENERATED BY THE W IN T E R HAV EN REGI O NAL AI RPO RT

40,000+

10,927 C AL LS FO R S ERVICE RUN BY THE F I RE DEPA RTMENT

TA K E O FFS AND L ANDI NGS AT THE W INTER HAV EN AI RPO RT

$802,500 GRANT & AI D TO NOT-FORPRO F I T O RGANI ZATIONS

Where Local Meets Innovation, the Extraordinary Happens.

600+ 3,500,000 10,000+ SOL I D WAST E CUSTO M E R I NT E RACT I ON S E ACH Y E A R

T R E E S I N THE C I TY

20+

56

M I L E S OF STORM WATE R P IP E S

CITY-M A I NTAI NED L A K ES HO RES

134+

600+

MI LES OF ROADWAY MA IN TA IN E D

VE H ICL ES MANAGED

50

MI L E S OF C I TY- OW N E D F I B E R OPT I C CON D U IT, CON N E CT I N G C ITY FACI LIT I E S AN D GE N E RAT IN G DAR K FI BE R E N TE R P R IS E RE V E N U E

153

S M A RT S E CURI TY CA M E RA S IN STAL L ED T H R O U G H O UT THE CITY

C I TY EMPLOY EES (F UL L TI ME & PART TI M E)

14+

46

MI L ES O F TRAI LS

PUBL I C PA RKS

400

70

AC RES MAI NTAI NED (PARKS , TRAI LS , C EMETERI ES , ATHL ETI C F I EL DS , & C I TY FAC I L I TI ES )

MI L ES OF RIG HTO F -W AY A LONG ROADWAYS MAI NTA INED

$0.0035

AV ERAGE CO ST O F A GAL LO N O F W ATER FOR A RES I DENTI AL W ATER CUSTO MER

$0.0073

AV ERAGE CO ST TO TREAT EAC H GAL LO N OF WATER US ED BY A RES I DENTI AL W ATER CUSTOMER

T H O U GH TS FROM OUR C ITY’S LEADERS

Winter Haven City Commission Growth and Challenges go hand in hand. With 1,500 apartment building permits issued, two new hotels nearing completion and multiple housing complexes planned, Winter Haven is a fast growing city. We in city government are focused on how to manage this growth for the betterment of the citizens already here and those yet to arrive. Let’s everybody pull in the the same direction to maintain the City we all love.

Brad Dantzler, Mayor, Seat #4 bdantzler@mywinterhaven.com

At the heart of Winter Haven is our unwavering sense of community. As times change, our commitment to support, uplift, and unite with one another remains steadfast. Let’s continue to lean on each other, forging an even stronger bond that reflects the true spirit of our City.

Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr., Mayor Pro-Tem, Seat #2 nbirdsong@mywinterhaven.com

As we welcome new faces and structures, it’s crucial we bolster the backbone of our city: our infrastructure. Every road paved, water line replaced, and facility updated isn’t just an investment in concrete or brick, but in the smooth daily lives of our residents. Let’s continue to ensure Winter Haven grows sturdily, with a foundation that lasts for generations.

L. Tracy Mercer, City Commissioner, Seat #1 tmercer@mywinterhaven.com

Change is the only constant, and in Winter Haven, we embrace it with open arms. It’s not just about the numbers, but the stories behind each new home, each new business. Our mission isn’t just growth for growth’s sake; it’s about ensuring a brighter, prosperous future for every resident. Together, we shape the next chapter of our City’s narrative.

Brian Yates, City Commissioner, Seat #3 byates@mywinterhaven.com

The City Commission, City Manager, and entire workforce were saddened by the passing of City Commissioner James H. “JP” Powell April 24, 2023.

Commissioner Powell was first seated as a City Commissioner in 2007 and proudly served this community until his final days. His love for aviation, genuine smile and engagement, and passion for Winter Haven will always be remembered with fondness and respect for the work he accomplished.

In Memory of James H. “J.P.” Powell, City Commissioner, Seat #5

LE ADE RS HIP STAFF DIRECTORY

T. Michael Stavres

C I TY M AN AGE R mstavres@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5600

Amanda Jo “A.J.” Nicholson

A SSI STANT TO T H E C I TY M A N AG E R anicholson@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5600

Vanessa Castillo

C I TY C LE RK vcastillo@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5600

Christine Samuel

DIVERSI TY & I N C LUSI V ITY D IR E CTO R csamuel@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5600

Katrina Hill

DI R E CTOR OF P UB L IC AF FAI RS & COM M U NICAT IO N khill@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5600

Gary Hubbard

WAT E R D I RE CTO R ghubbard@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5853

M.J. Carnevale

Charlie Bird

D E P U TY C I TY MANAGER mcarnevale@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5600

ASS I STANT C I TY MANAGER - PUB LIC SA FETY cbird@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5677

Shawn Dykes

David Brannan

H U M A N RES O URC ES DI RECTO R sdykes@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5650

PO L I C E C HI EF dbrannan@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5663

C.J. Scott

Sonny Emery

F IN A N CIA L S ERV I C ES DI RECTO R cjscott@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5600

Brittany Hart

IN T E R IM P UBL I C WO RKS DI RECTO R bhart@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5660

Julie Adams

F I RE C HI EF jemery@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5677

Tanya Ayers

S AF E NEI GHBO RHO O DS MA NAG ER tayers@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5697

Eric Labbe

PA R KS , REC REATI O N, & CU LTURE DI RECTO R jadams@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5656

DI RECTO R O F ECO NO MI C O PPORTUNITY & CO MMUNI TY I NV ESTMENT elabbe@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5600

Hiep Nguyen

Eric Menger & Mike Moon

S M ART C I TY O F F I C ER hngyen@mywinterhaven.com 863.291.5679

Frederick John Murphy, Jr. C I TY ATTO RNEY fjm@bosdun.com 863.533.7117

I NTERI M AI RPO RT MANAG ERS airportmanager@mywinterhaven.com 863.294.4551

E MB RACI N G T H E GROWTH, P RESERVING THE COMMUNITY

The Exceptionally Local Promise It’s no secret that Winter Haven is continuing to experience rapid growth, and we don’t want to see that growth take us away from our local charm and historic roots. Winter Haven is the place that we say everybody knows everybody, you know your neighbors, you know the customers coming into the businesses. My commitment to you, the citizen, is the City will consistently work to maintain exceptional services, accessibility, and personal relationships. We never want to get rid of that local feel or stop delivering world-class services, programs, opportunities, and facilities.

I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our City team. Their collective spirit, expertise, and passion are the driving forces behind our achievements. Throughout the past year, every department, every City team member, has shown a remarkable commitment to our shared vision. It’s their unyielding spirit, their belief in our City, and their profound dedication to their roles that make our achievements possible.

Each milestone reached, each challenge overcome, and each innovative solution implemented is a testament to their collective efforts.

And to our residents, businesses, and visitors, thank you for your trust, engagement, and feedback.

I’d encourage you to continue to engage, whether that be by attending public meetings, connecting with the City team through our digital tools, participating in opportunities like CityU, or picking up the phone and giving us a call. It’s your voice, your hopes, and your dreams that guide our mission.

Looking forward, here’s to another year of teamwork, triumphs, and maintaining the uniquely local character that makes our City a place we’re all proud to call home.

T. Michael Stavres, ICMA-CM, CPM, CPRP, City Manager Reporting Concerns Made Easy

CON N E CT W I T H US

City Services at Your Fingertips

Report concerns such as potholes, damaged playground equipment, or other local problems directly to staff and receive repair updates.

Safety Alerts & Submit a Tip

The City’s Virtual Assistant

Submit information to our team, receive urgent push notifications such as road closures, public safety information, and critical weather alerts.

Chat via our website or text your questions. The chat bot will provide the answer or connect you to our team.

Manage your Water Account

Capital Project Information

View your water use, get notifications, view and pay utility bills, and explore various conservation programs and incentives.

Text “Hello” to 877.52 ASK WH (877.522.7594)

Your comprehensive, interactive hub for City projects and initiatives.

Sign up for updates on all or select projects.

Feeling happy, healthy, and fulfilled.

61

P UBLIC WIFI ACC ESS P OIN TS THROUGHOUT THE C ITY

$1 9 . 3 MI L L I O N I N VE ST ME N T I N T H E COMMUNITY

Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center The community’s voice is critical to major investments in recreational facilities. The City of Winter Haven staff have been engaging with the community through a series of meetings, surveys, and community-member committee meetings to develop the plans for the Winter Haven Recreational & Cultural Center Improvement Project. After significant community surveys and conversations confirmed the need and desire to completely rebuild the site, an additional $4.8 million was allocated to the project to make the new plans a reality.

Work on the site will begin in early 2024. The new site will include a 37,616 square foot facility including a double gymnasium, recreation programming space, fitness center, activities room, library and technology area, business support area, kitchen and concession, new swimming pool and splashpad, new playground, outdoor sport court, baseball field, picnic areas, band facilities, and open spaces.

U N LE ASHING THE DOGS

K9 Courtyard - Downtown A significant stride towards a more pet-friendly downtown Winter Haven was marked June 26, 2023 with the grand opening of the City’s newest park, the K9 Couryard. The K9 Courtyard complements the recent rise in pet-friendly residential properties and businesses, making the downtown area increasingly accommodating for dog owners and their companions.

The K9 Courtyard is located adjacent to the Chain of Lakes Trail. This secure off-leash dog run provides plenty of mature shade and adjacent parking for easy access to both residents and visitors. Its location is a yet another testament to Winter Haven’s Trail Town designation.

STA F F SP OTL I G H T

Diane Durr Diane has successfully revamped the City’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIPP) to include new strategies that will better serve the community’s needs. She has also assisted with Residential Improvement Grant applications, providing access to home improvements within the Florence Villa CRA District.

N

A COM M I T M E N T TO MU LT I -MO DAL DEVELOP MENT

Winter Haven’s Trail Town Designation

10TH ST NE AVE G NE

11TH ST NE

POLK STATE COLLEGE

600 (FT)

RENOVATED AND ENLARGED STORMWATER RAIN GARDEN

- DRINKING FOUNTAIN - PICNIC TABLES - INTERPRETATION SIGN - LITTER RECEPTACLES

AVE E NE

600 (FT)

BEFORE

AFTER

AVE F

The Lake Elbert neighborhood, situated near Polk State College, is home to many recreation enthusiasts and sees AVE B NE many neighbors, families and students travel the corridor daily. Currently, there are gaps in the pedestrian and cycling infrastructure around Lake Elbert, creating unsafe conditions for student commuters and exercisers. The City worked with residents around the lake to obtain right-of-way on a voluntary basis and design a plan to create a safe trail around the entirety of Lake Elbert that is accessible and safe for pedestrians and cyclists. The trail will also link the several other community trails, parks, and landmarks including Polk State College. The project will begin construction in 2024.

NE

DREXEL AVE NE DREXEL AVE NE

LAKE ELBERT

AVE D NE

AVE B NE

STREETSCAPE, STORMWATER & TRAIL PROJECT BEGINS

EXISTING TRAIL

LAKE ELBERT DR SE

ERT TRAIL | CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENTS

IDA

400

Lake Elbert Trail

AVE H NE

BOAT RAMP TRAILHEAD AVE F NE

200

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

STORMWATER RAIN GARDEN

8TH ST NE

400

FUNNYTING DR

This designation, awarded by the Office of Greenways and Trails, recognizes a vibrant destination where people come together in a place where trail users can venture off a hiking, biking, equestrian or paddling trail to enjoy the amenities and unique heritage of the community. Winter Haven has over 14 miles of interconnecting trails and connections, including complete streets, major sidewalks, and loop trails. The trails link into our downtown with access to amenities like parks, restaurants, shops, ski shows, playgrounds, picnic facilities, tennis courts, a brewery, arts facilities, apartments, and a soon-to-open hotel. The City received the designation in 2023.

0

PROJECT ENDS

DEDI C AT E D TO H E ALT H AN D CLE AN LINESS

41,000 Tons of Solid Waste Collected

LAKE ELBERT TRAIL | CORRI WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA MARCH 03, 2023

The community wouldn’t be able to enjoy the City’s beautiful amenities if they were covered in litter and solid waste. The dedicated Solid Waste Division works hard to ensure a clean and hygienic environment for Winter Haven residents by efficiently collecting and disposing of garbage and recyclables. This not only maintains the aesthetic appeal of the City, it also contributes to a healthier and more pleasant living environment for our community. In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the team served over 21,000 residents and businesses and collected over 41,000 tons of garbage, bulk waste and debris.

FLIGHT TRAINING O P P O RT U N IT I E S EX PA N D I N G AT T H E WI N T E R HAV E N R EG I O N A L A I R PO RT

Feeling secure, well-prepared, and cared for.

WA LKI N G N E I G H B O R H O O DS , CO N N E CT ING RESOURC ES

Neighborhood Initiatives

The Safe Neighborhood team coordinates regular Neighborhood Initiatives. These projects bring together representatives from multiple City departments and community partners including nonprofits and private companies. The goal is to reach out to residents and offer solutions to help them reach compliance with Winter Haven codes rather than simply assessing fines. The team works to connect citizens in need to services available from the City and local organizations. A total of 15 Neighborhood Initiatives have been conducted to-date with several scheduled for the coming year.

TM

COMMISSION

P OL I C E DE PART ME N T R E -ACC REDITATION The City Police Department received it’s 8th consecutive accreditation with the Commission on Florida Law Enforcement. They have been continuously accredited for 24 years.

STA FF SP OTL I G H T

John Murphy

City Attorney John Murphy, along with Assistant City Attorneys Drew Crawford and Seth Claytor, worked directly with the Safe Neighborhoods Manager Tanya Ayers to provide exemplary support and legal guidance in addressing an unprecedented residential code issue, ultimately safeguarding neighboring residents and property owners.

E LE VATING SAFETY & INNOVATION

Virtual Air Traffic Control Tower Winter Haven Regional Airport is poised to be among the first U.S. civilian airports to introduce a digital remote air traffic control tower. 100% funded by state grants, the state-of-the-art digital camera system is already well-established in Europe, demonstrating reliability and efficiency. This shift from an uncontrolled to a controlled airspace not only underscores our commitment to safety in our increasingly busy skies, but also opens doors for future development opportunities. Furthermore, this collaboration with the Bartow Executive Airport will aid in training future air traffic controllers, filling a much-needed gap in the aviation workforce.

H UR R I C A N E I DALI A T H R E AT

Activation of the Emergency Management Plan The City’s Emergency Operations were put into play with a minimal activation in response to the threat of Hurricane Idalia in August 2023. While the area received minimal impact from the storm, its close proximity required staff to engage in a variety of storm preparations. This allowed newer staff to experience protocols first-hand and provided leadership insights into area where additional training and preparation may be warranted in order for the City to be best prepared for any future emergency.

PR OACTI V E M ON I TO R I N G

Smart Covers

Smart Covers provide cost-effective satellite manhole monitoring. The City’s Water Department installed fifteen Smart Covers in areas that have experienced challenges in the sanitary sewer collection system. The Smart Covers send alarms to staff allowing the team to correct any problem before an overflow occurs. They have prevented an average of three sewer backups or spills per month.

347

R E SO LV E D R E Q U E STS FO R SE RV I CE The Streets, Traffic and Drainage team resolved 347 requests for service throughout the City.

These included requests for signs, traffic calming devices, pothole repairs, tree trimming and sidewalk repairs. All these items contribute to safer road conditions for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. This, in turn, reduces the risk of accidents and enhances overall road safety.

B RINGING SERVIC ES C LOSER TO HOME

New Public Safety Complex The City awarded the contract to begin the design phase for a new Public Safety Complex in February 2023. This new complex will be located at the corner of Fairfax Drive and PSC Access Road.

The Public Safety Complex will house Fire Station 4, a Police substation, Safe Neighborhoods offices, and a community room.

This will afford our citizens better access to Public Safety personnel while reducing response times.

T EA M WOR K FO R CR I ME PR E V E N T I O N

Proactive Police Work The Police Department holds weekly meetings to analyze reported crimes and utilize the best resources available to solve or prevent problems in the community. In addition, the Community Advisory Committee met four times during FY 23.

13

P OLIC E OFFIC E RS Hired during the 2022-2023 fiscal year thanks to increased and revamped recruiting strategies.

Everything used daily to keep our City running smoothly.

QUALITY ASSURANC ES STAFF SP OTL I G H T

Jason Blind Patsy Esposito Zachary Hogan Brady Howard Bjorn Wint W ATE R P L A N T O PE RATO RS These Water Plant Operators are a small but mighty team of five. Together, they operate the City’s water plants seven days a week, 24-hours a day.

They consistently go above and beyond to ensure clean, quality water is consistently delivered to water customers.

Thoughtful, Smart Planning The Planning Division of the Economic Opportunity & Community Investment Department review all plans associated with new, expanded, or improved infrastructure in the City of Winter Haven, including utilities and roadways to ensure quality, compatibility, and adherence to all requirements.

Not only do they review plans, they are proactive in identifying sidewalk gaps and other potential infrastructure inadequacies needed to accommodate new development projects.

This team also works to bring in additional funding for infrastructure projects through the development of Complete Street Project applications to the Florida Department of Transportation and other grant applications.

7

M AJ O R I N FRAST R U CT U R E R E L ATE D P R OJE CTS These projects within the water utility ensure infrastructure serves well now and into the future.

QUA LITY P I P E S, M I N I MAL LE AKS

Ribbon cutting for the City’s first EV charging stations.

Efficiency in the Water System The City of Winter Haven Water Utility pumped 3,780,137,830 gallons of water in FY2022-2023 with a water loss of only 1.88%. Water loss is due to leaky pipes in the system that cannot be accounted for through the billing system or water use that is not accounted for, such as flushing of water mains. The typical water loss for most communities is greater than 10%.

The City has joined the Polk Regional Water Cooperative to ensure we have access to adequate water supply in the future. However, capital cost of water purchased through this program is estimated to be $34 per permitted gallon per day. Therefore, the lower the water loss in our system, the less water that will need to be purchased in the future. This protects our natural resource and helps ensure rates can remain lower in the long-run.

I N T E R G OV E R N M E N TAL CO O R DI N AT I ON

Roadway Improvements Many of the roads throughout the City of Winter Haven are not controlled or maintained by the City. The city limits are home to a mix of private roads, city roads, county roads, and state roads. City staff have built strong, collaborative relationships with Polk County and the Florida Department of Transportation to advocate for and coordinate on significant investments in roadway improvements in Winter Haven.

These changes can be disruptive while occurring, but they are paving the way for considerable improvements.

Current projects include Cypress Gardens Boulevard from 1st Street to U.S. Highway 17, Thompson Nursery Road, the recently completed Dundee Road, and pedestrian infrastructure on U.S. 17 near the Havendale Boulevard intersection.

600+

OF MIL E S OF SIDEWAL K

1,000’s

Water Utility Interconnection agreements made and infrastructure installed this year are additional examples of coordination with other governmental agencies to enhance and reinforce the City’s infrastructure.

These projects connect Winter Haven water infrastructure with neighboring utilities ensuring that in the event of an emergency in our region, residents will have access to water that can be supplied from a neighboring utility or the other way around. The interconnect with Polk County has been completed and additional agreements are in the works.

These self-compacting bins have a larger capacity than standard bins.

They create efficiency by notifying staff when they are full, and several of them provide high-speed WIFI free-of-charge to the community.

SIGNAL IZE D INTERSECT ION S

100’s

Interconnects

BI G B E L LY SMART T RAS H B I N S I N STA LLE D I N 2023

43

VEHIC LE S IN T H E C ITY F L E E T

I N T E R G OV E R N M E N TAL CO O R DI N AT I ON

11

MAINTA IN E D BY P UBLIC WORKS STAF F :

OF ST RE E T SIG N S

STAFF SP OTLIGHT

Amin Hanhan

During an extraordinary time of growth and development within the City, Amin, the City Engineer, and his team have diligently provided site plan review, design, and inspection services City-wide and without delay. Citizens, developers, utility providers, and City employees rely on his expert professional engineering services on a daily basis. He has handled the increased workload with a smile and extraordinary professionalism.

Managing resources smartly and fairly, with citizen input.

ST E E R I NG OUR C ITY’S FUTURE

Strategic Pillar Initiative

In an effort to strategically align operational, policy-based, and financial investment decisions, the City Manager’s Office completed a strategic initiative to capture measurable data and constituent feedback in six unique service categories that encompass all of the services provided by the organization. The formation of these pillars of service were vetted through focus groups that included citizens, community partner organizations, and the leadership of the various City departments.

Furthermore, the pillars will provide a framework for communicating back to the community via annual reports, presentations, the website, and informational pieces.

80-95%

STA FF SP OT L I GH T

Katrina Hill

Katrina, the City’s Director . of Public Affairs and .

Communication, shepherded the process to develop the Strategic Pillars along with the means to track performance measurements moving forward, including an ongoing community survey component.

P ERC ENTAGE OF FU N D IN G FROM FEDERAL AND STAT E AVIATION FUND S The Cit y cont ribut e d an average of $0.12 for eve r y $1.00 invest ed in c ap it a l imp rovement s at Wint e r Haven Regional Airp o r t .

AA

with a Stable Outlook

INCRE ASE D BOND RATIN G

TA KI N G TH E M E SSAGE TO TALLAH ASS EE AND WASHINGTON D.C .

Legislative Platforms & Advocacy Efforts

The City Manager, in concert with Department Directors and with an understanding of the Commission’s priorities and objectives, worked with the City’s lobbyists to identify appropriation and legislative requests that would be most beneficial to the residents and businesses of Winter Haven. This led to the creation of appropriations requests and legislative priorities for both the State and Federal sessions. In addition, the City Commission and staff engaged with key State and Federal agency leaders and local Legislative delegates during Polk County Day in Tallahassee in March and via an advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. in May. As a result of these efforts, the City received $250,000 in State funding for Lake Silver Shoreline Revetment and anticipate $2,000,000 in Federal funding contribution to a North Lake Shipp Drive improvement project.

C I TY M A N AG E R , CFO , DE PU TY CI TY MANAGER

New City Leadership

T. Michael Stavres was sworn in as City Manger December 12, 2022. He has worked for the City of Winter Haven since 2001, serving as the Leisure Services Director, Director of Community Services, Assistant City Manager and Deputy City Manager. T. Michael is recognized as a Credentialed Manager by the International City & County Management Association (ICMA-CM). He is also a Certified Public Manager and a Certified Parks & Recreation Professional.

Colleen “C.J.” Scott joined the City team in early 2023 as the City’s new Chief Financial Officer. She is a Certified Government Financial Officer and Certified Public Accountant with significant experience in Florida-based government.

Michael “M.J.” Carnevale was named Deputy City Manager in June 2023 after a nation-wide search that yielded more than 70 highly qualified applicants. M.J. has served the City of Winter Haven since 2011 as Natural Resources Manager and Public Works Director. He holds multiple certifications including Certified Public Manager.

COLL E CT I N G C I T I Z E N FE E DB ACK YE AR- ROUND

Community Survey & Scorecard

The City of Winter Haven launched a new Community Survey in April 2023. The ongoing survey seeks feedback on City services, amenities, feelings of safety, and staff’s delivery of customer service. This yearround survey is distributed by a third party via phone calls, direct mail, and various digital platforms in order to reach a pool of respondents that is statistically valid and a cross-section of all demographics in our community as defined by the 2020 census. The results include a scorecard tied back to the six strategic pillars launched this year alongside a live feed of open-ended responses. Staff monitors the open-ended feedback for timely service responses, and the scorecard will be updated on the website quarterly. The City Commission will also utilize survey feedback in a scheduled strategic planning session in early 2024.

31%

GE N E RAL FU N D R E SERVES IN THE FI S CAL YE AR 2023- 2024 BUDGET

I N T E R-G OV E R N ME N TAL PART N E RS H IPS

Chain of Lakes Park Phase Two The City of Winter Haven is continuing a partnership with the Polk County Tourism Development Council to fund the next phase of the build out of Chain of Lakes Park through an interlocal agreement. Phase two will consist of a $20 million investment funded equally by the City of Winter Haven and Polk County. The elements include four lighted artificial turf collegiate baseball fields; a central building with concessions, restrooms, locker rooms, and other support spaces; parking lots; roadway improvements; stormwater infrastructure and man-made wetlands along the Lake Lulu lakefront; and park amenities such as shade structures, bleachers, benches, and other comfort items.

Wisely caring for natrual resources for current and future Citizens.

ENVIR ON M E N TA L & CO MMU N I TY H E ALT H

Boggy Bottom Septic Conversions Situated just outside the city limits but still within Winter Haven’s Water Service Area, the Boggy Bottom community was grappling with a pressing issue: many homes and properties were reliant on failing septic systems, posing potential health and environmental threats. In a proactive effort to address this concern, City staff collaborated closely with the neighborhood and Polk County, reaching out to all affected residents and property owners. With approval from property owners, the City safely vacated a total of 42 septic tanks and connected those properties to the sewer system.

64

RAIN GAR D E N S Rain gardens alongside road s t hrough ou t t h e Cit y are plant e d w it h grasses and flo we ring p erennials.

Th ey collect and f ilt e r wa t e r from st reet s, a llo w ing it t o b e na t u ra lly f ilt ered b efore s o a k ing int o t he grou nd .

This project, representing an investment of $492,780.55, not only rectified a looming infrastructure problem but also significantly improved the area’s environmental sustainability and the health of its community members — all at no cost to the property owners.

RESTO R I N G A SH O R E LI N E , MAI N TAI N I N G A TRADITION

$250,000 for Lake Silver Revetment The Western shore of Lake Silver has an unnaturally flat shape due to railroad development decades ago. This, coupled with the lake’s deep cone shape makes it prone to erosion. The shoreline is home to a pedestrian trail and skate park. Significant repair work is needed to protect the adjacent amenities and the Lake Silver ecosystem. The City has prepared a design with a professional engineering team to rebuild the shoreline and buffer it from further erosion from water sports activity on the lake.

Representative Sam Killebrew carried an appropriations request this session to help fund the revetment project. The City extends gratitude to our legislators and Governor for including a $250,000 appropriation in this year’s State budget. Work on the project will begin soon.

STO R M WATE R MAN AGE ME N T ME E TS REC REATION

South Lake Howard Nature Park Expansion South Lake Howard Nature Park features several stormwater ponds designed to provide treatment for stormwater and runoff before it discharges into Lake Howard.

The park developed around the stormwater components has become one of the City’s most popular and includes a loop trail system, boardwalks, educational signage, restrooms and picnic areas. The park also serves as a natural habitat for migrating birds and other animals.

The City purchased an adjacent 8.06 acres to expand the stormwater systems, trail system and park. The parcel, uniquely situated between the existing park, adjacent roadways and neighborhoods will be improved with the goal of affecting water quality improvements of Lake Howard while also providing recreational and educational opportunities.

1,065

PE O PLE E DU CAT ED THROUGH E N V I R O N ME N TAL OUTREAC H ACT I V I T I E S IN 2023

STAT US O F L A KE S & MAN AGE ME N T STRATEGIES

Winter Haven Lakes Report

The utilization of the lakes in the Winter Haven area by visitors and residents alike have cemented their role as economic, social, and ecological resources. The City’s Natural Resources Division actively monitors the overall wellness and produce an annual Lakes Report to present a comprehensive overview of the status of our lakes and the constantly evolving management strategies used to ensure the continued enjoyment of the lakes.

M A PP I N G & P L AN N I N G T H E GR E E N CANOPY

Urban Forestry Initiative

City staff, led by Savannah Winstanley, completed an extensive tree inventory. This crucial step ensures the safeguarding of healthy, mature trees while encouraging new plantings, and enriching our urban canopy. Additional funding was secured in the form of an Urban and Community Forest grant opening the door to further enhance the Urban Forest Master Plan.

STAFF SP OTLIGHT

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators The daily work of these teams is the very definition of Environmental Stewardship: ensuring the wastewater discharged into the Peace Creek is clean and beneficial for the downstream users and supplying clean and safe reuse water to customers.

These teams work seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day keeping aging facilities operating. This year, they faced and successfully navigated two major challenges involving line blockages and major pipe repairs all while keeping impact on customers minimal.

Fostering innovation to ensure enduring success.

CO N N ECT I N G TO HI GH S PE E D I N T E R N E T

Dark Fiber Enterprise

The City partnered with Summit Broadband to form a fiber swap agreement. This partnership helped to expand the fiber footprint of both parties, providing mutual benefit. This, in part, allowed Summit to connect all schools in east Polk County with high speed Internet connectivity. The Polk County School Board, Polk County, the City of Winter Haven, as well as other municipalities and organizations in Polk County have been meeting monthly for the last decade to discuss fiber strategies for the region.

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UNITS OF AFFORDABL E HOUSING CONSTRUCT E D City staff worked very closely with the developer and contributed $460,000 to the project.

EXPANDING USABLE SPAC E

Sidewalk Cafes

Sidewalk cafes are permanently returning to downtown Winter Haven!

The temporary spaces were a hit during the pandemic and now permanent cafes are under construction.

Spaces are along Central Avenue between 2nd Street NW and 4th Street NW and along 4th Street NW facing Central Park.

DIVERSIFIED FUNDING SO U RC E S STA FF SP OTL I G H T

Grant Dollars

The City had a plethora of projects to accommodate growth and provide services to citizens. Any purchase made by staff over $5,000 requires oversight of the Procurement Division which consists of Bethany and one team member. Bethany’s extensive knowledge of Florida Statutes, Federal Law, and City ordinances enhance the procurement process and compliance reporting.

The City of Winter Haven staff work tirelessly to pursue additional funding sources for important projects and initiatives. These dollars allow the City to make investments well beyond what would be possible solely relying on tax dollars. In Fiscal Year 2022-2023 the Water Department received $3,437,278 in grant reimbursements. City-Wide, more than $5.5 million total in grant dollars were brought in to support a variety of projects.

Bethany Owen

ECON O M I C D E VE LO PME N T

EDC Partnership The City of Winter Haven has partnered with the Winter Haven Economic Development Council for many years to promote positive economic growth in the City. This year, among other efforts, that partnership resulted in the facilitation of investments and development at the Intermodal Logistics Center creating jobs, commercial tax revenue, and millions of dollars in investments into our community.

T H E I N V E STM E NT CO N T I N U E S

Downtown Revitalization Mixed use revitalization continues in Downtown to include the opening of Raindance apartments, several new retail shops and restaurants, and the construction of the first hotel in Downtown in 100 years, across from Joyce B. Davis Park and next to the Derry Down.

$46,200,000

AD DED VALUE GENERATED

BY THE WINTER HAVEN REGIONAL AIRP ORT

D EDI C AT E D TO ACCU RACY AN D FAI R NESS

Easing the Financial Burden of Leaks The Winter Haven Water Department’s Customer Service Team regularly reviews bills and consumption reports, working with customers to ensure accurate rates are charged. Leaks are unforeseen issues that can cause a heavy financial burden for families, and the City has policies in place to assist whenever possible. The team processed 2,998 adjustments in Fiscal Year 2022-2023 to back out charges caused by water leaks to businesses and homes. This resulted in customer savings of $335,466.47.

FLORENC E VIL L A C RA DISTRICT I N FY 2 2 - 2 3 :

5

RESID E N T IAL IMP ROV E M E N T GRA N TS

2

COMM E RC IAL FAC ADE G RAN TS

1

DEMOL IT ION ASSISTAN C E

22.1% INC RE ASE IN TAXABL E VALU E

The increase in taxable value in this district is high compared to 15.4% for the City as a whole and 6.86% for the Downtown CRA District.

The increase in Florence Villa is mainly attributed to new home construction and rehabilitation within the district.

JO I N CLASS T H R E E TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE C ITY

City University Class Three

Winter Haven City University offers a behind-the-scenes look at how our departments provide exceptional customer service throughout our community. Participants will get to peek behind the curtain to learn how decisions are made and how our City operates on a day-to-day basis. Complete with presentations, interactive activities and immersive tours, this six-session class will equip graduates to be ambassadors in the community, advocates in City Hall, and supporters with our legislative delegation.

Applications for the Fall 2024 class will open Summer 2024.

STAY CO N N E CT E D

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E N GAGE W I T H PU B LI C MEETINGS

City Commission Meetings The City Commission meets at 6:00 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month at City Hall. Can’t join us in person? Every meeting is live streamed on YouTube.

IN T ERN AT I ON A L CI TY/CO U N TY MAN AGEMENT ASSOC IATION’S P ROFILE OF WINTE R H AVE N

Winter Haven’s Blend of Innovation and Community

Every year, the International City / County Management Association profiles 15-20 communities throughout their international membership who they feel are noteworthy, innovative, and employing best practices. The City of Winter Haven was honored to be featured in 2023.

ICMA sent a production company to conduct interviews and created a six-minute documentarystyle video capturing what makes Winter Haven Exceptionally Local.

S CA N TO W ATC H THE VI D E O

R EAC H STA FF EAGE R TO S E RV E

Contact Information ADVENTHEALTH FIELDHOUSE

863.268.6733

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

863.292.8024

AIRPORT 863.298.4551 AQUATICS 863.268.6766 BUILDING & PERMITTING

863.291.5695

CEMETERIES 863.291.5761 CITY CLERK 863.291.5627 CITY COMMISSIONERS

863.291.5600

CITY HALL 863.291.5600 CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE

863.291.5613

COMMUNICATIONS / MEDIA

863.291.5265

CRAs

863.598.5353

DIAMOND PLEX 863.291.5745 ENGINEERING SERVICES

863.291.5850

FACILITY MAINTENANCE

863.298.5448

FACILITY RENTALS 863.291.5656 FINANCIAL SERVICES

863.291.5667

FIRE (NON-EMERGENCY)

863.291.5665

GARDEN CENTER 863.291.5870 HUMAN RESOURCES

863.291.5650

LIBRARY 863.291.5880 NATURAL RESOURCES

863.291.5881

PARKS & GROUNDS

863.291.5745

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE

863.291.5656

PLANNING 863.291.5600 POLICE (NON-EMERGENCY)

863.291.5858

PUBLIC SAFETY 863.291.6177 PUBLIC WORKS 863.291.5260 RECREATIONAL & CULTURAL CENTER 863.291.5675 SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS (CODE)

863.291.5697

SENIOR ADULT CENTER

863.291.5870

SOLID WASTE 863.291.5756 SPECIAL EVENTS 863.291.5656 TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

863.291.5679

TENNIS CENTER 863.291.5690 WATER CUSTOMER SERVICE

863.291.5853

WILLOWBROOK GOLF COURSE

863.291.5899

We’re More Than a Park or a Garden.

Welcome to Our Haven.

M Y W INTER H AV E N . CO M