As the final event in the Polk County Leadership Exchange Series, the State of the County Address will feature County Manager Jim Freeman discussing the county’s current status and his expectations for the future. This FREE event is open to the public: 7 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 16, 2012, Lake Eva Banquet Hall, Haines City.

Polk Place: State of the County Address

Colleen Burton, Executive Director, will resign from her position no later than May 1, 2012. Mrs. Burton, who has been Executive Director at Polk Vision since its inception, is a candidate for Polk County Supervisor of Elections. A Search Committee has been formed and will begin reviewing resumes on February 3, 2012. Individuals interested in the position are encouraged to review the linked job description for additional information.

Executive Director Job Description

The Broadband Polk Advisory Committee is working to raise awareness of the importance of robust broadband infrastructure in the 21st century economy and to develop a comprehensive broadband plan to address the current and future broadband needs for Polk County.

Broadband  Plan

The first segment of Polk Vision’s Leadership Exchange, the Mayors Roundtable, took place June 23, 2011 at the Lakeland Center. Mayors from 13 of Polk County’s 17 municipalities gathered to discuss economic development and infrastructure stratagies found in the Refreshed Vision. Click on the link below to view the roundtable:

Polk Vision Mayors Roundtable

On August 29th, members of Leadership Polk Class V were introduced to Leadership Polk alumn and Polk Vision Board members during a reception held at Bok Tower Gardens. Congratulations to all!

Class V Members 

Did you know Polk County is 150 years old? On February 8, 1861, shortly after Florida withdrew from the Union, Polk County was established . Visit Polk Proud 150  to learn more about the year-long Sesquicentennial celebration. It may take that long to learn to say ‘Sesquicentennial’!

After months of gathering community input through online surveys, focus groups and social media a Refreshed Vision for Polk County has emerged! Contact our office to request copies of the Refreshed Vision.

Help make the Vision a reality!

If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend either the Public Transportation Forum or the Amendment 4 Forum, you can view the recorded presentations by clicking on the links below. It’s not too late to learn more about these important issues before the November election. 

 Public Transportation Forum

Amendment 4 Forum

Polk Vision is conducting a comprehensive revision of the original priorities and strategies developed in 2004 which we are calling “Polk Vision Refresh.” We will be gathering community input through Focus Groups, Social Media communications, surveys and Task Force meetings that will be used in the revision process. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or participate in the conversations on our website blog to have your voice heard.

click here to view the Polk Vision Refresh Timeline

The 2010 Census questionaire should be arriving in your mailbox this week! Polk County and its municipalities will receive a portion of the $400 billion in federal funds available each year based on the number of people counted in the Census. Since the Census only takes place every 10 years its important that everyone residing in the county is counted, especially the hard-to-reach or traditionally underserved groups.