Polk County Government Florida

10/15/2026

In July 1981, the Bartow Dixie Belles All-Star team competed in the Dixie Girls Softball state tournament at the Bartow city ballfields on County Road 555. Teams from New Port Richey, Eagle Lake, Lake Wales and Fort Meade also participated.

Renovated in 2024, the Bartow Sports Complex at County Road 555 continues to host high-profile softball tournaments, including USFA Golden Glove, NSA state tournaments and The Spring Games for college teams.

Front row (left to right): Sher Grimes, Stacey Willis, Jennifer Moore, Shelley Ray, April Nelson, Tracy Wilson, Danita Greene. Top row (left to right): Jim Willis (coach) Lisa Frisbie, Suzie Ray, Barbie Mamula, Kristin Haag, Della Wilson, Carl (coach).

Visit the Polk County History Center to learn more about athletics in Polk County.

📍100 E. Main St., Bartow, FL 33830

📷Photograph courtesy of the Polk County History Center

10/14/2026

Share your input on proposed amendments to Polk County’s 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan.

Polk County Housing and Neighborhood Development will hold a public meeting to gather feedback at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, in the boardroom of the County Administration Building, 330 W. Church St. in Bartow.

Learn more at https://www.polkfl.gov/services/housing-and-neighborhood-development/.

Request a copy of the 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan by contacting the Housing Compliance Program Manager at (863) 534-5240 or email [email protected].

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

Eric Eversole, Environmental Lands Stewardship Coordinator for Polk County Parks and Natural Resources, talks about volunteer opportunities at Circle B Bar Reserve and the Polk Nature Discovery Center🤝

Circle B Bar Reserve, located on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, is a former cattle ranch that today boasts a wide variety of plants and animals. You can see several distinct ecosystems in this reserve of 1,267 acres.

For more information on programs and events, got to www.polkfl.gov/park/circle-b-bar-reserve/ or follow Polk County Parks & Recreation.

10/13/2026

The next step of the County Road 557 widening project was recently approved.

On Oct. 6, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners approved a $90 million construction contract with Jr. Davis Construction Company Inc. for the County Road 557 widening project planned in Lake Alfred.

The project will widen County Road 557 approximately 5.7 miles from West Alfred Street to Interstate 4 East. The project is intended to improve capacity along the existing roadway, provide accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists and improve intersection safety and operations.

Project construction is estimated to be completed in the Spring of 2030.
For more information, visit: https://ow.ly/aezw50ZWU9e.

10/13/2026

Polk County Government is partnering with Polk County Sheriff's Office for a job fair. “Your Future Starts Here: Serving Polk County Together,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, in the Sheriff's Office ProCap Room at 1891 Jim Keene Blvd. in Winter Haven.

Job seekers are encouraged to come and learn about open positions serving Polk’s residents and visitors. On-site resume help will be available.

For questions about the event, contact [email protected].

10/12/2026

Polk County Parks and Natural Resources staff plan to conduct a 160-acre prescribed burn for land management purposes on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at SUMICA, located at 14020 State Highway 60 E. in Lake Wales.

SUMICA will be closed to the public on Oct. 13 but is expected to open the following day.

Read the full release here https://www.polkfl.gov/news/parks-and-natural-resources-staff-conduct-prescribed-burn-at-sumica.

10/12/2026

Polk County leadership has reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (I.A.E.P.).

The agreement includes a fourth shift, or D-shift and a pay increase.

Read the full release: https://www.polkfl.gov/news/polk-county-i-a-e-p-union-reach-tentative-contract-agreement/

Polk County, I.A.E.P. Union Reach Tentative Contract Agreement Published: October 12, 2026 Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2026) – Polk County leadership has reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (I.A.E.P.). The agreement includes a four...

10/12/2026

This week on , Angela Davis, executive director with Polk County Toys for Tots, and Ryan Roberts, general manager at the Eaglebrooke Golf Course, join Bryan Lacey to talk about this year’s fundraising efforts.

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program in Polk County provides new, unwrapped toys to children in need. Targeting children ages 1-13, more than 68,945 toys were distributed to 14,187 children in 2025.

The Toys for Tots Program also works with civic organizations in selecting families. The application process runs through Nov. 8.

For more information on how you can make a difference this holiday season, give Toys for Tots a call at (863) 559-1244 or visit https://polkcounty-fl.toysfortots.org.

10/11/2026

Polk County Fire Rescue has deployed two crews to assist first responders in areas affected by Hurricane Isaias.

The crews are expected to return within two weeks. They were deployed through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.