09/10/2026
CITY OF BARTOW
CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. (EST)
OR AS SOON THEREAFTER AS POSSIBLE
CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 450 N. WILSON AVE., BARTOW, FL 33830
AMENDED AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION – Bishop Anthony Roberts, New Beginnings Church
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
4. PROCLAMATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
a. Issuance of proclamation recognizing September 15 through October 15, 2026, as National Hispanic Heritage Month. Being accepted by Ana Rivera, President and Founder of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County.
b. Issuance of proclamation recognizing Patel-Greene & Associates for being a Top Midsized Company to Work for in Florida. Being accepted by Gordon Greene, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Patel-Greene & Associates, LLC.
c. Issuance of proclamation recognizing A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure for being a Top Midsized to Work for in Florida. Being accepted by Rob Kincart, Founder and CEO of A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc.
d. Issuance of proclamation recognizing October 1, 2026, as Bo & Sandy Raulerson Day. Being accepted by Bartow Christian Books & Gifts Store Owners Bo and Sandy Raulerson.
e. Issuance of proclamation recognizing September 14-18, 2026, as Redevelopment Week. Being accepted by Howard Smith, Bartow CRA Executive Director.
f. Presentation of September 2026 Beautification Awards by Kyle Lasek, Asst. PCRA Director.
5. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT – At this time, the Commission will receive comments from the public regarding matters not appearing on this agenda.
6. CITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
7. REPORTS OF CHARTER OFFICERS
a. City Manager Communications
1. Neighborhood Services Officer Update – Tray Towles, Asst. City Manager
2. Red-Light Camera Update – John McKee, Sgt, BPD
3. Lowe’s Parking and Vehicular Access – Tray Towles, Asst. City Manager
4. Communications Update – Mike Herr, City Manager & Laurie Hayes, Communications Director
b. City Attorney Communications
c. Legislative updates
8. AGENDA MODIFICATION/APPROVAL
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS – At this time, the Commission will receive comments from the public regarding matters that appear on this agenda, not otherwise scheduled for a separate Public Hearing.
10. HEARINGS – FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. PUBLIC HEARING, ADOPTION OF FINAL MILLAGE RATE AND FINAL BUDGET
1. Convene Public Hearing
2. Introduction – Peter Lear, Deputy City Manager
3. Discussion and Comment
a. Adopted Tentative Millage Rate
b. Adopted Tentative Budget
4. Amendment(s) of Adopted Tentative Budget (if any)
5. Re-computation of Adopted Tentative Millage Rate (if any)
6. Statutory Millage Disclosure (Sec. 200.065(2)(d) F.S.)
7. Adoption of Final Millage Rate - Resolution No. 26-4277-R – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BARTOW, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL GENERAL MILLAGE RATE FOR THE 2026 TAX YEAR, DECLARING THE PERCENT BY WHICH SAID MILLAGE RATE EXCEEDS THE ROLLED-BACK RATE; CHARACTERIZING SAID PERCENT AS THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
8. Adoption of Final Budget – Resolution No. 26-4278-R – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BARTOW, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE 2027 FISCAL YEAR; PROVIDING THAT A COPY OF SAID BUDGET SHALL BE FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
9. Adjourn Public Hearing.
11. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approval of September 3, 2026, City Commission Regular Meeting minutes.
b. Acceptance of FY 26-27 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Annual Budget.
c. Approval of the ratification of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) appointments: Chairperson Gordon Green and Vice Chairperson Leo E. Longworth for FY 2026–2027.
d. Approval of interlocal agreement between Lakeland Area Mass Transit / Citrus Connection and the City of Bartow for Transit Bus Services.
e. Consideration and Approval of Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Planning, Design and Construction Loan Agreement.
f. Consideration and Approval of Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund Planning, Design and Construction Agreement.
g. Approval of City Commissioner absence(s) for September 3, 2026, excusal(s): None
12. OTHER COMMISSION BUSINESS
a. OLD BUSINESS – NONE
b. NEW BUSINESS – NONE
13. RESOLUTIONS – NONE
14. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
a. GARY BALL
b. LEO E. LONGWORTH
c. TRISH PFEIFFER
d. LAURA SIMPSON
e. TANYA TUCKER
15. ADJOURNMENT
Please be advised that if you desire to appeal any decisions made because of the above hearing or meeting, you will need a record of the proceedings and in some cases a verbatim record is required. You must make your own arrangements to produce this record. (Florida Statute 286.0105). The City Commission may continue the public hearing(s) to other dates and times as it deems necessary. Any interested party shall be advised that the date, time, and place of any continuation of these or continued public hearings may be announced during the hearing and that no further notice regarding this matter will be published. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 450 N. Wilson Avenue, P.O. Box 1069, Bartow, Florida 33831-1069 or phone (863) 534-0100 within 2 working days of your receipt of this meeting notification; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1-800-955-8771. Posted at City Hall, Bartow Public Library, the City’s website on September 10 & 11, 2026.
