Skip to main content
ATTENTION BURN BAN for unincorporated Polk County, Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales Lakeland and Winter Haven until further notice. Learn more.


Hand resting on shoulder of elderly person

Community Kindness and Renewed Hope After the Ashes

Betty Frey, 85, faced a devastating loss on Jan. 15, 2024, when a fire in Polk County consumed almost everything she owned, including her beloved cat. Amidst the ashes of that tragic night, a remarkable journey began for Betty, revealing the extraordinary kindness of strangers and importance of community. The Tragic Night On the night […]


SEE MORE


Polk building inspector signing violation sticker

Building Inspectors Help Keep Polk County Homes Safe

Imagine this: It’s hurricane season and the storm clouds are rolling in. The wind is ramping up. Forecasters are calling for 80-mile per hour (or faster) gusts. So, the question is, is your house safe? Will it hold up to the wind? If you answered “yes,” do you know what’s making it safe? Who is […]


SEE MORE


Polk County land development and planning

Planning for Our Future: Polk County Land Development

It’s no secret that Polk County is growing. The question is how does Polk County Land Development manage that growth? How do we make sure it’s done in a way that is beneficial to residents? The Office of Planning and Development manages community development and helps to maintain growth through land development regulations and construction […]


SEE MORE


NE Government Center

Why Are Counties Important?

Did you know that county governments were, at least in part, created to make life easier for residents? Florida’s first counties – Escambia and St. Johns – were formed in 1821. Consider the travel situation in the 1800s. It couldn’t have been convenient for people to travel to their state capitol every time they needed […]


SEE MORE


Decorative blue swish decoration at the bottom of the page, serving as a visual element for design purposes