Business Impact Statement
Business Impact Statement for to repeal and restate Ordinance 91-13, as amended, the “Polk County Waterway Protection Code,” for which a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 9 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Commission Boardroom, County Administration Building, 330 W. Church St., Bartow, FL 33830.
It is the intent of this Ordinance to repeal and restate Ordinance 91-13, as amended, the “Polk County Waterway Protection Code”.
Estimate of direct economic impact of the proposed ordinance on private, for-profit businesses in the County: $0.00
Estimate of direct compliance costs that businesses may reasonably incur: $0.00
Any new charge or fee imposed by the proposed ordinance: $0.00
Estimate of the County’s regulatory costs, including estimated revenues from any new charges or fees to cover such costs: $0.00
Good faith estimate of the number of businesses likely to be impacted by the proposed ordinance: $0.00
Additional information (if any, but may wish to include the methodology used to derive information for #1 and #2, above. For example: County staff solicited comments from businesses in the County as to the potential impact of the proposed ordinance by contacting the chamber of commerce, social media posting, direct mail or direct email, posting on County website, public workshop, etc. You may also wish to include efforts made to reduce the potential fiscal impact on businesses based on feedback from businesses. You may also wish to state here that the proposed ordinance is a generally applicable ordinance that applies to all persons similarly situated (individuals as well as businesses) and, therefore, the proposed ordinance does not impose costs only upon businesses.):
Business Impact Statement
Business Impact Statement for amending the Polk County Ordinance 22-018, the Economic Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Publix Supermarkets, Inc., for which a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 9 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Commission Boardroom, County Administration Building, 330 W. Church St., Bartow, FL 33830.
The proposed ordinance amends Polk County Ordinance 22-018, the Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Publix Super Markets, Inc. (IT Headquarters), which is an exemption from certain ad valorem taxation which the Board previously approved in 2022, based on the company’s intent to create new, high-wage full-time jobs in Polk County and make a substantial capital investment with its expansion in Polk County. The proposed amending ordinance will revise the term of the exemption from the previously approved ten-year period of 2025-2034 to instead run from 2026 through 2035.
Estimate of direct economic impact of the proposed ordinance on private, for-profit businesses in the County: None.
Estimate of direct compliance costs that businesses may reasonably incur: $0.00
Any new charge or fee imposed by the proposed ordinance: None.
Estimate of the County’s regulatory costs, including estimated revenues from any new charges or fees to cover such costs: $0.00
Good faith estimate of the number of businesses likely to be impacted by the proposed ordinance: 1
Additional information (if any, but may wish to include the methodology used to derive information for #1 and #2, above. For example: County staff solicited comments from businesses in the County as to the potential impact of the proposed ordinance by contacting the chamber of commerce, social media posting, direct mail or direct email, posting on County website, public workshop, etc. You may also wish to include efforts made to reduce the potential fiscal impact on businesses based on feedback from businesses. You may also wish to state here that the proposed ordinance is a generally applicable ordinance that applies to all persons similarly situated (individuals as well as businesses) and, therefore, the proposed ordinance does not impose costs only upon businesses.): None.
Business Impact Statement
Business Impact Statement for the repeal of Ordinance 22-054, the Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Ordinance for Linear Logistics. Linear no longer wishes to participate in the Ad Valorem Tax Exemption program, for which a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 9 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Commission Boardroom, County Administration Building, 330 W. Church St., Bartow, FL 33830.
The proposed ordinance repeals Polk County Ordinance 22-054, the Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Lineage Logistics Services, LLC, and revokes the previously granted tax exemption based on Lineage Logistics’ decision not to move forward with its project in Lake Alfred.
Estimate of direct economic impact of the proposed ordinance on private, for-profit businesses in the County: None.
Estimate of direct compliance costs that businesses may reasonably incur: $0.00
Any new charge or fee imposed by the proposed ordinance: None.
Estimate of the County’s regulatory costs, including estimated revenues from any new charges or fees to cover such costs: $0.00
Good faith estimate of the number of businesses likely to be impacted by the proposed ordinance: 1
Additional information (if any, but may wish to include the methodology used to derive information for #1 and #2, above. For example: County staff solicited comments from businesses in the County as to the potential impact of the proposed ordinance by contacting the chamber of commerce, social media posting, direct mail or direct email, posting on County website, public workshop, etc. You may also wish to include efforts made to reduce the potential fiscal impact on businesses based on feedback from businesses. You may also wish to state here that the proposed ordinance is a generally applicable ordinance that applies to all persons similarly situated (individuals as well as businesses) and, therefore, the proposed ordinance does not impose costs only upon businesses.):None.
Business Impact Statement
Business Impact Statement for the exemption from certain ad valorem taxation for a new business in Polk County, referred to as Project Ray, for which a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 9 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Commission Boardroom, County Administration Building, 330 W. Church St., Bartow, FL 33830.
The proposed ordinance creates an exemption from certain ad valorem taxation for a new business in Polk County, referred to as Project Ray. Project Ray will bring new, high-wage full-time jobs to Polk County and make a substantial capital investment with its location in Polk County.
Estimate of direct economic impact of the proposed ordinance on private, for-profit businesses in the County: No direct economic impact on private, for-profit businesses in Polk County, other than Project Ray.
Estimate of direct compliance costs that businesses may reasonably incur: $0.00
Any new charge or fee imposed by the proposed ordinance: None.
Estimate of the County’s regulatory costs, including estimated revenues from any new charges or fees to cover such costs: $0.00
Good faith estimate of the number of businesses likely to be impacted by the proposed ordinance: 1
Additional information (if any, but may wish to include the methodology used to derive information for #1 and #2, above. For example: County staff solicited comments from businesses in the County as to the potential impact of the proposed ordinance by contacting the chamber of commerce, social media posting, direct mail or direct email, posting on County website, public workshop, etc. You may also wish to include efforts made to reduce the potential fiscal impact on businesses based on feedback from businesses. You may also wish to state here that the proposed ordinance is a generally applicable ordinance that applies to all persons similarly situated (individuals as well as businesses) and, therefore, the proposed ordinance does not impose costs only upon businesses.):
Business Impact Statement for County Road Closure Ordinance
Business Impact Statement for the County Road Closure Ordinance, for which a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 9 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Commission Boardroom, County Administration Building, 330 W. Church St., Bartow, FL 33830.
This proposed ordinance prohibits County Road closures which have not been approved in accordance with the ordinance and prohibits continuing any approved road closures beyond the allotted closure time. The proposed ordinance provides procedural requirements for requesting approval to close County Roads and requires the Board of County Commissioners, acting in its legislative capacity, to approve any road closure requests which would extend a road closure beyond a certain time period (proposed thirty (30) days). The proposed ordinance also provides certain exemptions, a process for compliance and enforcement, and penalties for noncompliance to include a fine and imprisonment for a term not to exceed sixty (60) days. If approved, the ordinance will be effective on the date it is filed with the Florida Department of State. The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to improve the policies and procedures concerning County Road closures to ensure that the roads are closed only in instances when no other option exists and then only for the shortest time required to complete necessary roadway projects.
It is anticipated the proposed ordinance will reduce the number of days that County Roads are closed for public use. This will economically impact business in different, often conflicting, ways depending upon the nature of each affected business and the impacted road’s location. With such a wide range of potential direct economic impacts, it is not possible to accurately estimate the impact the ordinance may have on businesses.
The process for a road closure will largely remain the same (refer to #7); therefore, there are no additional direct compliance costs.
Estimate of the County’s regulatory costs, including estimated revenues from any new charges or fees to cover such costs: None.
Good faith estimate of the number of businesses likely to be impacted by the proposed ordinance:
The proposed ordinance applies to all entities who wish to apply for a road closure. It is not possible to accurately estimate the number of entities that may apply for a road closure.
This proposed ordinance does not substantially change the procedures which businesses currently are required to follow when requesting the temporary closure of a County Road. Those current procedures retained in the proposed ordinance are: (A) all applicants must complete a Road Closure Request Form that includes an aerial location map depicting work zone location and a traffic control plan that contains a detour route; and (B) applicants seeking extended road closures must also enter into a Road Closure Agreement which provides for (1) the approved date of completion, (2) an Extensions Clause that allows Polk County, in its sole discretion to grant extensions due to unforeseen delays, (3) a Letter of Credit Clause whereby the applicant agrees to provide an irrevocable standby Letter of Credit payable to Polk County in an amount that is reasonable to cover the project costs, (4) a Liquidated Damages Clause whereby the applicant agrees to provide liquidated damages for each calendar day that the applicant fails to reopen the roadway, and (5) an Indemnification Clause whereby the applicant indemnifies Polk County. The proposed ordinance changes the current procedures by requiring all requests for County Road closures exceeding a certain time period (proposed thirty (30) days), and any requested extensions for previously granted road closures, be submitted to the County at least forty-five (45) working days prior to the date of the proposed road closure so the request may be placed on a regular meeting agenda of the Board of County Commissioners for its approval with conditions or denial.
Business Economic Impact Statements and Hearings
Business Impact Statement for the Impact Fee Ordinance public hearings will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 9 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Commission Boardroom, County Administration Building, 330 W. Church St., Bartow, FL 33830.
The proposed ordinance amends the Polk County Amended and Restated Comprehensive Impact Fee Ordinance (Ord. 2024-062) for the purpose of adopting the 2025 Warehouse Transportation Impact Fee Study, and the related Extraordinary Circumstances Study Supplement, and imposing updated rates for Warehouse and Industrial Transportation Impact Fees. The County imposes and collects impact fees to ensure new development contributes to the reasonably anticipated costs associated with growth-necessitated capital improvements. The proposed ordinance governs the County’s collection of Transportation Impact Fees from new warehouse and industrial land development and thereby directly relates to a revenue source necessary to fund the County’s budget.
There is no direct economic impact to existing private, for-profit businesses in the County. The proposed ordinance, and the updated impact fee rates contained therein, would only apply to new warehouse and industrial land development in Polk County which submits a building permit application on or after July 1, 2025.
Estimate of direct compliance costs that businesses may reasonably incur: $0.00 (No direct compliance costs to existing businesses in Polk County).
Any new charge or fee imposed by the proposed ordinance:
The updated impact fee rates are shown on Attachment 2 of the proposed ordinance and set forth below.
Estimate of the County’s regulatory costs, including estimated revenues from any new charges or fees to cover such costs:
The estimated Transportation Impact Fee revenues from warehouse and industrial land development for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 if the proposed ordinance is adopted is: $4,083,070
Good faith estimate of the number of businesses likely to be impacted by the proposed ordinance:
0 (No impact to existing businesses in Polk County, as the ordinance would only affect new land development).
Attachment 2: Transportation Impact Fee Rate Schedule
(Industrial and Warehouse Rates Only)
| Land Use Category | Unit | District A | District B | District C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | $1,641 | $1,600 | $1,273 |
| Warehouse | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | $2,337 | $2,278 | $1,813 |
| Land Use Category | Unit | District A | District B | District C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | $1,732 | $1,689 | $1,344 |
| Warehouse | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | $2,467 | $2,405 | $1,914 |
| Land Use Category | Unit | District A | District B | District C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | $1,824 | $1,778 | $1,415 |
| Warehouse | 1,000 Sq. Ft. | $2,597 | $2,532 | $2,015 |
Polk County Industrial Development Authority Request for Proposals
Polk County Industrial Development Authority Request for Proposals – RFP
Business Impact Statement for Ordinance to Prohibit Camping on Certain Property Unless Specifically Authorized
Business Impact Statement for an Ordinance to Prohibit Camping on Certain Property Unless Specifically Authorized, for which a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 9 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Commission Boardroom, County Administration Building, 330 W. Church St., Bartow, FL 33830
Estimate of direct economic impact of the proposed ordinance on private, for-profit businesses in the County: $0.00
Estimate of direct compliance costs that businesses may reasonably incur: $0.00
Any new charge or fee imposed by the proposed ordinance: $0.00
Estimate of the County’s regulatory costs, including estimated revenues from any new charges or fees to cover such costs: $0.00
Good faith estimate of the number of businesses likely to be impacted by the proposed ordinance: 0