Communications

To better serve its residents, Polk County may use digital engagement tools and websites, including social media platforms, to provide information in more places and more ways than were historically and traditionally available.

All content, including but not limited to text, comments, responses, posts, videos, live-video streams, writings, materials, documents, photographs, graphics, or other information of any kind that is created, posted, shared, distributed, or transmitted through any online medium—are public and are subject to disclosure, pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes and county public records policies.

This policy defines a social media platform as publicly accessible websites or applications for consuming and sharing audio, video, still-photo or written communication between the public and the county. Polk County’s social media platforms may include, but are not limited to: Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, Nextdoor, LinkedIn and emergency notification services.

By posting or commenting on any social media platform used by the county, you elect to participate and take personal responsibility for your comments, your username, and any information you provide on a county site. This policy’s standards apply to all Polk County social media sites, accounts and platforms. This policy may be amended from time to time at the sole discretion of the county.

To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include sensitive personally identifiable information, such as licenses and social security numbers. County hosted platforms and websites should not be considered secure.

Practical and legal considerations may sometimes constrain, prevent or prohibit discussion by the county of certain topics, including, but not limited to, litigation, pending investigations and other topics through various media, including, but not limited to, social media.

Any references or links to a specific entity, product, service or organization posted by individuals on the county’s social media sites should not be considered an endorsement by the county, its employees, its departments, its agents or officers.

Polk County is not responsible for content that appears on links to external sites nor is Polk County responsible for and does not guarantee the authenticity, accuracy, appropriateness or security of any link, external website or its content.

Limited Public Forum
All social media platforms used by Polk County are designated as Limited Public Forums and are not traditional or open public forums. The county welcomes a person’s right to express opinions and encourages posters to keep comments relevant to the topic in question.

Posting on any Polk County social media platform by any visitor, follower, subscriber or fan, constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use described in this policy. We encourage you to submit comments that are on topic; please address your comments to the specific topic(s) discussed.

Terms and Conditions
Members of the public who post, comment or otherwise submit content to a county social media site agree they have read, understand and explicitly agree to this policy, Terms and Conditions:

• I am submitting content voluntarily and on my own behalf.
• The content I post reflects my own original thoughts or work.
• I understand that the county has the right to re-post or share any content, photos or videos that I submit on any county social media site.
• I have read and understand this policy, including the right of the county to remove, or archive content as described in the county’s policy, and as may be required or allowed by law.
• I understand that any content I provide may be considered a “public record” under Florida law.
• I understand and agree that under Florida’s public records laws, the county social media sites are not proper vehicles for making requests for public information or public records under state law and any such requests should be made to the appropriate custodian of the records.
• I also understand that the views and comments expressed on this site only reflect those of the comment’s author, and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the county, its elected and appointed officers and employees, or its divisions and agencies.
• I understand and agree that my and others’ comments are subject archiving and that my comments and others’ comments are subject to removal in whole or in part from this site if my or their comments contain:

o Comments not directly on the topic raised for discussion, including random or unintelligible comments;
o Obscene, indecent, or profane language, or pornographic images, depictions or videos;
o Direct threats, or those that clearly promote violence;
o Content that promotes discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability or gender identity;
o The solicitation, promotion or endorsement of specific commercial services, products or entities;
o Links to any site or content posted by automatic software programs (i.e. “bots,” or their functional equivalent);
o Posts or comments which contain any external links to known malware sites or other dangerous content;
o The promotion or encouragement of any illegal activity;
o Any confidential or exempt information in violation of state or federal law, sensitive personally identifiable information or sensitive personal information that, if released, violates federal or state law;
o The promotion or endorsement of a political campaign or candidate;
o Information that compromises the public safety or security of the public or security systems;
o Information that directly interferes or compromises ongoing investigations, public safety tactics, or the safety of public safety officers; and/or
o Appear to violate the intellectual property right of the county or a third party under federal or state law.

Moderation of Content
Polk County’s social media platforms are intended to be “family friendly.” We reserve the right to remove (hide) inappropriate content and/or block anyone who repeatedly posts inappropriate material as determined by the county.

Posts that are deemed to be inappropriate by a social media platform may be removed or hidden. This occurs outside of Polk County’s control.

Any post that violates Polk County’s Terms of Use Agreement or disclaimer will be documented for records retention purposes and may be removed from public view. The comment maker may then be notified that he or she has violated this policy and/or the Terms of Use, specifying any and all provisions of this policy and/or Terms of Use that were violated.

When a post or comment has been removed, anyone aggrieved other than a county employee, agent or officer may seek to have the Communications Director reconsider the decision to edit or remove a comment. The aggrieved must provide the Communications Director a written request stating the reason or reasons why the comments do not fall within those limitations established in this policy or offer other bases to establish a right to publish the comments or other communications on the county’s social media sites.

The Communications Director, or other appropriate official, must render a written decision on the request within three business days (excluding official county holidays) of receipt of the request noting the basis for the decision. The decision of the Communications Director or other appropriate official will be the final administrative decision of the county.

When content is removed because it is a potential security breach or may contain a virus, the notice under this section is not required, but the person responsible for the post may appeal the decision by contacting the county.

Denial of Access
Polk County reserves the right to deny access to any Polk County social media site for any individual found in violation of our Terms of Use, at any time and without prior notice. We will notify users found in violation of our Terms of Use.

Questions
Questions about this policy or Terms of Use, should be directed to the Communications Division at (863) 534-6090.

This policy applies to all recreational and commercial photography on real property owned or leased, in whole or in part, by Polk County, Florida (“county property”). The term photo, photographer and photography shall be deemed to include video, videographer and videography. The term recreational photographer shall mean when the activity is undertaken for a person’s personal collection or like use and where photographer has no intent to use the photographs for profit or gain. The term commercial photographer shall mean when the activity is intended to be used for profit or gain, and includes those who sell their work product for money, or charge a photo shoot fee or session fee. Additional fees and a vendor contract may be required to engage in commercial photography. The county reserves the right to impose reasonable terms and conditions, as well as charge a reasonable fee and for any staff time or costs incurred by the county arising out of or resulting from a photographers proposed activities on county property.

The county encourages the use of its Polk County Parks (including the Polk County History Center) and Environmental Lands for recreational and commercial photography. Recreational and commercial photography on property used for county operations is not permitted except for official, ceremonial, news reporting, or other incidental purposes.

Photography on county property for news reporting shall be allowed without a permit; provided, such news reporting shall be limited to such times and such areas so as to not unreasonably interfere with the day to day activities or emergency operations undertaken on the county property, restrict county employees or citizens from entering or leaving the county property, interrupt county employees in the carrying out of their day to day job duties, and is otherwise conducted in compliance with all other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. News organizations are requested to provide reasonable advance notice to Polk County’s Communications Division of anticipated news reporting activities on county property.

A permit is required for all commercial photographers who visit Polk County Parks and Environmental Lands’ properties before taking photos on County Parks and Environmental Land sites. There shall be two types of special use permits available:

• A general permit which allows photos when no props, special equipment, or special access is required.
• A specific permit for any photo session when props, special equipment, or special access is required.
• All commercial photographers must have an approved permit in their possession when conducting commercial photography. No permit equals no photo shoot. The permit holder shall obtain all required waivers and/or releases from third parties. Permission for commercial photography in the Polk County History Center may be included in their Facilities Use Agreement.

Violating the Polk County Photography Policy or county ordinances may result in suspension or revocation of a permit or the issuance of a violation notice, or both. Photographers are required to become familiar with and abide by County Parks and Environmental Lands Program regulations and policies. Permittees are strictly responsible for the conduct of their employees, assistants, and guests’ while on county property.

• A special use commercial photography permit may be obtained from by calling the following number:
• Parks call Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division (863) 534-7377
• Environmental Land Sites call Polk Nature Discovery Center (863) 668-4673
• Historical County Courthouse call History Center (863) 534-4386

In addition to this policy, each site may have specific rules that must be followed by the photographer.

General Rules for Photographers

• Appropriate clothing must be worn at all times – no nude or topless photos. Body paint in lieu of clothing does not qualify as meeting the appropriate clothing standard.
• For your safety and the long term protection of the wildlife, do not pursue, chase, or follow wildlife. Animals must not be blocked or pursued by foot, vehicle or bicycle.
• No feeding wildlife or baiting wildlife.
• Animals (other than trained service animals) may not be brought onto or released on park properties (this includes and is not limited to the following: wildlife, cats, bunnies, chickens, etc.).
• Parking is allowed only in designated parking areas. Questions about designated parking areas should be submitted to Parks & Natural Resources staff.
• Photography props and portrait photographs are not allowed inside County Buildings. Special permission (such as through a Facilities Use Agreement with the History Center) may be granted on a case by case basis.
• Attracting animals with food, calls, scents, using personal blinds, or altering vegetation around wildlife is strictly prohibited in order to protect the water, wildlife and wilderness. In addition, this behavior may be considered a form of harassment and may violate state and federal laws.
• Allowing a wild animal to approach you or investigate your property (i.e. your gear, tripods, cameras, backpack, food containers or water bottles) increases the risk of these animals developing unnatural behavior. Do NOT encourage this behavior; it puts the wild animal’s life in danger in future situations. Attempt to dissuade the animal from approaching by backing up and moving away.
• Intentional harassing, disturbing or feeding of wildlife is prohibited by Federal Regulation. For the purpose of this policy, harassment is defined as “any human action that causes unusual behavior or significant change of behavior by an animal.” Disturbance is defined as “to intrude upon, inconvenience or interfere with.” A professional wildlife photographer is responsible for knowing the point at which human presence becomes harassment.
• If Polk County staff or a volunteer informs you that you are too close to wildlife or that you are violating the Parks & Natural Resources Lands Rules – you must follow their recommendations; failure to do so may result in the termination of your Special Use Permit.
• Do not interfere with other visitors’ enjoyment of park areas and wildlife by monopolizing viewing areas. When the public, school groups or tram tours are in the area, please step aside and allow their passage.
• Do not enter closed areas. It is the photographer’s responsibility to stay off closed trails and stay out of closed areas. Vehicles must remain on paved roads or in designated parking areas. Closures will vary from year to year, or in the case of emergency closures, from day to day.
• Activities are limited to the normal posted hours for each site. Any after hour’s photography must have prior approval.
• At the conclusion of the photo shoot, the entire site must be cleaned up and left in its original condition.

Rules Pertaining Specifically to Environmental Lands Sites

• Decorations, balloons, adhesive tape, streamers, banners and confetti, are not appropriate at these sites and are not allowed.
• All props which include furniture must stay within the designated areas. Check with the Polk Nature Discovery Center Office at Circle B Bar Reserve to obtain a map for locations where photography props are allowed. Photography props cannot be setup in a manner that: impedes traffic, takes away from the ambience of the nature reserve or presents a safety hazard. Photography props cannot be left unattended. Unattended props will be disposed of promptly.
• Photographers must remain on the marked and maintained trails (as shown on the Site Trail Map) or stay within the designated photo prop areas.

The County reserves the right to deny photography permits if it deems that the activity is not appropriate for public facilities, may result in health or safety issues, will intrude upon the general public’s ability to enjoy and utilize the facilities or impact county staffing requirements.

Polk Government Television (PGTV) is the county’s 24-hour-a-day cable channel and can be found on Spectrum 644, Comcast 5 and Frontier 20. Our team is award-winning and creates and produces content for Polk County residents. PGTV runs live broadcasts for all public meetings and creates content for online streaming for YouTube. The goal of PGTV is to allow the public access to all public meetings and to educate and entertain residents across the county.

PGTV can be found in multiple places for your convenience.
PGTV can be found on Spectrum 644, Comcast 5 and Frontier 20.
PGTV can be accessed online at PGTV can be accessed online here.
PGTV can also be accessed on YouTube.

You can watch online here.
You can also watch on-demand on YouTube.

Visit our meetings gallery to rewatch any meeting. Below every meeting is a link to download for free.

PGTV works exclusively with nonprofits and government entities. To inquire about working with us, contact us at PGTV@polk-county.net.