City of Winter Haven – 25 Years since our country was changed forever.
Honoring Our Heroes – Remembering the Day brings Polk County together to pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and honor those who continue to serve – military, law enforcement, fire and EMS professionals.
Make your plans to come to South Central Park in Winter Haven on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Displays from agencies will be set up starting at 4:30 pm with the Freedom Walk kicking off at 5:30 pm. A ceremony honoring all first responders and veterans will begin at 6 pm.
The ongoing effort to recall Fort Meade City Commissioner Matthew Taylor has moved from the political arena into a Polk County courtroom.
Taylor filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to halt the recall process and have the petition against him declared legally invalid. He is also asking for an expedited hearing because the recall process will continue unless a judge intervenes.
The recall petition accuses Taylor of malfeasance, misfeasance and neglect of duty, primarily involving the City Commission’s selection of a law firm. Recall organizers allege Taylor bypassed procurement requirements and that the firm’s higher fees resulted in mismanagement of public money.
Taylor’s attorneys strongly dispute those allegations. They argue the Fort Meade City Charter specifically gives the City Commission authority to hire the city attorney and that neither the charter nor state law requires the city attorney to be selected through a competitive bidding process.
The lawsuit also challenges the legal wording of the recall petition. Taylor’s attorneys contend the petition improperly treats malfeasance, misfeasance and neglect of duty as interchangeable grounds and argue that if any one of the stated grounds is legally insufficient, the entire petition must be thrown out.
Taylor’s lawsuit goes further, alleging the recall committee has failed to comply with Florida campaign finance requirements. The complaint also argues the stated reasons for the recall are a pretext and that the effort is actually retaliation for Taylor’s support of the controversial data center project approved in Fort Meade.
“This recall campaign is a gross abuse of the process and an effort to intimidate not just me, but other commissioners,” Taylor said in a statement released by his attorney. “Such tactics undermine the integrity of the democratic process and of good municipal government.”
The recall effort had already cleared its first signature hurdle before the lawsuit was filed. According to the complaint, the Polk County Supervisor of Elections certified the required number of valid signatures Aug. 14, and Taylor was served with the petition Aug. 26.
The lawsuit names Michael Bennett, chairman of the recall committee, along with Fort Meade City Clerk Troy Bell, Interim Deputy Clerk Olivia Martin and Polk County Supervisor of Elections Melony Bell as defendants.
Taylor is asking the court to declare the recall petition invalid and permanently stop any further recall proceedings, including a potential recall election.
For now, the recall has not been stopped. Taylor has asked the court to intervene, but a judge has not yet ruled on his request or the merits of his allegations.
County Commissioners Approve Five‑Year Water Utility Rate Adjustments
by James Coulter
To help pay for expected costs to operate, maintain, and improve the county’s water system over the next five years, county commissioners approved a plan to increase water rates and other utility fees gradually.
At their regular meeting in late Summer, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted unanimously to adopt a resolution revising the Utilities Division Schedule of Rates, Charges, and Fees.
In July 2024, the BoCC approved a five‑year Utilities Rate Plan intended to keep the county’s water system financially stable by aligning rates with projected capital and operating costs. But a new rate study indicates the plan may fall short.
Current utility rates are considered “insufficient to fund the aggregate costs of utility operating expenses, required debt service payments, and the capital improvement costs supported by utility rates and surcharges,” according to Tamara Richardson, Utilities Division Director.
To ensure the water system has enough funding for operations and upcoming projects, county staff outlined several proposed rate and fee changes:
1. Extend the current $0.25 PWRI/AWS surcharge for two additional years, through 2029 and 2030.
2. Continue the annual six‑percent increase to potable water and wastewater rates through 2029 and 2030.
3. Raise reclaimed water service charges in three steps:
• Increase base and usage rates to 1.5 times the current amount by Oct. 1, 2026.
• Add another 33 percent increase on April 1, 2027.
• Apply six‑percent annual increases from 2027 through 2030.
4. Create a new septage processing fee of $0.15 per gallon.
• Water connection fees would rise by $951 per Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC).
• Wastewater connection fees would rise by $1,291 per ERC.
These changes are expected to generate enough revenue to cover the water system’s capital needs and ongoing maintenance over the next five years.
“An additional $135 million in bond proceeds may be required after Fiscal Year 2031 to complete projects started at the end of the 5-year rate plan, which may necessitate the need for additional rate increase beyond what is proposed,” Richardson wrote.
Commissioner Mike Scott asked for clarification on reclaimed water, claiming that while many communities struggle to generate demand for it, the county is facing the opposite problem: it needs more reclaimed water than it can currently produce.
Richardson said reclaimed water plays a key role in conservation because it’s used for irrigation instead of drawing additional water from the aquifer, creating a “one‑to‑one” offset with potable water.
She emphasized that reclaimed water is a valuable resource, and an expensive one, as it costs more to treat and produce than potable water. As such, if the county needs an additional irrigation supply, it must rely on its alternative water supply project, which is even more costly, she said.
“So, this makes sense to bring it up to make sure we are conserving, and [that] we are getting an even playing field for all of our residents, and [that] we are actually conserving a very valuable resource,” she said.
Commissioner Bill Braswell asked about the proposed project to move reclaimed water from the northwest service area to Haines City. Richardson said the project is still in the design phase and has not yet received construction funding. The county has money to complete the design, she noted, and the project will advance once funding is secured.
When built, the project would install roughly 18 miles of 24‑ to 36‑inch piping to carry reclaimed water from the northwest, where no in‑ground irrigation system currently exists, and where excess water is stored in an aquifer storage and recovery well.
Commissioner Rick Wilson cast the lone vote against the proposed revisions. While he understood the need to conserve water, with it being one of their “more important natural resources,” he did not feel raising rates on consumers was the appropriate solution.
“I’m just telling this board right now, I am not for raising our rates,” he said. “When it comes to raising our rates, I know we did not raise rates for quite a while to keep our costs down and to our public, and then when we had to raise, because we are not in the business to raise money.”
$145K Agreement Approved for Design Services for Tower Boulevard Trail
by James Coulter
Lake Wales residents are one step closer to walking to Bok Tower Gardens after city commissioners approved an agreement to design a new trail connecting the city to one of its most iconic and historic landmarks.
At their recent meeting last month, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve its consent agenda, with one item being an agreement for the design of Tower Boulevard Trail.
The agreement will allow AVCON to provide the project design of the proposed trail, along with construction, permitting, bidding, and construction closeout.
These services will cost $144,775 and will be partly covered by a $282,380 grant (with a city match of $70,595) provided through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Recreational Trails Program.
The proposed multi-use path will span 0.5 miles, connecting Kiwanis Park with Burns Ave. It will also include park benches, trash receptacles, bike racks, and directional signage.
Not only is the trail expected to provide a safer alternative to fast roads when traveling toward Bok Tower Gardens, but also create a lush, walkable corridor that encourages outdoor recreation and reduce car dependency.
“For decades, people have biked here to the Gardens, but some of the roads have gotten faster. So, creating these trails will be a safer system to get here and also more beautiful,” said David Price, President of Bok Tower, as quoted in a Spectrum News 9 article.
Dedicated in 1929, Bok Tower Gardens is a 250-acre garden and bird sanctuary set amid Florida’s natural wilderness. Its centerpiece, the 205-foot Singing Tower atop Iron Mountain, reflects the city’s reputation as a “City in a Garden.”
The proposed trail is part of the city’s broader effort to expand its trail network while advancing its goals for beautification and walkability through its Lake Wales Connected and Lake Wales Envisioned plans.
Lake Wales Connected seeks to revitalize the city’s historic core, comprising the downtown district and Northwest neighborhood, while Lake Wales Envisioned seeks to balance growth with conservation within the city and its surrounding area.
Together, both plans aim to promote economic growth, development, and revitalization within the city while conserving natural resources to preserve its historic character as a “city in a garden.”
Lake Wales Connected is also integrated with the Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which includes a network of multi-use paths linking key parks, natural areas, and the historic downtown district.
Aside from Tower Boulevard Trail, key segments include the Park Avenue Connector Trail, a 3,000-foot multi-use path connecting Lake Wailes Park to downtown, Lake Wailes Trail, a paved path circling the titular lake, and Lake Wales Trailway, a 2.3-mile rails-to-trails path linking Scenic Highway to Buck Moore Road.
One Movie Later: The Odyssey is an Objectively Good Movie—That I Didn’t Like!
by James Coulter
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has remained the center of controversy ever since its announcement. Some folks complained that the armor isn’t “historically accurate.” Others bemoaned that the dialogue sounded “too modern” for a classical epic. And many more voiced their outrage over certain casting choices for…reasons!
And yet, despite the discourse, not only did the movie gross $931 million worldwide (rapidly approaching $1 billion), but it has also become the fifth-highest-grossing film of the year and helped Universal become the first studio to cross $4 billion in 2026. (Then again, Nolan could film a three-hour movie about paint drying, and it would still make bank because he’s Christopher Nolan!)
But does this tale of a man fighting to get home earn a triumphant theatrical homecoming? Or did it drift so far off course that even Odysseus would struggle to spot Ithaca on the horizon?
The Odyssey is an all-too-familiar classic tale. Most of us read it in high school, and it’s been performed by everyone from cartoon aardvarks to talking dogs. A man gets lost at sea on his way home from the Trojan War. Along the way, he and his crew must brave many perils, including a man-eating cyclops, a boat-destroying whirlpool, sirens who lure men to their doom, and a witch who turns men into pigs. Will Odysseus return home safe…is a question no one needs to ask because everyone already knows the story at this point.
The Odyssey is a well-made film. The cinematography offers an audiovisual spectacle, especially since it is the first feature film shot entirely on IMAX film. The movie features a star-studded cast of A-list actors whose performances prove they earned their roles. And Christopher Nolan, as always, proves himself to be a masterful director. By all accounts, this movie is objectively good.
And yet, I don’t like it!
To be sure, the film delivers several standout moments, especially when it reimagines familiar myth with fresh artistic flair. The cyclops encounter unfolds in near-total darkness, rendering the creature a hulking silhouette that stalks the shadows. Circe’s transformations play as full-on body horror, twisting men into beasts with grotesque physicality, like a potter molding clay. And the sirens’ sequence uses muffled audio to mimic wax-stuffed ears, leaving only Odysseus’s frantic screams barely audible as he begs to be freed from his restraints.
And then there’s the third act, when Odysseus finally returns home and unleashes vengeance on the suitors freeloading in his home. After watching them act like cartoonishly awful human beings for the first two-thirds of the movie, including attacking a blind man and a dog, seeing them mowed down by Odysseus and his allies in the final third is undeniably cathartic.
Yet even with these undeniably interesting moments, the rest of the film feels surprisingly bland. Like so many modern productions, it leans heavily on muted, almost grayish tones that drain the color from what should be a lush, colorful world. And its insistence on gritty realism flattens the mythic grandeur of gods and monsters, making a story built on the fantastic feel oddly ordinary. All of this makes every passing second of this nearly three-hour movie drag on.
And then there’s the acting. As I mentioned earlier, these are A‑list performers who turn in solid work…at least mostly. But if this were your first time seeing Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, or Zendaya on screen, you’d be forgiven for wondering how they ever earned their reputations. Because their performances here are as dry and lifeless as the film’s washed‑out aesthetic. In other words, not their best work.
If you’re a fan of Christopher Nolan or Greek mythology, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this movie. But if you’re looking for a better adaptation of The Odyssey, I’d highly recommend watching the 1997 mini-series. Not only is it a more entertaining watch, but it’s also streaming for free on Tubi. And while I haven’t seen Epic: The Musical, I’ll take everyone else’s word that it’s a better take on The Odyssey than this film.
See this movie if you want…to be sure, it’s a great movie!…but as for me, I might consider eating some lotus to forget the three hours I wasted watching it in theaters.
It was once again time for football for the Dreadnaughts as they came into their season opener in front of the Dreadnaught faithful under the Friday night lights at historic Bryant Stadium. The (1-0) Lakeland Dreadnaughts came into the game after a dominant 47-0 win over Kathleen and faced off against the (2-0) Venice Indians, who came off some dominant wins themselves, with their last game being a 64-8 blowout against the SmartEn Sports Academy.
Both teams entered the game being ranked in the top 25 for the state of Florida and were able to live up to the hype. Lakeland is led by head coach Marvin Frazier, who is in his fourth year at the helm. During his time with Lakeland, Frazier has compiled a 38-7 record, an .844 winning percentage, and one state championship.
For Venice, the Indians are led by head coach John Peacock, who is in his 19th year at the helm. During his tenure, Peacock has posted a 186-44 record, an .808 winning percentage, three state championships, and 18 consecutive playoff appearances.
Friday night’s game at Bryant Stadium ended in heartbreak for the Dreadnaughts as they fell to the Venice Indians 32-25 in a hard-fought double-overtime matchup. With that being said, here is a breakdown of the game.
To kick things off, the Venice Indians were able to get into an early groove, jumping out to a 14-0 lead over the Dreadnaughts. Dorien Jones got Venice on the scoreboard first with a 4-yard touchdown run. Venice then capitalized on an interception, turning the turnover into six points after Mike Blakely scored on an 8-yard touchdown run.
However, that momentum would be short-lived as the game came to a halt after an hour-long lightning delay at the end of the first quarter. The lightning delay was a much-needed spark for the Dreadnaughts as they were able to come out and score halfway through the second quarter off a fumble recovery from when the Indians tried to convert on fourth down. This turned into an 11-yard touchdown run from Xavion Mitchell. With the touchdown run, it cut the Indians’ lead down to 6, making it a 14-8 ball game.
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Lakeland’s defense began to have an effect on the game as the Dreadnaughts forced a three-and-out on Venice’s following possession. Lakeland then followed it up with a 19-yard carry from Rashard Kelly, which helped put the Dreadnaughts in position to take the lead.
Lakeland eventually moved ahead 15-14. This lead would be short-lived as Dorien Jones once again scored another touchdown for the Indians on Lakeland’s goal line, bulldozing over defenders for the score and giving the Indians a 22-15 lead. However, Lakeland was able to respond quickly as they were able to put together a quick drive, which led to a touchdown run by their do-it-all quarterback Kelin Hendrix, who was able to scramble into the end zone to even things up and make it a 22-22 ball game. It was at this point in the game where both teams stood at a standstill, which led to overtime. The game was still not able to decide on a winner in overtime, which led to a second overtime.
Even overtime couldn’t separate the two teams. Both the Dreadnaughts and Indians were only able to manage a field goal, forcing the game into a second overtime. Venice had possession in the second overtime and had to fight for every yard against a Lakeland defense that continued to make things difficult. Despite the struggles, the Indians were able to push through on a crucial fourth-down attempt.
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Cue Jones hammered his way into the end zone on a short carry, giving Venice the lead. With the Indians now ahead, the Dreadnaughts had one final opportunity to stay alive. That opportunity was short-lived. Following Venice’s touchdown, defensive back Ky’mani Reed came up with the game-sealing interception, ending the Dreadnaughts’ comeback attempt and giving the Indians a 32-25 double-overtime victory.
Some of the stars of the game for Lakeland include quarterback Keelin Hendrix, who went 6/9 passing, 150 rushing yards, and 1 touchdown; defensive back Deonte Fielder, who had a key interception against Venice; and Dom Payne, who made a game-saving tackle during overtime and a critical pass breakup late in the game.
For Venice, their stars include running back Dorien Irving Jones, who had 28 carries, 134 yards, and 3 rushing touchdowns; wide receiver Tyree Mannings Jr., who had 6 catches for 30 yards; and defensive back Ky’mani Reed, who had the game-sealing interception.
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After the game, I had the opportunity to talk to Lakeland Dreadnaught’s head coach Marvin Frazier, and this is what he had to say when asked about what he had to tell the kids after the game didn’t go their way: “We showed a lot to fight back and send this thing to double overtime and that ball didn’t bounce our way, but I promise you we will be ok. We got 13 more games to go. Remember what number I just said.”
The season and the road ahead continue for both teams. For Lakeland, their next game is on the road against the (2-1) Osceola Cowboys, who are ranked 47th in the state. For Venice, their next game is at home against the (0-3) Lehigh Lightning.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Dreadnaughts look to move forward and use the lessons they learned from this game to improve their record as the season continues.
Winter Haven City Commission Weighs $6.1K Pay Raise for Commissioners, $6.5K for Mayor by James Coulter
With a statewide amendment threatening to shrink municipal revenues, Winter Haven commissioners are debating whether now is the right time to boost their own pay.
At their regular meeting on Mon. Aug. 24, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners reviewed the first reading of an ordinance that would “adjust upward the annual base salary and expense allowances” for commissioners, including the mayor.
The proposed ordinance would raise commissioners’ salaries to $24,180 (an increase of $6,129.21) and boost the mayor’s pay to $28,053.96 (up $6,509.76). Altogether, the changes would bring the city’s annual cost to $124,773.96 (an increase of $31,026.60).
These changes would adjust commissioner compensation rates “to more closely align with increasing demands associated with increases in population of the duties and responsibilities of the City Commission members, including the Mayor,” wrote Shawn Dykes, Human Resources Director.
Commissioner Chad Davis proposed the pay raise, noting that compensation has not changed in 15 years even as Winter Haven’s population has grown exponentially, doubling the workload and meeting demands placed on elected officials.
“The reason why I proposed this is because…being the second largest city in the county, and with all the growth going on, we are trying to bring our salaries in line with the work we are putting in, the decisions we have to make, and the constituents that we serve,” he said.
In a memo sent to city staff on May 17, 2026, Commissioner Davis wrote he had reviewed elected‑official compensation across Polk County and comparable municipalities. His analysis found that Winter Haven commissioners earn less than their counterparts in many similarly sized cities and fall well below the countywide average.
His calculations showed that the average per‑capita compensation rate across Polk County is $0.4757 for commissioners and $0.6250 for mayors. Applied to Winter Haven, those rates would translate to salaries of $27,557 for commissioners and $36,201 for the mayor, roughly 36.4% and 42.2% increases, respectively.
However, as such a pay increase would be “a little too much” and unlikely to be “accepted” or “appreciated” by the public. He instead proposed a more modest change of $24,180 for commissioners and $28,053.96 for the mayor.
Likewise, noting how many commissioners expressed reluctance for the proposed increases, he suggested an amendment that would allow commissioners to waive compensation if they so chose.
“I think that may be something I am willing to entertain,” he said. “That way, we are not all having to embrace a raise if we don’t think we need one or if you would rather do this job for free as a volunteer service.”
When Commissioner Davis proposed the potential increases at a previous meeting, the commission approved his proposal with a 3-2 vote, while Mayor Yates and Mayor Pro Tem Tracey Mercer voted against it.
Mayor Yates opposed the raise, arguing that serving as a commissioner is essentially “community service” and questioning whether the timing was appropriate given a proposed statewide amendment that could threaten future municipal funding.
Florida Amendment 3 would increase the homestead tax exemption for non‑school taxes. If approved, it would reduce local property taxes by an estimated $45.8 billion over five years, significantly slashing revenue for county and municipal governments, including Winter Haven, according to figures from Florida TaxWatch.
“I am sticking with my recommendation in that we should have never started this [discussion] in the first place,” Yates said. “I just don’t think it [a pay raise] should happen across the board. We are in a time when we should actually be cutting costs, not knowing what potentially is coming.”
The ordinance will be reviewed and voted upon during its second reading at the next City Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 15.
LAKE WALES – It is with bitter-sweet sadness to announce Mr. Phillip N. “Butch” Butler, 88, of Lake Wales and formerly of Okeechobee, FL passed away Thursday, August 20, 2026 in Winter Haven, FL. Butch was born December 6, 1937 in Lyman, Spartanburg County, SC and been a resident of Lake Wales for many years.
He was a retired dynamite specialist with Dixie Crystal Sugar in Clewiston, FL and would always tell people he would be glad to blow up something for them! Butch was also a very avid fisherman and loved spending time on the water at his Butch’s Hideaway home in Lake Wales.
Mr. Butler was a US Air Force Veteran where he served in the Strategic Air Command and stationed in North Africa, England and Homestead, FL during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Winter Haven American Legion – Post #3; Winter Haven VFW; Central Florida Field Trialers, where he was active as owner, breeder, trainer at BD Kennels specializing in German Shorthaired Pointer and Brittany Spaniel breeds. Butch was a member of NSTRA – Florida Region, serving as an officer, region President, GMHT member. In 2025, Butch was honored as a NSTRA Distinguished Member which is given to those extra ordinary men and women whose contributions and achievements significantly helped develop, or continue to improve, the National Shoot to Retrieve Field Trial Association, Inc. He was also a member of Florida Wild Quail Hunters Association, Central Florida Conservation Dog & Hunt Club where his National Champion dog, Fraulein Greta, won many awards. He also served as the judge for the Southeast NSTRA, helping many dog owners with specialized training and strengthening their relationship.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Franklin Butler and Sallie Belle Beach Butler; sister, Leah Sands; and his son-in-law, David E. McCormack.
He is survived by his wife, Donna H. Butler, Lake Wales, FL (who says“come sit on her porch!”); sons, Phillip N. Butler, Jr., daughters, Karen L. Bignone, and Kathy L. McCormack; brothers, Richard B. Butler, Ted N. Butler and Kenneth B. Sands; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, members of the “Heeeyyy, Baby!” Club, many friends and extended family. Baby, his current dog, misses her Daddy and their golf cart rides every day.
Inurnment will take place in the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. There will be a Viking Celebration of Life at Butch’s Hideaway, 2649 Mar Lisa Cove Road, Lake Wales, FL 33898 at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, February 13, 2027.
“Hey, Baby!,” who Butch was fondly known and greeted many friends, was spotted by his many four-legged friends at the foot of the Rainbow Bridge with a joyous reunion to enter the gates of Heaven together. We will all miss you Butch… may you forever know peace.
Lake Wales Commissioners Set Higher Millage Rate as Taxable Value Surges 20% Ahead of Budget Talks
by James Coulter
Lake Wales residents may see higher property tax bills next year as the city’s taxable value has climbed nearly 20 percent, a surge that sets the stage for upcoming budget discussions.
At their regular meeting in late July, Lake Wales commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Polk County Property Appraiser’s certified taxable value and set the interim millage rate, along with the dates for public hearings where the rate will be finalized.
According to the 2026 Certification of Taxable Value, Lake Wales’ gross taxable value has risen to $1,665,970,001, an increase of 20.48 percent over last year’s total $1,382,807,496. This sharp rise reflects a surge in new construction, ongoing annexations, and a wave of commercial and residential development that has expanded the city’s tax base.
Lake Wales has experienced one of the fastest growth rates in Polk County, with more than $187 million in new property valuations added within city limits over the past year, including the construction of thousands of new single‑family homes, according to data reported by Lake Wales News.
The city has also been actively annexing adjacent land, a strategy that directly increases taxable value by bringing new parcels and future development opportunities into city limits. One major annexation brought in approximately 558 acres north of State Road 60 into the city. That site is the proposed location of Lake Wales Commons, a mixed-use development project estimated to build 3,200 new housing units.
To align with the increased taxable value, commissioners approved an interim millage rate of 8.0462 mills, a six‑percent increase over the rolled‑back rate of 7.5907 mills. The rolled‑back rate represents the rate that would generate the same amount of revenue as last year; anything higher results in increased revenue for the city and higher tax bills for residents.
Under the proposed rate, a homeowner with a taxable value of $150,000 would pay approximately $1,207 in city property taxes, about $68 more than a bill under the rolled‑back rate. Meanwhile, a homeowner with a taxable value of $250,000 would pay about $2,012, an increase of roughly $114.
City staff estimates ad valorem revenue at 97 percent of the total levy, accounting for early‑payment discounts and delinquent taxes. The final adopted millage rate may be lower than the interim rate, but it cannot exceed it.
The city’s budget hearings have been scheduled for Wed., Sep. 9, 2026, and Tues., Sep. 22, 2026.
Winter Haven Commission Approves Affordable Housing for Families with Children in Local Schools by James Coulter
Approximately 13 townhomes are proposed to be constructed to provide transitional affordable housing for families with school-aged children after Winter Haven commissioners approved an agreement with a local nonprofit focused on combating homelessness.
At their regular meeting on Mon. Aug. 24, 2026, Winter Haven city commissioners voted unanimously to approve a transitional affordable housing agreement with Heart for Winter Haven (H4WH), a nonprofit that supports families facing poverty, particularly those with children in local schools.
The agreement allocates $350,000 towards the purchase of roughly 0.818 acres at the southwest corner of 7th Street SW and Avenue N SW and the construction of 13 townhomes to be used for transitional affordable housing. “Heart for Winter Haven intends to purchase the property, construct the townhomes units, and utilize those units as transitional affordable housing for families with children in Winter Haven schools who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness,” wrote Eric Labbe, Director of Economic Opportunity and Community Investment.
The agreement also requires the property to be placed under a lien, which will be forgiven over time as long as the units remain affordable and are used for their intended purpose. If the units meet those conditions for at least seven years, the lien will be forgiven 15 percent per year for six years, with the final 10 percent forgiven in the seventh year.
H4WH requested assistance from the City, which agreed to provide a $350,000 forgivable grant from its Supplemental Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Founded in 2014, the organization seeks to assist local families through its CARE method:
Connect all sectors of the city (churches, businesses, non-profits, and city leadership)
Alleviate poverty (in all its forms)
Restore relationships
Elevate the entire community
“We believe poverty has been misdiagnosed; it’s rooted in broken relationships. We bring people together through collaborations that restore relationships, build resources, and grow community,” its website states. “We believe each person has inherent worth and value, as we are all created in the image of God. Our desire is for all people to see poverty in light of broken relationships, and to see themselves as restorative healers, binding the brokenhearted.”
W4WH has since achieved two of its three main goals: first, directly assisting 1,000 families by the end of 2025, and second, launching the Center for City and Life Transformation that same year. Its third and final goal: “ensure there isn’t a single homeless child in Winter Haven.”
Mayor Brian Yates praised the organization and its efforts to provide transitional housing. While he said he does not view “handouts” or homeless shelters as an effective long‑term solution to homelessness (which he called a “lifestyle” that many people choose), he supported helping families of children in local schools.
“Children did not ask for this situation that they may have been placed in by their parents or guardians,” he said. “But here is an opportunity to give a hand up rather than a handout and help families with school-aged children to become a little more financially stable so that they can make decisions moving forward to get them out of this step and into a step of hopefully home ownership.”
Commissioner Clifton E. Dollison disagreed, saying his conversations with homeless individuals show homelessness is not a “choice” or “lifestyle,” but an unfortunate circumstance, and that helping people in that situation is worthwhile.
“So, I think this is more complicated than you think sometimes,” he said. “I think recognizing that there are a lot of people who are suffering in our community, and for those who work hard every day to make life better for them, I applaud their efforts and those who have been championing these efforts…I am looking forward to this effort, and those who have come before us are moving in the right direction, and I think this is the way forward.”
Commissioner Chad Davis praised the transitional housing agreement, especially since it will help children attending local schools, which, in turn, will benefit those schools.
“These units will be serving our families, our children, and our schools,” he said. “So, I really do appreciate that, and I echo the mayor’s support. This is going to be a great project, and I look forward to seeing how it comes into fruition.”
