Citizen’s Guide to County Finances Now Available
Citizen’s Guide to County Finances Now Available
Bartow, Fla. (July 14th, 2017) – Updated information on the county’s financial position is now available in the latest Popular Annual Financial Report prepared by Polk County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller Stacy Butterfield for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2016.
The report includes financial information for the Board of County Commissioners and the five local constitutional offices – Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Clerk & Comptroller, Supervisor of Elections, and Tax Collector. It’s designed to provide citizens with a brief analysis of where county revenues come from and how these dollars are managed.
Financial highlights for fiscal year 2015-2016 include:
- Total Governmental Activities Revenues (excluding transfers and net change in fair value of investments) increased $33.2 million or 6.5 percent.
- Property tax revenues increased $8.7 million or 4.8 percent, the third consecutive year increase.
- Tourism tax revenues increased by $1.2 million or 13.2 percent.
- The County’s budget totaled $1.274 billion in 2016, an increase of only .5 percent.
- Projects completed during the year include a $12.4 million road project on CR 559A, an $8.7 million parking garage for the Administration and Judicial complex and $15.4 million in upgrades and improvements to water treatment plants.
“As the Clerk & Comptroller, I’m committed to increasing accountability and transparency in county government,” Butterfield said. “I remain committed to reviewing our county’s finances each year and reporting the impacts to the community through this report so that residents know how their tax dollars were managed and spent.”
Access the report online to discover more or request a printed copy by calling 863-534-4000. The report is available at www.polkcountyclerk.net under the “financial reporting” section.
Polk Mugshot of the Day – July 13, 2017
BILLY WHEELER
Race: W Sex: M DOB: 11/17/1951 Height: 511 Weight: 170
Charge Number 1
Statute: 893.13(1)(A)2,. Cultivation of CANNABIS
Charge on Arrest Docket: CULTIVATION OF CANNABIS
Bond Type:
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety:
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Charge Number 2
Statute: 893.13(2)(A)2**** POSS OF CANNABIS WITH INTENT TO SALE
Charge on Arrest Docket: POSS OF CANNABIS WIT TO SALE
Bond Type: CS
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 1000.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Charge Number 3
Statute: 893.13(6A)**.. POSS OF METHAMPHETAMINE
Charge on Arrest Docket: POSS OF METHAMPHETAMINE
Bond Type: CS
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 1000.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Charge Number 4
Statute: 893.147 (1) Poss./Use Narcotic Paraphernalia
Charge on Arrest Docket: POSS./USE NARCOTIC PARAPHENALIA
Bond Type: CS
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 500.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Charge Number 5
Statute: 893.1351(2).. Possess Structure Veh Know Drugs Mfgrd
Charge on Arrest Docket: Possess Structure Veh Know Drugs Mfg
Bond Type:
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety:
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
Charge Number 6
Statute: 893.13(6A)*****. POSS CANNABIS OVER 20 GRAMS
Charge on Arrest Docket: POSS CANNABIS OVER 20 GRAMS
Bond Type: CS
Bond Number: Purge Number:
Purge/Bond Amount: Surety: 1000.00
Cash: Bond Exp.: Disposition:
Upgrade/Reduction:
The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of PolkMugShot.com or any employee thereof.
Cooking on the Ridge: Grilled Sausage with Potatoes and Green Beans
Cooking On The Ridge: Grilled Sausage with Potatoes and Green Beans
Ingredients
DIRECTIONS:
-
Prep 25 m
-
Cook 20 m
-
Ready In 45 m
- Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
- On a large sheet of foil, place the green beans, red potatoes, onion, and sausage. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with oil, and top with butter. Tightly seal foil around the ingredients, leaving only a small opening. Pour water into the opening, and seal.
- Place foil packet on the prepared grill. Cook 20 to 30 minutes, turning once, until sausage is browned and vegetables are tender.
UPDATE on Overturned Dump Truck on HWY 27 in Davenport at Dunson Road
Final Update: The overturned semi sand-hauler has been towed from the scene and all lanes of US Hwy 27 southbound are open to traffic at this time.
Update on US Hwy 27 in Davenport, at Dunson Road, of the overturned dump truck.
Preliminarily it appears the truck, which was hauling sand, was traveling southbound on US Hwy 27 with a green light, when a car made a right turn onto US HWY 27 southbound at the red light at Waverly Barn Road.
The dump truck swerved into the left lane to avoid striking the car. Due to the shift in load weight, the truck fell onto its side. It did make a glancing blow with the car, however, there were no injuries and no significant damages.
Webb’s Towing is on-scene removing the truck, and DOT is assisting with the one southbound lane closure.
One southbound lane of US Hwy 27 at Dunson Road in Davenport is open to traffic at this time.
This Traffic Update Sponsored by:
Take someone hunting, fishing or target shooting and enter a chance to win NASCAR or Ultimate Outdoor Experience
Take someone hunting, fishing or target shooting and enter a chance to win NASCAR or Ultimate Outdoor Experience
Join Richard Childress, honorary chair for National Hunting and Fishing Day, in creating the next generation of conservationists
National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual celebration of hunters and anglers, features a new twist this year. Richard Childress, NASCAR legend and honorary chair for NHF Day, is asking hunters and anglers to participate in the new NHF Day Challenge by taking someone hunting, fishing or target shooting. By pledging to introduce someone to the outdoors between now and NHF Day on Saturday, Sept. 23, participants will be eligible to win a Richard Childress Racing VIP race weekend package or the Ultimate Outdoor Experience in America’s conservation capital from Big Cedar Lodge and Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium.
“If you are a sportsman, sportswoman or an angler, you can make a difference and support National Hunting and Fishing Day by becoming a mentor,” said Childress. “Mentoring is critical to ensure our outdoor tradition lives on through future generations. Make the commitment to take someone outdoors and show them why you value hunting, fishing and target shooting.”
For millions of Americans, time spent hunting and fishing are treasured moments. Hunting and fishing brings friends and family together and provides one of the most immersive outdoor experiences possible.
“Today fewer people are connecting with nature through hunting and fishing,” said Childress. “As outdoorsmen and women, we are one of the keys to reversing this trend. Help a friend, family member, neighbor or co-worker learn how to hunt, fish or shoot. Introducing someone to the joys of the outdoors not only enriches their life, it creates a future conservationist.”
Each new hunter and angler created helps fund conservation. Every time someone buys a firearm, ammunition, archery equipment or fishing tackle, they contribute to habitat conservation and science-based wildlife management through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program. The WSFR is the cornerstone of fish and wildlife conservation in North America because it brings funding from the sporting arms, archery and fishing industries and sportsmen and women back to state wildlife management agencies. These monies, in addition to hunting and fishing license fees, are critical for conserving fish and wildlife across our nation.
Those who pledge to take someone hunting, target shooting or fishing will be entered for a chance to win two amazing prize packages. The first grand prize is two HOT passes to a future NASCAR race, which includes pit and garage passes, garage and team hauler tours, and an opportunity to meet team owner Richard Childress. The second grand prize package is a trip to America’s Conservation Capital: Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. A passion of Bass Pro Shops founder and Ozarks native Johnny Morris, the destination spans multiple properties and thousands of unspoiled acres, making it the ultimate destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. The package includes a two-night stay in a log cabin at Big Cedar Lodge, America’s premier wilderness resort, and nature-based excursions including guided bass fishing on 43,000-acre Table Rock Lake; Adventure Passes for the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail and Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at Top of the Rock; shotgun sports at Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor Shooting Academy; and passes to Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, the largest, most immersive wildlife attraction in the world, opening Sept, 21, 2017.
To get involved in the NHF Day Challenge, visit NHFDay.org or call 417-225-1162.
Man Captured By Police After Falling Through Ceiling While Trying To Hide
Winter Haven Police Department Press Release
If anyone thinks about hiding someone who officers are searching for, be prepared to go to jail. Just ask a Winter Haven woman after she allowed a convicted felon access to her apartment in order to hide from police because he had a warrant for his arrest.
On 7-11-17 at approximately 7:50 p.m., Winter Haven officers were patrolling in the area of Abbey Lane Apartments (100 Evergreen Place, SW Winter Haven) when a vehicle pulled in that officers knew to be driven by Demario Webster (DOB 9-2-84, LNA UNK) who had three outstanding warrants for Violation of Probation. Officers recognized Webster and ordered him to stop. At that time he took off running behind buildings and was not immediately located.
Officer Garcia with his K-9 partner Logan arrived and began running a track in an attempt to find Webster. After running the track two times, Logan continued to alert to a rear door of the apartment at 606 Evergreen Place SW. The tenant, 27 year-old Chequita Alexander (DOB 5-27-90) spoke to officers who told her that the dog tracked to her door and that they were in search of a subject who had outstanding warrants. Alexander refused multiple requests for officers to enter and told officers, “Come back with a search warrant to enter the apartment.”
About that time, the tenant from apartment 604 advised officers that a crack was just observed in the drywall above the apartment shower. Shortly after that, the resident from apartment 603 shouted, “he’s in here,” and immediately Webster exited the apartment and was taken into custody without further incident.
Webster had entered Alexander’s apartment (606) and told her that officers were after him. She knew he was trying to hide from officers, but continued to tell officers he wasn’t in her apartment. Webster then entered the attic space of the apartment and crawled across the space above apartments 605, 604 and 603 where he ultimately fell through the drywall above the shower in the bathroom.
Webster was initially pursued for three counts of Violation of Probation and ultimately was charged additionally with one count of Resisting Arrest W/O Violence (M1) and three counts of Occupied Burglary of a Dwelling (F2).
Alexander was charged with one count of Resisting Officer W/O Violence (M1) and one count of Accessory After the Fact (F3). Both Alexander and Webster were booked into the Polk County Jail.
Webster’s criminal history includes time served in the Florida State Prison (release April 2016) for Felony Petit Theft, Grand Theft and Attempted Burglary of a Dwelling.
Polk Deputies Investigating Incident In Babson Park
Babson Park, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office advises last night (7/11/2017) deputies responded to a reported armed burglary at a home in Babson Park.
At this time the facts of the incident are being investigated. We will update as more information is obtained.
Third Strong Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested in Hillsborough County
UPDATE to Home Depot strong-armed robbery:
20-year-old Exavier Walker was located by Tampa Police in Tampa late last evening/early this morning and placed under arrest for the Polk Warrant, as well as other local charges.
Below is his HCSO current mugshot.
He will be transferred to Polk County at a later date, after facing local charges in Hillsborough.
Deputies Investigating Armed Robbery At Davenport McDonalds
Davenport, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office advises that an armed robbery took place at a Polk County McDonalds early Tuesday morning.
The robbery took place at 4am in the morning at the McDonald’s near Interstate 4 (5825 US Hwy 27 N, Davenport, FL 33837). According to Polk County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson, Carrie Horstman, no one was injured in the robbery. The suspect fled the scene on foot.
Video footage of the robbery may be available. We will update this article as more information is forth coming.
