Haines City infrastructure projects affected by budget cuts.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent budget vetoes have significantly impacted funding for critical projects in Polk County, most notably affecting Haines City. The city lost $3 million intended for an emergency operations center and $1 million for a municipal annex. Additionally, the Polk County Public Schools and the Sheriff’s Central County Jail faced similar cuts. While some educational projects received funding, the overall budget reveals fiscal challenges for the region, with a total reduction of nearly $600 million across various allocations.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, implementing a series of line-item vetoes that collectively cut almost $600 million from various allocations. Among the areas most affected are several critical projects in Polk County, particularly in Haines City, which saw significant reductions in funding.
Haines City is facing the brunt of the cuts, losing a staggering $3 million that was earmarked for the development of an emergency operations center and fire facility. In addition, the city also experienced a loss of $1 million that had been set aside for a new municipal annex building. This decision comes after the city held a groundbreaking ceremony in May for the Andrew R. Reilly City Hall Annex, a project that has a total budget of $20 million funded through construction fees and grants.
The funding for these significant Haines City projects had been actively sought out by local legislators, including Sen. Colleen Burton and Rep. Josie Tomkow. However, despite their efforts, the vetoes by Governor DeSantis specifically impacted these proposed advancements in infrastructure.
In addition to the losses faced by Haines City, the vetoes have also affected the Polk County Public Schools. DeSantis vetoed $700,000 that was intended for the replacement of a health clinic located in East Polk County. The current facility is experiencing several issues, including frequent sewer backups, which further underscores the need for a new structure. The projected cost for this replacement and expansion project is approximately $1.5 million, and the clinic services around 1,000 visits each month.
Furthermore, the Polk County Sheriff’s Central County Jail in Bartow was also affected by a veto, with $689,000 meant for replacing a chiller that has been in service for over 25 years being cut from the budget.
Despite these challenges, not all projects in Polk County faced the axe. Governor DeSantis spared funding for several different initiatives, including $10 million for Polk State College’s Haines City-Davenport campus, which is notable for housing Central Florida’s first public interdisciplinary simulation hospital. Another allocation that received approval is $6.1 million intended for the restoration of the Lakeland Academic Center. Since 2017, Polk State College has received over $100 million in appropriations, showcasing the continued support for educational institutions in the county.
Additionally, Florida Polytechnic University is set to benefit from $10 million, which will aid in expanding its enrollment capacity to 3,000 students, while $12 million has been allocated for building a new Student Achievement Center. Florida Southern College is also receiving funds, with $2.5 million designated for a horticultural sciences laboratory and $500,000 for planetarium equipment.
The funding does not stop there. The state is allocating $3 million for the renovation of the 10th Judicial Circuit Medical Examiner’s facility in Winter Haven, alongside funding for three new judges within the same circuit. Polk County will also see $3 million reserved for right-of-way acquisition related to the Power Line Road extension, as well as $700,000 for electrical upgrades at the Polk County Courthouse.
Further allocations include $2 million aimed at protecting and restoring the headwaters of the Peace River floodplain, and various grants for local nonprofits, such as $1.8 million for One More Child’s anti-sex trafficking initiatives, nearly $1.9 million for Peace River Center’s expanded services, and $500,000 to Heartland for Children focused on foster care support.
The budget also includes $1.5 million for parking expansion at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, demonstrating the government’s commitment to enhancing local facilities and infrastructure despite the cuts faced by several significant projects.
Overall, the new state budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year is approximately $3 billion smaller than the prior year’s budget. This drastic reduction highlights the fiscal challenges faced by the state and its municipalities moving forward.
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