Winter Haven City Commission Extends Local Emergency Declaration Due to Hurricane Milton

In response to the ongoing aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the Winter Haven City Commission has extended the local state of emergency through October 28th. The extension allows municipal officers to continue necessary emergency measures, focusing on debris management and facility repairs. The initial emergency declaration was issued on October 7th, with subsequent extensions following the statutory limit of seven days per extension.

The commission’s primary concern is the extensive debris left by Hurricane Milton, with approximately 225,000 cubic yards collected so far. This effort involves city staff operating six days a week, assisted by private contractors under county arrangements. The city has expedited the procurement of three new trash trucks, a purchase exceeding $600,000, to aid in the cleanup process. These trucks, budgeted for the fiscal year 2025, will be ratified in an upcoming meeting.

Moreover, city staff are coordinating with FEMA for reimbursement of costs related to debris management and other emergency measures. The county’s eligibility for FEMA’s public assistance program has expanded, covering more restoration activities. Individual residents can also seek aid through the Individual Assistance program, with guidance available on the city’s website.

The commission is also addressing airport and fleet maintenance repairs, which sustained significant damage. While the city’s emergency declaration is aligned with state and county declarations, it serves to document and clarify actions for future audits and compliance checks.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr.
City Council Officials:
Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr., Brian Yates, L. Tracy Mercer, Bradley T. Dantzler, Clifton E. Dollison, Amanda Jo Nicholson (Assistant to the City Manager)

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