Highlands County, FL

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Meeting of the Districts

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

The Board of County Commissioners will vote on several budget amendments, including rolling over $6,487,175.76 in project balances and realigning $7,809,941.34 for the County Jail Facility Expansion. The meeting includes public hearings for four land-use and zoning resolutions.

• Budget rollover of $6,487,175.76 from FY 25/26 into FY 26/27
• Funding realignment of -$7,809,941.34 for the County Jail Facility Expansion
• Contract amendment with Gray Dog Publishing for $111,394.50
• Public hearings for Peace River Citrus Investments, Woerner South, LLC, and Bowman Steel
• Core Contract for the Highlands County Health Department for $256,535

Meeting of the Districts

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners Special Districts will meet to discuss a budget amendment. The proposed action involves negative cost center cleanup for several special benefit districts.

• Resolution 26-27-30: Budget Amendment 25-26-135 for FY 25/26
• Proposed $50,000.00 increase to Fund 111 Avon Park Estates SBD
• Proposed $10,000.00 increase to Fund 148 Highlands Park Estates SBD
• Proposed $150.00 increase to Fund 121 Oak Manor Ave. Road Paving

General

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

The Highlands County Zoning Board of Adjustment meets October 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the Commissioners' Board Room at 600 S. Commerce Ave, Sebring. The only substantive agenda item is a public hearing on BOA 2016, a request by Gage Massey and Brianna Huergo for a special exception to allow an unattached guesthouse on an approximate 0.25-acre parcel at 4519 Sturgeon Drive, Sebring. The rest of the agenda is procedural: roll call, minutes, swearing in of witnesses, citizens not on the agenda, department and board member comments, and adjournment. The agenda also includes a county notice warning of fraudulent emails that falsely tell Development Services customers to wire an 'application approval fee.'

• BOA 2016: Gage Massey and Brianna Huergo request a special exception for an unattached guesthouse at 4519 Sturgeon Drive, Sebring (Parcel ID C-10-34-28-061-0090-0300)
• The request cites Highlands County Code Section 12.05.210, Subsection D.2, which requires the owner to sign an agreement that the guesthouse will not be used for rental purposes
• Public hearing with swearing in of witnesses is scheduled before the board votes
• County notice: fraudulent emails impersonating Planning & Zoning staff ask applicants to wire money; official fees are paid only through the Civi-Tek Portal
• Next meeting date is listed only as a placeholder: 'MONTH DAY, YEAR'

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

The Highlands County Planning & Zoning Commission/Local Planning Agency meets October 13, 2026, at 3:15 PM in the Commissioners' Board Room in Sebring. The main substantive item is an annual modification to the Capital Improvements Element of the Highlands County 2050 Comprehensive Plan, covering the five-year Capital Improvement Schedule for fiscal years 2026-2027 through 2030-2031. The agenda otherwise consists of routine procedural items such as minutes, swearing in of witnesses, and citizen comments. The agenda also includes a county notice about fraudulent emails asking Development Services customers to wire money for a fake 'application approval fee.'

• CIS 2026-2027: annual modification to the Capital Improvements Element of the Highlands County 2050 Comprehensive Plan, covering fiscal years 2026-2027 through 2030-2031
• Item will go to the Board of County Commissioners after a recommendation, but the agenda lists the date only as 'MONTH DAY, YEAR'
• Next meeting announced for November 10, 2026
• County warning: fraudulent emails falsely instruct applicants to wire money for an 'application approval fee'; official fees are paid only through the Civi-Tek Portal
• No rezonings, contracts, ordinances, or fee changes are listed on this agenda

General

The Highlands County Historic Preservation Commission meets October 8, 2026 at 2:30 PM in the Government Center Board Room, 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring. The main substantive item is a request by Commission Chair Couturier to consider sending letters to state and federal representatives about proposed federal changes to Section 106 historic review rules. If approved, the matter would go to the Board of County Commissioners as a resolution authorizing the Commission to send the correspondence. The rest of the agenda is largely procedural, plus a tentative 2027 meeting schedule.

• Discussion of ACHP's July 24, 2026 vote to pursue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking revising 36 C.F.R. Part 800 (Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act)
• Possible letters to Highlands County's state and federal representatives opposing or commenting on the proposed Section 106 changes; draft letters attached
• Any approved letters would be recommended to the Board of County Commissioners via a resolution authorizing transmittal
• Tentative 2027 meeting dates: January 14, April 8, July 8, October 14
• Citizens not on the agenda may speak; ADA accommodations via 863-402-6509

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners meets Tuesday, October 6, 2026, to act on a range of budget amendments, contracts, and appointments. Major items include a $2,674,220 Sheriff budget amendment, a $500,000 dump truck hauling services award, and roughly $527,000 in FDOT sidewalk project funding. The board will also consider proclamations, committee appointments, and several grant agreements.

• Budget amendment 26-27-001 appropriating $2,674,220 in Sheriff budgeted funds within the General Fund
• Award of ITB-26-025 for Dump Truck Hauling Services at approximately $500,000
• Five FDOT sidewalk projects funded via Infrastructure Surtax: EO Douglas Ave ($47,168), Catfish Creek Rd ($125,000), Cemetery Rd ($13,750), Desoto Rd ($9,888), and School St ($101,500)
• Interlocal agreement with Hardee County for S Hammock Road improvements at $134,640 with a 50/50 cost share
• $85,000 agreement with Biggest Fish Consulting, LLC funded by the Tourist Development Tax

General

Meeting of the Districts

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners' Special Districts group is holding a meeting on October 6, 2026, in Sebring. The only substantive agenda item is a consent agenda asking approval of minutes from the August 4, August 18, and September 1, 2026, Special Districts meetings. The rest of the agenda is procedural: call to order, public comment, and adjournment. No decisions on budgets, contracts, or district business appear on this agenda.

• Consent agenda: approval of minutes from the August 4, 2026, and August 18, 2026, Special Districts meetings (Pamela Gamez, Official Records Director; no fiscal impact)
• Consent agenda: approval of minutes from the September 1, 2026, Special Districts meeting (Pamela Gamez, Official Records Director; no fiscal impact)
• Public comment period, with speaker cards for consent-agenda items due by 8:50 a.m.
• Meeting covers 16 listed special districts, including the Countywide Fire District, Thunderbird Road Wastewater S.B.D., and Sun 'n Lakes of Lake Placid Recreation District
• No public hearings, contracts, ordinances, or fee changes are listed on this agenda

General

General

General

Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners is holding a special meeting for the final public hearing on the tentative FY 2026/2027 budget. Staff will present the budget, the public can comment, and the board will consider resolutions to adopt the budget as required by the state. This is the final step before the budget is formally approved.

• Final public hearing on FY 2026/2027 tentative budget
• Budget presentation by OMB Manager David Nitz and Senior Budget Analyst Valerie Fleeger
• Adoption of budget resolutions required by the Florida Department of Revenue

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners is meeting to approve consent agenda items, including several health services grants, budget amendments, and a $658,026.15 Motorola radio maintenance agreement. They will also hold a public hearing on proposed text amendments to the Future Land Use Element of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The agenda includes routine recognitions and proclamations.

• Motorola Solutions ASTRO Radio System Maintenance and Upgrade Agreement ($658,026.15)
• Health Services Grant Agreements totaling $319,000 for six community agencies (e.g., Ridge Area ARC $100,000, Samaritan's Touch Care Center $151,000)
• SCRAP road resurfacing grant for CR 64 ($300,000) and SCOP & SCRAP for Lake Josephine Drive ($349,952)
• Public hearing on CPA-26-652LS text amendments to Future Land Use Element of 2050 Comprehensive Plan
• Budget amendments: generator for ST41 ($34,781), two ventilators ($32,000), Hammock Road Drainage Project ($99,431.34), Command Truck Replacement ($77,700)

Addendum to the Board of County Commissioners

This addendum to the September 15, 2026 Board of County Commissioners agenda is solely to set a public hearing by adopting Resolution No. 25-26-146. The item is on the consent agenda with no fiscal impact. No other business is addressed in this addendum.

• Adoption of Resolution No. 25-26-146 to establish a public hearing
• Consent agenda item 7.P, presented by Assistant County Administrator James Langford
• No fiscal impact stated

Meeting of the Districts

General

General

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

The Board of Adjustment will meet to discuss requests for setbacks on two different properties. These requests involve deviations from current county zoning ordinances regarding pool enclosures and single-family home construction.

• Variance request for 3443 Rhododendron Road to allow a 5.9-foot side setback for a pool enclosure
• Variance request for Green Group Development, LLC to allow a 9-foot corner yard setback for a new single-family dwelling

The Board approved a setback variance for a pool enclosure in Lake Placid and a corner yard setback variance for a new home in Sebring. The Board also elected a new Vice Chair following the resignation of Chair Youngman.

• Elected Mr. Roberts as Vice Chair (7-0)
• Approved June 9, 2026 meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved 1.6-foot side setback variance for pool enclosure at 3443 Rhododendron Road (6-1)
• Approved 6-foot corner yard setback variance for new single-family dwelling at Parcel C-18-34-29-110-0020-0150 (7-0)

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

The Highlands County Planning & Zoning Commission will hear public testimony on four land-use applications. The most significant item involves converting a 60.85-acre agricultural parcel in Sebring to low-density residential and estate zoning. The other three items involve agricultural and industrial district changes in Lake Placid and Sebring. Recommendations from this meeting will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners on October 20, 2026.

• CPA-26-647SS: Future Land Use Map amendment from Agriculture to Low Density Residential for a 60.85-acre parcel at 5711 Oak Manor Ave, Sebring.
• P&Z 2183: Zoning Atlas change from AU Agricultural District to EU Estate District for the same 60.85-acre parcel at 5711 Oak Manor Ave, Sebring.
• P&Z 2189: Zoning Atlas change from AU Agricultural District to AU PD Agricultural District with a Planned Development for an 18.85-acre parcel at 4200 SR 70 E, Lake Placid.
• P&Z 2195: Zoning Atlas change from B-3 Business and I-2 Industrial Districts to I-2 PD Industrial District with a Planned Development for two parcels totaling 2.24 acres at 6780 & 6814 US 27 S, Sebring.

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend four separate land use and zoning amendments to the Board of County Commissioners. These include a new residential subdivision, a private eco-resort, and an industrial expansion.

• Recommended approval of CPA-26-647SS to change 60.85 acres from Agriculture to Low Density Residential (7-0)
• Recommended approval of P&Z 2183 to change 60.85 acres from AU Agricultural District to EU Estate District (7-0)
• Recommended approval of P&Z 2189 to change 18.85 acres to AU PD Agricultural District for a private eco-resort (7-0)
• Recommended approval of P&Z 2195 to change 2.24 acres to I-2 PD Industrial District for a metal fabrication business (7-0)
• Approved August 11, 2026 meeting minutes (7-0)

Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting to conduct a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. Staff will present the revised proposed budget, followed by a public hearing where residents may comment. The board will then consider adopting resolutions to approve the budget as required by state law.

• FY 2026-2027 Revised Proposed Budget presentation by David Nitz, OMB Manager
• 1st Budget Public Hearing open to public comments
• Motion for resolutions to adopt the FY 2026-2027 Budget
• Review of the Proposed Budget for FY 26/27 as required by Florida Department of Revenue

Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

Meeting of the Districts

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting to review and approve the certification of non-ad valorem assessment rolls for ten Municipal Service Benefit Units for Fiscal Year 26-27. The agenda includes a public hearing where the Business Services Director will present the fiscal impact, estimated at approximately $1,082,368.28 in combined revenue. The meeting also includes standard public comment periods and procedural items.

• Public hearing to approve certification of non-ad valorem assessment rolls for 10 Municipal Service Benefit Units for FY 26-27
• Estimated FY 26-27 revenue for the 10 units is approximately $1,082,368.28
• Districts listed include Avon Park Estates, Orange Villa Mobile Home Estates, and Highlands Park Estates S.B.D.s
• Other listed districts include Placid Lakes, Red Hill Farms, and Lake Haven Estates S.B.D.s
• Additional districts include Sebring Acres, Orange Blossom, and Sebring Country Estates S.B.D.s

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

The Board of County Commissioners will consider several budget realignments for infrastructure, facilities, and public safety. The agenda also includes requests for new service agreements and professional auditing services.

• Budget amendment to realign $110,000 for the George Blvd water tank replacement
• Agreement with Black Dog Designs for a new economic development website ($47,879)
• Agreement with Clifton Larson Allen LLP for external auditing services ($1,037,500)
• Budget amendment to appropriate $625,050.56 in Sheriff's miscellaneous revenue
• Public hearing regarding Ordinance 25-26-20 for the Sun 'N Lake Improvement District

Meeting of the Health Insurance Advisory Committee

The Highlands County Health Insurance Advisory Committee will meet to approve the minutes from February 26, 2026, and hear a presentation from The Ghering Group on the claims review plan and rates for 2027. This is a routine meeting focused on health insurance matters for county employees.

• Approve minutes of February 26, 2026 meeting
• Presentation by Shawn Fleming and Sam Ricchini of The Ghering Group on 2027 claims review and rates

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners is holding a regular meeting with a public hearing to consider re-imposing the solid waste special assessment at an increased rate of $280.56 per residential unit, which would raise about $1.83 million for the Solid Waste fund. The board will also vote on a consent agenda that includes waiving field rental fees, approving a $92,900 task authorization for solid waste engineering, and other routine items. A workshop to discuss the proposed FY26-27 budget is scheduled during the meeting.

• Public hearing on Final Resolution 25-26-163 to re-impose solid waste special assessment at $280.56 per unit, increasing revenue by ~$1,829,261
• Waive field rental fees for YMCA 2026 Fall Soccer Program ($1,300) and Sebring High School Cross Country ($435)
• Approve Task Authorization #1 25-015 with Jones, Edmunds & Associates for $92,900 (Solid Waste fund)
• Approve Interlocal Agreement with City of Sebring for Mutual Aid for Fire Protection
• Adopt Highlands County Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Action Area Plans

Meeting of the Districts

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners is meeting as the Special Districts body to consider two budget amendments for the Placid Lakes Special Benefit District, totaling $68,000, and to approve the minutes from the July 7, 2026 meeting. The amendments would reallocate existing funds within the district's budget for security services, repairs, and recreational development. No other substantive action is on the agenda.

• Budget Amendment 25-26-113: $43,000 transfer within Placid Lakes SBD for security ($19,000) and repair & maintenance ($24,000)
• Budget Amendment 25-26-111: $25,000 transfer for Placid Lakes Recreational project #25051
• Approval of minutes from July 7, 2026 Special Districts Meeting

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission

The Planning & Zoning Commission will consider a request to amend the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The proposal seeks to remove expired phasing schedules and update provisions for Lake Placid Groves. The parcels will keep their Mixed Use Future Land Use designation.

• CPA-26-652LS: Text amendment request for Lake Placid Groves regarding Appendix Policy A.2.87

The Planning & Zoning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of CPA-26-652LS, a text amendment to the Future Land Use Element of the Highlands County 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The amendment revises Site-Specific Development Conditions in Policy A.2.87 for Lake Placid Groves, removing expired phasing schedules and updating provisions based on changes in State statutes and market conditions. The recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners and Florida Commerce for Expedited State Review.

• Approved minutes from June 9, 2026 meeting (7-0)
• Recommended approval of CPA-26-652LS Lake Placid Groves comprehensive plan amendment (7-0)
• Approved transmitting CPA-26-652LS to Florida Commerce for Expedited State Review