Highlands County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Highlands County meeting roundup: Sheriff budget amendment, jail funding realignment and a guesthouse request

Highlands County commissioners' Oct. 6 regular meeting agenda listed a $2,674,220 Sheriff budget amendment and an award of about $500,000 for dump truck hauling services, along with several other budget and contract items. Minutes from that meeting had not been published in the records reviewed for this roundup, so whether the board acted on any of those items is not established here. The same limit applies to the other four meetings below: each is documented by an agenda only, and no outcomes are recorded in the material available.

Oct. 6 — County Commission: Sheriff amendment, hauling contract, sidewalk funds

The agenda included Budget amendment 26-27-001 appropriating $2,674,220 in Sheriff budgeted funds within the General Fund, and the award of ITB-26-025 for Dump Truck Hauling Services at approximately $500,000. Five FDOT sidewalk projects funded through the Infrastructure Surtax were listed: EO Douglas Ave ($47,168), Catfish Creek Rd ($125,000), Cemetery Rd ($13,750), Desoto Rd ($9,888) and School St ($101,500). Also on the agenda: an interlocal agreement with Hardee County for S Hammock Road improvements at $134,640 with a 50/50 cost share, and an $85,000 agreement with Biggest Fish Consulting, LLC funded by the Tourist Development Tax. Proclamations for National 4-H Week, National E-Waste Day and Community Planning Month were listed.

Oct. 6 — Special Districts: minutes only

The Special Districts group met in Sebring with a consent agenda asking approval of minutes from the Aug. 4, Aug. 18 and Sept. 1, 2026 Special Districts meetings, submitted by Pamela Gamez, Official Records Director, with no fiscal impact noted. The agenda covered 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 were listed. Speaker cards for consent-agenda items were due by 8:50 a.m.

Oct. 8 — Historic Preservation Commission: Section 106 letters

The agenda set a 2:30 p.m. meeting in the Government Center Board Room, 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring. Commission Chair Couturier asked the commission to consider sending letters to the county's state and federal representatives about proposed federal changes to Section 106 historic review, following the ACHP's July 24, 2026 vote to pursue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking revising 36 C.F.R. Part 800. Any approved letters would be recommended to the Board of County Commissioners through a resolution authorizing transmittal. Tentative 2027 meeting dates were listed as Jan. 14, April 8, July 8 and Oct. 14.

Oct. 13 — Zoning Board of Adjustment: guesthouse at 4519 Sturgeon Drive

Scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in the Commissioners' Board Room at 600 S. Commerce Ave, Sebring, the only substantive item was 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 (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. Witnesses were to be sworn in before the board votes.

Oct. 13 — Planning & Zoning: capital improvement schedule

The Planning & Zoning Commission/Local Planning Agency was set to meet at 3:15 p.m. on CIS 2026-2027, 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 item would go to the Board of County Commissioners after a recommendation, but the agenda lists that date only as "MONTH DAY, YEAR." The next meeting was announced for Nov. 10, 2026.

County warns of fraudulent fee emails

Both Oct. 13 agendas carry a county notice about fraudulent emails that falsely instruct Development Services customers to wire money for an "application approval fee." Official fees are paid only through the Civi-Tek Portal, the notice states.

Coming up

Oct. 20 — Special Districts. Resolution 26-27-30, Budget Amendment 25-26-135 for FY 25/26, proposes a $50,000.00 increase to Fund 111 Avon Park Estates SBD, a $10,000.00 increase to Fund 148 Highlands Park Estates SBD and a $150.00 increase to Fund 121 Oak Manor Ave. Road Paving.

Oct. 20 — Board of County Commissioners regular meeting. Items include a budget rollover of $6,487,175.76 from FY 25/26 into FY 26/27, a funding realignment of -$7,809,941.34 for the County Jail Facility Expansion, a contract amendment with Gray Dog Publishing for $111,394.50, and a Core Contract for the Highlands County Health Department for $256,535. Public hearings are scheduled for Peace River Citrus Investments, Woerner South, LLC and Bowman Steel.

Highlands County agendas: Sheriff budget amendment, hauling contract, sidewalk funding

Highlands County commissioners were scheduled to take up a $2,674,220 Sheriff budget amendment and an approximately $500,000 dump truck hauling contract at their regular meeting on Oct. 6, 2026, according to the published agenda. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so no outcomes are confirmed here. The same week, the county's Special Districts group met on a minutes-only agenda, and the Historic Preservation Commission weighed possible letters on federal historic review rules.

County commission: budget amendment, hauling contract, sidewalk projects

The Oct. 6 Board of County Commissioners agenda listed budget amendment 26-27-001, appropriating $2,674,220 in Sheriff budgeted funds within the General Fund. It also listed the award of ITB-26-025 for Dump Truck Hauling Services at approximately $500,000.

Five FDOT sidewalk projects funded via the Infrastructure Surtax appeared on the agenda: EO Douglas Ave ($47,168), Catfish Creek Rd ($125,000), Cemetery Rd ($13,750), Desoto Rd ($9,888), and School St ($101,500).

Other listed items included an interlocal agreement with Hardee County for S Hammock Road improvements at $134,640 with a 50/50 cost share, and an $85,000 agreement with Biggest Fish Consulting, LLC funded by the Tourist Development Tax. Proclamations were listed for National 4-H Week, National E-Waste Day, and Community Planning Month.

These are agenda items. Because minutes are not yet published, the record does not establish what the board decided.

Special districts: consent agenda on meeting minutes

The Meeting of the Districts convened Oct. 6 in Sebring. Its only substantive agenda item was a consent agenda asking approval of minutes from the Aug. 4, Aug. 18, and Sept. 1, 2026, Special Districts meetings, submitted by Pamela Gamez, Official Records Director, with no fiscal impact noted.

The rest of the agenda was procedural: call to order, public comment, and adjournment. Speaker cards for consent-agenda items were due by 8:50 a.m. The 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 were listed.

Historic preservation: possible letters on Section 106

The Historic Preservation Commission met Oct. 8, 2026, at 2:30 PM in the Government Center Board Room, 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring. The main substantive item was 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.

The agenda cited the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's July 24, 2026, vote to pursue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking revising 36 C.F.R. Part 800, which covers Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Draft letters were attached. If approved, the matter would go to the Board of County Commissioners as a resolution authorizing the Commission to send the correspondence.

Tentative 2027 meeting dates were listed: Jan. 14, April 8, July 8, and Oct. 14. This was an agenda only; minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

Oct. 13, 3:00 PM — Zoning Board of Adjustment, Commissioners' Board Room, 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring. A public hearing is scheduled on BOA 2016, a request by Gage Massey and Brianna Huergo for 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. Witnesses are to be sworn in before the board votes.

Oct. 13, 3:15 PM — Planning & Zoning Commission/Local Planning Agency, Commissioners' Board Room, Sebring. The main item is CIS 2026-2027, 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 item would go to the Board of County Commissioners after a recommendation, but the agenda lists that date only as "MONTH DAY, YEAR." The next meeting was announced for Nov. 10, 2026.

Both Oct. 13 agendas include a county notice warning that fraudulent emails falsely instruct Development Services customers to wire money for an "application approval fee." The notice states official fees are paid only through the Civi-Tek Portal.

County to weigh higher solid waste fee, district budget shifts

Highlands County officials are scheduled to consider raising the solid waste assessment to $280.56 per residential unit, a move that would add about $1.83 million to the Solid Waste fund. The proposal was on the agenda for the Aug. 18 Board of County Commissioners regular meeting, which also included several routine items. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so no final decisions are confirmed.

Solid waste assessment and county business

The board held a public hearing on Final Resolution 25-26-163 to re-impose the solid waste special assessment at $280.56 per unit. If approved, the increase would generate roughly $1,829,261 for the Solid Waste fund. The agenda also included a consent agenda with several items: waiving field rental fees for the YMCA 2026 Fall Soccer Program ($1,300) and Sebring High School Cross Country ($435); approving Task Authorization #1 25-015 with Jones, Edmunds & Associates for $92,900 from the Solid Waste fund; approving an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Sebring for Mutual Aid for Fire Protection; and adopting the Highlands County Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Action Area Plans. A workshop on the proposed FY26-27 budget was also scheduled during the meeting.

Placid Lakes district budget shifts

Also on Aug. 18, the board met as the Special Districts body to consider two budget amendments for the Placid Lakes Special Benefit District, totaling $68,000. Budget Amendment 25-26-113 would transfer $43,000 within the district for security services ($19,000) and repair and maintenance ($24,000). Budget Amendment 25-26-111 would transfer $25,000 for the Placid Lakes Recreational project #25051. The board also considered approving minutes from the July 7, 2026 Special Districts meeting. No other substantive action was listed.

Lake Placid Groves planning review

The Planning & Zoning Commission met Aug. 11 to consider a text amendment to the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The proposal, CPA-26-652LS, seeks to remove expired phasing schedules and update provisions for Lake Placid Groves. The parcels would retain their Mixed Use Future Land Use designation. Minutes from this meeting are not yet published.

Health insurance committee

The Health Insurance Advisory Committee met Aug. 19 to approve minutes from its Feb. 26, 2026 meeting and hear a presentation from The Ghering Group on the 2027 claims review plan and rates. The presentation was given by Shawn Fleming and Sam Ricchini. The meeting was routine, with no other substantive items on the agenda.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Highlands County boards weigh fire assessment, solid waste fee increase

Highlands County boards met this week on fire protection assessments, watershed district millage, and a comprehensive plan amendment, but no decisions have been published yet. Next week, the Board of County Commissioners will consider a solid waste fee increase and other items.

Recent meetings

Board of County Commissioners (Aug. 4)

The board held a public hearing on Resolution 25-26-157 to re-impose a fire protection special assessment, estimated to generate $11,242,883 in net revenue. The agenda also included a LESA grant award for law enforcement salary assistance ($425,830.25), a budget amendment to realign road construction funding ($620,000), a five-year renewal for OpenGov Inc. ($280,285), and a third amendment and restated franchise agreement with Florida Waste Solutions, LLC. Minutes have not yet been published, so no outcomes are known.

Meeting of the Districts (Aug. 4)

The board held public hearings on final resolutions for the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District. Resolution 25-26-159 would impose a tentative millage rate of 10 on agriculturally classified properties, and Resolution 25-26-160 would impose a non-ad valorem assessment of $14.07 on non-agricultural properties. The board also considered certifying a maximum millage for FY 2026-2027, which would generate approximately $248,379 in ad valorem revenue and $8,653 from the non-ad valorem assessment. A consent agenda item appropriated $3,652.13 for public notice advertising and postage. Minutes are pending.

Addendum to the Board of County Commissioners (Aug. 4)

The board received an interim financial report from the Clerk of Courts covering key operating performance measures as of June 30, 2026. No other items were listed.

Planning & Zoning Commission (Aug. 11)

The commission reviewed a text amendment request (CPA-26-652LS) for Lake Placid Groves regarding Appendix Policy A.2.87. The proposal seeks to remove expired phasing schedules and update provisions while keeping the parcels' Mixed Use Future Land Use designation. Minutes have not been published.

Upcoming meetings

Board of County Commissioners (Aug. 18)

The board will hold a public hearing on Final Resolution 25-26-163 to re-impose the solid waste special assessment at $280.56 per residential unit, which would increase revenue by approximately $1,829,261 for the Solid Waste fund. The consent agenda includes waiving field rental fees for the YMCA 2026 Fall Soccer Program ($1,300) and Sebring High School Cross Country ($435), approving Task Authorization #1 25-015 with Jones, Edmunds & Associates for $92,900 (Solid Waste fund), approving an interlocal agreement with the City of Sebring for mutual aid for fire protection, and adopting the Highlands County Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Action Area Plans. A workshop on the proposed FY26-27 budget is also scheduled.

Meeting of the Districts (Aug. 18)

The board will consider two budget amendments for the Placid Lakes Special Benefit District. Budget Amendment 25-26-113 would transfer $43,000 within the district for security services ($19,000) and repair and maintenance ($24,000). Budget Amendment 25-26-111 would transfer $25,000 for Placid Lakes Recreational project #25051. The board will also approve minutes from the July 7, 2026 meeting.

Coming up

• Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting, Aug. 18, including the solid waste assessment hearing and budget workshop.
• Meeting of the Districts, Aug. 18, covering Placid Lakes budget amendments.

County Commission weighs fire assessment, grants; minutes pending

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners met on Aug. 4 to consider a range of items, including a proposed fire protection special assessment, law enforcement grants, road construction funding, and a waste services franchise agreement. Official minutes have not yet been published, so no final votes or outcomes are available at this time.

Fire protection assessment

The board held a public hearing on Resolution 25-26-157 to re-impose a fire protection special assessment. The item is estimated to generate $11,242,883 in net revenue. No vote tally has been reported.

Other county business

Commissioners also reviewed several other agenda items:

• A LESA grant award for law enforcement salary assistance in the amount of $425,830.25.
• A budget amendment to realign road construction funding, totaling $620,000.00.
• A five-year renewal for OpenGov Inc. at a cost of $280,285.
• A third amendment and restated franchise agreement with Florida Waste Solutions, LLC.

Additionally, the board received an addendum to the regular agenda: the Clerk of Courts Interim Financial Report of key Operating Performance Measures as of June 30, 2026.

Special districts

The Meeting of the Districts on the same date included a public hearing on two final resolutions for the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District. Resolution 25-26-159 would impose a tentative millage rate of 10 for agriculturally classified properties, and Resolution 25-26-160 would impose an annual non-ad valorem assessment of $14.07 on non-agriculturally classified properties. The board also considered certifying a maximum millage for FY 2026-2027, which would generate approximately $248,379 in ad valorem revenue and $8,653 from the non-ad valorem assessment. A consent agenda item included Budget Amendment 25-26-104, appropriating $3,652.13 for public notice advertising and postage for the district. Approval of minutes from the June 16, 2026 Special Districts meeting was also on the agenda.

Coming up

The Board of Adjustment / Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on Aug. 11 to consider a text amendment request (CPA-26-652LS) for Lake Placid Groves. The proposal would remove expired phasing schedules and update provisions in Appendix Policy A.2.87 of the Comprehensive Plan. The parcels would retain their Mixed Use Future Land Use designation. The meeting is open to the public.

Highlands County Board Considers $2M Fire Tanker Purchase, Solid Waste Assessment Increase

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners met twice in special session and once in regular session over the past two weeks, with budget discussions dominating the agenda. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the three meetings, only the items listed on the agendas can be reported; no final actions can be confirmed at this time.

Fire Tankers and Solid Waste Assessment on July 21 Agenda

The Board's July 21 regular meeting included several significant items for consideration. The agenda listed a proposed purchase of two fire tankers for $2,036,459.76. A solid waste special assessment was also scheduled for discussion, with a proposed increase to $280.56.

A budget amendment of $1,322,500.00 was on the agenda for the Master Stormwater Plan and Thunderbird Road Drainage. The Board was also scheduled to consider an agreement with Wander Media Company for $98,500.00.

A resolution to reduce the speed limit in Spring Lake from 30 mph to 25 mph was listed as well.

Four zoning changes were scheduled for public hearings, along with a public hearing on the re-imposition of the solid waste special assessment.

FY 2026/27 Budget Workshops

On July 14, the Board held a special meeting to review the proposed FY26/27 Recommended Budget for Board departments and a Capital Financial Strategy presentation. The agenda noted that no final decisions were scheduled for this workshop. A public comments period was included, and the meeting was held at 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, FL 33870.

On July 21, the Board held a second special meeting, this one a workshop to consider and discuss requested FY 2026/2027 budgets for constitutional officers and outside agencies. No decisions were listed on the agenda; the session was designated for discussion and consideration.

What This Means for Residents

The items on the July 21 regular meeting agenda, if adopted, would affect county spending on fire equipment, stormwater infrastructure, and media services, and could change the annual solid waste assessment paid by property owners. The Spring Lake speed limit resolution, if passed, would lower the posted limit on affected roads.

The two budget workshops are part of the county's annual budget process for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. These workshops allow commissioners to review department requests and financial strategy before a final budget is adopted.

Status of Meeting Records

All three meetings are listed as "agenda only" — minutes have not yet been published. The items described above reflect what was scheduled for discussion or action according to the official agendas. Whether each item was approved, modified, tabled, or rejected cannot be confirmed until the minutes are released.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents are encouraged to check the Highlands County website for newly posted meetings and for minutes from the July 14 and July 21 sessions once they become available.

Highlands County boards weighed budget amendments, road projects, and historic preservation items; minutes pending

Highlands County commissioners had a busy two weeks, with agendas covering more than $1.2 million in budget amendments, a $400 million revenue bond resolution, and two historic preservation applications for the Pearce‑Lockett Estate. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the four recent meetings, so final outcomes are not confirmed.

July 7 Regular Meeting

The Board of County Commissioners' July 7 regular meeting agenda included budget amendments for Sebring Parkway maintenance ($84,050) and the Memorial Dr. multi‑use path ($959,689.57), an agreement with SRQ Pest Management ($21,340), and a resolution for Health Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds ($400,000,000). A public hearing was also scheduled for the Emerge Transport COPCN application. Minutes have not been published, so it is not confirmed which items were approved.

July 7 Meeting of the Districts

The same day, the board met as the Meeting of the Districts to review the Special Districts agenda. Two resolutions were listed: Resolution 25‑26‑138, an $8,000 donation for Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District ditch cleaning, and Resolution 25‑26‑147, a $50,000 increase to Fund 109 for the Istokpoga Marsh Watershed Improvement District. The agenda also included approval of minutes from April 21, 2026, and May 5, 2026, meetings. Minutes for this session are not yet published.

July 9 Historic Preservation Review

A special meeting on July 9 featured the Historic Preservation Commission reviewing two applications for the Pearce‑Lockett Estate at 22160 Edna Lockett Loop, Florida: HPC‑26‑102, a CRAS application, and HPC‑26‑103, a COA application. Both were listed for discussion and possible approval. No other decisions were listed beyond routine agenda items. Minutes are not yet published.

July 14 Budget Workshop

On July 14, commissioners held a special meeting to review the proposed FY26/27 Recommended Budget for Board departments and a Capital Financial Strategy presentation. The agenda noted that no final decisions were scheduled for this workshop. A public comments period was included. The meeting was held at 600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, FL 33870. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled for July 21:

• **Regular Meeting**: The board will consider purchasing two tankers for $2,036,459.76, a proposed solid waste special assessment increase to $280.56, a budget amendment of $1,322,500.00 for the Master Stormwater Plan and Thunderbird Road Drainage, an agreement with Wander Media Company for $98,500.00, and a resolution to reduce the speed limit in Spring Lake from 30 mph to 25 mph. Public hearings are scheduled for four zoning changes and the re‑imposition of the solid waste special assessment.

• **Special Meeting (Workshop)**: A workshop to consider and discuss requested FY 2026/27 budgets for constitutional officers and outside agencies. No decisions are listed on the agenda.