Hardee County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Hardee County Commissioners Consider $14.99M in Bridge Grants, Millage Rate, and Key Contracts

Hardee County commissioners met July 13 to weigh major spending items for the upcoming fiscal year, including nearly $15 million in federal bridge replacement grants, a $1.73 million road resurfacing contract, and resolutions setting the proposed property tax rate and fire and solid waste assessments for FY 2026-2027. Minutes from the meeting have not yet been published, so it is not confirmed which items were approved.

Budget and Tax Rate

The board's agenda included three resolutions — 2026-41, 2026-42, and 2026-43 — to set the proposed millage rate and tentative fire rescue and solid waste assessments for FY 2026-2027. A fourth resolution, 2026-40, would update the county fee schedule.

Commissioners also held a budget workshop the same day to review the county budget presentation and schedule. The workshop agenda listed no specific budget figures or votes; it was described as a procedural meeting to discuss the upcoming budget.

Bridge Replacement Grants

The agenda included approval of three federal grant applications for bridge projects:

• $6.78 million for the Hendry & Dansby bridge project
• $2.96 million for the Fish Branch bridge project
• $5.25 million for the Griffin Road bridge project

Together, the three applications total $14.99 million.

Road and Facility Projects

A $1.73 million contract for milling and resurfacing Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue was on the agenda, with Cobb Site Development listed as the proposed contractor.

The board was also scheduled to award professional architectural and engineering services for the Hardee County Jail and Multi-purpose Government Facility to The Lunz Group.

Mining and County Manager

The agenda included consideration of annual mining reports for Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC's seven mines, along with a comprehensive plan amendment updating the county's mining overlay map.

A motion to approve a county manager contract with John Eason was also listed among the action items.

What Was Decided vs. Proposed

All three meetings held July 13 are listed as agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. That means the items above were scheduled for the board's consideration, but the official record of what was voted on, approved, or tabled is not yet available. Residents can check the county's official minutes once published to confirm outcomes and vote tallies.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should monitor the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners' public notices for any special-called meetings or rescheduled workshops.

Hardee County commissioners set to weigh $14.99M in bridge grants, millage rate, and county manager contract

Hardee County's Board of County Commissioners has a packed July 13 agenda that includes applications for $14.99 million in federal bridge replacement grants, a proposed property tax rate, and a contract for a new county manager. Minutes from all recent meetings have not yet been published, so the items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not confirmed outcomes.

Board of County Commissioners — July 13

The commission's July 13 agenda lists several major action items:

• **Bridge replacement grants:** The board is scheduled to consider approving federal grant applications totaling $14.99 million for three bridge projects — $6.78 million for Hendry & Dansby, $2.96 million for Fish Branch, and $5.25 million for Griffin Road.
• **Property tax and assessments:** Resolutions 2026-41, 2026-42, and 2026-43 would set the proposed millage rate and tentative fire rescue and solid waste assessments for fiscal year 2026-2027. Resolution 2026-40 would update the county fee schedule.
• **Road resurfacing:** A $1.73 million contract with Cobb Site Development for milling and resurfacing Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue is on the agenda for award.
• **Jail and government facility design:** The board is scheduled to award professional architectural and engineering services for the Hardee County Jail and Multi-purpose Government Facility to The Lunz Group.
• **County manager:** A motion to approve a county manager contract with John Eason is listed.
• **Mining reports and plan amendment:** The agenda includes annual mining reports for Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC's seven mines and a comprehensive plan amendment updating the mining overlay map.

Because minutes have not been published, it is not yet confirmed which of these items the board approved, modified, or deferred.

Budget Workshops — July 10 and July 13

The commission held a budget workshop on July 10, with the agenda listing a county budget presentation and a presentation schedule, followed by a recess. A second budget workshop was scheduled for July 13. The agendas describe these as procedural meetings to review the budget presentation and schedule; no specific budget figures or funding decisions appear in the agenda materials.

Economic Development Council / Industrial Development Authority — July 9

The Hardee County Economic Development Council / Industrial Development Authority met July 9 with the following items on its agenda:

• A Development Incentive and Deliverables Agreement between the Hardee County IDA and JRR Chestergrove, LLC for the Gardens at Midtown development.
• An update on Mr. Chips, presented by Sarah Evers.
• Approval of the June financial reports and June 2026 regular meeting minutes.
• An executive report by Amy Tubbs and Melanie Roberts.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so the status of the incentive agreement and other items is not confirmed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July 9, July 10, and July 13 meetings should watch for published minutes from the Industrial Development Authority and the Board of County Commissioners.