City declares local emergency as Hurricane Milton approaches

In a special city commission meeting held to address the impending Hurricane Milton, the Winter Haven City Commission unanimously approved Resolution R-24-47, declaring a state of local emergency. The meeting, attended by all commissioners and the mayor, was convened to expedite preparations and response efforts as the storm approaches.

City Manager provided an overview of the situation, noting that the governor had declared a state of emergency across 51 counties in Florida, including Polk County. Following this, the Polk County Board of Commissioners also issued a local emergency declaration. The city’s resolution allows for the waiving of certain procurement requirements, enabling quicker access to necessary resources for public safety and infrastructure.

The city manager emphasized that while there is no immediate financial impact from the declaration, all expenditures will be meticulously tracked for potential reimbursement from state and federal agencies, including FEMA. The resolution is part of the city’s strategic plan focused on community safety.

The declaration is valid for seven days, with plans to revisit and potentially renew it during the next city commission meeting scheduled for Monday evening. The city is actively coordinating with Polk County's emergency management through regular conference calls to ensure a cohesive response to the storm.

The meeting concluded without public comments, and the commission expressed readiness to address any further developments as the situation evolves.