Boards & Committees / Juntas y Comités

Become a Board/Committee Member

The City of Winter Haven is always seeking civic-minded individuals interested in serving the community by being on a Board or Committee. This rewarding experience broadens your knowledge of local government and provides personal and professional development.

CURRENT VACANCIES:

• 2 vacancies on the Library Board

NOTE: The City Clerk’s Office accepts applications all year long. Even when there are no vacancies, you may submit an application for a board or committee of your interest and your application will be kept on file for future consideration.

All boards and committee members are subject to a fingerprinting and background check to be coordinated by City staff. They must also attend a 4-hour training in Florida Ethics Law, Florida Public Records and Public Meetings Law to be scheduled by City staff. Certain boards and committees may be subject to Financial Disclosure and annual forms submitted to the State. 

If you are interested in serving on a  City board or committee, click here to apply:  

Boards & Committees Application

The City Commission has established several committees and boards to assist in making important municipal decisions and review City programs, projects and community concerns. These groups provide a wonderful opportunity for greater community engagement and citizen input.

Commissioners look for diverse and widely experienced citizens to serve on various boards and committees. Below is a brief overview  of the role and authority of each committee.

For liability purposes, individuals appointed to serve on a committee or board will be fingerprinted and a criminal history check performed.

For additional information or a copy of the ordinance or resolution themselves, contact the City Clerk’s Office.

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC)

The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) was established by Resolution R-93-13. The AHAC reviews policies and procedures on Affordable Housing and makes recommendations to the City Commission.

• 2-year term (staggered)
• 9 members and 1 alternate
• Meets quarterly

Airport Advisory Committee (AAC)

The Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) was established by Ordinance O-13-04 and amended by Ordinance O-16-07. The AAC provides insight and direction to the operation and development of the airport, as well as marketing of Gilbert Field and its various services and amenities.

• 3-year term (staggered)
• 5 voting members and 1 alternate
• Meets monthly

CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Board

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was created by Resolution R-00-07. The board carries out community redevelopment purposes of Part III, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes.

• 4-year term (citizens only)
• 7 members (5 Commissioners; 2 citizens)
• Meets quarterly

CRA Downtown Advisory Committee

The CRA Downtown Advisory Committee was established by CRA Resolution R-00-03. The committee reviews subject matters in the Downtown Core Improvement area and makes recommendations to the CRA Board.

• 2-year terms
• 10 members
• Meets quarterly

CRA Florence Villa Advisory Committee

The CRA Florence Villa Advisory Committee was established by CRA Resolutions R-00-04 and  R-00-05. The committee reviews subject matters in the Florence Villa District and makes recommendations to the CRA Board.

• 2-year term
• 10 members (2 must be members of the Florence Villa Community Development Corp. Board)
• Meets quarterly

Cultural Arts Advisory Committee (CAAC)

The Cultural Arts Advisory Committee (CAAC) was established by Resolution R-14-13. The CAAC provides guidance and recommendations to the City Commission, staff and community on items such as development of cultural arts programs and events; communication, dialogue and exchange of ideas, and advocacy for expansion and enjoyment of the community’s cultural art facilities; potential projects and initiatives related to cultural arts; serves as sounding board for public input pertaining to cultural arts issues and opportunities; and makes recommendations regarding allocation of City funds for capital expenditures related to cultural arts.

• 3-year term
• 9 members (7 voting and 2 non-voting)
• Meets quarterly

Firefighters’ Pension Board

The Firefighters’ Pension Board was established by Ordinance No. 531 and amended by Ordinance O-10-19. The board is responsible for operating the system, making proposed ordinance amendments to the City Commission and has decision-making authority.

• 4 year term
• 5 trustees (2 appointed bythe Commission, 2 are firefighter members, 1 is chosen by majority of the previous 4 members and confirmed by the Commission)
• Meets quarterly

General Employees’ Pension Board

The General Employees’ Pension Board was amended by Ordinance O-10-18. The board is responsible for proper operation of the system, taking proposed Ordinance amendments to the City Commission and has decision-making authority.

• 4-year term
• 5 trustees (1 Finance Director as a permanent  member and 4 are members of the plan)
• Meets quarterly

Lakes Advisory Committee (LAC)

The Lakes Management Committee was established by Resolution R-86-15 and renamed Lakes Advisory Committee through Resolution R-92-36. The committee advises and makes recommendations to the City Commission on issues related to lakes.

• 3-year term
• Not less than 5 members and no more than 7
• Meets quarterly

Grant and Aid Application Review Committee (GAARC)

The GAARC was established by Resolution R-22-19. This Committee helps review the submitted applications for the City’s Grant and Aid Program which provides financial support to local not-for-profit agencies serving the residents and citizens of Winter Haven. This committee subsequently makes recommendations to the City Commission specific to the award of grants.

• 3-year term
• 5 citizen members (in addition, the City’s Chief Accountant, Director of Diversity & Inclusivity, and Procurement Manager serve as Ex-Officio members)
• After two initial 2022 meetings, meets at least annually in advance of the adoption of the City’s fiscal year budget

Library Board

The Library Board was established by Ordinance O-92-12. The Committee advises and makes recommendations to the City Commission on issues related to the Winter Haven Library.

• 3-year term (staggered)
• 5 members
• Meets monthly

Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committee (MTAC)

The Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committee (MTAC) was established by Resolution R-14-07. MTAC provides guidance and makes recommendations on items such as feasible implementation of the 2011 system-wide “Sidewalk, Pedestrian and Multi-Modal Infrastructure Access Plan”; implementation of transportation improvements for multi-modal movement; communication, dialogue and exchange of ideas and advocacy for the safe and convenient enjoyment of the community’s multi-modal facilities; reviews potential projects and initiatives; receives public input pertaining to multi-modal transportation infrastructure; makes recommendations regarding allocation of funds for capital expenditures relating to multi-modal development; as needed, provides input in relation to amending the City’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.

• 1, 2, 3, and 4-year terms (staggered)
• 12 members (7 voting and 5 non-voting)
• Meets at least quarterly

Planning Commission

Formerly known as the Planning Board, the Planning Commission was first established in 1959 and amended by Ordinance O-88-01. The Planning Commission advises and makes recommendations to the City Commission regarding applications for amendment to the official zoning map and requests for conditional use or other special designations on property within the City.

• 3, 4, and 5-year terms (staggered)
• 9 members
• Meets monthly

Police Officers’ Pension Board

The Police Officers’ Pension Board was established by Ordinance O-86-34, then O-95-29 and later amended by Ordinance O-10-16. The board is responsible for proper operation of the system, taking proposed ordinance amendments to the City Commission and has decision-making authority.

• 4-year term
• 5 trustees (2 appointed by the Commission, 2 are police members, 1 is chosen by majority of the previous four members and confirmed by the Commission)
• Meets quarterly

Public Safety Community Advisory Committee (PSCAC)

The Public Safety Citizens Advisory Committee was established by Resolution R-21-10.  The mission of the Committee is to work in partnership with the Public Safety Department and act in an advisory capacity by bringing feed-back from the community concerning public safety issues and law enforcement needs and actions while facilitating  the flow of ideas relative to police services for the continued improvement of the quality of life for the citizens of Winter Haven.

• 1, 2, and 3-year terms (staggered)
• 9 members and 2 alternates
• Meets quarterly

Smart City Advisory Committee (SCAC)

The Smart City Advisory Committee (SCAC) was established by Resolution R-19-11. A “smart city” is a city that uses information and communication technologies to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public and improve both the quality of government services and citizen welfare.  The SCAC focuses on smart city opportunities, strategies and partnerships and will engage city departments and external partners for collaboration and communications to recommend innovative smart city development for the City of Winter Haven.

• 3-year term
• 16 voting members.  (Non-voting members include City Commissioners, Smart City Officer, and other support staff)
• Meets as needed
• AMENDMENT TO R-19-11, CLICK HERE: Resolution R-19-24

Urban Forestry Advisory Board (UFAB)

The Tree Board was established by Ordinance O-99-23 and amended to the Urban Forestry Advisory Board by Ordinance O-10-31. The board advises and makes recommendations to the City Commission on items related to an annual Urban Forestry Action Plan.

• 1, 2, and 3-year terms (staggered)
• 7 members trustees (2 appointed by the Commission, 2 are police members, 1 is chosen by majority of the previous 4 members and confirmed by Commission)
• Meets quarterly