Deric C. Feacher
City Manager
863-421-3600
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Jeffrey Brown
Deputy City Manager
863-421-3600
jbrown@hainescity.com
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Stephanie Snively
Communications and Marketing Manager
863-421-9951
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Margie Wells
Senior Executive Assistant
863-421-5560
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City Manager Selects New Deputy City Manager
City Manager Deric C. Feacher is pleased to announce Jeffrey E. Brown as our Deputy City Manager for the City of Haines City. Jeff is an accomplished administrator with more than 20 years of municipal government experience, most recently serving as City Manager of Panama City.
Brown is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICCMA) and the Florida City/County Management Association (FCCMA). He has served in various roles throughout Polk County during his professional career with organizations such as City Manager for the City of Frostproof, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Auburndale and a Planner for the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.
“I am extremely pleased we were able to secure his service as we continue to move Haines City Forward,” said City Manager Feacher.
Jeffrey E. Brown obtained his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida and a Master’s from the University of South Florida.
Please see the attached welcome letter from Deputy City Manager Brown:
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City Manager Selects New Utilities Director
City Manager Deric C. Feacher is pleased to announce Tracy Mercer as the City's Utilities Director. Tracy has
more than 40 years of experience in local government in Florida and Ohio. She worked for the City of Winter Haven from 2001 to 2006, including as Utilities Director for three of those years. Other stops in Florida include Arcadia, Charlotte County and the city of Clearwater, where she worked from 2006 until 2015, including the last eight years as director.
She earned her Associates Degree from now South Florida State College in Avon Park, her bachelor’s in organizational business from Warner University and a master’s of business administration from Webster University.
Mercer replaces Mike Stripling, who retired at the end of September. Linda Fisher had been filling in as the interim. Mercer said the city faces a lot of challenges similar to other cities in terms of infrastructure and water shortages, but has its unique challenges as well.
“It’s a fast-growing area,” she said. “There’s a lot of annexed land being developed. We’re going to be looking at strategic planning and sustainability.”
Welcome to Haines City Tracy!
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Linda Bourgeois
City Clerk
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City Commission
Congratulations to Mayor West and Vice Mayor Mason for serving the City of Haines City during the upcoming 2018-2019 term.
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Cemetery Management Program
In June, the City Clerk’s Office, along with the Parks and Recreation and the Utilities Departments, will be finalizing our cemetery management program with walking and gathering data from the Oak-Hill Cemetery. This collaborative effort of compiling the data will be charted and retained in permanent record. We thank everyone who has assisted our department within the past three years, helping to ensure the accuracy of our decedent’s final resting places within our cemeteries.
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Cemetery Clean-Up Notice
Please review the Public Notice about Haines City Cemeteries provided in English and in Español in the attached documents below.
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Community Information and Events
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Unity in the Community Job Readiness Program 2.0
Looking for a new direction in life? Trying to get a better job and don't know where to start? Join the Job Readiness Program and develop skills and character that will lead to success in finding and keeping a job. Class meets every Tuesday and Thursday beginning June 19, 2018. Please see the attached brochure
(below under downloads) for detailed information.
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Stay Informed On What's Going on
in the Business Community
The Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce is an excellent way to promote your business and showcase your services. Click on the link below to keep up-to-date on all the wonderful things your Chamber is doing to promote businesses in and around Haines City and contact them to become a member!
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Attention Business Owners and Developers - Become a Part of Haines City!
The Haines City Economic Development Council is here to assist you with any of your business and development needs. Contact Cyndi Jantamaso, Director, to set-up an appointment to review any of your upcoming projects or business transactions/acquisitions. Click on the link below for additional information.
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Special Events, Athletics, Library, Recreation, Parks
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Terrell Griffin
Parks & Recreation Director
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Click on this link to see the
Aquatics Information:
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Click on this link to see the
Parks & Recreation Athletics Information:
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Haines City Public Library
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In addition to the multitude of books the Haines City Public Library provides, it also offers age-specific opportunities of discovery and fun with programs like the Needlework Group, Scrabble Club, Story Times, Teen Programs, and movies every month in English and Español. Come find your heartbeat at the Haines City Public Library!
Operating Hours
Monday: 10:00 AM-7:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Sunday: CLOSED
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Stay Connected With All Our Upcoming Events!
Want to know what is going on at the Haines City Public Library? Check out our
Facebook page and get the scoop. You can also see what's going on at the Library by viewing our calendar for adults and children!
Click on this link to review the
entire calendar of events for the Library:
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Congratulations to our Volunteer Grads!
Thank you for all your Service!
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Marissa Alvarez
Will attend Valencia College
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Abdiel Rodriguez
Will attend Polytech University
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(Not Pictured)
Justine Lecluselle
Will attend University in Canada
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Steampunk Day at the Haines City Public Library
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Recreation, Seniors, Wellness
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Click on this link (and scroll down to "City Calendar) to review the
entire calendar of events for Recreation, Wellness and Senior Events:
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Free Summer Reading Program
For all kids & teens - registration begins May 30th
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Social Media
Haines City Parks and Recreation has their own
Facebook page! To keep up with everything Parks and Rec, “LIKE” us at
@HainesCityParksRec.
Lake Eva Event Center has a
Facebook page now! “LIKE” us at
@LakeEvaEventCenter!
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Richard Greenwood
Development Services Director
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Growth in Haines City
The City of Haines City is experiencing a significant increase in the number of homes being built. For the month of April, there were 44 single-family residential permits issued. The City has not experienced these monthly housing numbers since the mid-2000's, during the last residential housing boom. As part of this residential growth, many new builders have started doing business in our community. Listed below, in alphabetical order, is a list of all major builders that are currently constructing, or soon will be, building homes in our community:
Adams Homes
Bellavista Building Group
Dreamfinders
D.R. Horton
Highland Homes
Maronda Homes
Park Square Homes
Richmond American Homes
Southern Homes
Starlight Homes
The Development Services Department thanks these builders for choosing Haines City, and we will continue to provide the best customer service possible.
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Assistant to the City Manager
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
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Welcome Deputy Finance Director Andrea Henley-Pratt
Andrea Henley-Pratt has joined the City of Haines City as the Deputy Finance Director.
Andrea graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. She obtained her Certificated Government Finance Officer Certificate (CGFO) and has taken additional course work to sit for the CPA exam. She has worked in government for about 12 years at both the City of Bartow as an Accountant and Budget Analyst and recently at the City of Winter Haven as the Chief Accountant.
Welcome Andrea to the City of Haines City!
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Timothy Mossgrove
Fire Chief
tmossgrove@hainescity.com
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Summer Safety
With summer approaching, everyone will be enjoying the beautiful outdoors and having fun with family and friends. Below are some important tips to keep everyone safe while having fun grilling or boating.
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Auburn Taylor
Human Resources Director
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Would you like to be part of the City of Haines City Team? Apply today! All interested applicants are required to submit an employment application, unless otherwise instructed on the City's website position announcement page.
Employment Applications and copies of complete position announcements can be accessed on the City of Haines City's website at
www.hainescity.com
.
Positions are considered "Open Until Filled," unless otherwise denoted. Corresponding pay grade ranges are included to represent earning potential and shall not be an assumption of potential starting wage, which will most likely be at the minimum rate of pay. If a conditional offer of employment is made, please note everything included during the application process will be verified.
Click
here
to view the open job listings and find out how you can be part of the City of Haines City Team!
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Information Technology Department
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New Website
We hope you have had the opportunity to visit and explore our new City of Haines City website
www.hainescity.com. There is a wealth of information contained in our site and anything you would want to know about our City can be found there. There is also a link to sign-up for updates as they occur, so you'll never miss a thing!
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James Elensky
Chief of Police
jelensky@hainescity.com
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Haines City Police Department's
New Deputy Chief of Police
Jerry Connolly has joined the Haines City Police Department team as their second in command. A 27-year law enforcement veteran, Deputy Chief Connolly most recently served 18 years at the Polk County Sheriff's Office, working up in rank to Captain under Sheriff Grady Judd.
Chief Elensky stated "Connolly is an accomplished individual who will continue to move Haines City forward in the efforts to make our agency a benchmark in public safety".
Welcome Deputy Chief Connolly to our Haines City Team!
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Prescription Take Back Day Results
During this recent event held April 28th, the Haines City Police Department collected 272 pounds of unwanted prescription medication, contributing to a total of 1,995 pounds collected within Polk County! Thank you to everyone who assisted and participated, and look for information in the future on our next event that will be held in October.
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Addie Javed
Public Works Director
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Haines City Wins Statewide Award for Public Works Project
During part of an annual public works conference in Jacksonville, Haines City was honored by the Florida chapter of the American Public Works Association with the Transportation Project of the Year Award for projects costing less than $5 million. “Haines City continues to make strides in improving our transportation networks,” said City Manager Deric C. Feacher. “This statewide award demonstrates the dedication of the staff and elected officials in making our community great.”
The complete streets project in reference was for Sixth Street from Hinson Avenue to Lake Eva Park. The total cost of the project was about $1.1 million with about $800,000 of that funded with a grant through the Florida Department of Transportation.
“It’s great,” said Addie Javed, the City’s Public Works Director. “This is one of the first complete street projects in the state. We’re extremely proud to be part of this. FDOT has been a great partner. What we did is becoming the new way of designing streets. This award – it’s a big deal.”
This is the city’s first APWA award. Improvements on Sixth Street included streetscaping, a traffic redesign that slows speed, lighting and more access ways for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Congratulations Public Works!
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Cardboard Boat Race Recently Held at Lake Eva
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This event, held May 5th, had over 200 spectators, 80 participants and 16 boats and helped raise awareness about Haines City lakes and important water resources and how we all must play a role in protecting them.
To reinforce the reason behind this event the theme of the cardboard boats are a “Lakes” awareness theme. Each team named their boat with a Lakes awareness theme, and created a short bio explaining the name choice announced prior to launch. In addition to the education the paddling challenge was to build a boat out of cardboard and duct tape, and then put 2 people inside to race around a course and be the first to make it across the finish line without sinking.
Below is a partial list of awards. To see a full list of the results from the cardboard boat challenge please visit the
www.lakeseducation.org or visit Lakes Education Action Drive on facebook for photos.
Specialty Awards
Survivor Award: Dump No Waste – Drains to Lake
Titanic Award: Saige’s Future
Team Spirit: Dancing Lilies
People’s Choice: Great Blue Heron
LE/ADership Award: Flormond
Category 1
st
Place Awards
Pre-Built Corporate/Community: Picupus
Pre-Built Youth: Predacious Diving Beetle
Pre-Built Family: Float like a Butterfly
On-site Build Corporate/Community: Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions
On-site Build Youth: Boy Scout Troop 123
On-site Build Family: Typhoon
This event is not possible without the support of Haines City, Polk County, PCA (Packing Corporation of America) and White’s Ace hardware.
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The Bok Tower Botanical Gardens recently made some additions and improvements to their facilities and what a venue they have created! This year’s Earth Day event was a continuation of the festivities marked to celebrate the reopening of this beautiful landmark.
The Public Works Stormwater Team was asked to bring out the Waterwagon for this year’s event. Slider and the crew welcomed 1011 students and teachers on the first day, April 26th and 1071 on the second day the 27th. This was an increase of 378 visitors over last year with 6 new exhibitors joining the event.
Thanks for the invitation Bok Tower, we had a lot of fun and can’t wait for next year!
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Public Works Education Center
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Aphids
An aphid is a piercing, sucking pear shaped, soft body insect. They pierce the bottom of the leaf with their strew-like “stylet” and suck the nutrients from the plant which causes it to curl.
“Aphids” are identified by white or tan blats on the back side of the leaf. They can be green, black, brown, red or yellow. Aphids feed on young, developing leaves, buds and shoots of many plants. Many Aphids carry viruses that can transfer to the plant during feeding. These viruses may be more damaging or lethal tom plants than the Aphid themselves.
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Right-of-Way Permits and Road Closures Permits
Right-of Way Permits
The application can be found on the Haines City’s Website. Once the application is completed, the approval is required to be obtained through the Public Works Department.
Road Closures Permits
Effective now, Road Closures Permits will need to be obtained through the Public Works Department. Once the application is completed, approval will be received from the Public Works Department.
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Tracy Mercer
Utilities Director
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Mark Your Calendar for 2018 Lunch and Learn Classes!
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The Utilities Department will host Lunch and Learn classes instructed by the University of Florida from 12:00-1:00 PM at the Haines City Library the following dates:
May 22, 2018
– Water Efficiently
August 28, 2018
– Fertilizing Appropriately
October 16, 2018
– Pollinators, Not Just the Birds and the Bees
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Lawn Watering Days and Times
The District's year-round water conservation measures went into effect August 2, 2017. Lawn watering is limited to no more than twice per week.
Lawn watering days and times are as follows:
- Even addresses may water Thursdays and/or Sundays before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM
- Odd addresses may water Wednesdays and/or Saturdays before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM
- Locations without a discernible address, such as right-of-ways and common areas inside a subdivision, may water Tuesdays and/or Fridays before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM
- Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day and any time
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WOW! (Watched Outstanding Work!)
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The City of Haines City would like to thank all of our excellent, dedicated employees and volunteers who help make the City a great place to work, live and play. We would not be able to serve our community well without the dedicated, excellent employees and volunteers! Have you "Watched Outstanding Work" within the City lately? Let us know at wow@hainescity.com.
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Haines City Commission
Front row (left to right): Mayor Morris West, Commissioner Roy Tyler
Back row (left to right): Vice-Mayor Don Mason, Commissioner Anne Huffman and Commissioner Horace West
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Mayor Morris West volunteers at the Feeding the Ridge event in Haines City
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City Commissioner Anne Huffman participated in a Teen and Young Adult Voting Summmit in Lakeland. Panelists included Representative Colleen Burton, Polk County Commissioner George Lindsey, City of Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz and Polk County School Board Member Kay Fields.
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City Commission Meetings
Are held every first and third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, 620 E. Main Street.
For questions or more information, please call the City Clerk at (863) 421-9921.
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Mark Your Calendars for the following City Commission Meetings
Thursday, May 17, 2018 - 7:00 PM
Thursday, June 7, 2017 - 7:00 PM
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City of Haines City| 863-421-3600 | www.HainesCity.com
STAY CONNECTED
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