2016 COMMUNITY VALUE SURVEY
City Manager Jonathan E. Evans, MPA, MBA, ICMA-CM
Valued City Residents, Business Owners, Neighbors and Visitors:
We have completed our fourth Annual Community Value Survey, thank you for participating and making your voice count! This tool is very important to our City and provides important information that will be shared with elected and appointed representatives from our community.
This year we collected over 500 responses, but in future years we would like to see more civic participation in government. In a municipality of 22,660 residents, it is critically important that you provide your input and feedback to the elected officials and staff. We are all here working in tandem to ensure a better and brighter future for Haines City. Over the next month, Staff will assemble this data and run trend and regression analyses for the purpose of providing a holistic picture of what the survey respondents' value, and what should be areas of focus for the organization. Once this data is compiled and analyzed, it will be furnished to you all for inspection and discussion; regardless of the specifics of your opinions and perspectives, we value your input and feedback in this process. Local government is the government closest to the people whom it serves, and we here in Haines City are solely committed to providing a better community for our existing residents, our business community and future residents. In closing, please inquire about volunteering and serving on an advisory board. We need your support and continued involvement. Remember, things get solved when you get involved. Respectfully submitted, Jonathan E. Evans, MPA, MBA, ICMA-CM City Manager
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ECONOMIC SUMMIT UPDATE
City Manager, Jonathan E. Evans, MPA, MBA, ICMA-CM
Sorry you missed Haines City's First Annual Economic Development Summit! This summit featured nationally recognized professionals who discussed how growth and development will have an impact on our region. Presentations were given by Ms. Carol Johnson of Continuous Dialog, and Christopher Jones, PhD, Economics Professor at the University of South Florida.
Furthermore, promising information was provided as it relates to the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). The economy seems to be improving slowly and steadily and jobs are being continuously added to the economy after the Great Recession of 2007.
Here are some interesting factoids in case you missed our session:
Did you know that 70% of the United States' GDP is based on consumer spending? So consumer spending possesses a direct correlation to economic growth. The largest industries that are seeing booming results are within technology fields.
Furthermore, are you ready for economic development? The number one aspect that developers look for when determining whether or not to invest in your community is no longer site selection and easy access to major thoroughfares. Workforce and workforce development are the most important aspects that any entity or business looks for when relocating to a region.
This only reiterates the point that a bustling and flourishing school system on all levels, including trade schools, is critically important to commerce and industry. Dr. Jones also projects that 38,000 individuals and 22,000 new jobs will be added to Polk County in the next decade.
As part of our Economic Development Summit we administered a quiz (see attached). If you're interested in testing your financial prowess and projecting what the economy will do in the next year, take our quiz and email it to us at citymanager@hainescity.com. Our top three (3) financial experts will be recognized at next year's Economic Development Summit.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Human Resources Director Kandace Tappen
Haines City is hiring! Please visit us at hainescity.com/jobs to view a listing of positions open to receive applications. When completed, your application and resume may be e-mailed to jobs@hainescity.com. For more information, please call Human Resources (863) 421-9927.
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DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Development Services Director, Richard D. Greenwood, AICP
Haines City showcases Super-Fast Tracking for combined Annexation and Land Use approval. Development Services Director, Richard D. Greenwood, reports that now after hundreds of hours of planning and numerous public meetings and hearings we are finally seeing the rewards from the efforts of our City Commission.
Under the old process, Annexation and Land Use Plan Amendments would take anywhere from 120 to 180 days. Now, with the Joint Planning Agreement in place with Polk County, along with the blessing of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) through the "City View Plan," the entire process takes only 34 days.
Director Greenwood reports that this is a great tool for Economic Development. When a new project walks in the door they just want to know how long it is going to take and how much it will cost. Now we can give them some really good news about the time, and the developer also saves a lot of money in the process.
Bellaviva Annexation and Land Use Approved by City Commission
The "Super-Fast Tracking" process was recently put to the test with the annexation of a new project located near the southeast corner of SR 544 and US Highway 27. The owner/developer, identified as Cypress Trust, submitted the request for annexation on March 18, 2016 for the 142 acre parcel. At the City Commission Meeting on April 21, 2016, the Haines City Commission finalized the annexation and at the same time put in place the Regional Mixed-Use Land Use. This will allow for the future submittal of a Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development (MUPUD) Zoning District for Bellaviva. When finalized, the proposed PUD will include a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, a commercial area, and a planned assisted living facility. This will be a welcome addition to our rapidly growing City!
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WOW (Watched Outstanding Work!)
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. Have you "Watched Outstanding Work" within the City lately? Let us know at wow@hainescity.com.
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