Billy Groover

This document outlines eight strategic goals for the City of Bartow for Fiscal Years 2025-2026. Key strategic areas include becoming an employer of choice, improving residents' quality of life, maintaining infrastructure, responsible redevelopment, creating cleaner and safer neighborhoods, maximizing technology and innovation, fostering a customer-centric culture, and ensuring strong financial health. Each goal is supported by major initiatives and key performance measures, with progress tracked using indicators such as 'On Target,' 'Caution,' 'Below Plan,' 'Completed,' 'New,' and 'On Hold.'

The key discussion items for this meeting include the review and recommendation to the City Commission regarding the approval of the CORTA Commons at Stuart Crossing Preliminary Subdivision Plat, which covers 121.8 acres designated for retail commercial development. Additionally, the commission will review and recommend action on the conformity of the 2026 Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency Community Redevelopment Plan Update with the City of Bartow's Comprehensive Plan.

This document outlines a proposed project list for the Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency's redevelopment initiatives, intended for approval and funding through an $18 million bond issuance. The plan's priorities encompass strategic land acquisitions, construction on CRA-owned parcels for public-private partnerships, enhancements to connectivity and wayfinding infrastructure, and park improvements. The overarching vision is to advance the CRA's redevelopment strategy by eliminating blight, encouraging economic development, improving public infrastructure, and supporting business development, all in alignment with Florida Statutes Chapter 163 and the CRA's established Redevelopment and Strategic Work Plan.

The Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency's Work Plan outlines strategies to elevate the city by transforming its CRA district. It focuses on developing CRA corridors into entertainment or commercial business districts, increasing workforce housing, and redeveloping commercial and residential properties in the East and West Ends, including urban design for Downtown Bartow. The plan also prioritizes increasing public awareness of the district as a destination, fostering business retention and attraction, and implementing revitalization initiatives through property acquisition, public space activation, and technological enhancements for connectivity and public safety.

The meeting included a presentation of colors and pledge of allegiance, proclamations recognizing Hometown Heroes Appreciation and Veterans Day, as well as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day. Also on the agenda was the presentation of the Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Quanta Feasibility Report. The commission received general public comments and city announcements. There were legislative updates and a Bartow Fire Department operational update regarding Fire Station No. 2. The meeting also covered several ordinances related to land annexation and zoning, and amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, there was a discussion regarding the Municipal Police Officers' Retirement Trust Fund.