Fort Meade: February 10, 2026 Regular City Commission Meeting
Summary. The February 10, 2026 Fort Meade City Commission meeting addressed multiple significant agenda items including water infrastructure, business assistance programs, system upgrades, and ordinance approvals. The commission approved participation in the Polk Regional Water Cooperative, authorized $1.1 million in small business grants through Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation, and upgraded city payroll and financial software systems. Major legislative actions included approving two ordinances on first reading while tabling two others due to missing documentation. Key approvals included increasing utility assistance program funding by $735,000, authorizing cloud-based software upgrades for both payroll and financial systems, and approving a Duke Energy franchise agreement. The meeting featured important presentations on a library multipurpose center construction timeline and a comprehensive forensic accounting report from Plante Moran regarding utility billing issues, which found no evidence of intentional fraud but identified $120,000 in commercial underbilling losses and recommended process improvements. The commission also handled ceremonial items including a commemorative plaque for deceased Commissioner James Shell and a Black History Month proclamation. Several procedural matters were addressed, including committee appointments and discussions about meeting venue capacity issues due to high public attendance.
Agenda Items
F1. Proclamations - Plaque for Commissioner James Possum Shell
Commemorative plaque presented to family of deceased Commissioner James Shell
- Mayor Williams shared personal memories
- Family members attended presentation
- Recognition of Shell's service to the city
F2. Black History Month Proclamation
Proclamation declaring February 2026 as Black History Month in Fort Meade
- Recognition of African American contributions
- Martin Luther King scholarship foundation name change to Dora Johnson scholarship
F3. Polk Regional Water Cooperative Presentation
Presentation on joining water cooperative for alternative water supply
- Virtual pipeline concept explained
- $180,000 estimated cost for 500K gallons/day
- Fort Meade currently associate member
- Upper Florida aquifer restrictions
H1. Paylocity Payroll System Agreement
Resolution to approve new payroll and HR management system
- Out-of-state jurisdiction concerns
- Cost savings compared to current system
- Cloud-based solution with better functionality
H2. Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation Agreement
Subrecipient agreement for $1.1M small business assistance grants
- Grant amounts $10,000-$250,000
- First come first serve basis starting March 1
- Town halls planned for outreach
- 100% grant not loan
J02. Ordinances 2026-01 and 2026-02 (Future Land Use Amendment and Rezoning)
Planning Commission unanimously approved proposal but ordinances were tabled due to missing full text
- Planning Commission voted unanimously for approval
- Full ordinance text was not provided in commission packets
- Discussion of heavy industry vs light industry definitions
J03. Ordinance 2026-03 - Vacation of Rights-of-Way
First reading approval of ordinance to vacate unimproved rights-of-way north of 9th Street for subdivision development
- Rights-of-way have never been improved or used
- Property has been in same family ownership for nearly 100 years
- Necessary for new subdivision development by GE Investments
- Public comment opposing the development size
J04. Ordinance 2026-04 - Duke Energy Franchise Agreement
First reading approval of Duke Energy electric utility franchise agreement
- Duke Energy representatives present
- Discussion of renewal deadline responsibilities
- Franchise revenues to start June 1 instead of July 1
K01. Library Multipurpose Center Project Update
Construction timeline and milestone presentation showing substantial completion by October 1, 2026
- 100% design documents received and submitted for permitting
- Guaranteed maximum price of $3.2M due February 19
- Site preparation to begin March 2, 2026
- All funds must be invoiced by October 31, 2026
K02. Committee Appointments Discussion
Discussion of annual board appointments and Ridge League of Cities appointment
- Annual PNZ board appointments need clarification
- Commissioner Taylor stepping down from Regional Water Coop
- Commissioner Lott appointed to Ridge League of Cities
N. City Manager Report - Plante Moran Forensic Investigation
Comprehensive forensic accounting report on utility billing irregularities
- No evidence of intentional fraud found
- $120,000 in commercial underbilling losses identified
- Data analytics flagged anomalies for further review
- Five recommendations for improved controls and procedures
Motions & Votes
Remove items G2, G3, and G4 from consent agenda and move to H6, H7, and H8
Moved by Commissioner Lott, seconded by Commissioner Taylor
Passed unanimously
Approve consent agenda items G1 and G5
Moved by Vice Mayor McCutcheon
Passed unanimously
Approve Paylocity agreement acknowledging out-of-state jurisdiction and determining approval is in best interest of city
Moved by Vice Mayor McCutcheon, seconded by Mayor Williams
Passed unanimously
Approve resolution R2026-10 for Tampa Bay BBIC subrecipient agreement
Moved by Vice Mayor McCutcheon
Passed unanimously
Move foreclosure case to Circuit Court
Moved by Commissioner Watts
Passed 3-2
Motion to table ordinance 2026-01 and ordinance 2026-02 until we have the full ordinance in front of us
Moved by Commissioner Lott, seconded by Not clearly stated
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-03 on first reading
Passed unanimously
Motion to approve ordinance 2026-04 upon first reading
Passed unanimously
Motion to appoint Commissioner Lott to the Ridge League of Cities
Passed unanimously
Motion to adjourn
Passed unanimously
Action Items
Get with Barbara Arnold to address questions about Peace River Grant and downtown Main Street issues
Assigned to City Manager Bell
Address seating capacity issues in commission chambers
Assigned to City Manager Bell
Advertise CCNA engineering services RFQ
Assigned to Staff · Due Tomorrow (if approved)
Submit state revolving fund loan applications for water and wastewater projects
Assigned to City Manager Bell
Provide full ordinance text for 2026-01 and 2026-02
Assigned to Planning staff · Due Next meeting
Address liability and safety concerns for alternate meeting venues
Assigned to City Manager Bell and City Attorney Smith · Due Before next meeting with heavy agenda
Coordinate with Commissioner Lott on Ridge League duties
Assigned to City Clerk
Prepare rules of conduct resolution for commission review
Assigned to City Attorney Smith · Due March agenda
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The February 10, 2026 Fort Meade City Commission meeting addressed multiple significant agenda items including water infrastructure, business assistance programs, system upgrades, and ordinance approvals. The commission approved participation in the Polk Regional Water Cooperative, authorized $1.1 million in small business grants through Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation, and upgraded city payroll and financial software systems. Major legislative actions included approving two ordinances on first reading while tabling two others due to missing documentation. Key approvals included increasing utility assistance program funding by $735,000, authorizing cloud-based software upgrades for both payroll and financial systems, and approving a Duke Energy franchise agreement. The meeting featured important presentations on a library multipurpose center construction timeline and a comprehensive forensic accounting report from Plante Moran regarding utility billing issues, which found no evidence of intentional fraud but identified $120,000 in commercial underbilling losses and recommended process improvements. The commission also handled ceremonial items including a commemorative plaque for deceased Commissioner James Shell and a Black History Month proclamation. Several procedural matters were addressed, including committee appointments and discussions about meeting venue capacity issues due to high public attendance.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 11 agenda items: Proclamations - Plaque for Commissioner James Possum Shell; Black History Month Proclamation; Polk Regional Water Cooperative Presentation; Paylocity Payroll System Agreement; Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation Agreement; Ordinances 2026-01 and 2026-02 (Future Land Use Amendment and Rezoning); Ordinance 2026-03 - Vacation of Rights-of-Way; Ordinance 2026-04 - Duke Energy Franchise Agreement; Library Multipurpose Center Project Update; Committee Appointments Discussion; City Manager Report - Plante Moran Forensic Investigation.
How many motions were voted on?
10 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
8 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
8 members were recorded as present: Mayor Jarrett Landon Williams, Vice Mayor McCutcheon, Commissioner Matthew Taylor, Commissioner Lott, Commissioner Watts, City Manager Bell, City Attorney Smith, City Clerk.
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
What county is Fort Meade in?
Fort Meade is located in Polk County, Florida. Browse other Polk County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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