Local Resources for Polk County FL Utility and Relocation Information
This is a complete guide for anyone moving or relocating to Winter Haven, Lakeland or any of the cities within Polk County Florida. You will find contact information for the proper electric company, water company, cable company, gas company and many other resources crucial to making your move to our area as simple as possible!
UTILITIES
BARTOW ELECTRIC AND WATER DEPARTMENT
Serves Bartow and some outlying areas (863-534-0188). Deposit is $120 for electric and $20 water. Deposit is returned after five years of service with good standing. Monthly garbage service is $18 for curbside pickup, and $30 for backyard pickup. Sewer is $18.44, plus usage, inside city limits and $23.05, plus usage, outside city limits. Water is $6.72, plus usage, inside city limits and $8.39, plus usage, outside city limits.
CENTRAL FLORIDA GAS CO.
Natural gas service for all areas of the county (863-293-2125). Deposit is $50. The minimum monthly service charge is $15.
CITY OF WINTER HAVEN
Provides water, sewer and garbage services for Winter Haven. (863-291-5678) Deposit is $95. Provides water and sewer services for surrounding areas and Garden Grove. Deposit is $115. A $42.20 processing fee applies for all new accounts. Letter of credit from previous utility is accepted in lieu of deposit. Deposit with interest is returned upon request after two years.
FLORIDA POWER
Alturas, Dundee, Lake Hamilton, Lake Wales, Frostproof and Haines City (800-700-8744). Deposit is $200, which is returned after two years with good standing.
FORT MEADE
Serves Fort Meade (863-285-1100), ask for customer service.
Deposit for electricity and water is $140. Deposit for natural gas, electricity and water is $180. Deposit of $100 (electric) with 5 percent interest a year, is returned after three years with good standing. Garbage is included.
LAKELAND ELECTRIC
Serves Lakeland and Polk City (863-834-9535). Deposit is $100 for electric and $20 for water. Letter of credit from previous utility is accepted in lieu of deposit. Deposit with interest is returned after two years. Other charges: $10 service fee to turn on power; additional $15 for same-day service.
PARK WATER COMPANY
Serves the communities of Crooked Lake Park, South Lake Wales and Caloosa Lake Village (863-638-1285). Deposit is $30 for water and sewer. $15 processing fee.
PEACE RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Serves a portion of Lake Wales, Indian Lakes, Kenansville and Yee-Haw Junction (863-692-1152). Deposit is $200, with a connection fee of $30. There is also a $5 charge for membership.
POLK COUNTY UTILITIES
Water and sewer services for unincorporated areas of the county (863-534-6039). Deposit for both is $70, plus a $15 fee. For water service only deposit is $30, plus the $15 fee. The minimum monthly service charge for water is $8.16 and for sewer, $33.90.
TAMPA ELECTRIC
TECO serves Auburndale, Eagle Lake, Lake Alfred, Mulberry, Polk City and Winter Haven (888-223-0800). For non-service matters (888-228-1150). Deposit is generally $215. Deposit earns 6.5 percent interest a year (after first six months) and will be returned after two years of service with good standing.
TECO PEOPLES GAS
Providing natural gas for the greater Lakeland area (877-832-6747). Deposit is based on potential usage. Minimum is $7.50 monthly.
TELEPHONE
BRIGHTHOUSE
Countywide. Monthly residential service costs $39.95 to $49.95 (plus taxes and fees.) Order service or get more information at 866-976-EASY or http://tampabay.mybrighthouse.com/products_and_pricing/digital_phone/default.aspx
SPRINT/UNITED TELEPHONE OF FLORIDA
Serves Fort Meade (800-699-0728). No deposit required if customer has had service in the past 12 months. Deposit varies for others.
VERIZON
Countywide except for Fort Meade (800-483-4200). No deposit required for residents with good payment records in past 12 months. The deposit for others is $70. The connection fee is $55.
CABLE TELEVISION
COMCAST
Bartow/Fort Meade (863-533-9029); Frostproof/Lake Wales (863-676-8514).
BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS
Countywide (863-965-7766); Bowling Green, Mulberry (800-892-0805).
SCHOOLS
PRIVATE
All-Saints' Academy (863-293-5980); Christ Community Christian Academy (688-8000); Evangel Christian (859-1477); First Methodist (533-0905) Haven Christian Academy (293-0930); Lake Wales Lutheran (676-7300); Lake Wire Christian Academy (687-2354); Lakeland Christian (688-2771); Landmark Christian (422-2037); Mulberry Christian Academy (425-1822); Northridge Christian Academy (422-3473); The Oaks School (533-5539); Resurrection Catholic (644-3931); St. Anthony Catholic (858-0671); St. Joseph's Parochial School (686-6415); St. Paul Lutheran (644-7710); Santa Fe Catholic High (665-4188); Sonrise Christian (665-4187); Temple Christian (646-5031); Victory Christian Academy (858-5614); Winter Haven Christian (294-4135).
PUBLIC
To determine your child's school, call Pupil Accounting, 863-534-0718 or use the Polk County Florida school board's ZONEfinder
VOTER REGISTRATION
Welcome to PolkPartners, a collection of web links about Polk County, Florida. This not-for-profit web site is a joint venture between all Polk County cities, chambers, educational institutions, economic development initiatives, governments, media, tourist attractions, and workforce programs. Our goal is to provide the web visitor with a comprehensive resource to all Polk County resources on the Internet. PolkPartners was founded by the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Central Florida Development Council, and The Ledger.
|
|
Auburndale Chamber of Commerce
www.auburndalechamber.com |
|
| |
|
Bartow Chamber of Commerce
www.bartowchamber.com |
|
| The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce will promote business and economic development for the benefit of our community. |
|
Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce
www.hainescity.com |
|
| The Greater Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to providing a network for all businesses in which they can thrive and prosper. |
|
Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce
www.lakelandchamber.com |
|
| To be the leading organization dedicated to creating a climate where business can prosper. |
|
Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce
www.lakewaleschamber.com |
|
| |
|
Mulberry Chamber of Commerce
www.mulberrychamber.org |
|
| Included on the Mulberry Chamber Web Site is: A membership directory, history of the City, list of area clubs, schools, churches and local attractions. |
|
Winter Haven Chamber
www.winterhavenfl.com |
|
| A city amidst 16 canal-connected lakes and home to beautiful Cypress Gardens. |
|
|
|
Florida Southern College
www.flsouthern.edu |
|
| Florida Southern delivers a value-based, liberal arts education in a familial atmosphere that fosters exceptionally close, life-shaping relationships. |
|
Polk County School Board
www.polk-fl.net |
|
| Polk County Public Schools, serving the educational needs of 80,000 students and their families. |
|
Polk Community College
www.polk.edu |
|
| Polk Community College provides excellent 2-year degree, career and workforce programs and is a partner in the Tech 4 Consortium of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. |
|
Southeastern University
www.seuniversity.edu |
|
| Southeastern University is a four-year, coeducational, Christian liberal arts university, accredited to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Located in Lakeland, Florida, the university offers 42 undergraduate majors and two graduate programs, and has captured national attention for its rapid growth in enrollment and facilities in recent years. |
|
University of South Florida Polytechnic
www.poly.usf.edu |
|
| USF Polytechnic is the state's only polytechnic university and provides upper level undergraduate and graduate students with an extraordinary opportunity to experience applied learning and research in a personalized setting: small class sizes, convenient locations, innovative programs and flexible formats. |
|
Warner Southern College
www.warner.edu |
|
| Warner Southern, a Christian college in the liberal arts tradition, is committed to the search for truth in the context of Christian faith and academic excellence through traditional undergraduate programs, degree completion programs for working adults, and the Master of Business Administration degree program. |
|
Webber International University
www.webber.edu |
|
| Webber has been serving the needs of the business community by preparing its students for a life in the exciting world of business for 75 years. It is a not-for-profit private business college |
|
|
Webster International University
www.webster.edu/lakeland |
|
| Webster University is a private, nonprofit, accredited University that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in many fields. Currently the University enrolls approximately 22,000 students worldwide and is dedicated to academic excellence, innovation in higher education, meeting the needs of students in an ever-changing world and incorporating an international perspective throughout the curriculum. |
MyPolkCounty.com
www.mypolkcounty.com |
|
| MyPolkCounty.com is Polk County's on-line gateway to all local, regional, state and federal online government services. |
|
Polk County Board of County Commissioners
www.polk-county.net |
|
| |
|
Polk County Charter Review Commission
www.polkcharter.com |
|
| The Polk County Charter Commission is appointed under the authority of the Polk County Charter to consider whether any amendments or revisions need to be proposed to the voters for their approval in the November 2002 general election. The Commission has thirteen members who are appointed by county commissioners and county constitutional officers. |
|
Polk County Clerk of Courts
http://www.polkcountyclerk.net |
|
| The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Polk County is the Clerk of the Courts, County Recorder and Clerk and Auditor to the Board of County Commissioners. |
|
Polk County Property Appraiser
www.polkpa.org |
|
| |
|
Polk County Sheriff
www.polksheriff.org |
|
| Information about the Sheriff's Office, news releases, most wanted fugitives, Crime Stoppers, warrants/jail inquiries, job openings, and more. |
|
Polk County Supervisor of Elections
www.polkelections.com |
|
| This site provides demographics, election results, information about becoming a pollworker, how to register to vote and how to obtain absentee ballots, and more. |
|
Polk County Tax Collector
www.polktaxes.com |
|
| The Tax Collector's Office for Polk County, Florida provides online, mail-in and walk-in payment services for vehicle, vessel and mobile home transactions (titles-tags-decals), as well as property taxes, county occupational "license" taxes, hunting and fishing licenses and tourist development taxes. |
|
Focus on Leadership
Web Site |
|
| Focus on Leadership is designed to expose minority leaders to mainstream community life and prepare them to serve in civic leadership positions. |
|
Bay News Nine
www.baynews9.com |
|
| Find Polk County school and governmental listings, as well as, community events and local news on baynews9.com, "Your Neighborhood" page. You can even place local event information such as yard sales and church events on the Polk County Bulletin Board. |
|
|
Hall Communications Radio Group
http://www.halllakeland.com/
|
|
| Hall Communications is "Central Florida's Big 4" - Polk County's #1 Source for broadcast information and entertainment from Radio Stations
|
|
The Ledger
www.theledger.com |
|
| The Ledger Online includes daily news and classified ads from The Ledger, Polk County's largest daily newspaper, as well as specialized Web content such as our Guide to Polk and Best Bites Dining Guide. |
|
The News Chief
www.newschief.com |
|
|
WBF
www.wwbf.com |
|
| Oldies 1130 WBF is Polk County's home for Good Time Oldies, Bartow Yellow Jackets, Florida Gators, NASCAR Auto Racing. Local news, sports and weather along with school, civic and church announcements, plus you can buy, sell or trade on the WBF Shopper. 1130 on your AM dial. |
| |
|
|
WorkForce Development Board
www.polkworks.org |
|
| Brings together workforce development services such as employment, training, education, and more, in customer-friendly Polk Works One-Stop Centers where employers, job seekers, workers, and employers can find answers to their workforce questions. WorkForce 2020, at www.polkworks.org/workforce2020, works exclusively with employers. |
|
|
Auburndale
www.auburndalefl.com/city.html |
|
| |
|
Bartow
www.cityofbartow.net |
|
| The city of oaks and azaleas est. 1850, and is the county seat of Polk County. |
|
Davenport
(863) 419-3300 |
|
| |
|
Dundee
www.townofdundee.com |
|
| Known as the Doorway to the Ridge, Dundee serves as a growing bedroom community to larger neighboring cities and as a host to tourists visiting some of the world's most famous attractions, a short drive away. |
|
Eagle Lake
www.eaglelake-fla.com |
|
| |
|
Fort Meade
www.state.fl.us/ftmeade |
|
| |
|
Frostproof
(863) 635-7855 |
|
| |
|
Haines City
www.ci.haines-city.fl.us |
|
| The City of Haines City's Official Site. |
|
Lakeland
www.lakelandgov.net |
|
| The official web site of the City of Lakeland. This site provides information on Upcoming Meeting Schedules, Agendas and Minutes, City sponsored community events, Departments and Services available throughout the City, Employment Opportunities, and an always growing list of online features and services. |
|
Lake Alfred
www.ci.lake-alfred.fl.us |
|
| |
|
Lake Wales
www.cityoflakewales.com |
|
| The City of Lake Wales municipal web site provides information about our city government and services as well as information about the Lake Wales area. |
|
Mulberry
(863) 425-1125 |
|
| |
|
Polk City
www.mypolkcity.org |
|
| The Polk City Web site provides information about city services and discusses the city's history. |
|
Winter Haven
http://www.mywinterhaven.com |
|
| The official web site of the City of Winter Haven. |
|
Explorations V Children's Museum
www.explorationsv.com |
|
| "A hands-on, fun-filled adventure in learning" with two floors of interactive exhibits and programs that celebrate the five senses. |
|
Florida Dance Theatre
www.floridadancetheatre.org |
|
| Florida Dance Theatre is Polk County's only professional dance company and training academy. Our mission is to bring the art of dance to the community through entertainment,education and outreach |
|
The Lakeland Center
www.thelakelandcenter.com |
|
| From outstanding facilities, to professional services that are second to none. The most versatile Sports, Entertainment and Convention complex in the heart of Central Florida. |
|
Lake Wales Arts Council
www.cityoflakewales.com/arts/ |
|
| The mission of the Lake Wales Arts Council is to promote, encourage and celebrate the arts for the enhancement of community life. Our vision is that the community of Lake Wales will be recognized as a cultural center of the county. |
|
Lake Wales Depot Museum
www.cityoflakewales.com/depot/ |
|
| Preserving the Past for the Benefit of the Future -- It is the goal of the Lake Wales Museum and Cultural Center, popularly known as The Depot Museum, to serve as the means by which the historical record of Lake Wales --both past and present-- may be preserved and shared with the citizens of the community. |
|
Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library
polk-county.net/library.html |
|
| The Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library is under the authority of the BOCC and administered by the Community Services Department and Parks and Recreation Division. We have one of the LARGEST Genealogical and Historical collections in the Southeast United States! |
|
Polk County Library Cooperative
www.pclc.lib.fl.us |
|
| The Polk County Library Cooperative is made up of 15 libraries. The Cooperative consists of 13 municipal public libraries, a historical & genealogical library, and a law library. |
|
Polk Museum of Art
www.polkmuseumofart.org |
|
| The Polk Museum of Art is a private non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in Central Florida. |
|
Polk Theatre
www.polktheatre.org |
|
| This restored historic vaudeville/movie palace offers quality films each weekend and a series of live Broadway performances each season. Free tours of this landmark are also available. Check our Web site for complete information. |
|
Ridge Art Association
www.ridgeart.org |
|
| Located in Winter Haven's Chain O' Lakes Complex, Ridge Art Association is a volunteer-based non-profit organization that has been dedicated to enhancing the awareness and appreciation of the Fine Arts through exhibitions and educational programs for more than 50 years for Polk County's residents and visitors." |
|
Central Florida Development Council
www.cfdc.org |
|
| Central Florida Development Council the economic development agency for the Board of County Commissioners. Access online information relating to a variety of subjects including: an available land and building database for businesses seeking site expansion or relocation assistance, a complete searchable database of over 15,000 Polk County businesses and a comprehensive demographic profile. |
|
East Polk Committee of 100
www.epc100.org |
|
| The East Polk Committee of 100 represents "The Power of the Region" by way of an organized coalition of communities and businesses working together for economic growth and betterment of the entire East Polk County area. |
|
Lakeland Economic Development Council
lakelandchamber.com/ledc/ |
|
| Online resource for Lakeland Economic Development information, including demographic atlas, available properties and much more. |
|
Motion Picture & Television Office
www.filmcentralflorida.com |
|
| Central Florida's Polk County's Motion Picture Television Office website, provides the entertainment industry with one stop information on everything they need to know from locations, to production crews, to permitting - all in one place. |
|
Polk County Sports Marketing
www.centralfloridasports.com |
|
| Your total guide to competitive and recreational sports in Central Florida's Polk County. |
|
Florida Small Business Development Center at the Central Florida Development Council
www.smbdc.org |
|
| The Small and Minority Business Development Center exists to assist all phases of business development. The Center engages the services of Polk County professionals who lend their expertise to a business' growth and stability. The SMBDC is the result of a partnership between the Small Business Administration, University of South Florida and the Central Florida Development Council, Inc. |
|
|
Supervisor of Elections (534-5888) or www.polkelections.com
|
