Hardee County Board of County Commissioners

MINUTES Hardee County Board of County Commissioners SPECIAL MEETING November 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM COMMISSION CHAMBERS 412 WEST ORANGE STREET, ROOM 117, WAUCHULA, FL 33873DRAFT

Hardee County Board of County Commissioners November 2, 2026 2 1. CALL TO ORDER Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Timothy E. Wells Vice Chair Present Noey A. Flores Chair Present E. Donald Chancey, Jr. Commissioner Present Russell A. Melendy Commissioner Present Kenneth A. Miller Commissioner Present John Eason County Manager Present Victoria L. Rogers Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Present Sarah Allen County Attorney Present Kristin Ottinger Assistant County Attorney Absent Christopher Simpron Assistant County Manager Present Holly Smith Administrative Services Manager Present Brandy Crawford Executive Assistant Present Jessica Santibanez Deputy Clerk Present Joley Pleger Deputy Clerk Present Laura Barker Deputy Clerk Present Charlene Albritton Deputy Clerk Present Chair Flores called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Resolution 2027-12 - Local State of Emergency: County Manager Eason along with Emergency Management Director, Lane Schneider, addressed the Board and reported that significant rainfall during the preceding 12 to 18 hours had caused 15 road closures countywide, with roads underwater in varying capacities. Harvest Road and Davis Ranch Road sustained washout damage, and the Parnell Road bridge was underwater. He stated that the State Division of Emergency Management had been asked to coordinate an FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) structural inspection before the bridge could reopen. Rainfall was expected to diminish, but Peace River flooding was projected to increase as upstream water reached the area. The river at Zolfo Springs measured 14.92 feet and was forecast to crest at 19.6 feet at 7:00 p.m. the following day, remaining within minor flood stage. Minor animal evacuations had begun at the Wildlife Refuge, and the County was coordinating with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regarding a possible full evacuation. County Manager Eason also advised that the Hardee County School District and several local learning centers and academies would remain closed through Wednesday, while the reopening time for South Florida State College was undetermined. A countywide, self-service sandbag distribution site had opened at 2:00 p.m. and would remain open until 6:00 p.m.; staff assistance was available, and 116 sandbags had been distributed as of 4:10 p.m. He stated that all three municipalities had been kept informed and noted that the Governor had issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for Hardee and six other Florida counties. Chair Flores called for Commissioner questions. Chair Flores called for a motion. Motion by Commissioner Melendy and second by Commissioner Wells to approve Resolution 2027-12, a resolution declaring a Local State of Emergency. County Manager Eason advised the Board that he had also been in contact with the Supervisor of Elections regarding the following day’s election. Based on information available at that time, no impacts to local polling locations were anticipated. He stated that the Supervisor of Elections was coordinating with the County Emergency Management Office and the United States Postal Service regarding road conditions and delivery routes, and County staff had identified no conditions that would require a polling location to close. Accordingly, the election was expected to proceed without interruption. Commissioner Chancey asked how long FDOT’s inspection of the Parnell Road bridge was expected to take. County Manager Eason responded that no timeframe was available because mission requests would first be prioritized and assignedDRAFT

Hardee County Board of County Commissioners November 2, 2026 3 for inspection; however, the County had submitted one of the first requests. Emergency Manager Director Schneider confirmed that the County’s barricade request had been the first mission submitted and that the additional barricades had already been received and deployed throughout the county. County Manager Eason confirmed that the bridge remained closed. Assistant County Manager Simpron added that, following Hurricane Ian, a similar mission request resulted in contractors inspecting the bridge the next day and expressed hope for a comparable response due to the urgency. Motion carried unanimously. Ayes – Wells, Flores, Chancey, Melendy, and Miller 3. OTHER BUSINESS No other business items were presented. 4. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:09 p.m. _____________________________ Noey A. Flores, Chair Board of County Commissioners _____________________________ Victoria L. Rogers, Ex-Officio Clerk Board of County CommissionersDRAFT

Agenda

AGENDA

Hardee County Board of County Commissioners

SPECIAL MEETING

November 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM

COMMISSION CHAMBERS

412 WEST ORANGE STREET,

ROOM 117, WAUCHULA, FL 33873

COMMISSIONERS

_________________________________________________________________________________________

District I Timothy E. Wells

District II Noey A. Flores

District III E. Donald Chancey, Jr.

District IV Russell A. Melendy

District V Kenneth A. Miller

________________________________________________________________________________________

County Manager John Eason

Clerk Victoria L. Rogers

County Attorney Sarah Allen

Assistant County Manager Christopher Simpron

Administrative Services Manager Holly Smith

Executive Assistant Brandy Crawford

Deputy Clerk Laura Barker

Deputy Clerk Jessica Santibanez

Deputy Clerk Joley Pleger

1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

BUSINESS AGENDA

A.

Lane Schneider, Emergency Management Director - Resolution 2027-12 - Local State of Emergency

- Motion to approve Resolution 2027-12, A Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Hardee County, Florida, declaring a State of Local Emergency; waiving procedures and formalities during the period of such emergency; authorizing and directing the County Manager to take whatever prudent actions may be necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community pursuant to this declaration; providing an effective date.

3.

OTHER BUSINESS

4.

ADJOURNMENT

AGENDA Hardee County Board of County Commissioners SPECIAL MEETING November 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM COMMISSION CHAMBERS 412 WEST ORANGE STREET, ROOM 117, WAUCHULA, FL 33873 1

1. CALL TO ORDER 2. BUSINESS AGENDA A. Lane Schneider, Emergency Management Director - Resolution 2027-12 - Local State of Emergency 3. OTHER BUSINESS 4. ADJOURNMENT COMMISSIONERS _________________________________________________________________________________________ District I Timothy E. Wells District II Noey A. Flores District III E. Donald Chancey, Jr. District IV Russell A. Melendy District V Kenneth A. Miller ________________________________________________________________________________________ County Manager John Eason Clerk Victoria L. Rogers County Attorney Sarah Allen Assistant County Manager Christopher Simpron Administrative Services Manager Holly Smith Executive Assistant Brandy Crawford Deputy Clerk Laura Barker Deputy Clerk Jessica Santibanez Deputy Clerk Joley Pleger - Motion to approve Resolution 2027-12, A Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Hardee County, Florida, declaring a State of Local Emergency; waiving procedures and formalities during the period of such emergency; authorizing and directing the County Manager to take whatever prudent actions may be necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community pursuant to this declaration; providing an effective date. 2

Item Cover Page DATE: November 2, 2026 SUBMITTED BY: Brandy Crawford, Emergency Management ITEM TYPE: Business Agenda AGENDA SECTION: BUSINESS AGENDA SUBJECT: Lane Schneider, Emergency Management Director - Resolution 2027-12 - Local State of Emergency SUGGESTED ACTION: - Motion to approve Resolution 2027-12, A Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Hardee County, Florida, declaring a State of Local Emergency; waiving procedures and formalities during the period of such emergency; authorizing and directing the County Manager to take whatever prudent actions may be necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community pursuant to this declaration; providing an effective date. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2.A HARDEE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM REPORT ATTACHMENTS: Reso 2027-12 - LSE Flooding changes accepted 11.2.26 - Signed by Legal.pdf 3

HARDEE COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2027-12 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HARDEE COUNTY, FLORIDA DECLARING A STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY; WAIVING PROCEDURES AND FORMALITIES DURING THE PERIOD OF SUCH EMERGENCY; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MANAGER TO TAKE WHATEVER PRUDENT ACTIONS MAY BE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY PURSUANT TO THIS DECLARATION; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, on November 2, 2026, the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay issued a Flash Flood Warning for Eastern Hardee County, Northern DeSoto County and Northwestern Highlands County; and WHEREAS, flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas will be impacted; and WHEREAS, areas within the County expected to experience flash flooding include Wauchula, Sweetwater, Zolfo Springs, Crewsville, Gardner, Brownville, Josephine and Limestone; and WHEREAS, flood warnings are in effect for Peace River in Zolfo Springs at State Road 17 until November 4, 2026; and WHEREAS, Section 252.38, Florida Statutes, provides authority for a county to declare a state of local emergency and to exercise emergency powers for the duration of the state of local emergency; and WHEREAS, Hardee County (the “County”) Board of County Commissioners (the “BOCC”) finds that declaration of a state of local emergency (the “LSE”) is necessary to prepare for and respond to the potential disaster; and WHEREAS, the LSE shall expire on November 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. unless terminated earlier or extended as provided for herein. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Hardee County, Florida as follows: SECTION 1. DECLARATION AND AUTHORITY. A. A State of Local Emergency (“LSE”) for all of Hardee County is hereby declared on November 2, 2026, at ________, the LSE shall end on November 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. unless extended by the BOCC. 4

B. The BOCC hereby exercises its authority and waives the procedures and formalities otherwise required by law, as provided in Section 252.38, Florida Statutes, declaring a state of local emergency. C. All provisions of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (“CEMP”) relating to this type of event shall be implemented. D. During the LSE, the Sheriff is designated as Chief Law Enforcement Officer for Hardee County. E. In accordance with Section 252.38, Florida Statutes, actions of the municipalities within Hardee County shall be coordinated with County Emergency Management and not conflict with any order of the County. F. That the County Manager is empowered to order mandatory evacuations as evolving conditions may require pursuant to the CEMP. Any such evacuation shall remain in force until ended by further order. Any unauthorized person located in, or attempting to enter, an evacuation area after the stated completion time for an evacuation order issued as contemplated herein shall be in violation of Section 252.20, Florida Statutes, and subject to the penalties therein. G. The County Manager or designee will monitor disaster-related debris and shall be empowered to remove disaster-debris which (a) poses an immediate threat to public health, safety, or life; or (b) poses an immediate threat of significant damage to improved public or private property; or (c) the removal is necessary to ensure economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community at large. H. The BOCC hereby delegates authority to the County Manager, for the duration of this emergency declaration, to appropriate funds from reserves as necessary to support emergency operations and response in a timely manner, and further, to suspend budgetary controls to the extent necessary to accomplish this purpose. The aforementioned authority is subject to after-the-fact ratification of the BOCC. SECTION 2. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of November, 2026, at a duly noticed meeting of The Board of County Commissioners of Hardee County, Florida. THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF HARDEE COUNTY, FLORIDA 5

Noey A. Flores Chair ATTEST: Victoria L. Rogers Ex-Officio Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners APPROVED AS TO FORM: BRYANT MILLER OLIVE, P.A. COUNTY ATTORNEY 6