County Manager to Discuss State, Local Issues

Polk County Manager Jim Freeman will speak about current county and state legislative issues at the next meeting of the Tiger Bay Club of Polk County.

The meeting starts at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20 at the Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S. Floral Ave. in Bartow. The buffet lines opens at 11:45 a.m. and the meeting begins promptly at noon.

The charge is $15 for Tiger Bay members and $25 for nonmembers. Reservations are due by March 19 by emailing [email protected] or calling 863-640-5357. Reservations may be made and paid online at https://www.tigerbaypolk.com/index.php/reservations

Freeman began his career with Polk County in 1989 as the director of information technology and helped usher the county into a new digital era.

As the head of county government's administrative branch, which is established by the Polk County Charter, Freeman is responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of the county. In his role, Freeman also executes the Board of County Commissioners policy direction, which acts in its role as the county's legislative branch of government.

The county manager prepares the Board of County Commissioners' meeting agendas and attends and participates in all of its public meetings. With the exception of the county attorney's office, Freeman appoints and manages all of the county's nearly 2,000 employees. The county manager also presents a proposed balanced budget each year and is responsible for proper administration of the Board of County Commissioners' adopted budget.

Freeman, an Atlanta native, graduated in 1994 from St. Leo University with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Tiger Bay meeting attendees may submit questions for Freeman in writing, and the person with the best question wins a stuffed tiger.

Tiger Bay Clubs exist throughout Florida as a forum for those with an acute interest in politics and public affairs. At monthly luncheon meetings, members of the "most fearless political club" hear from politicians, elected officials, and public affairs experts. Debates and presentations are followed by "no holds barred questioning" by Tiger Bay Club members, Polk County leaders who have a flair for people, a passion for politics and an interest in current affairs. After the inaugural meeting held on February 18th, 2004, meetings are open to members and a non-member may attend once before membership is required. For more information, see their website at https://www.tigerbaypolk.com.