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   CITY COMMISSION:  
 


"J.P." Powell
     Mayor Pro Tem: Seat 1
    
 
Nathaniel Birdsong, Jr.
     City Commissioner: Seat 2
    
    
Jeff Potter
     Mayor: Seat 3
    
  
 Jamie Beckett
     City Commissioner: Seat 4

    
 
 Steven M. Hunnicutt
     City Commissioner : Seat 5
    


 
   451 Third Street NW
    Winter Haven, Florida 33881
    Phone: (863) 291-5600
    Fax: (863) 291-5623
 

 
     
   RELATED LINKS:  
 
Commission Agenda
Meetings Calendar
Municipal Code

  


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image: City of Winter Haven, The Chain of Lakes City

  
 

City Commission
 
  About:
 
 

The City Commission is comprised of five Commissioners, who appoint a Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem.

The City Commission generally meets the second and fourth Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in the John Fuller Auditorium in City Hall, 451 Third Street NW, at the corner of Avenue D NW.

Members of the public who wish to address the Commission during a City Commission meeting on items that are on the agenda must sign-in before addressing the Commission. The sign-in sheet is located in the back of the Commission chambers. Members of the public can call the City Manager's office to be placed on the agenda under "Requests by general public to be heard." Also, the public can speak on items not on the agenda during the "Comments from the Audience" portion of the agenda. The public is also allowed to speak during a Public Hearing. Those called to speak will approach the podium and give their name and address for the record before proceeding with the issue.

Check with the City Manager's office for any changes after the agenda has been printed. (863) 291-5600.
 

 
 
  Jeff Potter:
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Mayor Jeff Potter

  • Elected to City Commission Seat 3 in 2002; reelected 2007
  • Mayor since 2009
  • Commission liaison to: Risk Management, Main Street Winter Haven, Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Tourist Development Council, Winter Haven Housing Authority, Polk Transit Authority, alternate on the Winter Haven Area Transit Board
  • Served on the City of Winter Haven Planning Commission: 1997-2001
  • Served on the City of Winter Haven Board of Adjustment: 1991-1996
     

  James H. "J.P." Powell:
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Mayor Pro-Tem "J.P." Powell

  • Elected to City Commission Seat 1 in 2007; Mayor Pro-Tem since 2009
  • Commission liaison to: Library Board, Planning Commission, Ridge League of Cities, Transportation Planning Organization, Tree Board
  • Attended Malone College in Canton, Ohio and the University of Akron, Ohio
  • Employed by Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home
  • Member of First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven
  • Member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Winter (2006-2007)
  • Member and past President Winter Haven Optimist Club
  • Ridge League of Cities Board member
  • Past Lt. Governor of North Florida Optimist International, Past Ambassador Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
  • Past Chairman of City of Winter Haven Code Enforcement board
  • Past member City of Winter Haven Housing Committee
  • Member and past chairman City of Winter Haven Planning Commission
  • Member and Past President of Winter Haven Youth Soccer Association
  • Past President of the Winter Haven High School Band Boosters
  • Member of the advisory committee for Ridge Technical Center in Winter Haven
  • Married to Kim Traviss Powell; one son, Traviss Howard Powell, and dog “PJ”
  • Loves to golf, travel and is an aviation enthusiast

 
  Nathaniel "Nat" Birdsong, Jr.:
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Commissioner Nat Birdsong
  • Elected to City Commission Seat 2 in 2002; reelected 2007; Mayor 2006-08.
  • Commission liaison to: Board of Adjustment, General Pension Board, Lakes Advisory, Transportation Planning Organization
  • Native of Winter Haven: second generation
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Florida A&M University.
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) Nova Southeastern University.
  • Married for 35 years to Elizabeth "Ann" with whom he shares two sons - Nathaniel, III, Jason; and four grandchildren
  • Executive Director, the Florence Villa Community Development Corporation.
  • Retired, Coca Cola Company, manager for 27 years
  • Four years of public school service as a former teacher, head of Mathematics Department and Athletics coach
  • Graduate, Leadership Winter Haven XXII
  • Board of Directors, Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
  • Vice President, Agricultural & Labor Program New Horizon Housing Development
  • Baselius, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated
  • Trustee, First Missionary Baptist Church, Secretary
  • Past Member, Board of Directors, United Way of Central Florida.
  • Former Board of Directors, Polk County Readiness Coalition
  • Board of Directors, Winter Haven Neighborhood Service Center
  • Past President, Girls Inc.
  • Past Board of Directors, Citrus Showcase
  • Past Boy Scout Leader, Troop 901
  • Past Director, Haven Daycare Center
  • Member, Winter Haven Rotary

  Jamie Beckett:
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Commissioner Jamie Beckett
 
  • Elected to City Commission Seat 4 in 2009
  • Commission liaison to: Affordable Housing Committee, Airport Advisory Committee, Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT)
  • Moved to Winter Haven in 1991
  • Grew up in Connecticut
  • Aviation writer, pilot
  • Served five years on the Winter Haven Code Enforcement Board
  • Hobbies: motorcycles, airplanes, kayaking, collecting guitars, riding bicycles
  • Married to Karen; one son; two daughters

 
 
  Steven M. Hunnicutt:
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Commissioner Steven M. Hunnicutt
  • Elected to City Commission Seat 5 in 2009
  • Commission liaison to: Fire Pension Board, Police Pension Board, Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT), alternate to Transportation Planning Organization
  • Moved to Winter Haven in 2005
  • Grew up in Ohio
  • Code Enforcement Officer, City of Haines City
  • Small business owner
  • Retired from Hamilton County, Ohio, Sheriff's Department
  • Member of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
  • Teacher Polk County Schools
  • SCORE Counselor/SCORE External Affairs Coordinator
  • Attended the University of Cincinnati
  • Gates of Lake Region HOA board member
  • Served on Winter Haven Board of Adjustment
  • Hobbies: reading, racing, fishing, fitness
  • Member of Christ Community Church
  • Married to Maira; two daughters; four grandchildren

 
 

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