Airport Beautification Council Award Сity Calendar City Commission City Directory City Employment Commission Agenda Committees Disaster Preparation Fire Department Golf Leisure Services Library Municipal Code Newsletters Online Utility Bill Pay Planning Commission Police Department Purchasing Water & Sewer Rates Water Quality Report Winter Haven Lakes

Home > Government > City Commission

The City Commission is comprised of five Commissioners, including an appointed Mayor and appointed Mayor Pro-Tem.

The City Commission generally meets the second and fourth Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 451 Third Street NW.

Members of the public who wish to address the Commission at a City Commission meeting about agenda items 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
    Mayor: Seat 3
    jpotter@mywinterhaven.com

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

    "J.P." Powell
    Mayor Pro-Tem: Seat 1
    jppowell@mywinterhaven.com

Mayor Pro-Tem
James H. "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 Birdsong, Jr.
    City Commissioner: Seat 2
    nbirdsong@mywinterhaven.com

Commissioner
Nathaniel "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
    City Commissioner: Seat 4
    jbeckett@mywinterhaven.com

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
    City Commissioner : Seat 5
    smhunnicutt@mywinterhaven.com

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

City Hall: 451 Third St. NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881 tel: (863) 291-5600 fax: (863) 291-5623

disclaimer | site usage policy | contact us