City Manager’s Office

Dear Residents, Visitors, and Business Owners,

On behalf of our elected officials and employees, I would like to welcome you to the City of Winter Haven Website. Our dependable and dedicated workforce provides you with beautiful parks and public spaces; unique events and leisure opportunities; and quality customer service that will keep you coming back, or hopefully staying for a lifetime.

We are proud to serve more than 55,000 people who call this extraordinary place home. While exploring the City, you will find 50 lakes inside the City limits (many connected by navigable waterways locals call the "Chain of Lakes"), beautiful public spaces, great restaurants, and plenty to do with more than 150 annual special events. The pedestrian-friendly downtown hosts unique shops, one-of-a-kind restaurants, a tech-savvy public Library, a beautiful multi-block park system, and a healthy business district. We believe Winter Haven's unique quality of life provides our residents with numerous Exceptionally Local experiences and we invite everyone to see why.

We are energized by the many exciting projects and transformations happening today, and we are planning for our future as we continue to improve upon our unique and exceptional community. This includes innovative economic development and growth; serving as the home to the internationally known LEGOLAND Florida Resorts; partnerships and collaborations to constantly improve; an engaged and involved community; and improvements to public facilities and infrastructure.

These initiatives are all significant, but it's the business of people that matters most. We are extremely attentive to the value of great service and how essential it is to our success. Our goal in Winter Haven as we meet customer expectations is to "Get to yes." To do this we encourage a culture of listening to customers and developing approaches to steer towards a satisfactory outcome. We believe customer service is paramount and sets us apart from other cities.

We encourage you to explore the possibilities of Winter Haven and enjoy the special and unique quality of life only found in this Chain of Lakes City. If you are new to the area, thinking of relocating to Winter Haven as either a homeowner or a business owner, or just looking to get more information, please contact us. And, thanks again for visiting our website.

  1. What Your Property Taxes Really Pay For

    Ever noticed there’s no “tap to pay” when police or fire respond? That’s by design. City Manager T. Michael Stavres explains how property taxes fund the services we rely on and what choices we face as conversations about property tax changes move forward. Read on...
  2. City Update: Misleading Letters About Lead & Copper Pipes

    Some residents have received third-party letters about lead or copper pipes that did not come from the City. These are not compliance notices. Learn how the City communicates official information and where to view our interactive service line map. Read on...
  3. City of Winter Haven’s Formal Response to the Attorney General’s Office

    Our formal response to the Attorney General’s Office has been made public. For those seeking facts, context, and documentation, the full letter and exhibits are available here. Read on...
  4. City Update: How Winter Haven Is Addressing Homelessness-Related Concerns

  5. Burn Ban in Effect for Winter Haven, FL

  6. City of Winter Haven Unveils Ambitious FY25-FY29 Strategic Plan

    This comprehensive plan, developed over 18 months through rigorous public engagement, data analysis, and strategic visioning, sets a clear and ambitious course for the City's future. Read on...
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