A Look at Our Strategic Plan in Action

Every month, the City of Winter Haven provides an update to the City Commission on one of the six pillars of our Strategic Plan.

September’s focus was Responsible Government, showcasing new ways to make City data and services more accessible than ever before.

City Manager T. Michael Stavres, the Public Affairs & Communication team, and the Finance Department introduced two exciting tools now available to residents:

Interactive Online Budget Portal – Explore how City funds are allocated and what projects are underway.

Community-Wide Calendar – Find or post events, volunteer opportunities, and activities happening across Winter Haven.

Save the Date: State of the City 2025

Join us for the 2025 State of the City Address on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. at the Ritz Theatre downtown.

Hear directly from City leaders as they reflect on the past year and share what’s ahead for Winter Haven.

Seats are limited! Admission is $5 to reserve your spot. Coffee & pastries will be served.

Engage with Your City Commission

Your City Commission wants to hear from you! There are now more ways than ever to stay connected and take part in local decision-making:

Attend in person: ?
?Share your thoughts or observe how your local government works. Visit our calendar to see all public meeting dates.

Watch live or later: ?
?Stream every meeting on the City’s YouTube Channel.

Listen anytime: ?
?Catch meetings the next day on your favorite podcast platform — our newest way to stay informed on the go!

Pictured: Visitors learn about Fire Operations during the 2025 Fire Open House on October 4.

Help Choose the Perfect Quote

The new Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural Center is almost ready!

As a final touch, we’re adding an inspirational quote to the wall as visitors exit the building — and we’d love your input.?

Beyond the 9-to-5: Inside City Operations

Ever wonder what happens after hours to keep Winter Haven running?

Our Beyond the 9-to-5 series takes you behind the scenes with the dedicated crews who work around the clock — from water plant operators ensuring safe water, to street sweeper teams keeping roads clean, to building services staff maintaining public spaces.

Explore Your City Budget

Transparency is a cornerstone of responsible government, and we’re making it easier than ever for residents to see how City resources are invested.

Our new interactive online budget platform gives you a clear, accessible look at how your tax dollars support the services and projects that keep Winter Haven thriving — from public safety and parks to infrastructure and community programs.

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Explore by department, view key priorities, and track progress toward our Strategic Plan goals — all in just a few clicks.

Nominate a Local Hero

Winter Haven’s story is shaped by many extraordinary individuals — and during Black History Month, we take time to recognize those whose contributions continue to inspire progress and unity across our community.

We invite all residents to help celebrate this legacy by nominating local Black leaders, past or present, who have made a lasting impact on Winter Haven. A committee of community members will review nominations and select 2026’s four Local Heroes, each of whom exemplifies passion, integrity, and a deep commitment to serving others.

Throughout Black History Month, the City of Winter Haven will highlight each honoree and their story — celebrating not only individual achievement, but also the collective spirit that strengthens our city.

Water Department Job Fair

The Winter Haven Water Department will be hosting a job fair on Wednesday, October 22nd from 10:00am-2:00pm in the Florida Room at Nora Mayo Hall (500 3rd St NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881).

Come explore the job opportunities the department has to offer and meet our team. We hope to see you there!

Your Go-To Community Calendar

Winter Haven is full of ways to connect — from concerts and festivals to volunteer opportunities and neighborhood gatherings. Now, it’s all in one easy place.

Visit events.mywinterhaven.com to discover what’s happening, sign up for reminders, or share your own event. It’s the simplest way to stay connected to the moments that make Winter Haven special.