Bartow, FL town hall & government
Bartow spent $88.9 million in the year to September 30, 2024, about $4,470 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Bartow's government.
Who runs Bartow
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Coming up at Bartow's town hall
No upcoming meetings are posted yet.
Recent meetings
- Jun 15Mon · 6:00 pmCity CommissionCity Commission MeetingCity Hall Commission Chambers, 450 N. Wilson Ave Agenda ↗Meeting page ↗
- Jun 1Mon · 6:00 pm
Official listings from Bartow's agenda portal ↗, checked daily. Times are local. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check the portal before you go.
Where Bartow's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Utility sales 43%
- Fees & charges 21%
- Interest, fines & other 8%
- From the federal government 6%
- Property taxes 6%
- Other taxes & licenses 5%
- Sales taxes 4%
- From the state 4%
- From other local governments 3%
Who works for Bartow
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Polk County School District
Bartow's K–12 school district, shared with Auburndale, Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade and Frostproof. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Florida districts overall: 55% local, 29% state, 15% federal
- Local 37%
- State 44%
- Federal 19%
Of the $12,447 per pupil, $7,619 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Bartow kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Bartow pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Bartow's government
Who represents Bartow
Bartow is represented in Congress by Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody and Representative Scott Franklin. Ron DeSantis is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.