Polk County and the city of Bartow are teaming up to address the growing demand for emergency services caused by rapid population growth. Officials have announced plans to construct a shared $12 million firehouse near Highway 98 and Smith Lane, just north of downtown Bartow. The collaborative effort aims to save costs while ensuring efficient response times for residents in both jurisdictions. The innovative agreement comes as both Polk County and Bartow face explosive growth. Polk County Manager Bill Beasley emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “I think it’s what the citizens expect of us. I think this will bear out just how productive we can be.” Bartow Mayor Trish Pfeiffer echoed this sentiment, calling the project “a good use of resources and land” to meet the needs of northern Bartow. Under the deal, Polk County will cover 60% of construction costs and provide the land, while Bartow will utilize approximately one-fourth of the 20,000-square-foot facility. Both municipalities benefit without bearing the full financial burden.