Published: January 6, 2026
Bartow, Fla. (Jan. 7, 2026) — After more than 40 years in service to Polk County, Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, Jr., has resigned his position with the county and will be taking over as the new Public Safety Director for the City of Haines City.
Halman, who oversees the Public Safety divisions for county leadership, spent more than 32 years with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and eight years as a deputy county manager. His resignation is effective Jan. 30.
“This decision comes after deep reflection and prayerful consideration. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the residents of Polk County, to work alongside so many talented professionals, and to witness firsthand the growth, innovation, and collaboration that have strengthened our community,’’ Halman said.
As the Deputy County Manager of Public Safety, Halman led the divisions of Fire Rescue, Code Enforcement, Court Services, and Emergency Management.
County Manager Bill Beasley said losing Halman is the county’s loss, but Haines City’s gain.
“Joe has done a superb job in managing our Public Safety mission. He has especially excelled at moving our Polk County Fire Rescue Division forward. Under his leadership, we have increased recruitment efforts, increased the number of fire stations across the county to help improve response times, established and soon will be opening Polk County’s first Fire Training Academy, secured partial funding for a new Fire Rescue Administration Headquarters and moved towards changing the culture of the fire rescue environment and improved diversity hiring,’’ Beasley said. “It is hard to sum up all of Joe’s contributions over the years in a few sentences, but I can say, without a doubt, that he is definitely leaving his leadership footprint on all of those divisions with whom he engaged.’’
Beasley said he is working on both an interim and more permanent plan to fill the vacancy.