Jim Tully Appointed to Serve as the...Jim Tully Appointed to Serve a...

Jim Tully Appointed to Serve as the Next Polk County Utilities Division Director

Published: September 15, 2026

Bartow, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2026) - County Manager Bill Beasley announced the appointment of Jim Tully to serve as the next Director of the Polk County Utilities Division. Tully was confirmed by the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and will begin serving in the role on Monday, Nov. 9.

As the Polk County Utilities Division Director, Tully will oversee a budget of $538,875,101 million, 301 employees and the division's daily operations.

"I appreciate the confidence commissioners and county leaders have placed in me and I'm honored to take on this responsibility," said Tully. "We have an exceptional group of employees at the Polk County Utilities Division, and I'm excited to work alongside them as we invest in our infrastructure and serve the residents of Polk County."

Tully's will step into the new role with more than 20 years of experience in engineering, geology, capital project management, community development and public utility operations. He joined the county in 2018 as the Capital Projects Manager and currently serves as the Deputy Director of Engineering and Technology for the division. Tully is a Florida-licensed professional engineer and a professional geologist.

Tully earned a bachelor's degree in environmental geosciences from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree in environmental engineering sciences from the University of Florida.

He succeeds Tamara Richardson, who is retiring from the county following nine years of service as the Utilities Division Director. Tully will earn $168,730.85 annually.