Jim Polatty is a relatively recent transplant, having moved to Highlands County in 1994. Jim brings a wealth of both practical and academic experience in Planning, Zoning and Building. He has worked in the industry from more than two decades and has served numerous cities in increasing degrees of responsibility.

Specifically, Jim was the Planning Director for the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission, the Senior Planner for Guilford County in North Carolina , the Planning and Community Development Director for Orange County , North Carolina as well as the City of West Palm Beach , and the Economic Development Director for the City of Clearwater .

Jim holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Ohio State University , as well as a Master of City Planning from the University of Mississippi . He is an affiliate of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners and also sits on the American Economic Development Council.

Jim lives in Sebring with his wife and children.