Paul Senft, a former Polk County commissioner and longtime leader in Republican Party politics, died Tuesday at age 84.
Senft, a resident of Haines City for nearly five decades, helped create the city’s Economic Development Council and served as its executive director for several years.
In 2003, Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Senft to fill a vacancy on the Polk County Commission created by the death of Charles Richardson. Senft gained election in 2004 to serve the remainder of Richardson’s term and opted not to run again in 2006.
On the County Commission, Senft helped to pass a tourism development tax and an indigent healthcare tax and to establish the municipal services tax unit for libraries and parks. Those votes earned criticism from some fellow conservatives opposed to tax increases.
Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Senft in 2008 to the Board of Governors of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, whose jurisdiction includes most of Polk County and all or part of 15 other counties. Senft held the position for 11 years, taking on the role of board chair from 2011 to 2013.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 104 Scenic Highway (S.R. 544), in Haines City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Way Center or to First Presbyterian Church of Haines City.