Highlands County, County administration center in Sebring, Florida.
Highlands County is an administrative county in central Florida covering approximately 1,106 square miles and containing Lake Istokpoga with the Kissimmee River forming its eastern boundary. The county seat of Sebring serves as the administrative center where five elected commissioners and an appointed administrator oversee operations.
The county was established in 1921 by the Florida Legislature when it separated from DeSoto County alongside Charlotte, Glades, and Hardee counties. This division created an independent administrative jurisdiction that reshaped central Florida's governance.
Three public libraries managed through the Heartland Library Cooperative serve as community gathering places in Avon Park, Lake Placid, and Sebring. These branches form the cultural backbone connecting residents across the county.
The county is governed by five elected commissioners and an appointed administrator who manage services for roughly 100,000 residents. Government offices and public services are located in Sebring, with branch operations in smaller towns throughout the area.
Lake Istokpoga is linked to the Kissimmee River through two engineered canals: the Istokpoga canal and the C41 outflow canal. These waterway structures manage water flow and shape the region's aquatic ecosystem.
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