Download this newsletter as a PDF
View News & Notes Archive
News & Notes
Mark your Calendar for the All about Florida Tour!
CALENDAR
August 1-3
FLERA Annual Conf.
Sarasota, County
August 16
"All About Florida Tour"
Polk County
August 22
"All About Florida Tour"
Martin and Broward Counties
August 23-24
FAC Board of Directors Retreat Meeting
Monroe County
August 31
"All About Florida Tour"
St. Johns County
September 11
"All About Florida Tour"
Walton County
September 13
"All About Florida Tour"
Hernando County
September 17
"All About Florida Tour"
Lee County
September 26
CCC Workshop: Growth Management
Alachua County
September 26-28
FAC Policy Committee Conference & Board of Directors Meeting
Alachua County
October 2-3
Florida Firewise Conference
Orange County
October 25-26
Florida Forum: Part 1
Alachua County
November 14
CCC Workshop
St Johns County
November 13-15
FAC Legislative Conference/Board of Directors Meeting
St Johns County
JobLine
FAC Legislative Adovocate: Finance & Tax
Chris Holley and FAC President Commissioner Teresa Jacobs will be traveling the state to meet with our members to discuss critical issues such as property tax reform, next session, the TBRC and FAC benefits. The tour will be coming to a county near you so please make your plans to attend. A complete schedule of dates can be found in the column on the left. This is a great opportunity to meet with FAC and your neighboring counties.
Taxation & Budget Reform Commission proposals could impact county revenue
Earlier this year an extremely influential and powerful commission was appointed to review Florida's tax system. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC) is created in Florida's Constitution and meets once every twenty years to "examine the state budgetary process, the revenue needs and expenditure process of the state, the appropriateness of the tax structure of the state, and governmental productivity and efficiency."
This commission has the authority to place proposed constitutional amendments directly on the Florida ballot and to make recommendations to the Legislature for potential legislation.
Click here for the complete article
FAC's Delegal named Florida's Legal Elite
FAC General Counsel Ginger Delegal was one of fifty top government attorneys nominated by her peers as one of the best lawyers in the state of Florida. The list, Florida Legal Elite, is compiled and published each year by Florida Trend magazine and all in-state members of the Florida Bar are asked to vote for the best attorneys in different practicing areas. More than 16,000 votes were cast and the complete list can be found by clicking here. Congratulations, Ginger-we always knew you were the best.
Intergovernmental Affairs
On July 17, Governor Charlie Crist announced his appointments to the Florida Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs (LCIR), of those appointees two were County Commissioners recommended by FAC. St. John's County Commissioner Cynthia "Cyndi" Stevenson and Pinellas County Commissioner Robert B. Steward were appointed to a term beginning July 17, 2007, and ending November 4, 2008. The LCIR is a public entity that facilitates the development of intergovernmental policies and practices. Click here for the Governor's announcement. Congratulations to Commissioner Stevenson and Commissioner Steward!
SCTAS Applications Now Available
Applications for small county project assistance are now available. Email versions of the application have been sent along with a hard copy to each small county Administrator/Coordinator and Chair. If you have not received a copy, please click here to download the application. Deadline to submit your application is Friday, September 14, 2007. For questions, please contact Jim Parrish, JParr82143@aol.com, or Nichole Pepper, NPepper@flcounties.com.
Florida Forum for County Leaders (ACC) Applications
Florida Counties Foundation is accepting applications for the 2007 - 2008 Florida Forum for County Leaders' Advanced County Commissioner program. The course content will focus on leadership with an overarching theme of growth and development in Florida.
Click here for the complete article
Polk County Named 2007 All-American County!
Polk County was officially named an All-America County by the National Civic League. Polk County sent a 35-member team to Anaheim, Calif., to make an extraordinary presentation depicting the three grassroots programs highlighted in the application, host an inter-active trade show exhibit and answer questions about the community and the programs. Click here for more information. Congratulations to Polk County!
DACS accepting applications for local community grants
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is requesting applications for state funding of grants in aid to local communities for the construction and/or renovation of agricultural education facilities. Applications and further information can be obtained by calling (850) 921-1992 or emailing Mr. Craig Christ at christc@doacs.state.fl.us. Keep Sick @ Home materials available from DOH
Keep Sick @ Home materials available from DOH
The Florida Department of Health statewide hygiene campaign has offered to make their materials available to any county that would like to use their posters or other marketing materials to encourage health behaviors. Click here to view their commercials, print a poster or request already printed materials.
Political Corner
A Special Session and a Special Election
- Pruitt and Rubio announce a Sept. 18 special session to address state budget cuts.
- Governor calls for a special election for District 16 (part of Duval). Primary is Aug 28 with the general election Sept. 18