COUNTY 

Citizen Portal AI 

Jackson County adopts public‑access ordinance to define forum areas and authorize trespass enforcement 

The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners voted Jan. 15 to adopt Ordinance No. 2026, which defines designated public forums, limited access forums and nonpublic areas in county‑owned or controlled facilities and establishes enforcement and trespass warning authority. 

 

News 4 Jax 

Florida AG says Nassau County can’t justify big impact fee rate hike, despite 17% population increase 

The Attorney General’s analysis found that Nassau County’s 17% population increase over five years — approximately 3.4% annually — aligns with Florida’s broader growth patterns 

 

PROPERTY TAXES 

Bradenton Times 

Proposal to gradually end property taxes advances in House committee 

A proposed constitutional amendment to go before the voters that would gradually increase the homestead exemption for non-school-related property taxes by $100,000 each year for 10 years advanced in a House committee Thursday. 

 

Naples Daily News 

What Florida’s property tax cuts mean for SW FL 

Florida lawmakers returned to Tallahassee Tuesday, Jan. 13, as Southwest Florida cities warn that state-driven changes to property taxes could upend their operating budgets and force cuts to public services. 

 

WPTV 

Eliminating property taxes? Why officials told WPTV they have ‘concerns’ 

Debate pits local government’s need for revenue against taxpayer frustration 

 

LEGISLATION 

WGCU 

Florida’s 2026 session sees ‘bumper crop’ of open government bills, but will they close more doors?  

This year there are roughly 40 proposals before the Florida Legislature seeking to create exemptions to public records. 

 

The Invading Sea 

In hurricane-prone Florida, legislators reconsider new growth and development law 

After three hurricanes battered Florida in 2024, state lawmakers approved legislation that supporters said would help communities recover. But the measure has had the much more far-reaching consequence of blocking local sustainability and resilience efforts. 

 

WFSU 

Florida Senate quickly passes rural renaissance package 

Senate President Ben Albriton’s rural renaissance package passed his chamber unanimously Wednesday for the second year in a row.