COUNTY 

My News 13 

Pasco County expands hurricane relief program 

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County is expanding access to a major hurricane recovery program, allowing more homeowners impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton to qualify for financial assistance.   

 

Your Observer 

Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts 

The Carol Ann Billberry Felts Preserve at David J. Crane Park Dedication and Public Memorial Service will be held April 18 at Crane Park in Myakka City. 

 

WQCS 

St. Lucie County voters to decide on extending half-cent surtax in November 

St. Lucie County voters will once again decide the future of the county’s half-cent infrastructure sales surtax after commissioners approved placing the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot. 

 

CYBERSECURITY 

Route Fifty 

Why small municipalities have become cybercriminals’ favorite prey 

COMMENTARY | City and county managers can no longer see cybersecurity as an IT problem. They can take various practical steps before an incident occurs. 

 

Route Fifty 

Tech issues continue to haunt 911 systems  

Many still operate using outdated technology and are prone to cyberattacks, leading advocates and lawmakers to call for more funding to make up the shortfall. 

 

GROWTH MANAGEMENT 

Florida Politics 

Gov. DeSantis signs sweeping land-use bill curbing local zoning control 

At least one municipality is looking into suing the state over the new law. 

 

WLRN 

The ‘Blue Ribbon’ Projects bill died this session. Will it come back? 

A proposal to spur intense development in some of the most rural areas of the state died in the final days of the regular legislative session, due largely to strong opposition from Republican senators who declared that their constituents didn’t want any part of it. 

 

WPTV 

‘Granny flats’ get a boost as Florida lawmakers pass housing bill 

Under the proposal, local governments would face new limits on how much they can restrict the construction of those units 

 

LEGISLATION 

Florida Politics 

Gov. DeSantis says legislators can expect to be tied up in Special Sessions for up to 6 weeks 

The budget, congressional districts, and property taxes all could be discussed. 

 

News 4 Jax 

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs 7 more bills into law. Here’s the full list 

Many new laws take effect on July 1