FAC 

Miami’s Community News 

Commissioner Eileen Higgins appointed chair of NACo Transportation Steering Committee  

Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, was appointed as chair of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Transportation Steering Committee (TSC) on July 24 at the conclusion of NACo’s 87th annual conference in Adams County, CO. 

 

COUNTY  

Tampa Bay Times  

Hillsborough ferry plans sail ahead of schedule  

Plans for the south Hillsborough County ferry service are ahead of schedule and commissioners are being asked to continue the full-speed-ahead pace. 

 

Bay News 9  

Some Marion residents complain of condition of unpaved roads  

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A Silver Springs area resident wants to know what the county is doing with special assessment funds collected to improve unpaved roads in the neighborhood. 

 

Miami’s Community News 

Childcare center in Little Havana completes building upgrades  

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, was joined by Centro Mater Child Care Center students and staff, and the Miami-Dade County Department of Public Housing and Community Development (PHCD) on July 29 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of resilient building upgrades to the center, including replacing the childcare center’s aging infrastructure with hurricane impact and energy-efficient windows and doors. 

 

Miami’s Community News 

Miami-Dade County officials kick off Black Business Month  

The Miami-Dade Black Affairs Advisory Board (BAAB) on Aug. 2 joined the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), Miami-Dade Commission vice chair Oliver G. Gilbert III, Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee, Commissioner Jean Monestime, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) leaders, Office of the Mayor representatives, BAAB board members, and community partners to kick off Black Business Month. 

 

Miami’s Community News 

Driver License Task Force Final Report approved by county commissioners  

The Miami-Dade County Commission recently approved legislation sponsored by District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins to implement the recommendations from the Driver License Task Force (Task Force) Final Report. The final report includes seven recommendations to clear the backlog of non-dangerous drivers. 

 

Treasure Coast Newspapers 

FPL to build fourth solar-energy center in western Martin County  

MARTIN COUNTY — Florida Power & Light Co. continues to expand its footprint in western Martin County with a fourth solar facility slated just outside Indiantown.   

 

The Daytona Beach News-Journal 

Flagler Beach sees ocean erode sand, leaving cliffs in spots 

The ocean has carved up the sand in Flagler Beach, creating a steep drop-off north of the pier and also chewing away at the beach in places south of the pier, worrying city officials.   

 

Suncoast News Network 

“No Swim” advisories lifted in Sarasota County  

SARASOTA COUNTY – Great news for beach goers this weekend. Test results came back with “satisfactory” bacteria levels for all Sarasota County beaches. For this reason, the “no swim” advisories that were in place for Siesta Key Beach, North Lido Beach, and Lido Casino are lifted. 

 

Tampa Bay Newspaper 

Pinellas County Commission updates public comment policy  

CLEARWATER — Pinellas County commissioners have unanimously approved updated public participation guidelines and decorum rules, which mostly match the ones that have been used since the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the change to virtual meetings. 

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT  

Highlands News-Sun 

County to vote on reimposing solid waste assessment  

SEBRING — Highlands County commissioners will take a vote shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday on reimposing the annual garbage collection assessment. 

 

PROPERTY TAXES 

Tampa Bay Newspapers 

Burton: Pinellas should roll back millage rates for second year  

CLEARWATER — Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton has unveiled a proposed fiscal 2023 operating budget of $2.5 billion and a proposed capital budget of $794.2 million. 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

Click Orlando 

Orange County rent control plan may face challenges, experts say  

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Many Floridians agree that affordable housing is a top issue, but what’s difficult to agree on is how to address it. In Orange County, the board voted Tuesday to put a rent control proposal in the hands of voters.