COUNTY 

Citrus County Chronicle 

Citrus County ready to pitch big projects to Tallahassee  

With the 2026 Florida legislative session on the horizon, Citrus County commissioners on Tuesday will lock in their list of priorities. 

 

My Panhandle 

Panhandle Politics: Bay County Manager Bob Majka  

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bay County Manager Bob Majka discussed ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Michael and financial challenges faced by the county during a recent interview on Panhandle Politics. 

 

St. Augustine Record 

Flags flying half-staff honor Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell 

Flags will be flying at half-staff today, Tuesday, Oct. 21, to honor the memory of Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell. 

 

Palm Beach Post 

Florida history of county name origins, Dade to Hendry 

Ever been to Escambia County? Live there? Well, it makes this week’s list and you’d be pleased to know it was one of the very first counties created when Florida became a state, along with St. Johns. 

 

TC Palm 

County Commission unmoved by sheriff employees request for more money 

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — County commissioners stood firm at a special meeting Oct. 20 to reduce Sheriff Eric Flowers’ budget request by 5.4% — despite opposition from sheriff employees and residents. 

 

Growth Spotter 

Orange County to invest more money into affordable housing 

Orange County Commissioners will allocate $58.5 million over the next three years to help finance and preserve thousands of affordable housing units as part of the county’s ongoing effort to combat the housing crisis. 

 

DOGE 

WDBO 

Seminole County disputes state CFO’s accusations of overspending  

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County is responding to accusations that it is misspending taxpayer money. 

 

PROPERTY TAXES 

WCTV 

County association concerned about Florida property tax reform proposals 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida property tax bills could shrink next year as state lawmakers consider several proposals to cut those taxes and plan to let voters decide which options work best. 

 

Stet News 

DeSantis explains push to cut property taxes  

‘It’s almost like you’re renting your home from the government,’ he says in West Palm Beach remarks. 

 

Miami Times Online 

House files sweeping property tax cuts package for voters, not lawmakers, to approve or reject  

Florida voters could get a shot in next year’s Midterm election at reshaping how local governments can levy property taxes. 

 

WEATHER 

Jacksonville Times Union 

Tropical Storm Melissa could form. See path tracker, spaghetti models. 

The National Hurricane Center continues to track a broad area of low pressure in the Caribbean Sea that is likely to form into a tropical depression or tropical storm in the next 48 hours. 

 

LEGISLATION 

The Apopka Voice 

Orange County challenges SB-180, citing threats to Vision 2050 and local growth planning 

County leaders say the state law undermines long-term planning, environmental protection, and smart growth initiatives 

 

WFLA 

Florida lawmakers focus on affordability ahead of 2026 session  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Last year was supposed to be the year of affordability, but the same concerns still linger as lawmakers head into the 2026 session.