COUNTY 

WGCU 

Deadline set for Lee homeowners with damage from Hurricane Ian  

Lee County is setting a deadline for home owners to apply for federal money to repair damage from Hurricane Ian more than three years ago.    

 

Alachua Chronicle 

Alachua County Commission selects Cornell as Chair, adopts Climate Action Plan, decides against new Commissioner districts  

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At the November 4 Alachua County Commission meeting, the board named Commissioner Ken Cornell as its chair for the upcoming year, with Anna Prizzia as Vice Chair.   

 

The Florida Times Union 

New JTA autonomous shuttles face questions by Duval DOGE 

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s cost of providing rides on its new autonomous shuttles is about $370 for each passenger who boards the shuttles that operate between the heart of downtown and the sports complex, according to a Times-Union analysis. 

 

Alachua Chronicle 

Alachua County to host 2027 World Masters  

ALACHUA COUNTY — Alachua County is proud to announce that it has secured the 2027 World Masters Athletics (WMA) Indoor Championships to be held at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center and West End Park.  

 

First Coast News 

St. Johns County approves $200K to stock food banks, suspends utility disconnections amid shutdown 

As the impacts of the government shutdown threaten to deplete local food pantries and delay paychecks, St. Johns County leaders are taking action to help residents. 

 

WQCS 

Indian River County approves transfer of key county roads to FDOT  

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Commission voted unanimously Nov. 4 to transfer jurisdiction of three major corridors to the Florida Department of Transportation, reducing the county’s long-term maintenance and infrastructure costs. 

 

Jax Today  

St. Johns County could charge developers a fee for conservation  

The St. Johns County Commission moved Tuesday toward adopting an impact fee on developers to help pay for the acquisition of sensitive conservation land.   

 

BROADBAND 

Alachua Chronicle 

Alachua County partners with Kinetic to expand broadband access 

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County and Kinetic have announced a $22.9 million public-private partnership to expand high-speed fiber broadband to more than 4,200 homes and businesses across the county, with completion expected over the next two years. 

 

LEGISLATION 

Wink News 

Safety concerns prompt Florida bill on e-bike and scooter regulations; may limit use for teens and unlicensed riders  

Florida lawmakers have proposed a new bill aimed at regulating electric bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles to increase safety measures, as more people opt for the faster mode of transportation. 

 

Politico  

Bill would exempt 10,000-acre ‘blue ribbon’ projects from local rezoning, votes 

State Rep. Lauren Melo filed the bill that would designate “blue ribbon” projects with more than 10,000 acres for administrative approval if they conserved at least 60 percent of the property. 

 

PROPERTY TAXES 

Tampa Bay Newspaper 

Column: Florida should explore phasing out property taxes. Here’s a way forward  

Florida is rightly considering bold ideas to ease the burden of property taxes. As a lifelong resident and county commissioner, I believe we can achieve meaningful tax relief — starting with those who have called Florida home for decades.