WFTV9 

“We must act now”: Mayor Demings pushes penny sales tax hike ahead of key commission vote 

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Commissioners will vote Tuesday on whether to include a proposed penny sales tax increase on the November ballot. The tax hike was a focal point during Mayor Jerry Demings’ Regional Economic Summit held at Full Sail University Thursday, the fist such summit since the COVID-19 pandemic began. “We must act now to plan for the future,” Mayor Demings said during the summit. 

 

105.9 

Hillsborough Voters Will Try Again on Transportation Tax 

Hillsborough County voters will be asked to approve two different tax hikes this year—one for teacher salaries, and another for transportation. This will be the second time voters have been asked to make the call on a 1% sales tax for roads and bridges, after a court said last year that the first one was unconstitutional. 

 

FloridaPolitics.com 

Miami-Dade County leaders target solutions to skyrocketing housing costs 

As home prices and rents continue to soar, elected leaders in Miami-Dade County are working on solutions to incentivize affordability. This week, Commissioner Kionne McGhee announced plans for legislation establishing a to-be-named pilot program that would span the next decade. The proposed program would grant tax breaks to property owners for each unit of affordable housing they provide. It would also allow limited exemptions for impact fees builders normally must pay to offset costs associated with increased traffic around new developments. 

 

ABC Action News 

Hillsborough County compost facility highlights turning yard waste into reusable, profitable materials 

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY — When most of us take our yard waste out to the curb for pick up we don’t think twice about where it’s going, we’re just glad it’s gone. Hillsborough County is using Earth Day as a reminder to residents, they are working every day to recycle that waste into reusable compost. The county is bringing in an average of 100 tons of yard waste a day, six days a week.  

 

Treasure Coast Newspapers 

Local officials on Treasure Coast fight uphill battle against state overreach | Opinion 

The Florida League of Cities recently recognized several elected officials from Treasure Coast communities as “home rule heroes” for their work with the state Legislature. On its website, the league touts the honorees as people who “worked tirelessly throughout the legislative session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the home rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the league’s legislative agenda.” 

 

The Bradenton Times 

County Commission Says No New Seawalls 

BRADENTON — At a land use meeting Thursday, Manatee County Commissioners resisted an effort by developers to add language to a required comp plan amendment that would have opened the door to using fill and/or seawalls to expand coastal development. In November of last year, the board voted 6-1 (Commissioner James Satcher dissenting) to approve the transmittal of a comprehensive land-use plan amendment to come into compliance with the state’s “Peril of Flood” statute.  

 

NorthPort Sun 

Sarasota County disburses almost half of its rental assistance funds 

SARASOTA – Two weeks shy of its first anniversary, Sarasota County officials are touting the success of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Since May 5, 2021, the program has disbursed over $10 million to assist residents who struggled with financial hardships such as rent payments or utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic county officials recently announced. 

 

88.5 

Orange County residents’ property taxes could jump by 20 percent after Reedy Creek dissolution 

The Florida House of Representatives voted Thursday to disband the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which has allowed Disney to function as its own government since the 1960s.  Gov. Ron DeSantis first introduced the idea of dissolving the district after Disney CEO Bob Chapek publicly opposed the “Parental Rights in Education” or “Don’t Say Gay” law.