COUNTY 

News 4 Jax 

St. Johns County commissioners approve plan for developers to pay for land conservation to modify impact fees 

City leaders voted unanimously on the measure Tuesday 

 

WGCU 

Lee County approves new animal control ordinance and sets up portal to find lost pets  

Lee County has a new animal control ordinance and  a new way to re-connect lost and found pets with their owners. 

 

Palm Beach Post 

How Alligator Alley was carved across the Florida Everglades 

Officially, it’s just a stretch of Interstate 75, which runs some 1,800 miles from the Miami area to the Canadian border.   

 

Observer 

Flagler County to explore intergovernmental agency for joint infrastructure, economic projects  

The framework would be based on Tallahassee and Leon County’s Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency. County Administrator Petito said fragmented planning across the county can slow economic development. 

 

CF Public 

Orange County begins planning to tackle e-scooter and e-bike safety 

Orange County commissioners voiced unanimous support Tuesday for developing a strategy to address e-bike and e-scooter safety. 

 

Alachua Chronicle 

Alachua County Commission hears update on emergency food assistance and considers setting standards for affordable housing built by religious organizations  

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At the December 2 policy meeting, the Alachua County Commission heard an update on their emergency food assistance program and considered setting standards for affordable housing built by religious organizations. 

 

PROPERTY TAXES 

Florida Politics 

4 property tax bills advance to last House committee despite sustained worry over local shortfalls 

Critics fear catastrophic impacts on water budgets, city borrowing power and vital local services. 

 

South Florida Reporter  

Fears Of Cuts To Fire Departments And Emergency Services Plague Florida Property Tax Proposals  

Fears of decimated fire departments dominated Tuesday’s Florida House committee hearing on proposals to slash property taxes. 

 

Sebastian Daily 

Florida Home Values Could Surge Under DeSantis’ Plan to Scrap Property Taxes, Economists Say  

TALLAHASSEE — Florida homeowners could see their property values surge if Gov. Ron DeSantis’ bold proposal to eliminate property taxes on owner-occupied homes becomes reality, according to economists who say the move would make houses more attractive to buyers by slashing long-term costs. 

 

WUWF 

Would eliminating property taxes in Florida fix housing affordability? Policy experts weigh in 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican leaders in the state are calling for the elimination of property taxes in the name of housing affordability. 

 

GRANTS 

West Orlando News 

Governor DeSantis Awarded $23.5 Million for Infrastructure in Three Communities 

Governor Ron DeSantis recently awarded $23.5 million to support infrastructure improvements in Citrus County, Levy County and the City of Newberry.   

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 

WCJB 

Suwannee County Commission to discuss taking back control of emergency management from sheriff’s office 

LIVE OAK, Fla. (WCJB) – Suwannee County commissioners will discuss taking back control of emergency management from the sheriff’s office. 

 

DOGE  

First Coast News 

Jacksonville council auditor addresses 2% budget lapse for organizations during Duval DOGE meeting 

Council Auditor Kim Taylor addressed letters sent out by the Jacksonville mayor’s office warning organizations of a budget lapse. 

 

My Suncoast 

County commission discusses AI pilot program aimed at improving government efficiency 

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – Manatee County commissioners on Dec. 2 discussed joining the state’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative (DOGE) as the first county to take part in an AI pilot program aimed at improving government efficiency.