COUNTY 

Bradenton Times 

Orange County to set deadline to increase reimbursement for housing ICE detainees 

Orange County leaders signaled Tuesday they’ll take a more aggressive posture in their demand to be reimbursed in full for housing ICE detainees in their jail. 

 

Alachua Chronicle 

Alachua County Fire Rescue earns national accreditation  

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) is proud to announce it has been awarded national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), recognizing the department’s commitment to excellence in emergency medical services, patient care, and operational performance. 

 

Bradenton Times 

Local governments provide proof that polarization is not inevitable  

(ROCHESTER, NY) When it comes to national politics, Americans are fiercely divided across a range of issues, including gun control , election security and vaccines . It’s not new for Republicans and Democrats to be at odds over issues, but things have reached a point where even the idea of compromising appears to be anathema , making it more difficult to solve thorny problems. 

   

PROPERTY TAXES 

Florida Politics 

Paul Renner prods Legislature on property tax relief 

The Palm Coast Republican wants his former colleagues to take action. 

 

News Break 

“This is outrageous”: Alachua County Commission hears potential effects of property tax reform on County budget 

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At the February 10 Alachua County Commission meeting, County staff responded to a recent Florida DOGE report that highlighted Alachua County budget increases, and Commissioners expressed the hope that initiatives to limit property taxes on homesteaded properties would fail. 

 

Florida Politics 

Jolien Caraballo: For fast-growing cities, property tax changes will impact quality of life 

‘If we want quality of life in Florida to remain a success story, we must ensure that revenue discussions are grounded in the realities local governments face every day.’ 

Wink News 

How property tax cuts could impact road funding | Lee County  

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WINK) — A massive pothole on Beth Avenue North and 70th Street West is hard to miss — and even harder to drive over. 

 

LEGISLATION 

Florida Politics 

We have liftoff: First House panel OKs measure calling for tax breaks to aerospace companies 

‘We need to move forward in a way that keeps up with the industry and we need to be aggressive.’ 

 

Florida Politics 

House Committee supports bill to make Florida public records more accessible 

‘Public records, they’re literally property of the public. So we should make sure that they’re accessible to the public.’ 

 

Florida Politics 

Michael Owen proposal creating south Hillsborough stewardship district advancing to House floor 

While the district would be created upon the bill taking effect, its authority to levy ad valorem taxes would require voter approval. 

 

Florida Politics 

Senate bill on local government budget transparency moves through Committee 

Some lawmakers warned the stronger oversight rules would hurt small cities and rural counties.