COUNTY 

WDBO 

Orange County Considers Buffer Zone to Keep Vape Shops Away from Public Schools 

Commissioner Nicole Wilson proposes zoning changes after complaints about a vape shop near Olympia High School, with officials set to discuss the measure April 7. 

 

Daytona Beach News Journal 

Volusia Chair Jeff Brower calls for local control in county address 

Amid a Florida legislative session that has included talk of who controls water quality and whether property taxes will be cut, Volusia County Council Chairman Jeff Brower advocated for home rule at the “State of the County” address on Wednesday, Feb. 25. 

 

TECHNOLOGY 

Lkld Now 

Proposals for Massive Data Centers Are Popping Up Across Florida. Are Local Governments Prepared? 

Florida doesn’t have a hyperscale data center operating yet, but proposals to build them are emerging all across the state. 

 

GROWTH MANAGEMENT  

CFPM 

‘Time running out’ for fix to law that limits home rule, advocates say 

As the end of this year’s legislative session quickly approaches, local leaders and growth planning advocates are urging state lawmakers to make good on their promise to fix a new law causing major challenges for counties and cities across Florida. 

 

PROPERTY TAX 

Miami Times Online 

Gov. DeSantis still sees Special Session as necessary for property tax relief 

Gov. Ron DeSantis is praising the House for passing a path to homestead property tax abatement, but still believes that the ultimate product will have to emerge during a Special Session after Sine Die. 

 

Bradenton Herald 

Editorial: Proposed tax break would be great for millionaires, bad for communities 

State lawmakers voted last week to serve Floridians a dose of pretty poison, bottled in the shape of a massive tax cut and dangled before voters in the November election. 

  

WUWF 

Florida’s CFO tells a Tallahassee business group that local governments will face more state scrutiny when it comes to spending 

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia told members of Tallahassee’s Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates (NEBA) on Feb. 24 that both he and Governor Ron DeSantis really want to get rid of property taxes on homesteaded properties. He just doesn’t think it’ll happen in the next few weeks. 

 

LEGISLATION  

Florida Politics 

Senate vote brings Florida one step closer to e-bike and e-scooter regulations 

The bill comes in response to mounting concerns over e-bike and e-scooter crashes. 

 

Florida Politics 

University Town Center Improvement District proposal heading to House floor 

‘What’s difficult is that there’s a drainage basin that exists in 2 counties, so it’s very hard to coordinate the overall drainage.’ 

 

Florida Politics 

Florida DEI bill threatens local governments 

Gov. Ron DeSantis may be on his way out the door, but his culture wars live on. There’s another round brewing in Tallahassee.