FAC 

FloridaPolitics.com 

Personnel note: Lee Constantine named Florida Association of Counties president 

FAC represents the interests of Florida’s counties — with a focus on home rule. 

Seminole County Commissioner Lee Constantine has been named president of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC). Constantine has served on the executive committee since 2019 and sat on several of the association’s policy and legislative committees, as well as its finance and audit committees. 

 

COUNTY  

Charlotte News Sun 

Charlotte County property value jump highest in a decade 

PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte County property values increased more this year than they have in more than a decade, jumping 17.6%. The preliminary county taxable value is $23.7 billion. That is compared to the final certified value for 2021 — $20.17 billion — an increase of $3.55 billion, according to Charlotte County Property Appraiser Paul Polk’s preliminary 2022 tax roll report. 

 

Hometown News Volusia 

Volusia County progressing on affordable housing plan 

It’s not spilling secrets to say the cost of housing is going up. All around us, we hear the stories of people hoping to move to an apartment that is less expensive or have had their rent increased. The market is just as difficult for those who want to buy a home. A May redfin.com analysis of the Volusia County market shows a year-over-year rise of 24.1% in the purchase price of a house, driving the median selling price to $335,000.  

 

ABC3 

Commissioner proposes ordinance banning abortion clinics in Santa Rosa County 

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. — About two years ago Santa Rosa County voters approved a referendum designating the county as the first pro-life sanctuary. Previously Commissioner James Calkins said it’s time to out law abortion clinics there, even though there isn’t one. Thursday Calkins discussed creating a “All Lives Matter” ordinance. It would be a trigger law. 

 

WPTV  

Adults without children won’t be allowed at Palm Beach County playgrounds 

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — In an effort to increase safety in Palm Beach County, commissioners unanimously approved an amended change to the county’s parks and recreation ordinance. Officials said the revision will strengthen provisions related to children’s safety on playgrounds at county parks. 

 

FloridaPolitics.com 

Collier County recognized by treasury for helping families in need  

Collier County wanted to bring the best of the best to the table to help serve our citizens …’ 

Collier County was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for best practices in helping revitalize the economy and ensuring COVID-19 relief funds reach the most historically underserved communities in the county. 

 

Key West Citizen 

County to consider beach smoking ban 

The Monroe County Parks and Recreation Board and the Monroe County Commission will discuss next week how to implement a ban on cigarettes at local beach parks, after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill last month granting local governments the authority to ban smoking.  

 

ABC Action News 

Money from All for Transportation will soon be spent on Hillsborough County roads 

TAMPA, Fla. — Plans are in motion to get half a billion dollars meant for transportation upgrades in Hillsborough County that have been stalled for more than three years. In 2018, community members were able to collect enough petition signatures to put All for Transportation on the ballot. It was an initiative aimed at collecting a penny tax specifically for transportation projects in Hillsborough County. 

 

PREEMPTION 

Citrus County Chronicle 

Editorial l Nixing legislation was right choice 

THE ISSUE: Governor vetoes SB 620, “the local business protection act.” OUR OPINION: Good move by our governor. Senate President Wilton Simpson had Senate Bill 620 at the top of his priorities list this session, but that all came to an end when Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it once it reached his desk. The bill’s intent was to penalize local governments for passing laws that would be damaging to local businesses; hence, why it was dubbed the “Local Business Protection Act.”