COUNTY 

St. Pete Catalyst 

Florida Association of Counties names Rene Flowers president-elect 

Pinellas County commissioner Rene Flowers became the Florida Association of Counties’ president-elect June 27. The president-elect is the second senior official of the association, under the president.    

 

Citizen Portal 

Clay County officials celebrate recognition for adoption rates and Clay Day leadership 

The Clay County Board of County Commissioners meeting on July 8, 2025, highlighted significant achievements in community service and recognition for local staff efforts. 

 

WMBB 

Walton County Commissioner receives advanced designation 

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A Walton County Commissioner was presented with the Advanced County Commissioner Level II designation from the Institute for County Government last month. 

 

Tallahassee Democrat 

Leon County budget continues with affordable housing and pay raises 

The Leon County Commission has taken the first steps in approving and ratifying its 2026 fiscal budget and there are two big winners: members of the Capital Area Justice Ministry and county employees who can expect yet another annual 5% pay raise for the fourth year in a row. 

 

Action News Jax 

Clay County leaders vote to deny utility tax increase despite budget shortfalls  

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — In a meeting Tuesday night, the Board of County Commissioners in Clay County voted 4-1 to shut down a proposed increase in tax on certain utilities for customers within unincorporated portions of the county, including those who use Clay Electric. 

 

Your Observer 

Sponsored: FPL Announces Planned Upgrades for Sarasota County to Continue Building a Stronger, Smarter Grid  

Florida Power & Light’s smart grid technology prevented more than 800,000 outages during the active 2024 hurricane season. 

 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 

Spectrum News 

Texas flooding underscore the challenges in replacing FEMA 

Just weeks ago, President Donald Trump said he wanted to begin “phasing out” the Federal Emergency Management Agency after this hurricane season to “wean off of FEMA” and “bring it down to the state level.” 

 

PROPERTY TAXES  

Florida Politics 

Greg Steube backs Ron DeSantis’ push to end property taxes 

The Congressman says DeSantis’ proposal would be ‘great for the economy.’ 

 

LEGISLATION 

Your Observer 

State Bill 180 handcuffs Manatee County commissioners  

It can be so difficult to get a bill passed through the legislature that Florida Rep. Bill Conerly (District 72) said if you like 80% of the bill, that’s a success.