COUNTY 

Midflorida Newspaper 

County awarded $7.5 Million to hire 36 new firefighters  

Lake County Fire Rescue (LCFR) has been awarded $7.5 million for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / FEMA. This funding will go towards hiring 36 new firefighters. 

 

Florida Politics 

Citrus County Commissioners give nod to 2026 sales tax referendum 

‘Keep it simple. Get it on the ballot’ 

 

DOGE 

Your Observer 

Manatee County commissioner calls DOGE audit ‘accurate’  

Commissioner Bob McCann said it’s time to “tighten the belt and cut some people loose.” 

 

LEGISLATION 

Daytona Beach News Journal 

Deltona backs out of SB180 Florida lawsuit 

Deltona city commissioners voted 4-3 on Monday night, Oct. 20, to withdraw from a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 180, a law that opponents say gives builders the power to override tough development regulations. 

 

PROPERTY TAXES 

Fox 35 

Lawmakers in several states pursuing property tax reform measures  

As property taxes continue to climb across the country, lawmakers in Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas are looking for ways to provide property tax relief to homeowners, while Montana has established property tax relief. 

 

Florida’s Voice 

JUST IN: @GovRonDeSantis is full-steam ahead on abolishing property taxes for Florida homeowners’ primary residence 

JUST IN: @GovRonDeSantis is full-steam ahead on abolishing property taxes for Florida homeowners’ primary residence