FAC News Clips - May 30, 2018 -
FAC News Clips – May 4, 2018
Local News
Daytona Beach News Journal
Volusia County property values rise 8 percent
Volusia County property values aren’t yet where they were before the Great Recession, but after another year on the rise, they are getting closer, officials say. Countywide values are expected to rise 8.1 percent over last year, according to a report released Tuesday by the Property Appraiser’s Office with the first look at anticipated figures for 2018. That just value of $54 billion — of which $618.9 million comes from new construction — is inching nearer to the all-time high 2007 mark of $63.5 billion.
Fernandina Observer
Nassau County property values show solid increase
The Nassau County Property Appraiser’s Office released the 2018 estimated preliminary market values showing an increase once again for all taxing authorities. According to Property Appraiser Mike Hickox, the real estate market continued another year of property value increase for Nassau County, reflecting a solid year for the local real estate market. Hickox said, “The total market value for the County is now at a new record high and the taxable value is also at a new record for Nassau County.
Miami Herald
Opinion: Governments must realize that all growth is not good
Local governments don’t have the luxury of pretending sea-level rise and climate change aren’t real. Cities and counties must deal with the daily realities of the effects on homes, businesses, roads, water supplies, sewer lines, insurance costs, safety hazards, property-tax revenue, bond ratings and more that we are experiencing now — with even worse to come. Southeast Florida has a Regional Climate Compact to coordinate climate-change efforts in four counties and many cities, an Everglades restoration project with the potential to restore freshwater flow to fight saltwater encroachment, strong legal and policy tools and lots of superior professional talent.
Drug Abuse
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County jail implements heroin program
After a recommendation from the heroin task force, the Orange County jail has implemented a program to help inmates get over their addiction to heroin.
Home Rule
News Service of Florida
Groups weigh-in for new Volusia County hospital district
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (NSF) - Groups including the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties plan to back a Volusia County hospital district in a dispute at the state Supreme Court about construction of a new hospital. The Supreme Court last week approved a request by groups and local governments, including the Florida League of Cities, the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida Association of Special Districts, to file a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the Halifax Hospital Medical Center taxing district.
Mosquitos
Orlando Sentinel
With this month’s deluge of rain — and a weekend forecast for more, state and local health officials are warning of an increased risk for mosquito-borne illnesses, including Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya, all carried by the same mosquito. First comes the rain, then mosquitoes, said Kelly Deutsch, mosquito-control manager for Orange County. “We’re going to have a lot of standing water unfortunately, and the opportunities for mosquitoes to produce are going to increase,” she said.
Personnel
Tampa Bay Times
Tampa Bay mourns a ‘genuine’ leader: John Morroni dies at age 63
Longtime Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni died Sunday night while fighting his third battle against cancer. He was 63. As news of Mr. Morroni's death spread, tributes poured in from across the region and Washington, D.C. Dozens of friends penned tributes on his Facebook page, calling the Treasure Island Republican a genuine leader, a gentleman and a warrior.
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