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Studio 67FAC News Clips – September 22, 2025
COUNTY
Hernando Sun
On Sept. 9, the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners discussed several policy issues to submit to (or have been submitted to) the Florida Association of Counties as priority requests in the next legislative session.
Hernando Sun
Hernando BOCC Largely Supports Proposed Legislation to Keep Project Costs Confidential
The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners considered a legislative proposal from the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) that would allow local governments to keep project cost estimates and bid analysis confidential until contracts are signed, mirroring protections currently available only to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Sebastian Daily
Indian River sheriff says partial budget boost shows law enforcement ‘not a priority’
Indian River County commissioners approved a $6.8 million budget increase for the sheriff’s office Wednesday after months of negotiations.
News 4 Jax
Mayor Deegan defends lean budget, pushes back on CFO’s tax criticism ahead of budget vote on Tuesday
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Jacksonville’s City Council prepares to vote on the budget on Sept. 23, Mayor Donna Deegan responded to claims from Florida’s chief financial officer, Blaise Ingoglia, who alleged $200 million in unnecessary budget increases and said the city is “over taxing and overspending.”
PROPERTY TAXES
Politico
Your primer on property tax presentations
The next two days are set to be jam packed in Tallahassee, as a state House select committee analyzes how to cut property taxes.
STATE
West Orlando News
Governor Ron DeSantis Announced Major Infrastructure Investments for Tampa Bay
Governor DeSantis announced the completion of the Howard Frankland Bridge Replacement Project and the groundbreaking of the I-275 Express Expansion Moving Florida Forward Project.
FEDERAL
MSN
Florida Rep. Greg Steube’s New Bill Aims To Streamline FEMA Procedures
U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) today introduced the Streamlining FEMA Procurement Procedures Act, a bill designed to cut through federal red tape and accelerate recovery efforts following natural disasters.
FAC News Clips – September 9, 2025
COUNTY
Hernando Sun
Hernando BOCC to Consider Pushing for Legislation to Shield Project Cost Estimates from Public View
The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners will consider supporting a legislative proposal that would allow local governments to keep project cost estimates and bid analysis confidential until contracts are signed, mirroring protections currently available only to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Tampa Bay Times
Manatee could be 2nd Florida county to crack down on kratom. What to know
A 2023 Tampa Bay Times investigation found hundreds of Floridians have died from kratom-related overdoses during the past decade.
Fox 4
Charlotte County commissioners consider Class 3 e-bike ban in Babcock Ranch
BABCOCK RANCH, Fla. — Charlotte County commissioners are set to discuss banning Class 3 electric bikes from streets, sidewalks and bicycle paths in Babcock Ranch, citing safety concerns about the bicycles in the community.
Florida Politics
With Epic Universe open, Orange County’s hotel tax revenue keeps breaking records
Orange County’s TDT revenue broke a new record for the month of July.
PROPERTY TAX
Stet News
Property tax collections in Palm Beach County reach $6.5 billion
Influx of million-dollar homes pushes property base to new highs, local governments to collect extra half-billion.
Pensacola News Journal
DeSantis plan sidelined in House tax reform committee talks
Any talk of cutting property taxes is touchy with local governments which rely on them.
First Coast News
Jacksonville Civic Council urges rejection of tax cut before city council vote
The City Council Finance Committee voted last week to advance the millage rate cut for a vote by the full council Tuesday.
Florida Politics
Vicki Lopez, Toby Overdorf to keep helming property tax talks; legislation expected this year
‘This is truly being brought forward with the interest of putting money back in the pockets of Floridians.’
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Fox 4
Florida rent surges nearly 40% as population boom creates affordability crisis
Nearly a million renting households now spend over 40% of income on housing as median rent increased $500 monthly between 2019-2023
LEGISLATION
Observer
Manatee County joins pending lawsuit to challenge Senate Bill 180
A “potential lawsuit” is now a pending lawsuit since Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 on Sept. 2 to join nine other municipalities to challenge Senate Bill 180.
FAC News Clips – September 4, 2025
COUNTY
WTXL
Wakulla County to apply for funding to improve sewer systems in Panacea
Commissioners approve the submission of grant applications for sewer repairs in Panacea, among other agenda items at the September 3rd board meeting
The Recorder
St. Johns County plans for legislative day in Tallahassee
On Feb. 5, 2026, St. Johns County will descend upon the state Capitol in Tallahassee for the county’s inaugural “St. Johns County Legislative Day,” a premier advocacy event during the annual legislative session.
WJHG
FSU given grant for St. Andrew Bay water quality study
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – A water quality study two years in the making is being approved just as the Panhandle and the state at large are facing water issues.
My News 13
Orange County leaders propose $200 million budget cut
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County leaders are proposing a $200 million cut for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Click Orlando
New tech helps Marion County recover millions from crypto scams
$5.9 million recovered so far in 2025, agency says
Sun-Sentinel
Broward commission prepares to pass $2 billion budget
The Broward County Commission is scheduled to end its annual summer recess Thursday morning to take up a $2 billion budget for the new fiscal year that resists pressure to increase funding for police, fire rescue and public transportation.
Jax Daily Record
Jacksonville City Council committee advances ordinances lowering property tax rates
The reductions, approved on 6-2 votes, would cut the millage rate in the city, the Beaches and Baldwin.
STATE
My News 13
Orlando to meet FDOT’s ‘crosswalk compliance’ on time
ORLANDO, Fla. — Thursday marks the deadline for the Florida Department of Transportation’s traditional “pavement markings” requirement for Orlando and Seminole County.
WTXL
CFO Blaise Ingoglia launches 2026 campaign with $2 million insurance crackdown
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — He’s been on the job less than a year, but Blaise Ingoglia says he wants four more.
Local 10
FDOT extends deadline to remove Key West rainbow crosswalk amid dispute
KEY WEST, Fla. — The deadline to remove the rainbow crosswalk in Key West has been extended until the Florida Department of Transportation makes a decision, with a ruling expected as early as next week.
DOGE
Sun-Sentinel
Palm Beach County questions ‘eye-popping’ DOGE remarks
As Palm Beach County officials prepare to approve a multibillion-dollar budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a lingering concern is the information not yet provided by Florida DOGE.
FAC News Clips – September 3, 2025
COUNTY
Fox 13
Hillsborough County leaders share impact of school zone speed cameras
TAMPA, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is shedding light on the impact of speed cameras in school zones, saying thousands of tickets have been issued in less than a year.
St. Pete Catalyst
Commissioner recommends dissolving Office of Human Rights
In addition to mitigating discrimination and wage theft recovery efforts, the office ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and offers anti-harassment training.
Stet News
Palm Beach County says yes to grants for youth
After scrutinizing annual grant-making decisions, commissioners make no changes to staff recommendations.
DOGE
Your Observer
Manatee County DOGE committee gets to work
The five-member committee will dig through 4,500 documents over the next year to find savings in Manatee’s budget.
Midflorida Newspaper
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in what the Palm Beach Post calls a “pale imitation of President Donald Trump’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency) scheme,” has created his own Florida DOGE office.
Action News Jax
‘A lot of room for improvement’: Florida CFO gives update on state audit of Jacksonville’s finances
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The State DOGE team is about halfway through its audit of the City of Jacksonville’s finances and only Action News Jax is hearing from Florida’s Chief Financial Officer on how that audit is progressing.
TRANSPORTATION
Stet News
Tri-Rail budget crunch goes beyond subsidy — state cuts money to run the railroad
As negotiations play out, counties express no interest in picking up the state’s tab for a railroad the state owns.
LEGISLATION
Bradenton Times
Manatee County Votes to Join Growing List of Local Governments in Lawsuit Challenging SB 180
BRADENTON — On Tuesday, Manatee County Commissioners voted 6-1 to authorize the county attorney to execute a contract with the Fort Lauderdale-based firm building a lawsuit to challenge Florida Senate Bill 180.
STATE
My News 13
DeSantis defends Pulse crosswalk arrests, FDOT enforcement
ORLANDO, Fla. — Crosswalks remain center stage as Gov. Ron DeSantis made a stop in Orlando Tuesday morning.
FAC News Clips – September 2, 2025
COUNTY
Sun Sentinel
End of the line? Tri-Rail’s options are limited if Florida’s subsidy cut stands
And Brightline and Spirit Airlines think they’re in a financial squeeze.
Clay Today
County prioritizes public safety, quality of life for legislative requests
GREEN COVE SPRINGS — The Clay County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve an extensive list of future legislative requests at Tuesday’s meeting.
Wear TV
Escambia County to vote on $2 million buyout plan for flood-prone homes
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Some Myrtle Grove homeowners will soon be trading their houses for cash.
DOGE
Florida Politics
Ashley Moody backs Florida DOGE as way not to ‘treat taxpayers like piggybanks’
‘This is a great idea.’
Florida Politics
Blaise Ingoglia is officially in for CFO, and his DOGE efforts are making a difference
From property tax cuts to trimming the fat, local governments are now eyeing savings for their constituents.
The Capitolist
Florida TaxWatch calls for Florida Government Efficiency Act to Embed DOGE into state Law
Florida TaxWatch is calling on lawmakers to permanently embed the state’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) into law, warning that ongoing cost-cutting efforts launched under Gov. Ron DeSantis could fade once his administration ends.
HOME RULE
Tallahassee Democrat
Florida’s eroding of home rule: A trend that needs watching | Opinion
With so much happening today in Washington, D.C., there is a temptation to ignore state and local governments.
FAC News Clips – August 29, 2025
COUNTY
WTXL
Leon County leaders meet with neighbors after crosswalk protests
Commissioners say they are searching for a compromise following an FDOT order to remove colorful crosswalks
WTXL
Another record breaker: 34.4 million visit Florida in 3 months
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida has broken another tourism record, welcoming 34.4 million visitors in the second quarter of 2025, according to new figures announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Alachua Chronicle
ALACHUA, Fla. – At the August 25 regular meeting, the Alachua City Commission approved Land Development Regulations on first reading to encourage mixed-use developments and conserve natural spaces, increased water/wastewater rates on second reading, joined a lawsuit to challenge SB180, and let a motion to hire an outside investigator die for lack of a second.
Click Orlando
Seminole County removed green crosswalks to comply with updated guidelines
DOGE
CBS 12
Waste Watch: Doge Audits Palm Beach County, Results Due within 60 Days
West Palm Beach, Fla. — The CBS 12 News I-Team is committed to bringing you consistent Waste Watch reports.
Florida Politics
Jerry Demings says the state is targeting Orange County with new investigation
A former law enforcement official, Demings said the state has already tainted its investigation.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Orlando Sentinel
Trump proposed getting rid of FEMA, but his review council seems focused on reforming the agency
The conversation signaled a departure from some of the more aggressive rhetoric Trump and Noem have used in the past to describe their plans for FEMA.