FAC News Clips – September 10, 2024

COUNTY 

Positively Osceola  

Osceola County Approves Higher Mobility Fees to Support Transportation Infrastructure Amid Rapidly Growing Development  

The Osceola County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 on Monday to implement new mobility fees designed to ensure that future development contributes fairly to the costs of transportation infrastructure in the county. 

 

Pensacola News Journal 

Warrington gets new 30-year CRA plan for improvements 

Escambia County has approved another 30-year plan to help improve Escambia County’s Warrington community. 

 

Florida Politics 

Gov. DeSantis awards job growth and infrastructure funds for 3 Nature Coast counties  

Levy, Dixie and Citrus counties get a combined $6M to help rehabilitate public projects and create more jobs. 

 

HURRICANE SEASON 

Tampa Bay Times 

Tropical Storm Francine forecast to grow into Cat 2 hurricane and hit Gulf Coast  

The hurricane center is also tracking two Atlantic systems with the chance to develop into tropical depressions or storms. 

 

LEGISLATION 

St. Augustine Record 

Florida laws that go into effect Oct. 1 include homeless camps ban 

Remember the nearly 180 laws that went into effect in Florida in July? We’re not done yet. 

FAC News Clips – September 6, 2024

FAC 

Alachua Chronicle 

Cornell reappointed to NACo Environment, Energy and Land Use Committee 

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County Commissioner Ken Cornell was recently reappointed to the National Association of Counties (NACo) Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee. 

 

COUNTY 

The Ledger 

Polk moves forward with plan to raise impact fees on new development  

Despite one commissioner offering a compromise, a consensus of Polk County commissioners told county staff on Tuesday to draft an ordinance that would raise impact fees for new development at rates higher than typically allowed by state law, as recommended in a recent study. 

 

The Town-Crier 

County Receives $2.25 Million Community Project Funding Check For Affordable Workforce Housing 

Palm Beach County officials accept the Community Project Funding check. 

 

SHORT-TERM RENTALS 

Suncoast News 

Airbnb issue has residents hot under the collar  

BROOKSVILLE — The growth of Airbnb rentals in the area is causing a lot of frustration for Hernando County residents. 

FAC News Clips – September 5, 2024

COUNTY 

WFSU 

A Florida county may turn a ship into the world’s largest artificial reef  

A Florida county is in talks to acquire a storied but aging ocean liner in a proposed deal that could create the largest artificial reef in the world. 

 

Pensacola News Journal  

Escambia County assistance programs provide over $3.2M to residents  

Escambia County has provided assistance totaling over $3.2 million this fiscal year to residents in need, helping residents with housing rehabilitation, down payment assistance, wheelchair ramps, emergency repairs, and even constructing brand-new homes through county programs. 

 

WCJB 

Marion County leaders donate fire department vehicles to Levy County, Williston Fire Rescue stations  

WILLISTON, Fla. (WCJB) – Marion County leaders are donating fire department vehicles to their neighbors. 

 

PUBLIC CAMPING 

Miami Herald 

Miami-Dade advances plan to convert La Quinta into housing  

As cities and counties across Florida face an Oct. 1 deadline for a new state law that will prohibit people from sleeping or camping in public spaces, Miami-Dade County commissioners voted Wednesday to move forward with plans to convert a Cutler Bay hotel into subsidized housing for homeless seniors. 

  

HURRICANE SEASON 

Tampa Bay Times 

Hurricane center tracking 5 systems that could develop  

The National Hurricane Center had its hands full Thursday — well at least one hand — as it was keeping track of five systems in the Atlantic basin with the potential to develop into the season’s next tropical depression or storm. 

FAC News Clips – September 4, 2024

COUNTY 

WFTV 

‘Drownings are preventable’: Seminole County first responders receive drowning prevention training 

SANFORD, Fla. — Summer is winding down, but the work of first responders in Seminole County never stops. 

 

Alachua Chronicle 

Alachua County Commission discusses ways to improve advisory board participation and diversity  

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – During a special meeting this afternoon, the Alachua County Commission discussed ways to improve advisory board participation and diversity. 

 

WTSP 

Polk County leaders discus raising impact fees  

BARTOW, Fla. — Polk County leaders have voted to move forward with a plan that could drastically increase impact fees. 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING  

Islander News 

Rep. Lopez discusses the next steps for Florida’s ‘Live Local’ affordable housing requirements  

Affordable housing laws and condo assessment challenges were among the topics of choice for State Rep.   

 

PUBLIC CAMPING 

First Coast News 

JFRD to help with Jacksonville’s plan for homeless community ahead of pubic sleeping ban  

The city would give $2.5 million to JFRD to assist with outreach components of the city’s homelessness strategic plan. The public sleeping ban takes effect Oct. 1. 

 

LEGISLATIVE SESSION 

Florida Politics 

Legislative Committee weeks to begin in December  

Most of the meetings will be in 2025, but there’s some action this year also. 

FAC News Clips – September 3, 2024

COUNTY 

Citrus Chronicle  

Citrus County’s future Is a group effort 

Citrus County just won one of only three awards given by the National Association of Counties for excellence in strategic planning. 

 

WFTV 

Historic ocean liner SS United States could become artificial reef in Florida’s Gulf Coast  

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — A historic ocean liner may soon leave its home to become Florida’s newest coral reef. 

 

HURRICANE SEASON 

Tampa Bay Times 

Hurricane center tracks 1 Caribbean, 2 Atlantic systems  

The National Hurricane Center on Tuesday was keeping track of three systems with a chance to form into the season’s next tropical depression or storm. 

 

AROUND THE COUNT(R)Y 

Route-Fifty 

A new solution for flood-prone cities? Concrete made from shellfish waste.  

Researchers have developed a type of concrete that uses discarded shells to trap water. It’s now combating floods and food waste in urban gardens and along cycling paths. 

FAC News Clips – August 30, 2024

WTSP 

Gov. Ron DeSantis grants $2.8 million for Citrus County development  

The money came from the state’s Job Growth Grant Fund. 

 

Spectrum News 

Volusia County helps nonprofits with housing efforts  

Volusia County, Fla. — As part of its affordable housing initiative, Volusia County is helping nonprofit organizations become certified as a Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) so they can apply for funding opportunities.   

 

WPBF 

Florida first responders undergo rigorous water rescue training  

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Martin County Fire Rescue teams, including ocean rescue lifeguards, EMS, and special operations dive teams, participated in annual submerged swimmer simulations to enhance their lifesaving skills.