FAC News Clips – September 10, 2024
COUNTY
Positively Osceola
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.