Calendar
Work With Counties
News Clips
Subscribe
Studio 67FAC News Clips – April 2, 2026
COUNTY
Fox 13
Hillsborough County approves $70M in stormwater upgrades after 2024 hurricane season
TAMPA, Fla. – Thousands of families across the Bay Area are still recovering from the devastating 2024 hurricane season that flooded neighborhoods which had never taken on water before.
Fox 13
New Dade City 911 center enhances emergency services across Pasco County
DADE CITY, Fla – Pasco County is bolstering its emergency infrastructure with the opening of a brand-new 911 Communications Center in Dade City, a move officials say will improve response times and system reliability.
PROPERTY TAXES
Rick’s Blog
County Commission Confronts Budget Uncertainty
The Escambia County Commission convened its Committee of the Whole on Wednesday morning to begin its public discussion of the fiscal year 2026-27 budget process, and the conversation revealed how precarious the county’s financial footing could become if property taxes on homesteads go away.
NACo
State-led property tax reform threatens county services
Counties in states enamored with property tax reform and reduction are guarding against both fast and slow removal of their prime revenue source.
Wink News
Florida CFO says eliminating property taxes unlikely, hints at alternative plan
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WINK)—Florida lawmakers wrapped up their legislative session without a plan for property tax relief, leaving homeowners uncertain about potential lower bills. No special session is currently scheduled to address the issue.
FL Voice News
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin announced Wednesday that he will lead an effort to eliminate property taxes in Florida by placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot through a citizen petition campaign.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Bradenton Herald
Florida House stalls fix to SB 180, empowering developers
A controversial Florida law that gives developers and state agencies broad veto powers over local government could remain in place for at least another year.
LEGISLATION
WFLA
Florida session extended by budget woes, unfinished business
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — State lawmakers are preparing to return to Tallahassee for what could be another lengthy extended session.
FAC News Clips – April 1, 2026
COUNTY
Levy Citizen
Levy County launches SAFE program to support residents with special needs
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office has introduced a new initiative aimed at improving emergency response for residents with disabilities and special needs.
Florida Politics
Citrus County backs away from November sales tax referendum
‘My inbox is not being filled with people asking me to put this on the ballot.’
WFXL
Palm Beach County leaders consider gas tax pause as fuel prices soar
Palm Beach County commissioners are exploring a temporary pause on the local gas tax as fuel prices climb to four-year highs, creating financial strain for residents and businesses across South Florida.
LEGISLATION
Invading Sea
With its new farm bill, Florida’s climate fight just hit a tractor-sized roadblock
Against the backdrop of a looming global energy crisis, rising food insecurity, and the increased frequency and intensity of heat, hurricanes and floods fueled by global warming, Florida’s governing bodies have had a consequential, but unsurprisingly counterproductive, month.
Citrus County Chronicle
Failed SB 180 fix leaves counties stuck | Editorials
The law passed during the 2025 state legislative session known as SB 180 was an excellent example of how unintended consequences can foul up even the most well-intentioned initiatives.
Islander News
Controversial ‘Blue Ribbon’ development bill dies in Senate
Proposal to fast-track massive rural projects sparks backlash over local control, conservation concerns, and questionable housing benefits
FAC News Clips – March 31, 2026
COUNTY
My News 13
Pasco County expands hurricane relief program
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County is expanding access to a major hurricane recovery program, allowing more homeowners impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton to qualify for financial assistance.
Your Observer
Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts
The Carol Ann Billberry Felts Preserve at David J. Crane Park Dedication and Public Memorial Service will be held April 18 at Crane Park in Myakka City.
WQCS
St. Lucie County voters to decide on extending half-cent surtax in November
St. Lucie County voters will once again decide the future of the county’s half-cent infrastructure sales surtax after commissioners approved placing the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.
CYBERSECURITY
Route Fifty
Why small municipalities have become cybercriminals’ favorite prey
COMMENTARY | City and county managers can no longer see cybersecurity as an IT problem. They can take various practical steps before an incident occurs.
Route Fifty
Tech issues continue to haunt 911 systems
Many still operate using outdated technology and are prone to cyberattacks, leading advocates and lawmakers to call for more funding to make up the shortfall.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis signs sweeping land-use bill curbing local zoning control
At least one municipality is looking into suing the state over the new law.
WLRN
The ‘Blue Ribbon’ Projects bill died this session. Will it come back?
A proposal to spur intense development in some of the most rural areas of the state died in the final days of the regular legislative session, due largely to strong opposition from Republican senators who declared that their constituents didn’t want any part of it.
WPTV
‘Granny flats’ get a boost as Florida lawmakers pass housing bill
Under the proposal, local governments would face new limits on how much they can restrict the construction of those units
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis says legislators can expect to be tied up in Special Sessions for up to 6 weeks
The budget, congressional districts, and property taxes all could be discussed.
News 4 Jax
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs 7 more bills into law. Here’s the full list
Many new laws take effect on July 1
FAC News Clips – March 27, 2026
COUNTY
Spectrum News
Orange County Commission moves forward OCFR contract talks
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — After two years of negotiations, the Orange County Commission voted unanimously this week to end the contract stalemate with Orange County Fire Rescue.
Sun Sentinel
Palm Beach County won’t change Ag Reserve rules — for now
Palm Beach County will gather more information before deciding whether to move forward with any changes in the Agricultural Reserve, officials said Thursday.
WUWF
What might a consolidation of Tallahassee and Leon County governments look like?
Taxpayers pay for state and local government services, and a question that pops up periodically is whether residents of Tallahassee and Leon County need two local governments.
DOGE
Flagler Live
Ingoglia Attacks Flagler Government Spending in a Local Stop
Blaise Ingoglia, Florida’s chief financial officer, excoriated a room full of Flagler County government officials this afternoon at the Club at Hammock Beach, saying “government is spending too much, government is taxing too much,” and singling out Flagler County government for being proportionately the biggest wasteful spender in the state, according to an oversimplified methodology his office is applying to local government budgets.
WFTV
Florida CFO challenges Flagler County over $60 million spending
Flagler County defends its budget against state criticism and calls for property tax reduction.
HOUSING
Tampa Bay Times
Florida city wins Live Local lawsuit. But that won’t be the end of it
An attorney for the developer says they will ask the court to rehear the case because of what he called a misinterpretation of the act.
Florida Politics
Under Live Local, communities must engage to shape projects or risk being left out entirely
When developers encounter uncompromising resistance, Live Local offers an alternative: move forward without negotiation.
PROPERTY TAXES
Spectrum News
Political Connections Florida March 26 2026
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis touts property tax reform in “a fireside chat,” and signs bill that restores AIDS Drug Assistance Program for thousands, for now.
LEGISLATION
Islander News
Florida HB 105 to sue local governments fails
Florida House Bill 105, which would have allowed residents to sue local governments over decisions not clearly defined in ordinances, failed to pass before the legislative session ended.
FAC News Clips – March 26, 2026
COUNTY
Levy Citizen
Levy County honors employees for years of service
BRONSON — The Levy County Board of County Commissioners recognized employees for milestone years of service during its March 17, 2026, meeting.
WFSU
Local elected leaders urge state agencies to help solve a water pollution problem
Leaders from the city and county have sent a joint letter to two state agencies, urging action after scientists found so called forever chemicals in several private wells South of Tallahassee.
St. Pete Catalyst
County approves tourism arts program with revised funding structure
Pinellas County Commission approved a $500,000 funding agreement for a Creative Tourism Arts Program, with an amendment to the initial proposal that centers on how the funding will be dispersed.
St. John Citizen
St. Johns County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis urging him to veto a state bill that would limit local say over development decisions.
PROPERTY TAXES
WBPF
From property taxes to Cuba, Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions during visit to local university
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke at Palm Beach Atlantic University Wednesday evening, addressing topics such as affordability, property taxes, Cuba, and political challenges facing Republicans.
Florida Politics
The proposal still isn’t ‘ripe’ yet, and he’s still floating new trial balloons.
HOUSING
Citrus County Chronicle
State changes to Live Local Act could limit Citrus County control
I wanted to share a major development out of Tallahassee that hasn’t fully hit the radar yet but has real implications for Citrus County and similar markets.
LEGISLATION
Florida Today
(HEADLINE CORRECTION FROM YESTERDAY’S CLIPS)
New law: Local governments CANT ban gas-powered leaf blowers
Annoyed yet by all those loud, noxious gas-powered leaf blowers revving up to clear the dead-leaf fallout from February’s cold snap?
WMNF
Florida Bills Raise Questions on Environment and Local Control
Recent Florida legislation is igniting statewide debate on the future of the environment, local government control, and the voices of ordinary Floridians.
FAC News Clips – March 25, 2026
COUNTY
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus weighing options for land conservation
At a recent Citrus County Commission meeting, three options were discussed for preserving and enhancing our quality of life through our public lands.
WFLA
Hernando Commission considers ban on no-cash businesses
HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Hernando County Commissioners discussed an ordinance Tuesday that would require businesses that don’t accept cash payments to start taking cash.
Wear TV
Okaloosa County votes to ban red light and speed cameras on county roads
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Okaloosa County commissioners passed a resolution, banning any red light or speed detection cameras from being installed on county roads.
DOGE
WFLA
CFO claims Citrus County overtaxed residents by $39 million
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Over the past year, the state’s Chief Financial Officer, Blaise Ingoglia, has been actively auditing local government spending, shining a spotlight on cities and counties for what he says is “overtaxing” Floridians.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Byron Donalds says if Ron DeSantis can’t get property taxes repealed, he’ll finish the job
‘If they’re not able to get anything done, we’re going to pick the ball up Day 1 as Governor.’
Tampa Bay Times
Florida real estate listings shouldn’t mislead about property taxes
A local property appraiser explains why and what’s being done about it.
Florida Politics
Gov. DeSantis trying to figure out ‘timing’ of property tax phaseout
How soon can it take effect? It’s an open question even for the man who wants to make it happen.
LEGISLATION
WTSP
Expansion of the Live Local Act could open more land for affordable housing
Religious or school properties may qualify for development under certain conditions.
Naples Daily News
With clock ticking, Florida lawmakers face budget deadline
To borrow from an old song, Florida’s legislative leadership is dancing in the dark, unseen by the public as they negotiate differences in a proposed state budget for 2026-27.
Jax Today
St. Johns County wants governor to veto development bill
St. Johns County Commissioners will send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking that he veto a bill commissioners say will tie their hands on some development decisions.
Florida Today
New law: Local governments can ban gas-powered leaf blowers
Annoyed yet by all those loud, noxious gas-powered leaf blowers revving up to clear the dead-leaf fallout from February’s cold snap?