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Studio 67FAC News Clips – September 29, 2026
COUNTY
National Association of Counties
Youth Housing and Homelessness Task Force
Launched as part of NACo President George Dunlap’s Building Better Futures presidential spotlight, the Youth Housing and Homelessness Task Force brings together county leaders from across the country to examine what counties are doing to support young people facing homelessness and housing instability and to strengthen those efforts through local government action, public-private partnerships and cross-sector collaboration.
WFLA
Hillsborough County Launches Drone Blood Delivery Program
Hillsborough County, FL – Hillsborough County emergency crews will soon use drones to deliver whole blood directly to patients experiencing life-threatening blood loss.
CFPM
Orange commissioners set to consider approval of e-bike rules
Orange County commissioners will on Tuesday consider approving an ordinance to regulate electric bicycles, or e-bikes, and other micromobility devices.
Bradenton Herald
Escambia Clerk eyes court intervention after ‘retaliatory’ $1.1M budget cut
In a split decision, Escambia County commissioners approved a nearly $894.5 million budget for the coming fiscal year, but not before a lengthy debate over whether the county should cut millions more from the budgets of the sheriff and other constitutional officers.
Click Orlando
Orange County commissioners to consider rapid transit plan
STAR Plan would prioritize 8 transit corridors and launch a feasibility study
News 4 Jax
St. Johns commissioners deny two previously approved agricultural enclave applications
- JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County Commission voted 3-2 to deny two agricultural enclave applications previously approved Aug. 19, following a debate over whether the properties met Florida’s statutory requirements.
PROPERTY TAXES
Click Orlando
Florida homeowners more worried about insurance than property taxes, new poll finds
Nearly two in three Florida homeowners say property insurance is a bigger concern than property taxes, even as tax reform dominates political headlines
Florida Politics
Seminole County Chamber rejects Amendment 3, warns most of its members oppose it
‘This proposal is simply too drastic and too sudden.’
LEGISLATION
Citrus County Chronicle
Who pays for Citrus roads when fewer drivers buy gas?
Citrus County has 1,900 miles of roads to maintain – and more than $700 million in repairs waiting, according to a recent Mott MacDonald study.
Seeking Rents
In the race for Florida governor, the fate of two sprawl-inducing state laws hangs in the balance
St. Johns County is fighting back against Florida’s new “agricultural enclaves” law — an edict out of Tallahassee, pushed by lobbyists for developers, that makes it harder for local communities to slow suburban sprawl.
FEDERAL
Florida News
Florida Bill Would Give FEMA Applicants 90 Days to Appeal
FLORIDA – A bipartisan bill led by a Florida congressman would give disaster survivors more time to challenge FEMA assistance decisions.
PARTNERS
Florida Politics
Spectrum expanding fiber-optic service to Polk County homes and businesses
Spectrum also donated $50K to help Junior Achievement nonprofits to expand digital education.
FAC News Clips – September 23, 2026
COUNTY
WOKV
Jacksonville City Council President celebrates flat budget that fully funds public safety
Jacksonville, Fl — The morning after an 18-1 vote, Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland celebrated a flat budget that fully funds public safety, critical infrastructure and core services.
My Suncoast
State, Polk County move to protect nearly 1,000 acres of farmland
LAKELAND, Fla. (WWSB) – Polk County and the State of Florida have teamed up to permanently protect nearly 1,000 acres of agricultural land, Polk County officials announced Wednesday.
The Gainesville Sun
Alachua County passes FY27 budget, sets tax rate
With the county adopting the rollback rate and lowering its countywide General Fund millage rate for the 10th consecutive year, the Alachua County Commission on Sept. 22 unanimously approved its nearly $1 billion fiscal year 2027 budget.
Bradenton Herald
Leon Commission OKs $420M budget with property tax increase, raises
Leon County commissioners signed off on a $420.3 million budget for the 2027 fiscal year ― along with a property tax increase ― during their second and final public hearing Sept. 22.
CNW
Broward commissioners approve $9.2 billion budget with modest millage reduction
Broward County commissioners have approved a $9.2 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, while adopting a slightly lower overall millage rate.
WFTV
Volusia County Council passes $1.7 billion annual budget
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — After three hours of intense debate and discussion, the Volusia County Council passed a $1.7 billion budget, down from $1.8 billion, which leaders proposed earlier this month.
Bradenton Herald
With future uncertain, Santa Rosa adopts trimmed down $256M budget
The Santa Rosa County Commission convened for all of five minutes on the evening of Sept. 22, but in that short time managed to pass a fiscal year 2027 budget just shy of $9 million less than its spending package from the year before.
The Bradenton Times
BOCC gives final approval of ordinance targeting “adult arcades”
BRADENTON — Manatee County Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting the commercial use of simulated gambling devices in the county’s unincorporated areas, giving local authorities another way to crack down on businesses operating the electronic games often found in so-called “adult arcades.”
PUBLIC SAFETY
CFPM
Lake County sheriff hopes to expand drone fleet with $12.6 million from federal immigration fund
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is seeking $12.6 million from a federal immigration enforcement fund to expand the agency’s existing drone fleet and support the development of a so-called Drone as First Responder system, which would allow for some drones to launch remotely and start gathering information before deputies can arrive at a scene.
PROPERTY TAXES
Gulfshore Business
Florida TaxWatch raises concerns over Amendment 3
Florida TaxWatch, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog, is recommending a “no” vote on Amendment 3 on Florida’s Nov. 3 ballot.
FAC News Clips – September 22, 2026
COUNTY
Bradenton Herald
St. Johns County intends to fight state’s new agricultural enclave law
St. Johns County officials are preparing a legal and legislative fight against Florida’s agricultural enclave law, SBS 686, arguing the state statute is undermining local efforts to manage growth and protect infrastructure capacity.
Citrus County Chronicle
Your county tax rate is going down
Citrus County commissioners signed off Monday on a $540.2 million budget that largely keeps in place the spending and tax decisions they made at their Sept. 10 tentative budget hearing.
News 4 Jax
Jacksonville City Council set to vote on $2 billion budget amid Amendment 3 concerns
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville City Council is set to vote Tuesday on Mayor Donna Deegan’s proposed $2 billion budget, a spending plan shaped by public safety and infrastructure needs — and uncertainty surrounding a statewide property-tax amendment.
Click Orlando
Osceola County will keep its property tax rate the same
County approves $3.1B budget
WTXL
Jefferson County works to close broadband gap
JEFFERSON COUNTY, FL (WTXL) — Jefferson County is among a group of rural communities in the Big Bend working to improve broadband internet access.
DATA CENTERS
Ocala News
Marion County likely to lower data center moratorium threshold to 20 megawatts following workshop
Following a recent decision to pause large-scale data center proposals, Marion County commissioners convened for a two-hour workshop on Monday to examine the hidden pitfalls of data center development, with commissioners agreeing to lower the county’s large data center threshold from 50 megawatts to 20 megawatts to ensure stricter oversight.
Your Observer
Manatee County issues one-year ban on data centers
The Manatee County Planning Commission got the first look at an ordinance that will impose a 12-month moratorium on data centers in unincorporated Manatee County.
WCTV
Wakulla County commissioners approve ordinance prohibiting data centers
The Wakulla County Commission held its final public hearing to adopt an ordinance prohibiting data centers from coming into the county
PROPERTY TAXES
Bradenton Herald
Jacksonville Civic Council opposes ‘sharply reducing’ services
The Jacksonville Civic Council joined the growing chorus of organizations opposing Amendment 3 on the November ballot by saying it would “sharply reduce” everyday services for parks, libraries, roads and drainage and could cause longer police and fire response times.
Midflorida Newspaper
Florida first responders warn Amendment 3 could slow 911 response
Public safety officials in Florida are calling the property tax relief amendment a “trainwreck” and warning it will lead to slower 911 response times.
Bradenton Herald
Amendment 3 will hurt what brings people to Florida | Opinion
Like many Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast residents, I moved to Florida for the lifestyle it offered: Yes, snow-free winters, but also scenic landscapes, abundant wildlife right in my neighborhood and even more in community natural areas, as well as gorgeous lakes, rivers, and beaches to enjoy with family and friends.
FAC News Clips – September 21, 2026
COUNTY
Lakeland Gazette
Polk County Proposes Sales Tax Swap for Infrastructure
A proposed “tax swap” plan in Polk County has been put forward by local leaders to proactively manage potential budget shortfalls.
Midflorida Newspaper
Highlands County has received some $1.5 million in Florida Department of Transportation grants to fix area roads, and in a time of fiscal constraint, that has county commissioners happy.
Spectrum News
Orange County provides $1.46M for homelessness outreach
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County is providing the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida with $1.46 million to continue homelessness outreach and crisis-intervention services.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Vote No on 3 launches ‘Math’ ad calling Amendment 3 a ‘public safety nightmare’
The 30-second spot comes as the amendment polls 15 points short of passage.
WFSU
Floridians to weigh in on the state’s financial future with Amendment 3
Florida’s financial future is in the hands of voters in this upcoming general election.
Florida Politics
Ron DeSantis doubts Amendment 3 will hit 60% after poll puts it at 45%
The proposal wasn’t exactly what he wanted. And its future is in doubt.
FAC News Clips – September 3, 2026
COUNTY
St. Pete Catalyst
Why Pinellas is betting millions on major events
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater is putting about $3.37 million behind 47 events this year.
Levy Citizen
Levy County awarded $75,000 to assess rural drinking water systems
Levy County has been awarded a $75,000 grant to evaluate drinking water systems serving rural and unincorporated communities throughout the county.
Your Observer
Sarasota County faces four Live Local Act lawsuits
The much-hyped and controversial statewide Live Local Act is living in court, at least in Sarasota County.
Wear TV
Okaloosa County in final stages of sinking SS United States, just awaiting permit approval
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — A new attraction for anglers, deep sea divers and historians is in its final stages.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Jeff Brandes: How Amendment 3 could teach rural Florida to stop worrying and love the data center
Will revenue cuts cause rural counties to reconsider data center bans?
Click Orlando
Osceola County braces for budget cuts as Amendment 3 heads to ballot
If passed, the county estimates $79.3M shortfall
Miami Herald
Miami-Dade mayor launches campaign against Amendment 3
Although lower tax bills might be tempting, voters also need to consider the consequences of a sharp cut in revenue for local police departments, ambulance providers, and the bus and parks systems, Miami-Dade’s mayor said Wednesday as she launched a campaign opposing a state referendum to cut property taxes.
Miami Herald
2026 property tax exemptions: All 50 states ranked
Property tax exemptions are a vital way for homeowners to reduce their annual tax burdens.
SHORT TERM RENTALS
The Answer
Hillsborough approves annual fee, inspections for vacation rentals
(The Center Square) – Florida property owners who run short-term vacation rentals in Hillsborough County must register their rental under an ordinance passed Wednesday.
My Suncoast
Manatee County discusses short-term rental property rules and regulations
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – The Manatee County Commission chambers were packed Wednesday morning as residents and local leaders gathered for a public workshop to debate the regulation and enforcement of short-term vacation rentals.
LEGISLATION
Ponte Vedra Record
St. Johns County to seek injunction against ag enclave law
St. Johns County will seek an injunction against a new agricultural enclave law as part of a strategy to forestall the proposed addition of 4,000 homes in Ponte Vedra.
FAC News Clips – September 2, 2026
COUNTY
CNW
Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero elected president of statewide association
Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero has been elected president of the Florida Association of County Managers for the 2026-2027 term.
Tampa Bay Beacons
Pinellas has few rules for e-bikes. Could that soon change?
Tampa Bay officials have discussed passing local ordinances to police electric bikes following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto.
SHORT-TERM RENTALS
Fox 13
Manatee County weighs new short-term rental rules, could cost $1.5M in staffing
BRADENTON, Fla. – Manatee County commissioners are taking another look Wednesday at how to regulate short-term vacation rentals after months of complaints from residents about noise, parking, trash and large groups staying in single-family neighborhoods.
Spectrum News 13
Hillsborough County considers rules for short-term rentals
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Short-term rentals are coming under new scrutiny in Hillsborough County as commissioners consider regulations that would give the county more oversight of vacation rental properties.
PROPERTY TAXES
WCTV
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – About two weeks ago, Wakulla County released a 170-page plan on how to fund county services if Florida’s Amendment 3 is passed by voters this November.
St. Johns Citizen
Property tax amendment pauses projects
St. Johns County has paused more than $100 million in capital projects, including the planned Beachwalk fire station, as officials brace for a property tax amendment.