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Studio 67FAC News Clips – December 3, 2025
COUNTY
News 4 Jax
City leaders voted unanimously on the measure Tuesday
WGCU
Lee County approves new animal control ordinance and sets up portal to find lost pets
Lee County has a new animal control ordinance and a new way to re-connect lost and found pets with their owners.
Palm Beach Post
How Alligator Alley was carved across the Florida Everglades
Officially, it’s just a stretch of Interstate 75, which runs some 1,800 miles from the Miami area to the Canadian border.
Observer
Flagler County to explore intergovernmental agency for joint infrastructure, economic projects
The framework would be based on Tallahassee and Leon County’s Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency. County Administrator Petito said fragmented planning across the county can slow economic development.
CF Public
Orange County begins planning to tackle e-scooter and e-bike safety
Orange County commissioners voiced unanimous support Tuesday for developing a strategy to address e-bike and e-scooter safety.
Alachua Chronicle
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At the December 2 policy meeting, the Alachua County Commission heard an update on their emergency food assistance program and considered setting standards for affordable housing built by religious organizations.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
4 property tax bills advance to last House committee despite sustained worry over local shortfalls
Critics fear catastrophic impacts on water budgets, city borrowing power and vital local services.
South Florida Reporter
Fears Of Cuts To Fire Departments And Emergency Services Plague Florida Property Tax Proposals
Fears of decimated fire departments dominated Tuesday’s Florida House committee hearing on proposals to slash property taxes.
Sebastian Daily
Florida Home Values Could Surge Under DeSantis’ Plan to Scrap Property Taxes, Economists Say
TALLAHASSEE — Florida homeowners could see their property values surge if Gov. Ron DeSantis’ bold proposal to eliminate property taxes on owner-occupied homes becomes reality, according to economists who say the move would make houses more attractive to buyers by slashing long-term costs.
WUWF
Would eliminating property taxes in Florida fix housing affordability? Policy experts weigh in
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican leaders in the state are calling for the elimination of property taxes in the name of housing affordability.
GRANTS
West Orlando News
Governor DeSantis Awarded $23.5 Million for Infrastructure in Three Communities
Governor Ron DeSantis recently awarded $23.5 million to support infrastructure improvements in Citrus County, Levy County and the City of Newberry.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
WCJB
LIVE OAK, Fla. (WCJB) – Suwannee County commissioners will discuss taking back control of emergency management from the sheriff’s office.
DOGE
First Coast News
Jacksonville council auditor addresses 2% budget lapse for organizations during Duval DOGE meeting
Council Auditor Kim Taylor addressed letters sent out by the Jacksonville mayor’s office warning organizations of a budget lapse.
My Suncoast
County commission discusses AI pilot program aimed at improving government efficiency
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) – Manatee County commissioners on Dec. 2 discussed joining the state’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative (DOGE) as the first county to take part in an AI pilot program aimed at improving government efficiency.
FAC News Clips – December 2, 2025
COUNTY
TC Palm
Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties all have at-large races
Imagine it is Election Day on the Treasure Coast. Thousands are going to the polls across Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties to vote for their representation at the local, state and federal level.
Click Orlando
Orange County commissioner calls for e-bike safety study as concerns rise
Proposal outlines several recommendations
DOGE
Flagler Live
DOGE-Wild Ingoglia Wants $600,000 for His Own Bureaucracy
A top state official spearheading the Florida governor’s much-touted mission of cutting local government spending on programs, along with employee numbers and salaries, is quietly seeking to bolster his own state agency’s spending and employee ranks.
STATE
Bradenton Herald
Attorney general questions legality of rural boundaries in Orange, Seminole
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Attorney General’s Office argued in a recent letter that rural boundaries in Seminole and Orange counties are “likely” unconstitutional and violate property owners’ rights, seeming to side with developers who want the protections nullified.
FEDERAL
Bradenton Herald
In the wild, Florida’s manatees already face threats from cold stress, habitat loss, boat strikes and other human activities.
Route-Fifty
Threat of AI law preemption has states on edge again
The moratorium on state-level AI regulations, which failed to be included in the federal reconciliation bill this summer, has been floated to make a return as an executive order or in must-pass defense legislation.
FAC News Clips – December 1, 2025
COUNTY
Tampa Beacon
Pasco County passes streamlined rules for backyard chickens
After years of debates, many residents have more freedoms when it comes to owning urban chickens
Miami Community News
County announces establishment of Miami-Dade 250 advisory committee
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently announced the creation of the Miami-Dade 250: We Are America Celebration Advisory Committee, a new initiative that will guide and elevate the county’s participation in the nationwide commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.
PROPERTY TAXES
Flagler Live
Eliminating Property Taxes Is ‘Dismemberment of Vital Services’
Local government officials statewide are wary of plans by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Legislature to slash or abolish homestead property taxes, but one group of counties is particularly worried.
FEDERAL
Daily Post
NACo: Counties Celebrate Key Permitting Inclusion In SPEED Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Counties (NACo) issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776), which advanced out of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources Nov. 20.
FAC News Clips – November 24, 2025
COUNTY
Sun Sentinel
County opposes Broward sheriff’s bid for more funding
Law enforcement is the number one priority of the Broward County budget, and the state should not force county government to increase funding for the Sheriff’s Office, local officials said last week.
News 4 Jax
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – City officials will meet Monday afternoon to review Mayor Donna Deegan’s budget.
Bay News 9
Pasco County launching new hurricane relief program
DADE CITY, Fla. — Pasco County is preparing to roll out a major relief program funded by a $585 million federal Community Development Block Grant, which was awarded following last year’s hurricane season.
WFTV
Volusia County council approves $2.6 Million for opioid prevention and recovery efforts
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Volusia County Council has approved $2.6 million in opioid abatement settlement funds to enhance prevention, treatment, emergency response, and recovery services across the community.
Florida Politics
Ron DeSantis is giving millions to help Levy, Citrus counties and Newberry city
‘These investments are a direct reflection of Gov. DeSantis’ commitment to strengthening Florida’s small and rural communities.’
DOGE
Florida Politics
County leaders get candid in discussing getting ‘DOGEd’ by CFO’s office
Audits lack context, they say, including state mandated spending.
PROPERTY TAXES
Yahoo
Florida property taxes on path to partial elimination. What to know
With seven amendments and one bill aimed at kneecapping property taxes now approved for the 2026 legislative session, it appears that Florida lawmakers — and residents — are eager to see some of the increasing pains of homeownership eased.
Citizen Portal
House select committee advances eight property‑tax constitutional change proposals to ballot process
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House Select Committee on Property Taxes on Nov. 20 advanced seven proposed constitutional amendments and one House bill aimed at reducing or reshaping non‑school ad valorem property taxes, setting the measures on a path that could place some of them before voters in November 2026.
WMNF
Local government officials statewide are wary of plans by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Legislature to slash or abolish homestead property taxes, but one group of counties is particularly worried.
Florida Politics
Jeff Brandes: The architect has no plan — Florida’s $18B tax cut without a blueprint
Florida risks an $18 billion disaster because no one produced real math.
Florida Phoenix
Experts debate potential property tax measure at USF: ‘This is policy malpractice’
The governor has previously said he wants one constitutional amendment on the ’26 ballot to reduce property taxes.
LEGISLATION
Florida Politics
Randy Maggard bill seeks full state control over water quality and wetlands regulation
Working closely with our federal, state and regional partners is essential to ensuring clean, healthy water for every community.
Florida Politics
Corey Simon files Rural Renaissance bill to invest in Florida’s country
The bill to help Florida’s rural areas has the backing of Senate leadership.
FAC News Clips – November 12, 2025
COUNTY
Keys Weekly
MONROE COUNTY SUPPORTS VETERANS THROUGH OPERATION GREEN LIGHT
In advance of Veterans Day, Monroe County illuminated the Harvey Government Center and the Historic Gato Building in Key West and the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo green from Nov. 3 through Nov. 11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military veterans.
Daytona Beach News Journal
Amid SNAP funding freeze, Flagler allocates $50K to help residents
As questions remain about when full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, funding will resume, food banks and pantries in Flagler County will receive much-needed help in the coming days.
Tallahassee Democrat
Leon residents concerned by fire fees on property tax bill
Tacking the fire services fee onto already rising property taxes is causing sticker shock and confusion for Leon County residents’ living outside city limits as their annual statement from the tax collector hits their mailboxes.
Palm Beach Post
History of Florida county names from Pinellas to Washington
Today we wrap up our five-part list of Florida’s 67 counties and how they got their names. Note: Years refer to each county’s formation.
BROADBAND
Route-Fifty
Congress is letting states hoard broadband billions
COMMENTARY | The restructured BEAD program will save taxpayer money, but some governments want to hold onto that cash rather than return it to their residents.
LEGISLATION
Tampa Bay Times
‘Home rule’ fight over Florida’s SB 180 exposes growing rift inside Republican ranks
Backlash over the law has united a broad range of political groups, including libertarians, MAGA activists, conservationists and blue-leaning municipalities.
FAC News Clips – November 10, 2025
COUNTY
352 Today
Citrus County Lights Landmarks Green in Support of Veterans
CITRUS COUNTY, FL. (352today.com) – The Lecanto Government Building and the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum building have been illuminated green as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort by counties, the National Association of Counties (NACo), and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
TC Palm
MARTY buses become free to ride, jump in ridership expected
The system became free Nov. 5 following County Commission approval a day earlier.
Alligator
Gainesville, Alachua County still waiting FEMA reimbursements for 2024 hurricanes
They have yet to feel the impacts of the federal agency’s cuts — but they’re anticipating them
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
Senate bill would block boosting property tax for wind mitigation
The Ormond Beach Republican introduced the proposal Friday.
DOGE
Florida Politics
Blaise Ingoglia wants to add more auditors in his Office as he focuses on wasteful spending
Florida’s CFO gave insight into his plans to expand his Office and probe all Florida governments.
LEGISLATION
Florida Bar
House Committee approves McFarland bill to update sovereign immunity limits
A House panel agreed last week to revive a perennial effort to reform Florida’s “sovereign immunity” system that caps damage awards in suits against the government.