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Studio 67FAC News Clips – April 15, 2026
COUNTY
Your Observer
Manatee County launches $3M pilot program for bulk garbage pickup
Regular bulk pickup was eliminated when the “Big Bin Advantage” was introduced in October.
WTXL
Leon County leaders discuss public policy, fairgrounds in Tuesday meeting
Commissioners voted 6-1 to revise a proposed charter amendment addressing historical public policy disparities after concerns it could conflict with pending state legislation.
Sebastian Daily
Indian River County OKs $3.5 million for sheriff’s office, $4 million more ahead
VERO BEACH — The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved $3.5 million in additional funding Tuesday for the Sheriff’s Office this year, along with $4 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
SNN
Sarasota County opens ‘One Stop’ site for residents’ planning and zoning needs
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (SNN) — The customer is always right, right? Except when the county is right.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Route-Fifty
How public records requests could help ‘fight AI with AI’
Agencies are burdened with growing numbers of requests and more records to manage and parse through.
LEGISLATION
Sun Sentinel
DeSantis may delay his special session to redraw Florida congressional maps
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested Tuesday that he might delay a special session to draw up new congressional maps, which is scheduled to begin next week.
FAC News Clips – April 14, 2026
COUNTY
WCTV
Leon County commissioners to consider charter amendment aimed at addressing ‘historical wrongs’
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County commissioners are set to consider a proposed charter amendment Tuesday that aims to address “historical wrongs.”
SNN News
Manatee County adding input to national toolkit on homelessness and substance use disorders
MANATEE Fla. (WSNN) — Manatee County has been selected to participate in a national summit at the White House in Washington, D.C., this week, which will gather insight for a national toolkit to guide communities facing similar challenges of homelessness and substance use disorders.
ENVIRONMENT
Sun Sentinel
Army Corps announces accelerated plan for Everglades restoration
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Monday that they will accelerate the plan for completing the reservoir known as the “crown jewel” of Everglades restoration.
WUSF
Electronic waste is piling up. Here’s how Florida is managing the surge
About 775 tons of trash arrive at Alachua County’s Leveda Brown Environmental Park & Transfer Station every day.
Tampa Bay Times
What’s causing Central Florida trash haulers to collect ‘hurricane volumes’ of debris?
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Orlando’s solid waste manager said.
PROPERTY TAXES
FL Voice
Renner pitches property tax hike for out-of-state ‘speculators’ to fund relief for Floridians
CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. — Gubernatorial candidate and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner took his “Affordability Now” tour to rural Wakulla County on Monday, where he proposed shifting the state’s property tax burden onto out-of-state investors and “speculators” to provide relief for permanent residents.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County woman fights sprawl, DeSantis administration
For a few years now, Rachel Hildebrand, an east Orange County mom of twins, has been a feisty advocate for her rural community in a never-ending legal fight against urban sprawl and mega developments.
FAC News Clips – April 13, 2026
COUNTY
NWF Daily
Okaloosa ensures a dignified memorial for the forgotten | Guest column
Florida Statute 497.005(43) requires that each of the 67 counties ensure the proper final disposition of indigent and unclaimed deceased persons in the respective counties.
Tallahassee Democrat
Leon County lost $368M in federal aid after 2020 Census, chamber says
Leon County missed out on $368.5 million in federal aid as a direct result of the 2020 Census undercount, an issue state economists say cost the state billions of dollars, according to the Florida Chamber Foundation.
Citrus County Chronicle
Commissioners consider changes tied to growth, housing and roads
PROPERTY TAXES
WUWF
Why Rep. Ryan Chamberlin wants to eliminate and replace Florida’s property taxes
A Republican state representative wants to shake up Florida’s entire property tax system by eliminating and replacing it.
Click Orlando
Here’s why Florida Gov. DeSantis says seniors alone can’t have property tax cuts
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Amid a huge push for property tax reform lately, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis late last year put his foot down on reform for seniors alone.
HOUSING
Herald-Tribune
Sarasota County blocks ‘Live Local’ law, risking clash with developers
In a unanimous vote that could set up a major legal showdown, Sarasota County commissioners last week moved to block developers from building large apartment complexes next to rural homes and farmland, rejecting applications amid legal uncertainty over a controversial state law.
LEGISLATION
Bradenton Herald
Editorial: Florida shouldn’t write its budget in the dark
By historic benchmarks, Florida’s annual budget preparations aren’t all that late.
Florida Politics
Florida TaxWatch urges Legislature to leave tourist development taxes alone
The debate how to spend millions from the Orange County hotel tax has been ongoing for years.
FAC News Clips – April 9, 2026
April 9, 2026
COUNTY
Florida Politics
Florida Clerks of Courts use County Government Month to promote more interaction with public
‘National County Government Month is an opportunity to shine a light on the essential work performed every day.’
Wink News
Lee County could get $161K from opioid settlement to fight addiction
LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Lee County joined a nationwide opioid settlement on Tuesday that could bring new money to fight addiction in Southwest Florida.
PROPERTY TAXES
Miami Times Online
Paul Renner hones in on property tax relief as ‘Day 1 priority’ to solve affordability crisis
Former House Speaker Paul Renner is traveling the state this month to meet with Floridians about what his campaign calls the state’s “growing affordability crisis,” beginning with a stop in Doral Wednesday.
WLRN
Florida lawmaker aims for ballot measure ending all property taxes in 2028
Florida Republicans have promised for nearly a year to provide meaningful property tax relief to Floridians in the form of a constitutional amendment they could vote on this November.
Fox 35
Florida towns weigh budget cuts as property tax debate continues
INDIALANTIC, Fla. – Small towns across Florida are weighing budget cuts amid uncertainty over the future of property taxes, a key source of local revenue.
LEGISLATION
WLRN
No budget special session next week, Florida legislative leaders affirm
There will be no budget negotiations in Tallahassee next week.
Florida Politics
Ben Albritton: Lawmakers won’t approve budget before April 20
‘We will share a schedule for that special session as soon as possible,’ the Senate President wrote.
FAC News Clips – April 7, 2026
COUNTY
The Observer
“Patients can receive medical care up to an hour sooner than someone who is driven to the hospital by a friend or relative,” said Fire Rescue Captain Jon Moscowitz.
Suncoast News
County, citizens honor veterans with new memorial at park
Veterans Park facility honors those who have served and are serving nation
TBBW
Sarasota voters may decide land tax through 2049
Sarasota County commissioners will consider placing a referendum on the November ballot to extend a voter-approved property tax that funds land conservation and park acquisition.
FAC News Clips – April 6, 2026
April 6, 2026
COUNTY
CNW
Broward County celebrates National County Government Month in April
Broward County joins hundreds of communities across the U.S. in observing National County Government Month this April, an initiative sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) to highlight programs and services that support residents and visitors.
My News 13
Orange County offers up to $10k to upgrade septic systems
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County is offering up to $10,000 to help homeowners upgrade their septic systems. Officials say the program is designed to reduce pollution and protect local waterways.
PROPERTY TAXES
Tallahassee Democrat
Florida property tax issue continues to divide
If this reader poll is any indication then Gov. Ron DeSantis is going to have a tough time seeing his “no property tax” vision fulfilled.
DOGE
WPTV
Florida CFO says St. Lucie County overspent by $46M
LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — State Auditor and Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is warning about excessive spending in St. Lucie County, estimating the county has overtaxed and overspent residents by $46 million.
LEGISLATION
Click Orlando
Here are all the new laws in Florida so far this year
Over 20 laws now signed by Gov. DeSantis in 2026