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Studio 67FAC News Clips – October 13, 2025
COUNTY
WGCU
Florida communities turn to buyouts to limit flooding, surge damage
As flooding and coastal surge remain among the most destructive elements of storm systems, counties across Florida are turning to voluntary buyout programs to reduce damage and restore the landscape to a more natural state.
LEGISLATION
WUWF
Manatee County’s commissioners didn’t expect to be threatened with removal from office for considering two measures meant to enhance disaster resilience in this fast-growing county on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
AROUND THE COUNT(R)Y
Minot Daily News
Counties prepare to take position on tax cap
When they meet later this month, North Dakota’s county officials will consider resolutions asking legislators to repeal or modify a property tax cap or to exempt taxes for correctional facilities from any cap.
FAC News Clips – October 10, 2025
COUNTY
Wakulla News
BOCC dissatisfied with impact fee study
Despite being dissatisfied with the initial impact fee recommendations, in the end commissioners voted to accept the study consulting firm Kimley-Horn proposed.
My Panhandle
Okaloosa County release updates on the world’s largest artificial reef, the SS United States
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Crews are making progress on preparing what’s to become the world’s largest artificial reef.
Miami Herald
Miami-Dade launches all-electric rapid bus system
South Dade residents will have access to a new transportation connection from Florida City to Dadeland South: Metro Express, Miami-Dade’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and the longest fully electric one in the United States.
Naples Daily News
Mike Greenwell, Boston Red Sox, Lee County Fl commissioner dies
A former Red Sox player, lifelong Lee County resident and county commissioner has died of thyroid cancer.
DOGE
The Destin Log
Florida DOGE tour driven by simple math, fiery talk, few specifics
When Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia sweeps through cities and counties with audit teams unearthing what he calls reckless spending and wasted taxpayer dollars, the rhetoric is hot and the numbers stunning.
GROWTH
Florida Politics
State rejects St. Johns County comprehensive growth plan
FloridaCommerce officials took exception to the St. Johns County restrictions regarding construction after hurricanes.
FAC News Clips – October 9, 2025
COUNTY
Wink News
Lee and Charlotte County high-water rescue vehicle
Local law enforcement in Charlotte and Lee counties is enhancing its storm preparedness with new high-water rescue vehicles.
Keys News
Florida county battered by 2024 hurricanes spends $125M on beach restoration
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — The white sandy beaches along a swath of Florida’s Gulf Coast were battered by three hurricanes last year, leading to a multimillion-dollar effort to repair a coastline that is the region’s economic engine.
St. Pete Catalyst
Pinellas approves $320.9 million waste-to-energy contract
Capacity at the Waste-to-Energy facility and the county’s only landfill is an ongoing concern.
LEGISLATION
Orlando Sentinel
Florida law restricting local growth plans draws another challenge
TALLAHASSEE — The growth-management group 1000 Friends of Florida and an Orange County resident Tuesday filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new state law that blocks cities and counties from approving “more restrictive or burdensome” changes to growth plans.
Florida Politics
Florida’s Agriculture Department is protecting more of state’s natural lands and farmland
The Department says protecting agricultural lands will protect the food supply and is a matter of national security.
Florida Politics
Senate Democrats unveil ‘Affordability Agenda’ plan to curb property insurance costs
‘Affordability is the number one issue for Floridians, and … addressing it is our No. 1 priority for the upcoming session.’
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Florida Politics
Florida Policy Project partners with FSU researchers, others on new interactive housing model
‘We believe this tool will provide decision makers and Florida citizens real, live data so they will make the tough decisions.’
BROADBAND
Route-Fifty
What will become of leftover BEAD money?
States and the federal government are projecting billions of dollars in savings from the latest round of broadband plans. Where those savings go next remains an open question.
FAC News Clips – October 8, 2025
COUNTY
WWSB
More affordable housing could be coming to Sarasota county
Sarasota County commissioners are pushing for more affordable housing. The county commission held a workshop on Tuesday about the need and just how many families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
Spectrum News
Hillsborough County hosting meeting on storm recovery
Hillsborough County is hosting a Post-Disaster Recovery Plan panel discussion Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Miller Park and Life Center, 6105 E. Sligh Avenue in Tampa.
WCJB
Alachua County, Gainesville leaders debate future of redevelopment program
Gainesville city and Alachua County leaders agree on the importance of revitalizing East Gainesville and downtown, but they’re at odds over when to decide the future of a major redevelopment program.
LEGISLATION
The James Madison Institute
2026 Sunshine State Policy Priorities – James Madison Institute
Florida Politics
JMI releases 2026 Florida policy priorities, including property tax reform
History shows that when people are free to innovate, compete, and live with limited interference from government, prosperity follows.
PROPERTY TAXES
Florida Politics
I’m not going to let that keep us from doing property tax relief.’
FOX 35
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia criticized the Seminole County Government on Tuesday for raising property taxes and for spending millions of dollars in what he described as “wasteful and excessive spending.”
FAC News Clips – October 7, 2025
COUNTY
NACO News
Farm Bill expiration: What counties need to know | National Association of Counties
While this does not mean an immediate halt to all programs authorized in the Farm Bill, the expiration begins a period of uncertainty for counties and rural residents who rely on resources authorized in the Farm Bill.
WQCS
Indian River County conservation plan gains national recognition | WQCS
Indian River County’s decades-long effort to protect the Florida Scrub-jay is drawing national attention.
Pensacola News Journal
Two subdivision projects will add 680+ new homes to Santa Rosa County
Santa Rosa County approved a pair of residential subdivision projects during September will bring just under 690 new homes to the Milton and Pace areas.
The Apopka Voice
Orange County is investing in the health and stability of its residents by expanding programs that address two deeply interconnected challenges: mental health and homelessness.
Promise Fund expands women’s health programs with new facilities in Palm Beach County
Expanding from one Women’s Health Program to four with the opening of three new sites collocated at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
TRANSPORTATION
Positively Osceola
Osceola County Moves Forward with Major Canoe Creek Road Expansion
Osceola County is moving ahead with plans to widen Canoe Creek Road from two lanes to four, following approval during Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting.
12 News
St. Lucie County secures $5 million FTA grant to enhance public transportation services
Commissioners in St. Lucie County have secured over $5 million to strengthen transportation services throughout the county.
Miami Community News
Miami-Dade County will make history soon by launching Metro Express — the County’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and the longest all-electric BRT service in the nation, designed to transform how thousands of Miami-Dade residents move along the busy US-1 corridor.
PROPERTY TAXES
News Service Florida
There is probably nothing any officeholder likes more in an election year than a chance to cut taxes, a treat that will tempt Florida lawmakers in their 2026 legislative session.
DOGE
News 6
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia will speak Tuesday morning in Seminole County about “government accountability and wasteful spending.”
SunSentinel
Accessible transit service draws Florida DOGE’s attention in Palm Beach County
The state’s chief financial officer offered an early example of what Florida DOGE considers wasteful spending in Palm Beach County — but the county says it’s not as the CFO is making it out to be.
Spectrum News 13
Orange responds more in-depth to wasteful spending claims
Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, has visited 12 cities and counties to find what it claims is wasteful government spending.
FAC News Clips – October 6, 2025
COUNTY
WINK
Lee County investing in public safety with drone technology | Lee County | winknews.com
Lee County is working to increase emergency response by investing in the Skydio X10 drone dock system.
PROPERTY TAXES
Herald-Tribute
McFarland talks Senate Bill 180 and the future of property taxes at South County Tiger Bay
State Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, shared her thoughts on key state issues Friday, Oct. 3, with members of the South County Tiger Bay Club.
Orlando Sentinel
When property taxes aren’t enough, Florida cities use fees
Amid increased scrutiny of their property tax collections, some cities and counties are emphasizing a different method to fund core services.
WEATHER
Hindustan Times
US forecasters are keeping a careful eye on a wide region of low pressure in the central tropical Atlantic, which they believe has a strong likelihood of turning into Tropical Storm Jerry this week.