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Studio 67FAC News Clips – October 17, 2025
COUNTY
Newsbreak
Charlotte County offers thousands of free rides
PORT CHARLOTTE — As of August, Charlotte County Transit completed about 75,000 countywide trips.
Tampa Bay Times
Year later, Pinellas launches hurricane recovery program for residents
The programs are available to all county residents with the exception of those in St. Petersburg starting Oct. 20.
PROPERTY TAXES
Palm Beach Post
Big cuts to Florida’s property taxes won’t come easy | Opinion
I don’t see how Gov. Ron DeSantis pulls off his next big trick — significantly reducing property taxes in Florida.
Tallahassee Democrat
Lawmakers eye 2026 ballot for property tax overhaul
Most are measures that would appear on the 2026 general election ballot.
Wakulla News
Ending property taxes sounds too good
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.
Action News Jax
Property tax cut bills flood State Capitol, could cost Jacksonville millions without voter approval
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Eight new proposals were filed to limit, phase out, or immediately eliminate property taxes just on Thursday alone.
DOGE
Florida Politics
Blaise Ingoglia rips into Manatee County government spending as ‘the worst’
‘I will not stand idly by whether you are a Democrat or Republican.’
FAC News Clips – October 15, 2025
Alachua Chronicle
County Manager Lieberman credentialed by the International City/County Management Association
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association.
Palm Beach Post
Solid Waste Authority will build new $1.5 billion waste-to-energy plant
Palm Beach County commissioners have authorized the Solid Waste Authority to move ahead with plans for a new $1.5 billion waste-to-energy facility in an unincorporated area near West Palm Beach.
MSN
Orange County commissioners approve new redistricting map
Orange County commissioners voted Tuesday on a new redistricting map, meant to expand the number of commission seats from six to eight.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Florida Politics
Don Gaetz revives housing bill to tackle Florida’s affordability crisis
The measure would put in place provisions to lower costs for tenants and reduce regulations for homeowners building accessory units.
FAC News Clips – October 14, 2025
COUNTY
Ocala Star Banner
2025-26 budget year is underway. A look at Ocala and Marion County.
Like clockwork, at midnight Oct. 1 the new fiscal year started for most local governments.
Observer
Flagler County celebrates the lives of Deputy Administrator Jorge Salinas and his wife Nancy
‘Jorge had a quiet strength that made everyone around him better,’ Flagler County Commission Chair Andy Dance said.
Palm Beach Post
Florida history of county name origins, Alachua to Columbia
Did you know Palm Beach County was carved out of Dade County in 1909?
CFPM
Orange commissioners to decide Tuesday on a new county election map
Orange County commissioners will decide Tuesday on which version of a new county map to adopt, following a months-long redistricting process that kicked off earlier this year.
CFPM
Seminole County launches its Scout microtransit service this week
Seminole County residents have a new public transportation service available at the touch of their fingertips.
Marco Eagle
Collier tightens animal rules, expands breeder oversight, inspections
Collier County commissioners unanimously approved changes to the county’s animal control ordinance Sept. 23, closing loopholes that officials and advocates say have contributed to a worsening animal overpopulation crisis.
WCJB
Alachua County explores food hub plan to bring fresh food to communities in need
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) — Alachua County commissioners are exploring a new approach to bring fresh food to the community through a food hub system that could help farmers reach underserved communities.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
WTSP
Pinellas County launches $813 million hurricane recovery programs
This is just the first phase of the program.
PROPERTY TAXES
NBC 6
Florida lawmakers weighing giving homeowners $1,000 property tax rebates
The proposed measure, HB 71, would distribute $1,000 each year beginning in 2026 and running through 2030 to homeowners under a Homestead Property Tax Relief Program.
FAC 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.