Calendar
Work With Counties
News Clips
Subscribe
Studio 67FAC News Clips – October 23, 2025
COUNTY
Palm Beach Post
FPL burying power lines underground in Palm Beach County
FPL’s Storm Secure Program is protecting homeowners from losing power during storms by moving power lines underground.
WJHG
Bay County preparing for possible $30 million FEMA clawback
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Bay County has spent the last seven years rebuilding after Hurricane Michael — and that recovery came with a big price tag.
Fox 35
Repainting crosswalks cost Seminole County taxpayers tens of thousands
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Some Seminole County residents aren’t in support of repainting the county’s green crosswalks, black and white – and using over $31,000 in taxpayer dollars to do so.
CNW
Miami-Dade County launches all-electric Bus Rapid Transit system
Miami-Dade County officially unveiled its new Metro Express Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, set to begin service on Monday, October 27.
Citrus County Chronicle
CItrus County clears path for 2026 road tax referendum
A plan to ask voters in 2026 to approve a one-cent sales tax for road improvements in Citrus County took a major step forward at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County board approves funding for affordable housing
Orange County Commissioners will allocate $58.5 million over the next three years to help build and preserve thousands of affordable housing units as part of the county’s ongoing effort to combat the housing crisis.
PROPERTY TAXES
WFTV
Florida may cut property taxes, but homeowners could still pay
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are pressing on with their push to cut property taxes in some form, promising assistance that would both streamline government and alleviate the state’s growing affordability crisis.
DOGE
Spectrum News
Seminole County leaders dispute wasteful spending claims
SANFORD, Fla. — It has been two weeks since Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia accused Seminole County of wastefully spending $48 million.
FAC News Clips – October 22, 2025
COUNTY
Midflorida Newspaper
County awarded $7.5 Million to hire 36 new firefighters
Lake County Fire Rescue (LCFR) has been awarded $7.5 million for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / FEMA. This funding will go towards hiring 36 new firefighters.
Florida Politics
Citrus County Commissioners give nod to 2026 sales tax referendum
‘Keep it simple. Get it on the ballot’
DOGE
Your Observer
Manatee County commissioner calls DOGE audit ‘accurate’
Commissioner Bob McCann said it’s time to “tighten the belt and cut some people loose.”
LEGISLATION
Daytona Beach News Journal
Deltona backs out of SB180 Florida lawsuit
Deltona city commissioners voted 4-3 on Monday night, Oct. 20, to withdraw from a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 180, a law that opponents say gives builders the power to override tough development regulations.
PROPERTY TAXES
Fox 35
Lawmakers in several states pursuing property tax reform measures
As property taxes continue to climb across the country, lawmakers in Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas are looking for ways to provide property tax relief to homeowners, while Montana has established property tax relief.
Florida’s Voice
JUST IN: @GovRonDeSantis is full-steam ahead on abolishing property taxes for Florida homeowners’ primary residence
FAC News Clips – October 21, 2025
COUNTY
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus County ready to pitch big projects to Tallahassee
With the 2026 Florida legislative session on the horizon, Citrus County commissioners on Tuesday will lock in their list of priorities.
My Panhandle
Panhandle Politics: Bay County Manager Bob Majka
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bay County Manager Bob Majka discussed ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Michael and financial challenges faced by the county during a recent interview on Panhandle Politics.
St. Augustine Record
Flags flying half-staff honor Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell
Flags will be flying at half-staff today, Tuesday, Oct. 21, to honor the memory of Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell.
Palm Beach Post
Florida history of county name origins, Dade to Hendry
Ever been to Escambia County? Live there? Well, it makes this week’s list and you’d be pleased to know it was one of the very first counties created when Florida became a state, along with St. Johns.
TC Palm
County Commission unmoved by sheriff employees request for more money
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — County commissioners stood firm at a special meeting Oct. 20 to reduce Sheriff Eric Flowers’ budget request by 5.4% — despite opposition from sheriff employees and residents.
Growth Spotter
Orange County to invest more money into affordable housing
Orange County Commissioners will allocate $58.5 million over the next three years to help finance and preserve thousands of affordable housing units as part of the county’s ongoing effort to combat the housing crisis.
DOGE
WDBO
Seminole County disputes state CFO’s accusations of overspending
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County is responding to accusations that it is misspending taxpayer money.
PROPERTY TAXES
WCTV
County association concerned about Florida property tax reform proposals
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Florida property tax bills could shrink next year as state lawmakers consider several proposals to cut those taxes and plan to let voters decide which options work best.
Stet News
DeSantis explains push to cut property taxes
‘It’s almost like you’re renting your home from the government,’ he says in West Palm Beach remarks.
Miami Times Online
House files sweeping property tax cuts package for voters, not lawmakers, to approve or reject
Florida voters could get a shot in next year’s Midterm election at reshaping how local governments can levy property taxes.
WEATHER
Jacksonville Times Union
Tropical Storm Melissa could form. See path tracker, spaghetti models.
The National Hurricane Center continues to track a broad area of low pressure in the Caribbean Sea that is likely to form into a tropical depression or tropical storm in the next 48 hours.
LEGISLATION
The Apopka Voice
Orange County challenges SB-180, citing threats to Vision 2050 and local growth planning
County leaders say the state law undermines long-term planning, environmental protection, and smart growth initiatives
WFLA
Florida lawmakers focus on affordability ahead of 2026 session
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Last year was supposed to be the year of affordability, but the same concerns still linger as lawmakers head into the 2026 session.
FAC 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.