Tallahassee Reports 

Leon County Commission to Spend $9 Million in New Revenue on Law Enforcement 

The Leon County Commission recently held a budget workshop to address the 2023-24 fiscal year. At the meeting elected officials voted unanimously to keep the property tax millage rate at 8.3144 which will increase collections by $12.66 million.   

 

Herald-Tribune 

Vanessa Baugh’s retirement completes changing of the guard in Manatee 

District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh’s retirement has completed a changing of the guard in Manatee County that started during the 2020 election cycle. 

 

Miami Herald  

Miami-Dade County Commission passes beach, park smoking ban  

As his 3-year-old daughter played under the shade of palm trees at Crandon Park Beach, Rodrigo Gonzalez looked on, holding a brightly-colored vape in one hand. 

  

My Panhandle 

Florida county votes to enact ‘stupid motorist law’ 

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida county commission has voted to adopt an ordinance that they hope will force “stupid motorists” to think twice before putting themselves and first responders at risk. 

 

FOX 4  

New Lee County pilot program hopes to lead Florida in property fraud crackdown  

LEE COUNTY, Fla. — On Wednesday, Lee County Clerk of Court Kevin Karnes told Fox 4 that his office was the first to roll out a new pilot program to defend against property fraud. 

 

TC Palm 

DeBraal has worked for Indian River County for 20 years  

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — County commissioners wasted no time Tuesday in naming a successor to County Attorney Dylan Reingold. They appointed his longtime deputy, Bill DeBraal to take over as chief legal counsel when Reingold departs at the end of July. 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

Florida Weekly 

Commissioners approve housing assistance for those affected by Hurricane Ian  

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted recently to approve two measures to assist people affected by Hurricane Ian with housing needs. The Board voted to approve an amendment to the 2023-2026 Local Housing Assistance Plan for demolition and reconstruction of single-family homes occupied by income-qualified households.