government Archive

Florida lawmakers are locked in one of the most divisive legislative sessions in recent memory, with disagreements among Republicans over property tax policy threatening local government budgets, according to State Sen. Don Gaetz.

Santa Rosa County officials say they are bracing for tough budget decisions as they update a long‑range strategic plan that will guide infrastructure, growth and county services over the next decade. Rising costs, slowing revenue growth and uncertainty from state legislation could strain future funding, leaders warned.

With the start of the new fiscal year came the first federal government shutdown since the 35-day shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019.

On Friday April 5, Santa Rosa County Clerk of Courts was notified that a recent payment to a vendor in the amount of $852,983.06 had been intercepted as a result of fraud. Upon notification The Clerk of Courts’ Finance Department issued a fraud alert to their bank.

Milton has until March 1 to convince two federal agencies that the city’s wastewater treatment project is still viable. If the city fails to meet any of four demands, it could lose two grants totaling almost $9 million.

The Milton City Council voted 5-2 at a special meeting Thursday to hire Randy Jorgenson to be the interim city manager. Jorgenson retired from the city manager position in September after serving five years in the position.

Milton Mayor Heather Lindsay vetoed a proposal to lower residency requirements for her office after the city council’s July 12 regular meeting.

The Milton City Charter currently requires candidates for mayor to have lived in the city for at least three years. But, despite the mayor’s veto threat, the city council voted 6-2 for a ballot referendum asking voters to change the requirement to just one year, the same residency requirement for city council candidates.

Should Milton spend $100,000 from reserve funds to find alternatives to widening Caroline Street through the city’s historic district?

The city council expected to debate that question at its July 12 regular meeting, too late for the Press Gazette’s deadline.

At its executive committee meeting July 5, the council voted 4-2 to approve a plan to convince the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization to change its project priorities. Councilmembers Robert Leek and Shannon Rice voted against Councilman Vernon Compton’s motion. Councilmen Matt Jarrett and Casey Powell were absent.

New traffic pattern scheduled at Central Landfill due to continued construction at its entrance

A nonprofit, Preserve Navarre, has released a survey for area residents regarding city incorporation and infrastructure.