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August 18, 2011 | by Mark S. Daniel

Another Public Records Request “Refused”

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City Attorney charges $11,600 to find “missing” emails by looking through 125,900– one at a time. Following the popular article, “Billion Dollar Theft Planned by City,” the role of Assistant City Attorney Linda Hudson became a focus for further inquiry.  Toward that end, I requested copies of her city emails from the time frame of [...]

August 11, 2011 | by Steve Stewart

The Cost of Doing Business Varies Within Leon County

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With the economy still struggling, the importance of creating new jobs is becoming more and more important. Locally, we have heard for years about the impediments of job creation. These obstacles include high electric rates, the challenges at Tallahassee Regional Airport, and the permitting process. With the flow of money so tight, an extra expense [...]

August 07, 2011 | by Steve Stewart

FDOT Procurement Process Could Cost State Millions

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After the recent legislative session and Governor Scott’s subsequent vetoes, it is clear that the Great Recession continues to have real economic consequences in Florida. It would appear that reducing expenses while striving for the efficient delivery of services will be the mission statement for not only government, but the private sector for sometime to [...]

July 19, 2011 | by Steve Stewart

COT 2012 Budget Increases Non-Fuel Spending By $40 Million Over 2010 Expenditures

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The COT press release on the 2012 budget reads: “No increase proposed for millage rate – City Manager Anita Favors Thompson today released the recommended $724.9 million fiscal year 2012 budget for review and action by the Tallahassee City Commission. The proposed amount is $2 million less than the current year budget and reflects feedback [...]

July 11, 2011 | by Steve Stewart

Commissioners Ignore Citizens Advisory Committee

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Recently, the Citizens Advisory Committee for Utilities was becoming a lively bunch. The proposed increase in electric rates had put members of this newly reactivated board front and center. There meetings were even drawing attention from the print and broadcast media. A recent presentation to the group by the COT utility rate consultant, who calculated [...]

July 10, 2011 | by Steve Stewart

City Stalls For Time, Gets Red Light Camera Rule Changed

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When you were growing up didn’t you hate the kids that changed the rules of the game when they were losing? Usually those kids were the bullies and you had to accept it and move on! But as adults you would think we would have outgrown such behavior. Maybe we have, but somebody at the [...]

June 26, 2011 | by Steve Stewart

Mayor Marks Questions Expansion of Local Business Preference, Other Issues Surface

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A last minute addition to the City Commission agenda on June 22 was approved by a 5-0 vote and is raising serious questions from a number of people, including Mayor John Marks. The item which expanded the definition of a local business for the purpose of receiving an advantage in the procurement process seems to [...]

June 16, 2011 | by Steve Stewart

Superintendent Pons Speaks Against COT Electric Rate Increase

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On Tuesday, Superintendent Jackie Pons spoke to about 60 members and guests of the the Northeast Business Association. During his thirty minute talk he discussed the financial status of the Leon County School District, a new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project that will save millions in transportation costs, and in response to a question from the [...]

June 05, 2011 | by Steve Stewart

CONSULTANT: COT Electric Needs $178 Million In Higher Rates

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Tallahassee Reports has obtained a copy of the 140 page draft report of the electric rate case study that has been discussed over the last several months. The study is highly technical and full of detailed tables. Tallahassee Reports has reviewed the information, and what follows, is an attempt to take highly technical information and [...]

June 03, 2011 | by Mark S. Daniel

Tallahassee Historic Preservation Process Raises Questions

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Free Money!!  The City of Tallahassee will give away hundreds of thousands of dollars to someone–in fact many someones–for the renovation and repair of their old houses.  They’ve already done it for many people, and the funds are there to keep going with more handouts!  All you need is an old house, and an understanding [...]

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