Community Redevelopment Agency Votes to Give the Riley Museum $50,000 to Complete Visitor Center, Scott Maddox Lone Dissenting Vote

The City of Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board met on Monday and one of the issues discussed was a recommendation to appropriate $50,000 to the Riley Museum. On July 13, 2011, the CRA Board approved a $125,000 grant to the John G. Riley Center/Museum for African American History and Culture (Museum) to assist in the […]

Transportation Board Nixes Median Proposal for North Monroe

The Capital Regional Transportation Planning Agency (CRTPA) met on Monday and the issue drawing the most attention was the proposal to place a median on North Monroe between 7th Avenue and Tharpe Street. CRTPA board members heard a presentation form a transportation consultant and the opinions of business owners affected by the construction of a […]

As Fuel Costs Decrease, City Staff Proposes Base Rate Increase in Electric Rates for 2013

During the January 28th, 2013 City Commission Financial Viability Target Issue Committee Meeting, city staff informed city commissioners Gillum and Maddox that fuel costs for the electric utility would decrease by approximately $10.5 million in 2013. However, the commissioners were also told that base rates would have to be increased by approximately $8.0 million. Base […]

If You Want To “Share The Road”, Pay Up

I was driving down the street the other day and noticed a yellow bumper-sticker on the back of an SUV that said, “Three Feet, It’s The Law!” The implication being that if you don’t give a bicyclist three feet that you are subject to being cited. As a bicycle rider myself that bumper-sticker made me […]

The Cost of Doing Business Varies Within Leon County

The Cost of Doing Business Varies Within Leon County

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 […]

FDOT Procurement Process Could Cost State Millions

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 […]

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

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

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 […]

Commissioners Ignore Citizens Advisory Committee

Commissioners Ignore Citizens Advisory Committee

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 […]

City Stalls For Time, Gets Red Light Camera Rule Changed

City Stalls For Time, Gets Red Light Camera Rule Changed

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 […]