Ethics Advisory Panel Moving Forward With Major Changes

Ethics Advisory Panel Moving Forward With Major Changes

When the city commission voted to create the Ethics Advisory Panel, they asked the committee to evaluate existing policies or procedures governing ethics, financial disclosure, or transparency of the city government, and prepare and submit a report including any amendments to current policy. Based on today’s meeting, there will be major amendments to current policy. The meeting […]

City Staff Projects $5 Million Deficit for General Fund in 2014

At the City Commission meeting this week, city staff will provide commissioners with their first budget update for the 2014 cycle. The update will provide information on how the budget for 2013 is matching up with actual spending and a forecast of the 2014 General Fund. Information for the other funds, including electric and gas, […]

Ethics Panel Audio Recording Deleted by City

Ethics Panel Audio Recording Deleted by City

Tallahassee Reports has been told by city staff that a portion of audio recording from the March 26th Ethics Advisory Panel meeting was accidentally deleted. One of the major issues addressed at that meeting was if the oversight process for a new ethics code would be handled by the city attorney’s office, as is the […]

View Latest Blueprint Projects and Priorities

Tallahassee Reports has obtained a copy of the The Leon County Sales Tax Committee project list with associated priorities and costs. On April 26, the committee took votes that determined the priorities for monies raised by the infrastructure sales tax known as Blueprint. The committee’s objective is to collect public input and make recommendations regarding […]

Marks, Lindley Offer Strong Support to PAC

A lot happened at the CRA Board meeting today. The CRA Board voted to spend almost $200,000 on leasing parking spaces near the Gaines Street corridor and a consultant that will offer a strategic assessment of downtown Tallahassee. The CRA staff said that the parking places would help “support retail development” in the area. Mayor […]

Voting Conflicts On Ethics Panel Agenda

On Thursday, the Citizens Ethics Panel will meet at City Hall to continue to formulate their recommendation on a new ethics policy for the City. The issues scheduled to be discussed are voting conflicts and campaign finance. Voting conflicts are one of the main reasons that the Panel was created by the City Commission. The […]

This Week’s Local Government Preview

The Leon County Board of County Commission will have a workshop on Tuesday to address the Fiscal 2014 Budget. After the workshop, the Board will hold their regular commission meeting. Among the issues addressed will be a proposed Infrastructure Agreement related to the Orchard Pond Toll Roads. On Wednesday there is a CRA Board meeting […]

COT Red Light Camera Program: Is it effective and how much does it cost?

COT Red Light Camera Program: Is it effective and how much does it cost?

The City of Tallahassee (COT) began installing red light cameras in August of 2010. Like many local governments across Florida and the US, Tallahassee turned to the cameras in the name of safety. But from the beginning, there have been those who have argued that the program violates due process and is designed to turn […]

Ethics Advisory Panel Addresses Issue of Oversight Authority

Ethics Advisory Panel Addresses Issue of Oversight Authority

Since October 1, 2012, the City’s Ethics Advisory Panel has held eleven meetings. The panel’s research includes gathering information from around the state on how other cities address ethics, listening to testimony from citizens, former city commissioners, and the former Executive Director of the Florida Commission on Ethics. The ultimate goal of the panel is […]

Is the City Doing Enough to Inform the Public?

Is the City Doing Enough to Inform the Public?

After two weeks of controversy swirling around allegations that the city of Tallahassee was charging state sales tax on electricity provided to certain customers, Wednesday’s city hall meeting ended with Commissioner Scott Maddox statement of, “We’re not taking candy from babies.”  This was in regards to Erwin Jackson who brought the issue to the table […]