—Leon County Commissioners heard a legislative update on issues that may impact Leon County. Commissioner Cummings inquired about the proposed “Putting Parents First Adjustment” portion of a House bill that shifts $200 million in funds away from 12 Florida school districts, including Leon County Schools, due to the mask requirements imposed by the district in the 2020-2021 school year.
The legislative update informed the Board of controversial education bills that were passed in the house but are pending with the Senate. Some of the proposals included in the pending bills are establishing term limits for school board members and restricting topics such as race, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
The only bill that has passed the House and Senate thus far is the Parental Rights in Education bill (HB 1557) which is called the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” by opponents of the legislation. The bill prohibits classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation for grades K-3.
—The Board heard an update to the county’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Temporary Relocation Assistance Program. It directed staff to work with the City of Tallahassee on the issue and to contract with the Tallahassee Urban League and other providers as necessary to assist in administering the program.
—The Board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Housing Finance Authority of Leon County to issue $75,000,000 Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for the Tallahassee Affordable Housing Portfolio.
—As recommended by the Leon County Tourist Development Council, the FY2022 – FY2026 Division of Tourism Strategic Plan was unanimously approved by the county commissioners. The strategic plan hopes to grow the five-year tourism economy to $5 billion, attract regional and national championship competitions, support community events, and host visitors at the amphitheater.
—Allen’s Excavation, Inc. was awarded by the Board, in a 7-0 vote, a $578,762 agreement for an improvement project on the Crowder Road boat landing.
—The Board heard a report that provided an overview of the water quality regulatory standards related to water bodies flowing from Georgia into Leon. The county administrator stated that the county has a long history of monitoring the flow of water that comes from GA due to its degraded quality.
—Leon County Commissioners agreed to approve the transfer of $70,000 from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund to the Sheriff’s Office General Operating budget for the Council on the Status of Men and Boys. A primary concern that most of the commissioners shared was the panel’s size, which consists of 20 members. The commissioners amended the item, requesting it come back in front of the Board for further consideration of its committee.
—A report was presented to the Board, updating them of the Tallahassee-Leon County Local Broadband Technology Planning Efforts and Federal, Rural Broadband Efforts, and State Legislative Update on Broadband Resources. Staff will continue to facilitate the Local Technology Planning Team over the next month to finalize the Local Broadband Plan and submit it to the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) by April 30, 2022.
—The Board approved the scheduling of a public hearing and vote for the next meeting on April 12, 2022. The ordinance amends the Leon County Land Development Code, entitled “Definitions,” and creates a new section entitled “Electric Vehicle Charging Station Infrastructure and Electric Vehicle Parking Requirements.”
Also, the commissioners permitted county staff to engage members of the Capital Area Sustainability Compact in developing a plan to guide grant applications expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
—Leon County Commissioners unanimously voted to sponsor the Tallahassee Community College’s (TCC) inaugural “Rock the Roost” concert on July 23, 2022. The sponsorship is for $50,000 from the Tourism Development fund balance.
—The Board approved the FY 2023 maximum discretionary funding levels for outside agencies, including the Community Human Services Partnership (CHSP) and special events.
—The commissioners approve the use of $1,002,853 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the request of the Tallahassee Housing Authority for the redevelopment of the Orange Avenue Apartments and authorize the County Administrator to execute a letter of commitment. The item passed in a 6-0 vote with Commissioner Kristin Dozier in recusal.
Leon County Commission Meeting Notes March 8, 2022 added by Lynsey Kirk on
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Still waiting from local medias investigative reports on…
1) The payout by Leon County for a contract to the buyer of Pingree’s home in Wakulla County.
2) the pay out from the Tallahassee Leon Federal Credit Union for their president to misuse funds as an election campaign publicity stunt disguised as a country music venue. Pingree was on that board that allowed the misuse of funds.
3) the hiring of Pingree by Vince Long as a favor to Scott Maddox so that they could allow Maddox’s girlfriend to be approved for a government local position revealed by an FBI investigation. Both Maddox and his girlfriend are now in prison why aern’t Vince Long and Ben Pingree?
4) the cover-up by Vince Long on the County Commission Aide to Nick Maddox and the big severance package “hush” payout to her after only months in that position.
5) not saying anything at the illegal double dipping by Nick Maddox in his two paid positions; one at the Leon County Schools and the second at the Boys & Girls Club. His numerous conflicted votes where he had to recuse himself is prohibited and he never should have been able to be allowed to serve in those positions. In Vince Long’s leadership position he failed to stand up and say this is wrong. I wouldn’t be surprised if Long gave Maddox recommendations for those positions.
Vince long owes the citizens an explanation of his recent trip to New York. His arrogance is mind numbing. Did they go there to attract business to Tallahassee and therefore they can only say that the company is confidential? Or they went there on a personal trip where they should say so. They went there for no good? To not give an explanation of the trip is not okay.
Vince Long takes care of his friends at the expense of Leon County taxpayers and puts them in positions where these people leave dumpster fires all over the county affecting the quality of life for the Leon County Citizens. The audacity for Long, the State Attorney, the Tallahassee City Manager and Ben Pingree to go on a trip and say nothing is the ultimate in arrogance and corruption.
Hopefully, the midterms an 2024 will alleviate more corruption…
“Electric Vehicle Charging Station Infrastructure and Electric Vehicle Parking Requirements.”
Oh well, so much for affordable housing. This will jack rent and ownership costs up and beyond the reach of the much-ignored working man and woman. This particular scam needs to be watched very closely. There will undoubtedly be an attempt to have taxpayers subsidize the construction, operating, and upkeep costs of this flawed ideology in perpetuity.
Pay attention people… they’re moving quickly to shove this foolishness down everyone’s throat.
Did County Administrator Vince Long divulge the details of his trip with State Attorney Jack Campbell, Ben Pingree, and Reese Goad to New York City last week? The reason for the trip? Who paid for the trip?
Shall we assume that it was an all-expense-paid junket paid for by the FBI with tickets to Hamilton, discussing government business in secret, and attending a campaign rally for Andrew Cuomo’s election bid for governor?
“The bill prohibits classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation for grades K-3. ”
WHY would anyone want Teachers and School Staff, or Friends or Neighbors for that matter, talking to their TODDLERS about being Gay or Transgender? These are Toddlers.
“The Board heard an update to the county’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Temporary Relocation Assistance Program. It directed staff to work with the City of Tallahassee on the issue and to contract with the Tallahassee Urban League and other providers as necessary to assist in administering the program.”
Emergency rental assistance. Indeed. It sounds like a tax hike on those of us who work, or a revenue shift from hospitals or other worthy public expenditures is coming to further support “rental assistance.” With businesses crying for employees and even willing to train those who don’t possess necessary skills, the only emergency assistance that most people need is ambition and desire. If they think that they are worth more than what is offered based on their skills and refuse an offer, quit for reasons other than health, or are fired for failure to comply with reasonable employer rules, they have themselves stopped the “emergency.” They don’t need and should not get assistance. They need a swift kick of reality.
“a House bill that shifts $200 million in funds away from 12 Florida school districts, including Leon County Schools, due to the mask requirements imposed by the district in the 2020-2021 school year.”
I believe it would be more accurate to state “due to the illegal mask requirements imposed by the school districts…”.
The pending bill establishing term limits for school board members sounds good and the passing of the anti-grooming bill is good.
“…a plan to guide grant applications expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.” I hope this doesn’t turn out to be a money pit.