The Oct. 2 order follows months of complaints from nearby residents about runoff from the facility at 1948 Capps Highway in Monticello. DEP identified wastewater associated with Trulieve’s operations as including reverse-osmosis reject water and condensate from dehumidifiers and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. The wastewater is routed to an irrigation sediment basin and sprayed on designated areas of the property.

DEP found that Trulieve “sprayed the Wastewater onto its outdoor lawn,” with some moving outside the facility perimeter without a DEP permit. The agency determined the activity violated state environmental statutes and regulations.

The finding was welcomed by residents who have pushed state regulators to investigate the facility.

“This is a huge victory for our community,” Cindy Pyburn of Concerned Residents of Jefferson County wrote in an Oct. 3 letter to residents.

“For months, residents were told that what we were seeing leave the Trulieve property was rainwater and that the runoff issues had been addressed,” Pyburn wrote. “Now, DEP’s consent order puts its findings and the steps Trulieve must take in writing.”

Under the order, Trulieve has 30 days to submit an interim irrigation plan designed to prevent wastewater from leaving the property and reaching neighboring properties. DEP says the plan could include reduced application rates, alternating application zones and reduced irrigation times.

Trulieve also must apply within 120 days for a wastewater permit covering the discharges identified by DEP. The company and agency expect the permitting process to reach a final decision within 12 months.

The order requires Trulieve to pay $80,000 within 90 days. However, the company can instead propose a DEP-approved environmental enhancement, restoration or facility-improvement project worth at least $120,000.

Trulieve told WCTV that it worked with DEP to reach an agreement allowing environmental site improvements in place of the payment and said it takes environmental compliance seriously. WCTV reported that the company plans to pursue the $120,000 improvement option.

The consent order does not find that Trulieve contaminated neighboring drinking water or waterways with unsafe levels of pollutants. That is separate from DEP’s finding that wastewater left the property without the required permit. Earlier testing also found no contamination linked to the facility, according to State Rep. Allison Tant. WTXL reported in July that months of water testing found no contamination associated with the Trulieve operation.

The order nevertheless establishes increased state oversight. Trulieve must allow authorized DEP representatives access to the facility and property at reasonable times to determine compliance. Violating the consent order could subject the company to civil penalties of up to $15,000 per day for each violation.

Trulieve neither admits nor agrees that DEP’s findings constitute violations of statutory or common law, but agreed to be bound by the consent order and its enforcement provisions.

Pyburn said residents view the order as progress rather than the end of the dispute.

“There is still work ahead to make sure the requirements are carried out, and the wastewater and runoff problems are corrected on the ground,” she wrote. “Concerned Residents of Jefferson County will be following these matters and keeping our neighbors informed.”

The forum was produced by the Capitol Region News Collaborative and the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee. Questioners included representatives from WTXL, the Tallahassee Democrat and the League of Women Voters.

Below is a condensed question-and-answer summary of the forum, with significant differences between the candidates highlighted.

How would your leadership differ from Commissioner Jeremy Matlow?

Tom Derzypolski: Said he would bring 25 years of executive and community leadership experience and emphasized his political independence. He said he is not aligned with other candidates and would work with whoever voters elect to move the city forward.

P.J. Perez: Emphasized his 16 years in public education and his family’s experience in both the public and private sectors. He said his priorities include neighborhoods, small businesses, environmental protection and opportunities for residents he believes have been overlooked.

Key Difference: Derzypolski framed the race around experience, independence and changing the governing culture at City Hall. Perez framed his candidacy around policy change and greater representation for neighborhoods and residents he believes have been underserved.

What is the main difference between you and your opponent?

Derzypolski: Experience. He pointed to 25 years of executive leadership, community relationships and experience addressing complex problems.

Perez: Perspective. He cited his career in education, his wife’s small business and his work with students and families.

Key Difference: Derzypolski argued that executive experience distinguishes him. Perez emphasized his public-education background and connection to working families.

Would you have supported the transfer of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to FSU?

Perez: No. He supported an affiliation with FSU but opposed transferring the asset. He criticized the process and said alternatives proposed by residents were not adequately explored.

Derzypolski: Yes, with reservations. He supported bringing an academic medical center to Tallahassee but strongly criticized the process as predetermined and insufficiently transparent. He favored stronger local governance and participation by FAMU and Tallahassee State College.

Key Difference: This was one of the forum’s clearest policy differences. Derzypolski supported the ultimate TMH-FSU transaction despite concerns about the process. Perez opposed transferring the asset and preferred an affiliation that retained city ownership.

Would you have supported selling the Capital City Country Club property?

Derzypolski: No. He criticized selling city assets and described the transaction as a “fire sale.”

Perez: No. He argued the city should have retained the 178-acre property and considered financing maintenance through bonds. He also cited the historical significance of graves of enslaved people on the property.

Did you support the process used to hire the new city manager and the supermajority termination provision?

Perez: No. He said the city charter contemplates the manager serving at the pleasure of the commission and criticized requiring a supermajority to remove the manager.

Derzypolski: Opposed the contract provision but said the city ultimately hired a highly qualified manager. He attributed the controversy partly to the commission’s “toxic culture,” arguing threats to fire the manager prompted other commissioners to seek additional protections.

Key Difference: Both opposed the contract provision, but Perez focused on the charter and the structural problem with the supermajority requirement. Derzypolski placed the controversy within the broader context of dysfunction and mistrust among commissioners.

Do you support hyperscale data centers in Tallahassee?

Derzypolski: No, under current circumstances. He said too many questions remain concerning environmental effects, economic benefits, jobs and salaries.

Perez: No. He supports a moratorium, citing environmental concerns, water use, tax incentives and skepticism about promised job creation.

What is causing local gun violence, and what would you do about it?

Perez: Said young people lack opportunities and a sense of purpose. He advocated after-school music and arts programs, vocational training, Head Start and early intervention.

Derzypolski: Cited gangs, broken homes, struggling neighborhoods and limited economic opportunity. He called for better coordination among law enforcement, nonprofits and community organizations, along with neighborhood revitalization and economic development.

Key Difference: Perez placed greater emphasis on youth programs and early intervention, while Derzypolski emphasized coordination, neighborhood revitalization and economic opportunity.

Do you support Flock cameras and license-plate surveillance technology?

Derzypolski: Expressed serious reservations. He said law enforcement should have effective technology but only with strict oversight and protections for civil liberties.

Perez: Criticized the city’s handling of automated license-plate readers and warned that surveillance technology can be misused. He emphasized balancing public safety against civil liberties.

Should the city and county operate separate fire departments?

Perez: No. He said city and county leaders should repair their relationship and restore cooperation, with firefighters involved in developing a solution.

Derzypolski: No. He called separate systems unaffordable and said he would immediately work toward mediation and restoration of a joint approach.

Do you support the 287(g) agreement with ICE?

Derzypolski: No. He said it creates anxiety and makes the community less safe.

Perez: No. He characterized the arrangement as federal overreach and said residents should not be treated as enemies.

Both said they would have voted to sever the agreement even if doing so exposed them to possible action by the governor.

What has been Tallahassee’s biggest economic-development success of the past four years?

Derzypolski: Said he could not identify one and characterized local economic development as “anemic.”

Perez: Also said substantial work remains. He called for greater support of small businesses and better commercialization of research and innovation from FSU, FAMU and TSC.

How do residents perceive Tallahassee’s economy?

Perez: Said voters he encounters are primarily concerned about affordability—rent, utilities and household expenses—not City Hall’s political divisions. He linked affordability to his opposition to urban sprawl.

Derzypolski: Said residents are experiencing genuine financial pressure and sometimes must choose among food, gasoline and prescriptions. He proposed reducing city-controlled utility rates and fees where possible.

Key Difference: Both described an affordability problem, but Perez connected it more directly to development patterns and urban sprawl, while Derzypolski emphasized reducing government-controlled household costs and growing the economy.

How would you create higher-income jobs?

Derzypolski: Would leverage FSU, FAMU, TSC, Lively, the academic medical center and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory to attract private investment. He said government needs to operate at the “speed of business.”

Perez: Would use university research and student talent to develop commercially useful solutions to community problems, including water-quality challenges.

Key Difference: Derzypolski emphasized business recruitment and connecting private industry with Tallahassee’s existing institutions. Perez emphasized commercializing locally generated research and innovation.

What is Tallahassee’s most important environmental issue?

Perez: Water quality. He connected threats to water resources with urban sprawl and inadequate infrastructure.

Derzypolski: Water quality. He warned about the influence of large national developers and advocated cooperation among environmental groups, neighborhoods and local builders.

Give examples of responsible and irresponsible growth.

Derzypolski: Pointed to urban infill and affordable housing in existing neighborhoods as responsible growth. He criticized development pushing farther away from the urban core because of infrastructure costs.

Perez: Cited the Tallahassee Lenders’ Consortium’s Community Land Trust as a positive model. He criticized the proposed Lake Jackson-area annexation and Welaunee-area expansion as examples of sprawl that shift infrastructure costs to taxpayers.

Key Difference: Both favor infill, but Perez was more explicit in opposing specific Northeast development and annexation projects. Derzypolski focused more broadly on the financial and infrastructure advantages of developing inside the existing urban area.

Who is responsible for the City Commission’s 3-2 divide and “toxic” culture?

Perez: Downplayed the significance of what he called “palace intrigue,” saying most residents are more concerned about affordability and responsive government. He said disagreement among commissioners can be part of a healthy governing body.

Derzypolski: Said dysfunction matters because it prevents progress on affordability, crime, environmental issues and growth. He said he would work to restore civility and collegiality.

Key Difference: This was a fundamental difference. Derzypolski views City Hall’s political dysfunction as a major problem requiring a change in leadership style. Perez argues the 3-2 narrative receives too much attention compared with residents’ economic and policy concerns.

Is Democratic Party involvement in the nonpartisan Seat 3 race appropriate?

The candidates were asked specifically about the Leon County Democratic Party, chaired by Ryan Ray, who also works as Commissioner Jeremy Matlow’s aide, supporting Perez.

Derzypolski: Said voters want to move beyond partisan labels. He declined to make the ethical determination concerning Ray and Matlow himself.

Perez: Said party affiliation inevitably provides information to voters even in nonpartisan elections. He highlighted Derzypolski’s roughly two decades as a registered Republican.

Key Difference: Perez considers partisan history relevant information in a nominally nonpartisan election. Derzypolski argues the contest should be judged primarily on candidates, leadership and independence rather than party affiliation.

Is Republican criticism tying Perez to out-of-town socialists fair?

Perez: No. He dismissed such attacks as political “boogeymen” and “McCarthyism.”

Derzypolski: No. He rejected the attacks, said they did not help his campaign and called on people to stop them.

What does Derzypolski say about his former Republican registration?

Derzypolski: Said his voting history demonstrates independence, pointing to support for Democrats including Bill Montford, Allison Tant and Loranne Ausley. He said becoming NPA better reflected his political outlook.

Perez: Said voters should consider Derzypolski’s approximately 20 years as a Republican, including during Donald Trump’s presidencies. Perez said he consistently voted Democratic despite previously registering NPA.

Key Difference: Derzypolski portrays his former Republican registration as less important than his history of crossing party lines. Perez portrays the duration of Derzypolski’s Republican affiliation as relevant information about his political background.

What progressive position does Derzypolski hold?

Derzypolski: Said access to health care should be a basic right and also identified environmental protection.

Would Perez create a new progressive 3-2 voting bloc?

Perez: Said voters should judge his published policies rather than political labels and vote based on whether those policies reflect their values.

Derzypolski: Said party-based concerns are overrated in a nonpartisan election and emphasized his independence.

Key Difference: Perez defended the policies associated with his candidacy without distancing himself from the progressive coalition supporting him. Derzypolski made independence from political groups and voting blocs a central argument for his candidacy.

Name an issue where Perez disagrees with Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.

Perez: Said he had not studied Matlow’s complete eight-year voting record closely enough to identify a specific vote. He suggested affordable housing could be an area of difference, citing his support for a Montgomery County-style approach.

Key Difference: The exchange underscored one of Derzypolski’s broader campaign arguments: Perez did not identify a specific Matlow vote he opposed, while Derzypolski repeatedly presented himself as independent of the existing City Commission factions.

What about Derzypolski’s support from developers, builders and Chamber interests?

Derzypolski: Said his donor support reflects relationships and trust developed through 25 years of community service. He also pointed to support from retirees, veterans, teachers and environmentalists.

Perez: Said criticism is warranted to the extent those interests have influenced decisions that frustrate voters. He contrasted his individual donor base with contributions associated with business and development interests.

Key Difference: Derzypolski portrays business and development support as evidence of broad community trust. Perez portrays support from those interests as potentially tying a candidate to the same forces he believes have shaped City Hall decisions.

Does Perez bear responsibility for the fake Facebook operation targeting Talethia Edwards?

Perez: Said consultant Kris Estanga acted independently. Perez said he would not have made that decision but believes people make mistakes and deserve second chances.

Derzypolski: Said the incident may be history in terms of the news cycle but remains relevant from a leadership perspective. He questioned how such activity could occur within a campaign’s orbit without the candidate knowing.

Key Difference: Perez treats the incident as the independent mistake of a consultant and largely a closed matter. Derzypolski treats it as an ongoing question about leadership, campaign culture and accountability.

How would you reduce utility costs?

Perez: Proposed removing the fire-services fee from utility bills and replacing it with an assessment-based approach. He also questioned other fees appearing on utility bills.

Derzypolski: Promised to lower utility bills during his first year and cited reconnection and after-hours charges as examples of fees that could be reconsidered.

Key Difference: Perez proposed changing how major city services are financed. Derzypolski focused more heavily on reducing fees and other city-controlled costs charged directly to utility customers.

If you could do one thing to make housing more affordable, what would it be?

Derzypolski: Prioritized expedited permitting for urban infill to increase affordable housing supply in existing neighborhoods.

Perez: Proposed eliminating parking minimums, streamlining permitting, expanding community land trusts, legalizing “missing middle” housing and encouraging smaller starter homes.

Key Difference: Both support infill and additional housing supply, but Perez proposed broader zoning and housing-policy changes, while Derzypolski emphasized permitting reform and private-sector construction within existing neighborhoods.

Does increasing housing supply reduce prices?

Perez: Generally yes, but said the type of housing matters. He argued that building additional luxury student apartments does not necessarily address affordability for working families.

Derzypolski: Agreed that housing type matters and again emphasized urban infill and neighborhood revitalization.

Do you support Amendment 3?

Derzypolski: No. He said it would shift power from local governments to the state and could create severe fiscal problems for cities and counties.

Perez: No. He likewise characterized it as an attack on home rule that could particularly hurt rural communities and reduce local government’s ability to provide services.

What would you do if Amendment 3 creates an $18 million annual city revenue loss?

Perez: Said he would target executive “bloat,” development subsidies, travel, licensing expenses and other spending while reviewing the budget line by line.

Derzypolski: Also advocated a line-by-line budget review. He argued that city revenues have expanded substantially and that government could return spending closer to previous levels while protecting public safety.

Key Difference: Perez identified particular programs and spending categories he would target, including development subsidies. Derzypolski made a broader fiscal argument that city government has expanded and should reduce overall spending toward earlier levels.

Do you support an across-the-board 4% employee raise?

Derzypolski: No. He prefers compensation based on employee performance.

Perez: Said across-the-board increases should incorporate merit-based standards.

Should the commission remove the 30-minute limit on off-agenda public comment?

Perez: Yes.

Derzypolski: Yes.

Who do you support for governor?

Both candidates said they planned to vote for David Jolly.

Who do you support for Tallahassee mayor?

Perez: Said he would vote for Commissioner Jeremy Matlow.

Derzypolski: Said he had not decided and would evaluate the candidates based on who could best serve Tallahassee. He said he was prepared to work with either candidate.

Key Difference: Perez explicitly backed Matlow, reinforcing his political alignment with the existing progressive coalition. Derzypolski declined to choose between the mayoral candidates and again emphasized his political independence.

Do you support city-county consolidation?

Derzypolski: No. He questioned whether consolidation produces sufficient savings to justify the disruption.

Perez: No. He similarly said the savings do not justify the complications involved.

Name a position held by your opponent that you respect.

Perez: Said he appreciates Derzypolski’s emphasis on concerns about urban sprawl.

Derzypolski: Said he agrees with Perez’s emphasis on urban infill and neighborhood revitalization.

What should outside PACs supporting your candidacy do?

Perez: Said supporters do not need to tear down opponents and emphasized that candidates will remain neighbors after the election.

Derzypolski: Said he would publicly stand alongside Perez to reject false attacks against him and said dark-money and outside-money attacks have no place in his leadership.

How would you improve Tallahassee International Airport?

Derzypolski: Focused on costs, particularly parking, arguing that high airport expenses encourage residents and businesses to drive to competing airports.

Perez: Favored attracting more budget airlines and studying successful airport strategies in similarly sized communities.

Key Difference: Derzypolski focused on reducing the cost of using the existing airport, while Perez emphasized increasing airline competition and flight options.

Should StarMetro services be cut during a revenue shortfall?

Perez: Indicated no, describing public transportation as a public good rather than a profit-making enterprise.

Derzypolski: Did not advocate service cuts. Instead, he proposed restoring commercial advertising on buses to generate additional revenue.

Key Difference: Perez emphasized preserving transit because of its role as a public service. Derzypolski emphasized finding new revenue to help sustain the service without relying entirely on city funding.

What was each candidate’s closing argument?

Derzypolski: Presented himself as the independent and experienced candidate. He emphasized 25 years of executive and community leadership, bridge-building and his willingness to work with all commissioners. He said Tallahassee voters are looking for “independent thought and leadership.”

Perez: Presented himself as the change candidate. He argued Tallahassee needs a “clean break with the status quo” and criticized the influence of “monied interests.” He emphasized his grassroots campaign, affordable housing and government responsiveness to neighborhoods.

Key Difference: The closing statements captured the central contrast of the forum: Derzypolski argued that Tallahassee needs independent, experienced leadership capable of repairing a divided City Hall. Perez argued that Tallahassee needs a policy and political break from the existing power structure and development interests.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier was in Sarasota Friday to announce his office has filed a lawsuit against a construction company and its executives for allegedly scamming at least 80 residents out of at least $1 million in insurance payments over four years.

Uthmeier filed the suit in the 20th Judicial Circuit in Lee County. Named defendants are Evolve Construction and Evolve Construction & Restoration Inc. — which operate as Evolve Enterprise — and six of its executive principals. 

The AG’s office alleges the defendants used predatory contracts that left residents without protection and operated without home solicitation permits, moves Uthmeier claims violate Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, which his office enforces.

“We’ve been able to identify over a million dollars at this point from 80 different complainants, and that number is only going to grow,” Uthmeier said during the press conference.

The Florida Phoenix called Evolve Construction at the Sherman Oaks, Calif., headquarters advertised on its website but no one answered. Phone calls to Evolve Construction & Restoration offices in  Naples, Sarasota, Orlando, and Port Charlotte offices advertised on the website also went unanswered.

Following Hurricanes Ian and Milton, Uthmeier said, individuals from the companies would go into storm-ravaged neighborhoods, knocking door to door, promising to repair roofs and search for mold.

“They stole millions of dollars of insurance money that these residents received that was supposed to go towards home repairs but, the kicker, they didn’t do the repairs. On many cases, they did not even begin the repairs. But in all of these cases, they certainly did not finish them, taking the money, running, leaving these poor residents, these victims, with damaged buildings and homes and, in many cases, liens on the property — that’s unacceptable,” Uthmeier said.

The AG said he hopes other people who have been scammed contact his office “so that we can beef up our suit even further. Take these guys to the cleaners, make sure that they are held fully accountable, and get your money back to you so that you can be made whole.”

Uthmeier was named Florida’s top law enforcement official by Gov. Ron DeSantis after he tapped former Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio when he became Secretary of State.

To keep the position, Uthmeier must be approved by Florida voters in November. He faces Democratic challenger José Javier Rodriguez.

He used the press conference as an opportunity to praise his former boss.

“I think Gov. DeSantis has has really written a master class for all leaders when it comes to how to handle thees these disasters [hurricanes], Uthmeier said.

He praised Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman and other law enforcement, noting, “They do Lord’s work.”

Florida has spent years building a reputation as a place where people can work hard, build businesses and keep more of what they earn. Families continue to move here from higher-cost states in search of lower taxes, greater freedom and a government that does not stand in the way of opportunity, but a less visible variable had begun to undermine that reputation: Florida had become one of the most litigation-heavy states in the country.

For years, lawsuit abuse imposed a cost on Floridians whether they ever stepped inside a courtroom or not. Aggressive advertising encouraged claims, questionable lawsuits clogged the system, and an entire legal ecosystem developed around suing insurers. The resulting costs ultimately found their way into higher insurance premiums paid by families and businesses across the state.

In 2023, Florida lawmakers took meaningful action, the Legislature passed a package of reforms designed to address some of the practices that had contributed to excessive litigation, particularly in the property and auto insurance markets. It was an acknowledgment that Floridians should not have to absorb the cost of a system that rewards prolonged litigation at the expense of resolving legitimate disputes.

That progress should not be put in reverse, there is growing discussion in Tallahassee about rolling back or repealing portions of the 2023 reforms. That would be a step in the wrong direction at a time when Florida families and small businesses are already dealing with higher prices and mounting household expenses. Savings in one part of the family budget do little good if unnecessary litigation continues adding costs elsewhere.

The question for lawmakers should not be whether Florida has done enough on lawsuit reform. It should be how the state can build on what it has already accomplished. One area deserving serious consideration is medical malpractice. Establishing a reasonable limit on medical malpractice awards could help address the costs associated with medical and dental liability coverage, costs that ultimately affect employers, providers and consumers. Third-party litigation financing also deserves greater scrutiny. Under this model, outside investors can provide financial backing for lawsuits in exchange for a portion of a potential recovery. Those investors may have no connection to the underlying dispute, yet they can have a financial interest in how long litigation continues and how large a settlement becomes. Greater transparency and reasonable limits on this practice would address an increasingly important part of the litigation landscape without denying legitimate plaintiffs access to the courts.

This debate should not be framed as a choice between protecting Floridians and protecting their access to justice. People who suffer legitimate injuries deserve a fair opportunity to seek compensation. At the same time, consumers and businesses deserve a legal system that encourages legitimate claims to be resolved fairly rather than creating incentives for unnecessary litigation. Florida’s 2023 reforms demonstrated that meaningful changes are possible when lawmakers are willing to tackle the underlying causes of lawsuit abuse. The Legislature has an opportunity to continue reducing those costs, strengthen the state’s economic foundation and preserve the progress already made.

City officials and community members gathered Sept. 23 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new 40,000-square-foot Tallahassee Senior Center at 2743 Welaunee Boulevard. Visitors toured the new facility following the ceremony. The center is built on approximately 6 acres of land – valued at $2.5 million – which was donated by the Ghazvini family.

According to a City of Tallahassee press release announcing the opening, the new center was designed primarily for active adults ages 50 and older and significantly expands the space available for senior programs.

The facility includes a double-size multipurpose gym featuring six indoor pickleball courts and two courts that can accommodate basketball and volleyball. The gym can also be used for table tennis, fitness classes and other activities.

A separate Lifelong Learning wing will provide space for educational classes, art programs, cards and games, along with health and wellness activities.

“Opening the second Tallahassee Senior Center is a testament to the City’s commitment to transformative projects that enhance the well-being of our community,” Mayor John Dailey said in the city’s press release. “The additional center will allow the City to better serve the growing senior population and the need for expanded programs for current and future residents.”

Tallahassee Senior Services has operated primarily from the historic Armory building on North Monroe Street since 1978. Built in 1935 to accommodate military troops, the building now hosts a wide range of senior classes, games, concerts and other programs.

The city said Senior Services staff and volunteers currently coordinate nearly 200 activities each month at the North Monroe Street center and 14 neighborhood locations. Those programs serve approximately 500 seniors per day.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome the community through the doors of Tallahassee’s second senior center,” Senior Services Manager Ceola Grant said. “This beautiful building will be a place where friendships grow as seniors stay active, engaged and connected.”

The Welaunee Boulevard facility will be available for use by the broader community, as is the original Senior Center on North Monroe Street. Regular operating hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Schedules for programs at both senior centers will be available through the city’s Senior Services website and its weekly newsletter.

Tallahassee Senior Services operates within the City’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department.

August Permits

For the month of August, the number of single-family residential construction permits were up 20.5% when compared to August 2025. There were 47 permits issued in August 2026, compared to 39 permits issued one year ago. There were 73 permits issued last month, July 2026.

The 3-Mnth Avg. data (Jun. – Aug.), which smooths out the month-to-month volatility, shows a 29.6% increase in the number of permits issued over the same 3-month period one year ago.

August Permit Value

The August permit value was down 34.3%, from $13.4 mill in August 2025 to $8.8 million in 2026.

The 3-Mnth Avg. data show a 2.2% decrease in monthly average permit value during this period. The 3-month average permit values decreased from $13.7 million in August 2025 to $13.4 million in August 2026.

Long Term Trend

The chart below shows the number of permits issued each month for the last 37-month period. A 3-month average line is also included. The highlighted numbers relate to permits issued in the month of June back to 2023.

The chart shows that the 3-month average declining trend that began in June 2025 has been reversed. The year-to-date (YTD) numbers through August show 2026 permits (434) are ahead of the number of permits issued during the first six months of 2025 (379) and 2024 (374).

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Weather: Today, a 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm with a high near 91. Tonight, a 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Thursday, mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Thursday night, partly cloudy, with a low around 65. NWS

US stock markets close mixed (S&P 500 -0.0%, Dow -0.4%, Nasdaq +0.5%), and oil prices fall after Trump administration reports a positive meeting with Iranian representatives in New York (More).

Local & State News

The latest information from the Tallahassee International Airport shows the August 2026 passenger traffic decreased 2.4% when compared to traffic one year ago. Details.

Among the new laws taking effect Oct. 1 are changes in how police identify criminal gang members, a new penalty for those who involve minors in animal fighting, and a clarification on license plate frame rules. Details

More than $7 million is being used to prevent the commercial or residential development of three working ranches and farmlands in Polk and Putnam counties. Details

National News

President Donald Trump signs new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland, expanding US military presence on the island while preserving Danish sovereignty (More).

Relative to 2025, the Passenger Traffic Report shows year-over-year passenger counts in July were down 14.3% for American Airlines and down 0.5% for the Delta Group. In their second month of operation, Breeze Airways added 3,935 passengers.

The graph below shows the annualized number of passengers for the last 37-months. The highlighted numbers on the graph indicate the annual traffic during the month of August over the last four years. The annual rate of passengers at TIA in August 2026 – 869,482 – is down 7.59% when compared to one year ago (940,901).

The annualized level of passenger traffic in August (869,482) was down 0.22% when compared to July (871,410).

The annualized number of passengers is calculated by summing the previous 12 months of traffic.

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Weather: Today, a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm with a high near 91. Tonight, partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Wednesday, a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm with a high near 92. Wednesday night, mostly clear with a low around 73. NWS

US stock markets close up (S&P 500 +1.5%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq +2.3%) as tech stocks surge ahead of a White House dinner with AI leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday (More).

Local Sports: Chiles defeated Maclay in a dual swim meet Wednesday evening, Sept. 16, at the Maclay School pool, earning a 1,204-951 combined victory. Chiles won both the girls and boys competitions, taking the girls meet 607-465 and the boys meet 597-486. Details

Local & State News

Candidates for Leon County Commission District 3 set the record straight during a candidate forum Monday. Details.

The Tallahassee City Commission will consider a series of changes Wednesday designed to bring city operations into compliance with a new Florida law impacting DEI. Details.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly says he will not debate Republican nominee Byron Donalds ahead of the November election, potentially ending a decades-long tradition of televised debates in Florida governor’s races. Details.

National News

ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox yesterday suspended TV coverage of presidential events in response to President Donald Trump barring CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House over reporting he characterized as fake news.

Jolly announced the decision Sunday, two days after the Donalds campaign said it had accepted invitations to three debates around the state. The campaigns had previously accepted different debate invitations but had not agreed to appear at the same event.

“It is clear, given the tenor of the current campaign environment, including Byron’s repeated lies and bad faith, that debates this cycle would not create constructive, honest conversation and only further stoke division, animosity, and bad will,” Jolly said. “That’s not something I wish to do for our state.”

Jolly said his campaign previously accepted several debate invitations that Donalds did not accept, including proposed events involving the Tampa Bay Tiger Bay Club and CBS Miami.

Donalds, meanwhile, announced Friday that he had accepted three debate invitations: a Sept. 29 event at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, an Oct. 13 event hosted by News4Jax and an Oct. 22 debate involving Telemundo and NBC 6 in South Florida.

The Republican criticized Jolly for declining to participate after previously calling for numerous debates.

“I said 3 debates. Jolly said 12 debates. Yesterday, Jolly said no debates,” Donalds wrote Monday on social media.

Jolly responded that Donalds had earlier rejected opportunities to debate and accused the Republican campaign of attempting to dictate the terms of the debates.

“We accepted multiple debates before this week,” Jolly said. “Byron refused them and instead set his own rules by press release.”

Donalds also declined to debate his opponents during the Republican primary. At the time, Donalds argued that it was not his responsibility to provide his opponents with a platform. Jolly has cited that position while defending his own decision.

Jolly said he plans to spend the remaining weeks before the Nov. 3 election traveling Florida and meeting directly with voters.

The absence of a debate would represent a significant departure from recent Florida political history. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Florida has not held a gubernatorial election without a debate since 1974, when Democratic Gov. Reubin Askew won reelection.

The debate dispute comes as other statewide Florida contests also may proceed without candidate debates. Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody has declined to debate Democratic challenger Angie Nixon, while debates have not been scheduled in several other statewide races.

Monday, September 21, 2026

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Local & State News

In a recent social media post, Tallahassee mayoral candidate Jeremy Matlow proposed funding fire services and stormwater expenses via the property tax bill instead of the current method of charging fees on utility bills. Details.

David Jolly has already made it clear he’s a critic of large-scale data centers, for which Floridians continue to express disapproval up and down the state. Details

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The US and Denmark reached a deal Friday that bolsters security in Greenland while keeping the island under Danish sovereignty. The agreement comes after President Donald Trump’s escalated push for US control of Greenland in January. 

David Jolly has already made it clear he’s a critic of large-scale data centers, for which Floridians continue to express disapproval up and down the state.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate had already said that if elected in November, he’d issue a one-year moratorium on construction of these facilities. But after visiting a region of Northern Virginia this week with the highest density of data centers in the country, he says he’s seen first-hand the economic and public health disruption they inflict on communities and that it’s not what he wants to see in the Sunshine State.

“I visited a family with a home, you open the door and you’re hit with the noise pollution,” he said Friday after attending an event with Habitat for Humanity in Pinellas County. “You walk outside, you see the turbines that are fueling the energy. Down the street, there were four kids who developed respiratory conditions who had to seek medical help.”

Data centers also are deflating real estate prices in their communities, Jolly said. He learned of a home near a massive data center that sat on the market for nearly a year and ended up selling for $80,000 below list price.

“Let’s be honest about what’s happening in Florida,” he said. “Big tech, big data, the utilities are rushing into a relatively unregulated environment, or at least a favorably regulated environment. And that’s why you’re seeing voters who feel like they don’t have the economic or political power to push back, stand up, and say, ‘Please don’t do this.’

Local communities in Florida continue to say they don’t want data centers. This week, the Orange County Commission advanced a plan to temporarily ban data center development. Commissioners reached a consensus for a 6-to-18 month moratorium, depending on how long county staff need to research the potential harms, according to Orlando Weekly.

Three local governments in Florida have permanently banned construction of data centers, and 19 are pausing such development, according to FloridaDataCenters.org.

Already operating

However, 12 data centers are already operating in Florida and another eight are planned, according to Cleanview, a marketing intelligence company. The Florida Legislature approved and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation earlier this year that bans public utilities from passing the electricity costs of data centers onto residential and small business customers. It also preserved local authority over zoning, permitting, and land use for such centers, and gives local governments authority to set strict standards or deny projects.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds has expressed support for letting local governments decide whether they want to construct data centers. He has dismissed Jolly’s one-year moratorium as “politics.”

And Donalds said in Tampa earlier this month that construction of data centers would not resemble what Jolly visited this week.

“In Northern Virginia, they built them next to apartment complexes and residential neighborhoods,” he said. “We’re not going to allow that in Florida. … If you’re going to do it, just do it a couple of miles down the road. Don’t do it in residential neighborhoods.”

Advocates for data centers say they are needed in the United States, lest this country lose the race for AI superiority to China. The strongest advocate for that position is President Donald Trump. The Bureau of Land Management is reviewing data center-related proposals covering at least 17,600 acres of public land across six states  — Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, the Washington Sun reported Friday.

Jolly says he’s perfectly fine if the other 49 states build data centers — just not Florida.

“There is no long-term economic impact from the data centers. There is the upfront construction jobs, but that there’s not the legacy economic impact that actually justifies the disruption of a community,” he said.

“Look I do think that our national policymakers do need to work through some things to the extent that it’s a national security strategy. Let the White House and the Congress figure it out. But as Florida and Florida voters, we’re saying don’t build them here, let the other 49 states build them. It doesn’t hurt our national security strategy to say no to data centers in Florida.”

The Donalds campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.