Stewart’s Blog: $90 Million, Transparency & Cecilia Homison

Stewart’s Blog: $90 Million, Transparency & Cecilia Homison

The recent controversy involving the Tallahassee Economic Development Council  and the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce made local headlines for a number of days. Here is why this controversy should matter to everyone in Tallahassee. First, during this dust up, Mayor Andrew Gillum admitted the performance of the Tallahassee Economic Development Council over the last […]

CRA Gives $205,000 in Tax Money to Piggly Wiggly

CRA Gives $205,000 in Tax Money to Piggly Wiggly

Today the Community Redevelopment Agency voted to give $205,000 in tax revenue to the company which is locating a Piggly Wiggly’s at the former home of a Harvey’s grocery store. City Commissioners Gil Ziffer and Scott Maddox were the only two no votes. CRA staff reported to elected officials that: “Cogen, Inc. is requesting $205,000 […]

City Reveals More Surpluses, Still No Refunds

City Reveals More Surpluses, Still No Refunds

At Wednesday nights City Commission meeting, city staff revealed that the City’s General Fund -which pays for core services – had a $3.6 million surplus after 3-months of operation in fiscal year 2016. The finding was presented to City Commissioners by City Manager Rick Fernandez as part  his new a budget process which will provide […]

Leon County Loses Jobs, Labor Force Shrinks in 2015

Leon County Loses Jobs, Labor Force Shrinks in 2015

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released employment data for the state of Florida today. The data shows that Leon county added 221 jobs in December. However, the release also shows that when compared to 2014, Leon county lost jobs and the labor force shrank in 2015. These trends were in the opposite direction of […]

Leon County Moves to Defund Economic Development Council

Leon County Moves to Defund Economic Development Council

The staff for the Leon County Board of County Commissioners added an agenda item for the January 26th meeting that seeks the authorization to terminate the Economic Development Council (EDC) contract. Click here and scroll to page 14 to see agenda item. Leon County’s current contract with the EDC calls for funding of approximately $174,000. The agenda […]

City and County Allocated $400,000 in Taxpayer Funds to Tallahassee EDC

City and County Allocated $400,000 in Taxpayer Funds to Tallahassee EDC

Tallahassee Reports has learned that the City and County budgets for 2016 include a combined total of $411,500 in taxpayer revenue allocated to the Tallahassee Economic Development Council (EDC). Budget documents show that the City increased the allocated amount for the EDC by approximately 48%, from $115,000 in 2015 to 174,500 in 2016. Leon County […]

Leon County Single-Family Construction Ends Year with Increase Over 2014

Leon County Single-Family Construction Ends Year with Increase Over 2014

Recent information from Leon County and the City of Tallahassee shows that single-family new construction projects increased by 7.6% in 2015. In 2014, 446 single-family permits were approved and in 2015 that number increased to 480 units. The 7.6% growth in Leon County is less than the 9.9% growth in single-family starts reported at the national […]