Sunil Harman, City Airport Director, Resigns

Sunil Harman, City Airport Director, Resigns

In a press release, posted just before the July 4th holiday, the City of Tallahassee formally acknowledged the resignation of Sunil Harman, the City’s Airport Director. Harman submitted his resignation on June 27, 2013 to take the Airport Director position in Okaloosa County. There was no reason given for his departure. Harman had been widely credited for […]

Is City Staff Gaming the City Commission?

Tallahassee Reports has obtained information that indicates that the document prepared and distributed to City Commissioners during the last budget workshop appears to be misleading in representing that City spending has been on a downward trend since 2008. In fact, the opposite appears to be the case. At the City of Tallahassee’s budget workshop on […]

City of Tallahassee Budget Debate Begins

City Manager Anita Favors Thompson presented her proposed budget for fiscal year 2014 to the City Commission on Wednesday. The preliminary $854 million budget included a General Fund deficit, but the final proposal addressed the deficit through a $2.3 million property tax increase, a $2 million increase in the electric utility transfer, and a $3 […]

BREAKING NEWS: CITY STAFF PROPOSES INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES AND ELECTRIC UTILITY TRANSFER

BREAKING NEWS: CITY STAFF PROPOSES INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES AND ELECTRIC UTILITY TRANSFER

Just last month, Raoul Lavin of the City’s budget office, provided the first glimpse of the 2014 budget. His presentation focused only on the General Fund, which finances core city services, and indicated an upcoming deficit of approximately $5 million. Yesterday, City Manager Anita Favors Thompson released her recommended 2014 (FY14) budget for review by […]

CITY STAFF PROPOSES INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES AND ELECTRIC UTILITY TRANSFER

CITY STAFF PROPOSES INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES AND ELECTRIC UTILITY TRANSFER

Just last month, Raoul Lavin of the City’s budget office, provided the first glimpse of the 2014 budget. His presentation focused only on the General Fund, which finances core city services, and indicated an upcoming deficit of approximately $5 million. Yesterday, City Manager Anita Favors Thompson released her recommended 2014 (FY14) budget for review by […]

After Debate, Ethics Panel Votes For Charter Level Ethics Officer

After Debate, Ethics Panel Votes For Charter Level Ethics Officer

During the 17th meeting of the City’s Ethics Advisory Panel, on Monday June 10, the issue of oversight authority was front and center. The question of who an Ethics Officer would report to has been lingering over the meetings for the last few weeks. While the discussions had been cordial, it was obvious that a […]

Ethics Advisory Panel Struggles With Oversight Issue, Chairperson Barnett Calls for Charter Amendment

Ethics Advisory Panel Struggles With Oversight Issue, Chairperson Barnett Calls for Charter Amendment

While the City’s Ethics Advisory Panel is set to recommend significant changes to ethics rules for elected officials with respect to financial disclosure, business conflicts, and training, the question of who will be responsible for implementing these new rules has yet to be resolved. During the Panel’s meeting on May 30th, scheduled to be its […]

Oversight Authority At Center of Ethics Panel Discussion

Oversight Authority At Center of Ethics Panel Discussion

The City’s Ethics Advisory Panel held a public hearing Wednesday night in the City Hall Chambers. But before the public meeting, the Panel took care of some unfinished business with regards to the structure of the oversight authority for a new ethics code. The focus of the Panel was a recommendation by Panel member Jaber […]

Gaines Street Development Draws Criticism From Business Owners

Gaines Street Development Draws Criticism From Business Owners

Over the last three years, the City and County Commissioners who sat on the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) have voted to spend approximately $10 million dollars associated with four major developments on and around Gaines Street.  Together these developments will consist of 74,000 square feet of retail space, 1,400 parking places, and 1,400 residential beds. […]

City’s Ethics Advisory Panel Proposes Major Changes for Elected Officials

City’s Ethics Advisory Panel Proposes Major Changes for Elected Officials

Chairperson Martha Barnett said something at the City’s Ethics Advisory Panel that a number of citizens have known for a long time: “We need more transparency and accountability in this digital age.” With that, the members of the Panel spent over two hours reaching consensus on major changes to the current rules and laws that […]