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 […]

Jobs and Beautification Discussed at Target Issue Meeting

Jobs and Beautification Discussed at Target Issue Meeting

At the most recent Innovation & Engagement TI meeting, jobs and the beautification of Lake Ella were the topics of conservation. Senior Vice president of www.TweetMyJobs.com Brendan Cotter, kicked off the presentation enthused to introduce a social media tool that “takes advantage of frequently used technology and connects job seekers with future employers.” Cotter described the […]

Proposed City Spending Outpaces Consumer Spending

The fiscal year 2014 budget process is officially under way. During last weeks City Commission meeting, Raoul Lavin, the City’s budget guru, gave City Commissioners a progress report on the previous year and a look at the 2014 general fund budget. Mr. Lavin told the Commissioners that as of now, the general fund budget for […]

City Commissioner Maddox Paid by Indicted Co-Conspirator of Alleged Florida Gambling Scheme

City Commissioner Maddox Paid by Indicted Co-Conspirator of Alleged Florida Gambling Scheme

On March 13, 2013, local, state and federal law enforcement officials and prosecutors announced the charging of 57 individuals for their roles in an organized $300 million conspiracy orchestrated by Allied Veterans of the World (AVOTW). Operation “Reveal the Deal” uncovered a sophisticated racketeering and money laundering scheme stemming from 49 illegal gambling centers operating […]

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, […]