When asked about their success, the famous phrase spoken by humble coaches in any sport is “I have great players.” A detailed analysis of college football recruiting over the last five years indicates this statement has never been truer than in college football. The analysis, produced by a writer for SB Nation who calls himself […]
Since the City Manager informed the City Commission on June 16, 2105, that a 27% increase in property taxes would be needed to balance the General Fund budget and to meet community needs, a spirited debate over the budget has ensued between elected officials, city staff, and number of business groups and interested individuals. The […]
The City’s Ethics Board, during a four hour meeting today, voted to retain the City appointed Ethics Officer, Julie Meadows-Keefe who has been a city employee for almost a year. Ms. Keefe was hired by the City Commission last year. The meeting began with public testimony, which at times was contentious. A number of citizens […]
ThrowBackThursday : This article was originally published on November 3, 2014. Today, the City’s Ethics Board will discuss the hiring process for the Ethics Officer position. When the City Attorney and City Auditor filled the in-house ethics officer position last month, they passed on hiring the former General Counsel of the Florida Department of Law […]
Tallahassee Reports has learned that the City of Tallahassee has been transferring unused fees paid by citizens for garbage service to a reserve fund, that as of June of this year, totals $9,026,743. According to budget documents, the reserve fund has increased from $3.9 million in June 2009 to the current level of $9 million. […]
The Chair of the City of Tallahassee Ethics Board, Lila Jaber, asked the recently hired counsel to the Board, Mr. Gerald Currington, “whether the Ethics Board has the discretion to hire an Ethics Officer without advertising.” Noting that the current Ethics Officer was hired under City policies, Mr. Currington wrote “it is my opinion that […]
The recent debate over the proposed 23% property tax increase has overshadowed another double digit increase due to go into effect on October 1. The proposed property tax increase, if adopted, will bring in an additional $8 million annually, beginning October 1. The fire service fee, which is set to increase by 26.9%, will bring […]
Last month we reported the “surge” in the sale of existing homes in Leon county. The good news continues in July. The numbers from July show that 305 homes were sold for an average of $222,000. This is up from a year ago, when 243 homes were sold for an average price of $206,000. This […]
The local budget debate, over the proposed property tax increase, has taken many twist and turns and final approval is still more than a month away. The recent 3-2 vote to tentatively approve a 23% increase in property taxes leaves the door open for more debate. The City has gone to great lengths to justify […]
At the July meeting of the City’s Ethics Board, the General Counsel position was filled by a lawyer who is employed by a law firm that has been awarded contracts by the City Commission totaling approximately $800,000. The action, initiated by Chair Lila Jaber, is raising questions about the independence of the Board, which was established […]