City Staff Once Again Recommends Against Appointed Ethics Officer

City Staff Once Again Recommends Against Appointed Ethics Officer

On March 12, 2014, the City Commission will address the Ethics Advisory Panel recommendations that were not adopted at the Target Issue Workshop held on November 20, 2013. The City Commission appointed a citizen Ethics Advisory Panel (EAP) that first convened on November 8, 2012.  The EAP was charged with examining the various City policies, […]

CRA Votes to Give $1.6 million Tax Break to Out-of-Town Developer

CRA Votes to Give $1.6 million Tax Break to Out-of-Town Developer

On Thursday, February 27, 2014, the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted 6-1 to approve a property tax rebate in the amount of approximately $1.6 million to an out of town developer. The rebate will go to CA Student Living, a developer from Chicago, Illinois that is proposing to develop 444 College Avenue, a mixed-use […]

Pull the Plug On the Brew Pub

Pull the Plug On the Brew Pub

In the best of times, a city government spending $2.1 million to renovate a government owned building to facilitate a restaurant would be tough to justify. But given the facts surrounding the City of Tallahassee’s venture into what is now called the Brew Pub at Cascades Park, it is hard to believe that the City […]

City Responds to Tallahassee Reports Article On Cascades Project

City Responds to Tallahassee Reports Article On Cascades Project

There have been several developments regarding the Cascades Park restaurant project. First,  Commissioner Nancy Miller told Tallahassee Reports via an email late today that she did not know that Andrew Gillum’s treasurer was involved in the project. Second, Tallahassee Reports has learned that since a large portion of the project funds – approximately $800,000 – […]

BREAKING NEWS: City Responds to Tallahassee Reports Article On Cascades Project

BREAKING NEWS: City Responds to Tallahassee Reports Article On Cascades Project

There have been several developments regarding the Cascades Park restaurant project. First,  Commissioner Nancy Miller told Tallahassee Reports via an email late today that she did not know that Andrew Gillum’s treasurer was involved in the project. Second, Tallahassee Reports has learned that since a large portion of the project funds – approximately $800,000 – […]

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 […]

Frustration Boils Over At CRA Meeting, Policy Goals Finally Adopted

Frustration Boils Over At CRA Meeting, Policy Goals Finally Adopted

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board finally voted to accept five broad policy goals, but not before frustration among some members boiled over. City Commissioner Scott Maddox, visibly frustrated, said, “it is hard for me to imagine a more confusing process. This is absurd and ridiculous! There have been six hours of meetings and we […]

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 […]

Marks, Lindley Offer Strong Support to PAC

A lot happened at the CRA Board meeting today. The CRA Board voted to spend almost $200,000 on leasing parking spaces near the Gaines Street corridor and a consultant that will offer a strategic assessment of downtown Tallahassee. The CRA staff said that the parking places would help “support retail development” in the area. Mayor […]

Facts About The Sales Tax Exemptions On Electricity Controversy

Facts About The Sales Tax Exemptions On Electricity Controversy

The recent controversy about sales tax exemptions for certain citizens and businesses will be addressed by the City of Tallahassee in two different venues this week. First, on Tuesday, the issue is on the agenda of the Citizens Advisory Committee on utilities under the heading of “Overview of the Residential Usage Florida Sales Tax Exemption […]