Amid Florida’s property tax debate, cities and counties hike fees to cover rising costs
Amid increased scrutiny of their property tax collections, some cities and counties are emphasizing a different method to fund core services. They’re turning to service fees to augment their budgets, using them to pay for spiking public safety salaries, construction costs for new fire stations, equipment and digging up aging pipes below busy streets. Tacked onto property tax bills, these fees can’t be spent as freely as general tax revenues, but they often don’t draw the same complaints either. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Odds rise for tropical disturbance that could reach Caribbean this week
National Hurricane Center forecasters are watching a tropical wave in the far eastern Atlantic that could develop as it moves quickly west and approaches the Caribbean late this week, the National Hurricane Center said. As of 2 a.m. Monday, the wave has a 50% chance of developing into a tropical system in the next two days and a 70% chance of developing within the next seven days. Meanwhile, a coastal flood advisory is in effect for Florida’s Atlantic coast through Monday evening and will likely be extended into midweek due to king tides, according to the National Weather Service in Miami. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinell]
Gas prices are on the rise again in Florida. See the cheapest places to pump
After a big decrease last week, Florida gas prices are up this week. Prices have increased about 5 cents a gallon in the state and 8 cents in South Florida, and most areas are averaging less than $3 a gallon. Even with the increase, prices in the Miami area are down about 6 cents from a month ago and 7 cents from a year ago, according to GasBuddy, a national fuel monitoring service that surveys nearly 1,700 stations in South Florida. Why the yo-yo price trends from week to week? [Source: Miami Herald]
Coaster death reignites debate over Florida’s regulation of theme parks
Florida allows Universal Orlando and other major attractions to operate rides with minimal state oversight. It’s a system some industry critics say leaves the companies to police themselves and puts others at risk. “It’s the fox guarding the henhouse. That’s the best way to describe it,” said Ken Martin, a Virginia-based ride safety analyst. Other industry experts, though, argue Florida’s regulations are adequate, and large theme parks with top-notch safety teams are better positioned than the state to inspect and monitor rides. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Everglades Foundation develops early-warning system for red tide
The Everglades Foundation has developed an early-warning system for red tide blooms in Southwest Florida, which has been able to forecast dangerous outbreaks with up to 84 percent accuracy. The models use a machine-learning algorithm to crunch a large amount of real-time environmental data from red tide samples, satellite imagery of Florida's west coast, ocean buoys, and river gauges to forecast the "worst" area, if any, expected across the greater Charlotte Harbor region during the following week, and a second forecast looks out four weeks [Source: WUSF]
Florida Breast Cancer Foundation: Changing lives. Championing hope.
Founded by three Miami women, FBCF has served Floridians impacted by breast cancer for more than 30 years and committed to ending the disease through research, education and advocacy. Today, the organization provides patient support through its nonprofit direct services grants and monthly virtual support group. With offices in South and Central Florida, FBCF’s small but dedicated staff, alongside board members, volunteers, and supporters, extend their reach across the Sunshine State. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Conservation Florida unveils plans for $2.5 million nature center at D Ranch Preserve
After opening the 476-acre D Ranch Preserve in Volusia County earlier this year, Conservation Florida has unveiled plans for a nature center set to launch in 2027. The nonprofit will repurpose an empty barn already on the property to build out a new $2.5 million nature center with two floors and 8,000 square feet of space. Visitors will be able to visit the center — which will include classrooms, exhibits and a wraparound porch — as their gateway to the preserve.
› Tech giant Palantir to anchor TGH’s Ybor innovation hub
Palantir Technologies is planting roots in Ybor City this fall, signaling the Tampa Medical and Research District’s next chapter in attracting national players to its growing innovation ecosystem. In 2021, as the pandemic strained hospitals nationwide, Palantir developed a tool to optimize nurse-to-patient ratios. That pilot led to a three-year deal with TGH, which was extended last year into a seven-year agreement through 2031.
› Economic power of sports revealed at Wake Up Naples event
The business of play was the topic being kicked around last week at the Naples Hilton. More specifically, the economic impact of local professional sports at this Chamber of Commerce meeting. Though baseball was not one of the topics being discussed, the morning scored a home run in providing information about the power of professional sports in the local economy.
› A prominent Florida business services provider greatly expands its Tallahassee presence
One indicator of a growing local economy is the expansion of businesses that benefit directly from that growth. One of those is the business accounting and consulting firm of James Moore. On October 2, the company officially opened a much larger Tallahassee headquarters on Centre Pointe Boulevard. James Moore CEO Suzanne Forbes said the steady growth of clients in the city and beyond made a much bigger office necessary.
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› Billionaire Stephen Ross launches nonprofit and grantmaking arm in West Palm Beach
Billionaire property developer and Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has launched a nonprofit and grantmaking arm in West Palm Beach. The Related Ross Foundation aims to advance growth in West Palm Beach, which has had an influx of wealth and new residents since the Covid-19 pandemic.
› Neighborhood grants now available in St. Augustine
St. Augustine property owners looking to spruce up their communities can apply for financial assistance through the city’s Neighborhood Grant Program. The latest application window for the program opened this week. The program is designed to let people take improvements into their own hands, providing up to $3,000 to local groups for projects.
› USF Credit Union expands outside Tampa Bay for first time
USF Credit Union is expanding its reach beyond the Tampa Bay region for the first time, the financial institution announced Wednesday. By spring 2026, USFCU plans to open a “cutting-edge model” branch in Winter Park, just outside of Orlando in Orange County.
› Jaguars unveil first readily visible improvements to the ‘Stadium of the Future’
Jacksonville Jaguars fans can take their first look at improvements to the “Stadium of the Future” on Oct. 6 when the Kansas City Chiefs come to town for Monday Night Football. On Oct. 3, team and city officials held a media event marking the completion of a new staircase at EverBank Stadium’s Gate 1, part of a $1.4 billion makeover of the Jaguars’ home.