Tallahassee
Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna recently revealed the school district is facing a projected $12.5 million shortfall. P1
The Children’s Services Council voted to approve a $10.5 million FY25-26 budget & to adopt a county wide millage rate of .03477. P1
A total of 16 individuals have been arrested following “Operation Rabbit Hole,” an effort aimed at identifying individuals who use the internet to prey on children. P4
Leon County elected officials recently approved a charter review process with a 21-member citizen committee. P5
A Tallahassee woman was sentenced to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections related to 2024 DUI manslaughter case. P5
The Chief Judge has reported Leon County Clerk of Court Gwen Marshall to the Florida Supreme Court, claiming “neglect of duty.” P7
Opening Nights at Florida State University has announced its 20252026 season themed “Opening Minds.” P3
The latest jobs report shows the Leon County June unemployment rate increased to 4.3%. P9
County Commissioners Vote 4-3 for Across-theBoard Employee Pay Increase
By Steve Stewart
On Tuesday, the Leon County Commission voted 4-3 to approve a 5% across the board pay increase for all Leon County Government and Constitutional Officer employees in the FY 2026 Budget.
County commissioners Christian Caban, Nick Maddox, Bill Proctor and Carolyn Cummings voted for the across the board raise while commissioners Brian Welch, Rick Minor and David O’Keefe voted no, preferring instead, a 3% average raise based on performance which would have
By Steve Stewart Leon County Schools
Superintendent Rocky Hanna recently revealed the school district is facing a projected $12.5 million shortfall.
“As we prepare to welcome students back for the new school year, I feel the weight of the responsibility we carry as a school district. Our mission has always been to provide a high-quality education tailored to the needs of every child. But this year, we are entering the school year facing a financial crisis,” said Hanna Hanna noted that the financial challenge is the result of several factors which include frozen federal funds, reductions at the state level, and rapidly rising operational costs.
Frozen federal grants is one of the biggest challenges. Over $6 million in funding that supports programs
State Targets Spending in Broward, Gainesville Superintendent
like teacher training (Title II), gifted and early learning programs (Title IV), and afterschool initiatives has been withheld. These funds are under review with no clear timeline for resolution. For now, we must assume they will not arrive, and that means preparing for
By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron
DeSantis and Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced Tuesday that state officials will probe spending by the governments in Democratic-leaning Broward County and Gainesville.
DeSantis said reviews by his Office of Policy and Budget and Ingoglia’s Department of Financial Services will focus on governments that have “refused” to comply with state “Department of Government Efficiency” efforts, which were announced in February. The reviews also are tied to DeSantis’ effort to get the Legislature to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot to lower property taxes.
“This is just the start. There’s going to be more over the next, particularly, couple weeks, that we’re going to do around the state,” DeSantis said during an appearance in Fort Lauderdale.
“I think you’ll see counties, but I also think you’ll see cities, and I think that there’s going to be a lot of taxpayers that are going to be happy that this is being done.”
State auditors will be in Broward County and Gainesville starting July 31, DeSantis said. The two local governments were advised Monday night about the announcement.
Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward responded by surmising “other his-
the loss of programs we know make a difference in the lives of students.
At the state level, LCS was hit with a $2.2 million funding reduction after enrollment projections weren’t met. Then, in June, the district lost another $550,000 due to a miscalculation by the Florida Department of Education involving students in the scholarship (voucher) program. This years budget allocated an additional $41 per student, a 0.7% increase. Hanna said, “less than 1% simply doesn’t come close to supporting our existing programs, not to mention all of the mandates from the State.” In addition to these revenue shortfalls, LCS operational costs are rising. Health insurance costs are up 8%, adding $3.2 million to expenses and changes to the Florida Retirement System will cost an additional $767,000. Also, contracts for school depu-
torically ‘blue’ cities and counties will undergo similar scrutiny” and that he stood by “the efficiency and resiliency of our city government.”
“Over the past two years our city commission has passed a historic debt reduction plan and eliminated 161.5 staff positions,” Ward said in a statement. “We did this while protecting public safety, expanding our financial reserves and keeping our millage rate near the average of our Florida peer cities. Additionally, our city’s credit rating was increased during all this time.”
A Broward County representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
DeSantis said Broward County is among communities that have drawn complaints since the state announced its DOGE efforts, with others being in places such as Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Northeast Florida and South Florida.
“In particular, there’s a couple sheriff’s departments across the state that people find concerns about,” DeSantis said.
By Steve Stewart
On Thursday, July 17, the Children’s Services Council of Leon County voted to approve the $10.5 million FY2025-26 budget, adopt the current millage rate of .03477, and to fund an after-school program impacted by federal budget cuts. In addition to the FY2025-26 budget, the focus of the meeting was an emergency request by Leon County School Superintendent Rocky Hanna for the CSC to approve $2.1 million in funding for an after-school program that was at risk of losing the federal grant that made the program possible. Hanna, who recently revealed there is projected $12 million budget shortfall related to the Leon County Schools (LCS) FY2025-26 budget, floated the idea of CSC funding for the after-school program earlier this month.
During the meeting, a presentation by LCS staff and Kacy Dennis, the CEO/President of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Big Bend who would the provide the services, indicated that $2.1 million was needed for the upcoming year to provide after school services for 1,700 kids.
In addition, principals of select schools were present to show support for the funding and one spoke about the importance of the program as it related to school performance.
CSC member and treasurer Paul Mitchel informed the council that the CSC could fund the program without increasing the millage rate and also indicated – based on discussion with officials in Washington –
The Investment will Enhance Precision in Orthopedic Care
Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic (TOC) recently announced the completion of its state-of-the-art Advanced Imaging Suite, a major investment in diagnostic precision and patient centered orthopedic care. This cutting-edge facility now features the GE SIGNA Voyager 1.5T wide bore MRI and the GE SIGNA Pioneer 3.0T MRI systems, offering powerful imaging capabilities under one roof.
The press release, “the new suite enhances TOC’s ability to deliver fast, accurate, and comfortable imaging specifically designed to support the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions including injuries and disorders affecting bones,
HCA
joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and the spine.”
“At TOC, we are committed to leading the region in orthopedic care, and this advanced imaging suite is an extension of that mission,” said TOC CEO Kelby Tardi. “We’ve created a space that houses the most advanced imaging technology available while also prioritizing patient comfort and accessibility at every step.”
Both MRI systems are equipped with the latest coil designs and software innovations, enabling TOC providers to capture detailed, highresolution images quickly and efficiently. This level of diagnostic clarity is essential when evaluating sports injuries, joint damage, spine disorders, and other ortho-
pedic concerns that require precise imaging for effective treatment planning.
Dr. Hector Mejia, Managing Partner at TOC, added, “This imaging suite strengthens every part of the orthopedic care process from diagnosis to recovery. The improved image quality helps our specialists identify even the most subtle injuries, while the patient friendly design of the suite reduces anxiety and improves the overall care experience.”
The wide bore MRI technology offers a more spacious experience for patients, especially for those who suffer from anxiety, mobility issues or larger body sizes. With shorter scan times and noise reduction technology, the experience is quieter, faster and significantly less stressful – making MRI scans more
accessible for patients who may have previously avoided it. The suite’s thoughtful design also supports a more streamlined clinical workflow, enabling faster turnaround for results and treatment decisions.
Florida Capital Hospital Welcomes New Resident Physicians in Dermatology and Psychiatry
Eight new doctors are beginning their residencies this month at HCA Florida Capital Hospital in two indemand specialties – dermatology and psychiatry. They are among more than 720 physicians being trained across the state in needed specialties like primary care, surgery, emergency medicine and cardiology through the University of Central Florida – HCA Florida Healthcare Graduate Medical Education Consortium.
“HCA Florida Capital Hospital is proud to partner with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine to continue our residency programs,” said Dale Neely, chief executive officer at HCA Florida Capital Hospital. “Our hospital and medical teams make HCA Florida Capital Hospital an ideal partner for the residents. In addition, attracting and retaining talent is key to expanding access to care and improving the health of our community. We are fortunate to have the strong infrastructure necessary for this program as well as our team of physicians who can train the next generation of caregivers.”
Shiza Idrees, DO, psychiatry resident says, “I chose to go into medicine
because I am drawn to helping others and wanted a career where I could make a difference. Medicine combines my interests in science, problem-solving and human connection, allowing me to positively impact people’s lives every day. I liked psychiatry as a specialty because I am passionate about understanding the human mind and helping people navigate mental health challenges. Psychiatry allows me to build meaningful connections with patients and support their healing.”
Doctors must first complete residencies after graduating from medical school before they can practice medicine. During their residencies with HCA Florida Capital Hospital, the new doctors will be training with experienced faculty and learning the latest advances in their specialties. The residencies last four years in psychiatry and three years in dermatology.
“Our goal for our GME programs is, ultimately, increasing access to expert care for our patients throughout Florida,” said Cheryll Albold, Ph.D., vice president of graduate medical education for HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division. “HCA Florida Healthcare’s strategic partnership with
UCF’s College of Medicine is providing a pipeline that will directly benefit patients by continually training the best and brightest new doctors, many of whom will ultimately build their own practices right here in the Sunshine State.”
The UCF-HCA Florida Healthcare GME Consortium is the fastestgrowing graduate medical education program in the state, with 44 accredited programs across Florida.
“As the need for physicians grows in
Florida, with an estimated physician shortage of 18,000 projected over the next decade, we are helping to meet those needs,” said Dr. Stephen Cico, UCF’s associate dean of graduate medical education and the UCF-HCA Florida Healthcare GME Consortium’s designated institutional officer. “We are focused on medical specialties that are or are going to be in the highest demand.”
The Tallahassee Collegiate Academy (TCA) Governing Board recently to announce the appointment of Dr. Robin L. Oliveri as its new principal.
The press release stated as a “respected educational leader with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Oliveri brings a dynamic blend of science expertise, instructional leadership, and a deep commitment to student achievement.”
A Tallahassee native and graduate of Godby High School, she began her career in public health after earning a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Florida State University. Her service on the West Nile Virus Surveillance Team and the Anthrax Response Team earned her two Davis Productivity Awards and contributed
to published research in the field.
The announcement highlighted Oliveri’s time in the classroom, “Driven by a passion for education, Dr. Oliveri transitioned to the classroom, where she has spent the past 24 years advancing science education in Leon County Schools. Over the last ten years, she has served in administrative roles at both the school and district levels, most recently as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Deerlake Middle School.”
Her previous leadership positions include Program Director for the Magnet Program for Science and Engineering at Cobb Middle School, Secondary Science Curriculum Developer, Director of the Capital Regional Science and Engineering Fair, and
the district’s first science instructional coach. Her outstanding work earned her recognition as Godby High School’s Teacher of the Year and Leon County Schools’ District Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Oliveri holds both a master’s and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and is an active member of Kappa Delta Pi and multiple professional organizations, including the Florida Association of School Administrators and the International Society for Technology in Education.
strong vision for STEM education and student success,” said Kim Kelling, who led the search committee on behalf of the TCA Governing Board.
By Staff
On Tuesday, July 22, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Christian Caban and the reappointment of Monesia Brown to the Tallahassee State College District Board of Trustees. Christian Caban is the Principal of Wolf Hospitality Group and is currently elected as a Leon County Commissioner, representing District 2. Caban currently serves as a member of the Juvenile Justice Board for Circuit 2, the Leon County Value Adjustment Board, and the Downtown Tallahassee Redevelopment Commission. Caban earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical science from Florida State University.
Monesia Brown is the Vice President of Government Relations at North Highland. She previously served as a member of the State Board of Education and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Jacksonville
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Boys Town North Florida, Leadership Florida, and the Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce. Brown earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Illinois State University and her juris doctor from the University of Wisconsin. These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
“Dr. Oliveri brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and a
Opening Nights at Florida State University has announced its 2025-2026 season themed “Opening Minds,” tying together artists, thinkers and performers, each offering opportunities to connect, reflect and explore new perspectives through the arts.
“This season is about more than great performances — it’s an invitation to see the world and one another,” said Kevin Maynard, executive director of Opening Nights. “Through artists who challenge, uplift and inspire, we’re encouraging our community to explore fresh ideas, spark curiosity and connect through the power of the arts.”
The season will open with Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra (Sept. 5), bringing Hollywood charisma and jazz brilliance to Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. Other headlining events include a live conversation with bestselling authors James Patterson and Patrick Leddin (Sept. 28), with every attendee receiving a signed copy of “Disrupt Everything
“Her leadership will help TCA continue to grow as a model for academic excellence and innovation.”
and Win”; and Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience, featuring the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (Oct. 3).
This season also welcomes VOCES8, the internationally acclaimed British vocal ensemble known for their performances from Renaissance to contemporary choral music (Feb. 14). A wide range of musical voices include OkCello (Nov. 5); Bassel & The Supernaturals (Nov. 12); a new work by Grammy-winner Arturo Sandoval, performed by Imani Winds and Boston Brass (Feb. 3); and Shovels & Rope (Mar. 7).
The season continues to amplify global perspec-
tives and local engagement through events like Songs of the Bulbul. This dance work explores Sufi mysticism and personal freedom (Mar. 13); and a free public lecture as part of our annual Chain of Parks Festival collaboration (April 16).
Performances will take place in a variety of venues across Tallahassee, including Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Goodwood Museum & Gardens, The Moon and more. Tickets go on sale to the public at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7. Members receive early access and exclusive benefits. To become a member or view the full season lineup, visit OpeningNights.fsu.edu.
Joint Operation Leads to 16 Arrests for Online Child Exploitation
By Steve Stewart
A total of 16 individuals have been arrested following “Operation Rabbit Hole,” a multi-agency effort aimed at identifying and arresting individuals who use the internet to prey on children. The operation was conducted in partnership with the Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforce-
ment, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Marshals Service.
The three-day proactive operation ran from April 10 to April 12, 2025, and was part of the national Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force’s Operation Safe Online Summer (SOS) campaign, which coordinates efforts across 61 task forces and numerous affiliates nationwide.
“Our children deserve to
grow up safe, and this operation is a clear message to anyone attempting to harm them online, you will be found and held accountable,” said Chief Lawrence Revell, Tallahassee Police Department. “We are grateful to our local, state, and federal partners for their tireless efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”
“Operation Rabbit Hole” focused on targeting individuals who used online platforms to exploit children and arrange to meet them.
Undercover officers from participating agencies posed as minors online and at designated locations to intercept offenders attempting to meet children for sexual purposes.
“This case once again represents what’s possible when agencies come together with a common mission,” said Sheriff Walt McNeil.
“We will continue this fight against online child exploitation with unwavering
determination.”
These arrests represent a significant step forward in the fight against online child exploitation and highlight the importance of law enforcement partnerships in keeping children safe, both online and in the real world.
“Let’s be clear, predators who use the internet to prey on children cannot hide behind their screen names – we will find and arrest anyone who seeks to harm our children,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nichoals Ingegno. “HSI Tallahassee, alongside our law enforcement partners with the Tallahassee Police Department,
the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Marshals Service, is focused on intercepting anyone who attempts to exploit our society’s most vulnerable people.”
“This operation is just another example of what’s possible when local, state and federal agencies work together to protect our kids,” said FDLE Tallahassee Special Agent in Charge Keith Wilmer. “I am proud of our agents who work every day with our partners to track down these criminals hiding behind computer screens. Let this operation be a warning: if you’re targeting children in Florida, we’re coming for you.”
Superintendent Hanna Details Sources of $12.5M Budget Shortfall
ties and school nurses have increased by over $700,000. In total, these increases in operational expenses represent more than $6 million in new expenses. Hanna said “as superintendent, I’ve always prioritized protecting the classroom. Our immediate goal is to cut as much as possible at the district level and shield students and teachers from the worst of these cuts. But that strategy won’t last forever. Programs we value—like arts and athletics, academic interventionists, counselors, social workers, and the 21st-century after-school program —are at serious risk.” Hanna reassured interested parties by saying “our schools will open on August 11. Buses will run, students will be fed, and learning will take place. We remain fully committed to delivering a high-quality education to every child. Our
team is working hard—together with the school board—to find creative solutions.”
However, Hanna took the opportunity to question state leaders. “I would be remiss if I didn’t voice my deep disappointment in the decisions being made by state leaders. In a state with a strong economy and constant talk of tax cuts, public education continues to be underfunded. It is disheartening to watch our schools— places that shape the future of our state—get left behind. In the meantime, however the legislature has found nearly 4 billion dollars to fund private schools and students in homeschool programs.”
Seeking Help from CSC
In an effort to address one part of the budget problems, Hanna sought help from the Children's Services Council of
Leon County School Board Meeting Briefs: July 8, 2025
By Steve Stewart
Provided below are the news briefs from the July 8, 2025, Leon County School Board meeting. Board member Laurie Cox was not present. All votes on the items were unanimous.
Items Considered by the Board
Item 19.01: The Leon County School Board (LCSB) voted, following a public hearing, the adoption of the amendment to Policy 1600, Classification Specifications to be effective July 8, 2025. The item creates two new positions and job descriptions for Project Manager, Extended Day Programs in EDEP. These positions will be Exempt positions for 12 months. The fiscal impact is the baseline salary of $50,000 plus 22% for benefits for a total of $61,000 for each position. The total fiscal impact including benefits is $122,000.
Item19.02: The LCSB voted to advertise amendments to Policy 5111.01 – Homeless Students, for a public hearing and adoption on August 12, 2025. The Policy revisions include additional definitions, the addition of a section addressing Residency, and additional language regarding Immediate Enrollment of homeless students.
Item 19.03: The LCSB voted to advertise New Policy 6325 – Procurement – Federal Grants/Funds, for a public hearing and adoption on August 12, 2025. Procurement of all supplies, materials, equipment, and services paid for from Federal funds or District matching funds shall be made in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local statutes and/or regulations, the terms and conditions of the Federal grant, School Board policies, and administrative procedures.
Item 19.04: The LCSB voted to approve the K-12 Instructional Material – Personal Financial Literacy and Money Management.
Leon County. Hanna, who is a member of the Council along with school board member Daryl Jones, made a presention at a recent CSC meeting appealing for $2.1 million to fill a gap caused by frozen federal funds.
The Federal Department of Education (FDOE) had frozen $1.3 billion in grant money for after-school programs.
The FDOE action was part of the Trump's administration move on July 1 to withhold more than $6 billion in federal grants for after-school and summer programs, adult literacy and English language instruction, part of a review to ensure spending aligned with the White House’s priorities. Hanna and other school officials explained to the CSC how important the after-school programs were to the wellbeing and academic success of the students impacted by the
Initial training for committee members commenced on April 1, 2025, and the site review and voting concluded the process on April 18, 2025. Pursuant to F.S. 1006.283 governing the adoption of instructional materials, a hearing is required for public comment on recommended instructional materials prior to adoption. A public review of adoption materials began May 13 and ended June 10, 2025. The public hearing was held, June 17, 2025, at the LCS School Board meeting. All community stakeholders were able to review digital versions of the recommended materials on the LCS website since April 1, 2025, at: https:// https://www.leonschools.net/Page/59362 or in person at the Aquilina Howell Building, 3955 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, FL 32304.
Item 19.05: The LCSB voted to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Leon County Schools (LCS) and the Leon Classroom Teachers Association (LCTA) for the 2024-2025 UniSIG Supplemental Teacher Allocation provided by the Florida Department of Education.
The goal of the Supplemental Teacher Allocation, described by the Bureau of School Improvement, is to provide supplemental funds to recruit and retain Highly Effective and Effective state VAM teachers who are teaching and impacting the most fragile students at Title I, D or F schools in Florida. The following schools have been identified by the Florida Department of Education: Apalachee Elementary, Sabal Palm Elementary and Fort Braden School.
Item 19.06: The LCSB voted to approve the nomination of School Board Member Alva Smith as the Florida School Board Association’s (FSBA) 2025-2027 Advocacy Committee Representative and School Board Member Rosanne Wood as the alternate.
potential cuts. CSC members voiced concerns about recovering funds in the event that the federal funds were released and also wanted to make it clear this was a one-time decision for the upcoming year only. After assurances were made related to both of these issues, the CSC voted unanimously to award $2.1 million for the upcoming school year if the grant money was not reinstated. However, less than 48 hours after the CSC vote, the federal government released the grant money days after 10 Republican senators sent a letter imploring the Trump administration to allow frozen education money to be sent to states.
In a letter sent Wednesday, July 16, Republican senators said the withheld money supported programs that had longstanding bipartisan support and were critical to local
communities. The money had been appropriated by Congress in a bill that was signed by Trump.
“We share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs,” the senators wrote to the Office of Management and Budget. “However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds.”
The administration’s review of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which support after-school and summer programming, has been completed, a senior official said Friday, July 18. That funding will be released to states, the official said.
The rest of the withheld grants, close to $5 billion, continues to be reviewed for bias by the Office of Management and Budget.
Leon County Commission Meeting Briefs: July 8, 2025
By Steve Stewart
The Board approved consent Items 1-14,16-17. Item 15 was pulled by Commissioner O’Keefe for discussion.
Item 15: Fiscal Year 2023 – 2024 Annual Audit and Financial Statements. Commissioner O’Keefe noted an “unusual number of significant and immaterial major findings” and “five material weaknesses” in the audit, contrasting it with other counties that had no findings. He emphasized that while the final numbers are deemed correct, these issues were caught by the auditors, indicating a “higher than normal risk of assets being misappropriated or amounts being reported incorrectly”.
A motion was made to accept the report and ask staff to work with the Clerk’s office and the audit committee to bring back a corrective action plan. The motion specified that a status report on corrective actions would be provided, not necessarily as a separate agenda item unless warranted. This motion passed unanimously.
General Business
Item 18: Ratification of Actions Taken at the June 17, 2025 Budget Workshop. The Board voted to ratify actions addressed during the last budget workshop. The Board also voted 4-3 for a 5% across-the-board pay increase.
Item 19: Process to Establish the 2025 – 2026 Citizen Charter Review Committee. A motion was made and passed to establish the committee structure with an amendment to establish a 21-member CCRC (three appointed per commissioner). This motion passed unanimously.
The motion to not provide any specific direction to the CCRC (allowing it to be entirely citizen-led) failed 4 to 3. Subsequently, a new motion was made and seconded to move forward with Option five, including the list of six specific issues (those proposed by Commissioners Proctor and Caban, and the
cleanup of outdated statutes) for staff analysis and CCRC consideration. This motion passed 4 to 3.
Item 20: 2025 Florida Legislative Session Final Report. The Board voted to accept the 2025 Legislative Session Report and then addressed the county’s lobbying contract.
Commissioner Caban proposed not renewing the contracts of the current lobbying firms. He moved to propose a four-year contract for $200,000 to consolidate federal and state lobbying contracts with The Southern Group. This would save $25,000 from the previous year’s combined spending .
Commissioner O’Keefe suggested a three-year contract with two optional one-year extensions to evaluate effectiveness. Commissioner Caban accepted this as a friendly amendment.
Commissioner Minor opposed waiving the competitive bid process, arguing the county should stick to its ITB/RFP process. The Board ultimately passed the motion (6-1), with Commissioner Minor in opposition.
Item 21: Community Human Services Partnership Fiscal Year 2026 Agency Funding. The Board considered 2026 CHSP grant recommendations in the amount of $1,324,500. This is the second year of the current two-year cycle. Commissioner Maddox recused himself as he is President and CEO of Family Promise of the Big Bend, which received CHSB funding. The motion was passed unanimously with Commissioner Maddox in recusal.
Item 22: Full Board Appointments to the Investment Oversight Committee and the Leon County Educational Facilities Authority. The Board voted unanimously to appoint George “Ben” Hensarling, to the Investment Oversight Committee for a three-year term ending July 31, 2028, and to reappoint Ramsay Sims and Richard Givens, to the Leon County Educational Facilities Authority for five-year terms ending July 31, 2030.
Court Won’t Reconsider Leon County School Gender Case
By Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE
— In a case that has drawn national attention, a federal appeals court this week declined to reconsider a decision that backed the Leon County school system in a dispute about a student wanting to express a gender identity and use pronouns the child’s parents didn’t support.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday denied a request by the parents, January and Jeffrey Littlejohn, for the full appeals court to hear the dispute. A panel of the Atlanta-based court, in a 2-1 decision, ruled in favor of the school system in March.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Republican leaders in 19 other states filed a brief in April supporting the parents’ request for what is known as an “en banc” hearing. Also, numerous conservative and parents’ rights groups from across the country urged the appeals
court to reconsider the case.
A majority of the active judges on the court could have voted to rehear the case. But Thursday’s order indicated that no judge requested that the court be “polled” on the request. It did not provide further explanation.
The panel’s March decision upheld a ruling by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker to dismiss the case, which was filed in 2021.
Before the 2020-2021 school year, the Littlejohns’ child, then a 13-year-old student at Leon County’s Deerlake Middle School, asked to go by a male name, “J,” and use they and them pronouns, according to the appealscourt panel’s main opinion.
The child was identified as a girl at birth, and the Littlejohns did not allow the name and pronoun changes, though they said the child could use J as a “nickname” at school.
The child told a school counselor about wanting to use the name J and the they
and them pronouns, the opinion said. Under a school system policy guide at the time, the parents were not informed of the social transition at school. That ultimately led to the lawsuit and allegations that the parents’ rights had been violated.
The appeals court panel said the case involved a challenge to government executive actions and, as a result, the test under court precedents was whether school officials’ actions “shocked the conscience.”
The panel’s main opinion concluded the actions did not rise to that level. Also, it said a gender identity-related “Student Support Plan” was developed with the child in compliance with school board guidelines at the time.
“The child was not physically harmed, much less permanently so,” Judge Robin Rosenbaum wrote in the main opinion. “Defendants did not remove the Littlejohns’ child from their custody. And defendants did not force the
County Commissioners Vote 4-3 for Across-the-Board Employee Pay Increase
PAY, From Front Page
saved approximately $1.4 million.
Chairman Brian Welch stated that the across the board raise was “bad fiscal policy.”
Welch said, “I think that this is now 20% over four years, I think it’s really bad fiscal policy. I think that while we may have the money now, we all acknowledge that we very likely won’t have it next year or the year after that….We are effectively saying that we’re going to give a 5% across-theboard pay increase in this county every year, which means in 20 years, salaries are going to double.”
For the past three years, county employees have received an across-the-board pay increase of 5%.
Background & Analysis
During a previous budget workshop, the Board approved 0-5% performance pay increases with an average of 3% for all Leon County Government and Constitutional Officer employees in the FY 2026 Preliminary Budget, and directed staff to bring back an option to approve a 5% across the board pay increase once final property tax values were available.
Staff analysis indicated that 0-5% performance pay increases with an average of 3% for all Leon County Government and
Constitutional Officer employees reduced planned expenditures by $1.4 million in general revenue and $314,793 in special revenue fund balances.
However, during Tuesday’s meeting the staff analysis indicated that “due to the increase in property values from the June 1st estimate, and expenditure reductions identified since the June 17th Budget Workshop, funding is available should the Board choose to include the 5% raises in the Tentative Budget without utilizing general revenue fund balance or reducing expenses in other areas of the budget.”
Staff also noted that the Board could choose to maintain the 0-5% performance pay increase with an average of 3% and allow the $1.4 million in general revenue savings to go into reserves.
child to attend a Student Support Plan meeting, to not invite the Littlejohns to that meeting, or to socially transition at school. In fact, defendants did not force the Littlejohns’ child to do anything at all. And perhaps most importantly, defendants did not act with intent to injure. To the contrary, they sought to help the child. Under these circumstances, even if the Littlejohns felt that defendants’ efforts to help their child were misguided or wrong, the mere fact that the school officials acted contrary to the Littlejohns’ wishes does not mean that their conduct ‘shocks the conscience’ in a constitutional sense.”
the panel’s application of the shock-the-conscience standard.
But attorneys for the Littlejohns and the Republican state leaders took issue with
“Put simply, parents have a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children, including controversial decisions like whether to allow their children to socially transition,” the state leaders’ brief said. “Purposefully withholding from a parent critical information about supposed medical treatment that a school is providing a student not only violates that right, but does so to a disturbing and constitutionally intolerable degree.”
CSC Approves FY25-26 Budget
CSC, From Front Page
that he believed the federal funding would eventually be released.
The council voted to fund the program with contract language that would refund monies to the CSC if the federal grant was released in the future.
Millage Rate
After the vote on the LCS request, Superintendent Rocky Hanna moved to adopt the current millage rate. However, CSC Chair Darly Jones seemed to be offended by the motion and made a plea to increase the millage rate.
Jones indicated he believes that the reason for the emergency funding needed by LCS due to possible federal budget cuts would soon impact other Leon County non-profits.
In fact, non-profit officials
spoke at meeting and indicated the impact of federal budget cuts would directly affect services delivered in Leon County. Council members, while acknowledging the financial challenges, indicated that the CSC is not capable of addressing all these financial challenges.
The Council voted 9-1, with Jones against, to adopt the current millage rate for FY2025-26. The rate is projected to raise $9 million. The Council will hold public hearings to formally adopt the millage rate on Thursday, September 11, at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday, September 25, at 5:15 p.m.
Leon County Moves Forward with Charter Review Committee
By Steve Stewart
Leon County elected officials recently received an overview of the proposed charter review process and voted to move forward with a 21-member citizen committee.
The Leon County Charter requires that a Citizen Charter Review Committee (CCRC) be appointed by the Board
Accused Florida State University gunman Phoenix Ikner’s trial date has been set. During a recent case management hearing, Leon County Judge Lance Neff announced jury selection for the case will begin November 3. But that date could change. Ikner, who is accused of killing two and injuring others during an April shooting on FSU’s campus, is currently facing nine charges: two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Ikner’s defense team had initially opted out of the discovery process, but during the hearing, Assistant Public Defense Attorney Peter Mills told Neff the defense team has reversed course and planned to file a motion.
State Attorney Jack Campbell said there is a chance the scheduled dates could be pushed back. But Campbell says his team will be ready. Neff also set an October 1st deadline for discovery, and pretrial motions must be filed by October 10th.The case will
every eight years at least 12 months before the general election to review the County’s Home Rule Charter and propose any amendments or revisions for placement on the general election ballot.
After voting to establish a committee, the discussion moved to specific issues that might be addressed by the CCRC.
Commissioner Proctor sug-
continue with monthly case management conferences as it moves forward.
TPD Arrests Two for Street Racing
TPD recently concluded an investigation into a serious crash that occurred on May 14, 2025, in the 2100 block of West Tennessee Street. The crash involved a single vehicle whose driver sustained serious injuries. That individual has since recovered. Through the work of TPD's Traffic Unit, detectives determined the vehicle was participating in an illegal street race with another vehicle, beginning near Appleyard Drive. Both drivers reached speeds exceeding twice the posted speed limit before the crash occurred. The second vehicle remained on scene, and the occupants cooperated with the investigation.
As a result of the investigation, arrest warrants were issued for both drivers - Demetrial Thurman, 28, and Tykeria Thurman, 23, - were arrested for Racing on Highways. One driver was also found to be operating without a valid license. "Street racing, speeding,
gested issues such as establishing a citizen's utility review board, a charter amendment empowering voting rights to those who pay city utility bills and fire service fees, and extending incorporated lines or annexation.
Commissioner Caban proposed adding a discussion point on county policy superseding city policy where there is a conflict, arguing that
and aggressive driving endanger everyone on our roadways," said Chief Lawrence Revell.
The arrests come as TPD joins agencies across Florida and neighboring states for Operation Southern Slow Down, a week-long high-visibility traffic safety campaign running through Saturday, July 19.
Business Appeals Apalachicola Drilling Decision
Clearwater Land & Minerals is appealing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's decision to deny their request for a drilling permit near the Apalachicola floodplain.
The appeal comes despite a new law that bans drilling within 10 miles of the Apalachicola River Basin and a ruling from an administrative law judge that found drilling in the area could have ‘catastrophic consequences.’
The proposal has received heavy pushback from environmentalists and community members.
Adrianne Johnson, the executive director of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association, also spoke at the rally.
as the city limits expand, the county's jurisdiction shrinks, potentially leading to calls for consolidation. He also suggested a utility authority with County Commission seats, given that the city utility serves large portions of the unincorporated area whose residents cannot vote in city elections. He also added the item of cleaning up outdated statute references in the charter.
‘And y’all rose up by the thousands to say, ‘Not in our community. Not gonna happen!’ and our elected officials heard us,' Johnson said. 'And Rep. Jason Shoaf and Sen. Corey Simon filed legislation to protect the Apalachicola River [cheers]. That’s right, give ‘em a hand for that! [cheers]. So, House Bill 1143 was passed unanimously.’
This spring, the Florida legislature approved a new law that bans drilling within 10 miles of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve.
In their appeal, Clearwater Land & Minerals says the environment would be protected in the project.
Tallahassee Woman Sentenced to 15 years for 2024 DUI Manslaughter
A Tallahassee woman was sentenced to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections to be followed by 15 years of probation related to 2024 DUI manslaughter case.
The Defendant, Nancy Williams, was driving on Bannerman Road near Blue Smoke Drive shortly before 8am on June 27, 2024. The victim was
Commissioner Maddox and Commissioner Minor advocated for a purely citizen-led process.
The motion to not provide any specific direction to the CCRC failed 4 to 3. Subsequently, a new motion was made to list specific issues for staff analysis and CCRC consideration. This motion passed 4 to 3.
a 58-year-old man working as a surveyor near Bannerman Road. The Defendant, who evidence would show was impaired at the time, lost control of her vehicle, and her vehicle left the road. The Defendant’s vehicle struck the victim. The Defendant did not stop to render aid but instead left the scene of the accident. The victim would, tragically, succumb to his injuries.
The vehicle that was directly behind the Defendant’s at the time of the incident had a dash camera that recorded the fatal hit and run. The driver of that vehicle followed and reported the incident and provided their dash camera footage to law enforcement. The Defendant was later taken into custody.
Despite the request by the Defendant to downward depart from the lowest permissible sentence of roughly 12 years, the Court sentenced the Defendant to the maximum sentence allowable for DUI manslaughter, citing the Defendant’s failure to render aid., especially in light of the Defendant’s prior employment as a nurse.
Trial Date Set for FSU Gunman
By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia as Florida’s chief financial officer, gaining more control over the state Cabinet and potentially setting up a proxy battle in 2026 with President Donald Trump.
DeSantis called Ingoglia, a Spring Hill Republican whose social media handle is “@ GovGoneWild,” a warrior on issues such as immigration and insurance and “the most conservative senator in the state of Florida.”
“Yes, he’s got a great financial record, which is important, but I looked even broader than that,” DeSantis said during an event at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. “I want to see who’s running towards these fights and who’s running and hiding. And every single time we’ve had a flash point in Florida, Blaise is running into battle.”
DeSantis added that Ingoglia, a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, will be a “really important voice” in the governor’s push to pass a constitutional amendment in 2026 to reduce
DeSantis Taps Ingoglia for State CFO
property taxes.
The chief financial officer’s position opened this spring when former CFO Jimmy Patronis successfully ran in a special election for a congressional seat. The CFO is one of three Cabinet positions elected statewide, along with the attorney general and agriculture commissioner. DeSantis chairs Cabinet meetings.
Ingoglia said his initial goals will include focusing on property taxes, housing affordability and reviewing local government spending.
“With the audit authority at the CFOs office, I promise you, we are going to start digging in, and we are going to start calling out some of this wasteful spending,” Ingoglia said.
But the liberal group DeSantis Watch issued a statement Wednesday calling Ingoglia, who has chaired the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, an “insurance industry lackey.” The CFO oversees the state Department of Financial Services and also helps regulate the insurance industry.
“Floridians have been crushed by predatory insurance corporations who have
Florida Jobless Rate Unchanged
By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.7 percent in June, while private-sector jobs were down 21,000 from May, according to a report released Friday by the state Department of Commerce.
The state estimated 415,000 Floridians qualified as unemployed in June, up 1,000 from May. Meanwhile, the workforce of 11.193 million shrank by 7,000 in the same time. The unemployment rate also was 3.7 percent in April and May, after inching up earlier in the year.
Jimmy Heckman, the Department of Commerce’s chief of workforce statistics and economic research, said it’s “too soon to tell” the reason for the first decline in jobs since October, when Florida was coming off back-to-back hits from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
“It is important to keep in mind that this is one month coming off the heels of some really strong job reports for a few months before this,” Heckman told reporters in a conference call. “And for most of the sectors that lost jobs this month, it was the first month that we had seen those sectors lose jobs in quite a while.”
Heckman said Florida has had “really strong” statistics for business formation and hiring.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what kind of trends develop as far as the private-sector industries go throughout the rest of the year,” Heckman said.
Economists have warned for months that federal economic policies are creating new costs and disruptions in global supply chains.
This month, state economists said tax-revenue gains in May were in large part due to people buying goods in anticipation of the effects of tariffs that have been a centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s policies.
The state’s June unemployment rate was up from 3.4 percent a year earlier. The national unemployment rate in June was 4.1 percent, down from 4.2 percent
been jacking up their rates and refusing to pay legitimate claims and they need a chief financial officer who will actually do the job of holding them accountable when they take advantage of policyholders,” Anders Croy, communications director for DeSantis Watch, said in the statement.
The appointment likely will lead to a Republican primary battle in 2026 between Ingoglia and Sen. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican who is running for CFO with support from Trump. Gruters also is a former state Republican chairman.
DeSantis clashed early this year with legislative leaders about immigration issues, and Ingoglia was one of a few lawmakers who publicly sided with the governor. Also, amid a legislative impasse this spring about budget and tax issues, Ingoglia stood behind DeSantis’ call for cutting property taxes — an idea that did not pass.
Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, a Miami Republican, said on the social-media platform X that DeSantis’ appointment of Ingoglia “has single-handedly once again divided the Republican Party because his
in May. The national rate in June 2024 was 4.1 percent.
Private-sector employment in Florida increased by 128,100 from June 2024 to last month, even with the decrease last month, according to seasonally adjusted numbers in the new report.
As examples In June, the broad category of leisure and hospitality was down by 8,100 jobs from May, while the category of business and professional services was down by 6,100 and construction was down by 1,600, according to the report.
Across the state, the lowest unemployment rate in June remained in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan statistical area at 3.2 percent, up from 3.1 percent in May. Within that region, the rate in the Miami-Miami-Beach-Kendall area was at 2.4 percent.
The June rate was 3.7 percent in the Crestview-Fort-Walton Beach-Destin area and 3.8 percent in the Orlando-KissimmeeSanford area.
The Panama City-Panama City Beach and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater areas were at 4 percent. The Naples-Marco Island area was at 4.1 percent. The Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville areas were at 4.2 percent.
The North Port-BradentonSarasota and Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent areas were at 4.3 percent.
Cape Coral-Fort Myers was at 4.4 percent. The Port St. Lucie area was at 4.5 percent, while the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach and Gainesville areas were at 4.6 percent.
The highest rate in the state was 6.9 percent in the metropolitan statistical area that includes The Villages and Wildwood. The area was at 6 percent in May.
The Homosassa Springs area was at 5.8 percent in June, the Sebring area was at 5.6 percent, and the Punta Gorda area was at 5 percent. The Ocala, LakelandWinter Haven and Sebastian-Vero Beach areas were at 4.9 percent. The statewide rate is seasonally adjusted, while the metro rates are not adjusted.
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own ego cannot allow him to support President (Donald Trump) and his backed candidates like Joe Gruters.”
Asked about Gruters’ endorsement by Trump, DeSantis questioned Gruters’ votes on several issues and said his record is “contrary to what we’ve told the voters that we would do.”
“If George Washington rose from the dead, came back and tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Will you appoint Joe Gruters CFO?’ My response would be, ‘No, I can’t do that without betraying the voters that elected me to lead the state in a conservative direction,’” DeSantis said.
Wednesday’s announcement means that two of the three Cabinet positions will be held by DeSantis appointees. In February, DeSantis named James Uthmeier to serve as attorney general, after the governor appointed former Attorney General Ashley Moody to the U.S. Senate. Uthmeier had served as DeSantis’ chief of staff.
Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who was elected in 2024, holds the third Cabinet office.
Ingoglia, a homebuilder,
was first elected to the House in 2014 and moved to the Senate in 2022. He served as state Republican chairman from 2015 to 2019, a period that included DeSantis’ first run for governor.
A special election will need to be called to fill Ingoglia’s Senate seat, which represents Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties and part of Pasco County.
Former Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto, announced his intention to run for the seat Wednesday and quickly drew support from DeSantis and the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
DeSantis still needs to appoint a lieutenant governor. That office has been vacant since February, when Jeanette Nunez left to become interim president — and, ultimately, president — of Florida International University.
State Targets Spending in Broward, Gainesville
SPENDING From Front Page
Ingoglia, a former lawmaker who was sworn in Monday as chief financial officer after being appointed by DeSantis, said the audits will help counter expected local-government opposition to the potential ballot proposal on lowering property taxes. Local governments rely heavily on property taxes to fund services.
“We are on a mission to prove that a lot of the stuff that they don’t want to cut, they could cut, There’s just not a willingness to cut,” Ingoglia said Tuesday while in Gainesville.
DeSantis said questions have been
raised in Broward County about spending on such things as diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs and a float for the Pasadena, Calif., Tournament of Roses New Year’s Day parade.
The float, which used nearly $800,000 in tourist-development tax money, was part of a Visit Lauderdale effort to counter tourism losses from perceived attacks on LGBTQ communities by DeSantis and Republican lawmakers.
Ingoglia singled out Broward County as “one of the worst offenders when it comes to spending.”
Immigration Enforcement Faces Detention Bed Crunch
By Dara Kam The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — Federal officials are “overwhelmed” by the number of undocumented immigrants being locked up as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan because of a detentionbed shortage, according to a key player in Florida’s efforts to assist the White House.
The capacity issue is expected to escalate in Florida in the coming weeks as sheriffs and police chiefs ramp up arrests and detention of undocumented immigrants, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Cabinet members, who met Tuesday as the State Board of Immigration Enforcement.
“This housing system … is already overwhelmed. They cannot deal with this,” Judd, who also serves as chairman of the State Immigration Enforcement Council, said, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Lawmakers created the State Board of Immigration Enforcement and its related council during a February special legislative session aimed at helping Trump’s sweep of people who are in the country illegally.
The board — made up of DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson — on Tuesday advanced a plan setting up a $250 million grant program for local law-enforcement agencies to help with the federal immigration dragnet.
The grant program, also part of the legislation passed in February, is based on recommendations from the council, which is made up of sheriffs and police chiefs. Judd told the governor and Cabinet members that grants should be prioritized for training of state and local officers so they can be allowed to assist in federal immigration-enforcement programs.
Another part of the legislation passed during the special session requires sheriffs and county jail administrators to cooperate with federal immigration officials and participate in what is known as the 287(g) program, which allows them to temporarily detain people who are suspected of being in the country without authorization.
But as more immigrants suspected of being in the country illegally are arrested and detained locally, Judd warned that the federal government lacks the capacity to house them on a more-permanent basis.
Florida sheriffs have almost 2,000 county jail beds that could be used to house undocumented immigrants who
haven’t been charged with other crimes for up to 48 hours, Judd told the state board. But he said the sheriffs have “been at loggerheads” with ICE officials over national detention standards required for people in federal custody, which he called “onerous.”
“We asked simply for a waiver that we could house these folks according to the Florida model jail standards. After all, if it’s good enough for those that are innocent until proven guilty, and they’re United States citizens, certainly those housing rules should be sufficient for those that are in this country illegally,” Judd said, adding that discussions about a waiver of the national standards were ongoing.
The state’s housing capacity for the immigration effort is “a drop in the bucket,” Judd told the board.
“The speed we’re operating at is like cruising down the road at 20 miles an hour. When we put the pedal to the metal and get up to the speed limit, there is no way on God’s green earth they can handle this capacity,” he added.
Five-hundred deputies in Florida in the past two weeks have received credentials to participate in the immigration-enforcement effort, according to Larry Keefe, executive director of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement.
State and local officials in Florida who have authority to “find illegal aliens and arrest them … have the capability and capacity to do far more, to conduct far more arrests than we are doing right now,” Keefe told the board.
The result is what Keefe called a “bottleneck … that really is having what we call a modulating effect to where we have far more capability to arrest illegal aliens than we have accommodations, in terms of detention and transportation.”
Increasing demand for housing comes amid legal wrangling over an immigrantdetention complex in the Everglades, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” that can hold up to 3,000 people. State officials began holding people at the center this month but have not confirmed the number of detainees onsite.
Keefe said Tuesday he first scouted the Everglades site, which was erected adjacent to a remote airstrip, in February on a tour with state Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie and Florida National Guard Adjutant Gen. John Haas. Plans to launch a similar facility at North Florida’s Camp Blanding, a training facility for National Guard troops, are on hold until the Everglades complex is full, DeSantis said last week.
Commissioner Caban Questions Commissioner Matlow’s Response to Fire Service Fee Controversy
City Commissioner Matlow Calls for Action on Fire Service Fees
The inconsistencies of the city of Tallahassee’s fire services fee have received broad interest and public backlash which requires immediate intervention to clarify our fire services assessments so that confidence can be restored in the city’s management of the fire department.
First, we learned the city failed to collect over a million dollars in fees which resulted in a public clash with Leon County Schools. Then, a new dispute emerged with our county commissioners over an unscheduled rate increase; and now the public is questioning the fairness in how the fire services fee is applied differently to local churches and religious institutions after uncovering widespread discrepancies.
The policies governing the city’s charges and collection of monies to undergird costs for providing fire services are being widely questioned. The inconsistencies of fire charges cannot be ignored by a responsible governing body.
In response to these concerns, I am aware of the lawsuit which the city of Ocala lost and was ordered to refund $80 million for an illegal fire tax. A citizen group in Tallahassee has projected interest in potentially filing a
similar lawsuit against the city of Tallahassee questioning our fire services fee.
Additionally, the county commission has asked its staff for an agenda item to look at the Ocala lawsuit and angles to contest the current fiveyear agreement between the city and county.
And of course, we are painstakingly aware that no matter the amount of dollars raised by the fee, it always falls short when it is time to discuss paying the brave men and women working at the Tallahassee Fire Department an appropriate wage and competitive benefits.
I recognize if the chaos engulfing fire services is left unchecked, it will spread beyond our control. A primary role of our elected body is to provide appropriate oversight. I intend to do the following: Request the city manager place an immediate moratorium on all fire services fees assigned to area churches in light of information indicating religious institutions are not treated uniformly; Call for a special meeting of the City Commission with a single objective of addressing fire services and codify a moratorium;
Hire an independent forensic auditor to review the last seen years of revenues collected and distributed in the name of fire services;
Hire an outside consultant to make clear recommendations for revising, abandoning or changing operational policies to ensure all utility customers are treated fairly and the same.
I believe the City Commission is obligated, and up to the challenge, of extinguishing this crisis and regaining the confidence of all residents, churches, commercial entities and local government partners. Moving forward together, we can reset the vision of fire assessments and their intended purposes.
County Commissioner Caban Questions Matlow’s Timing
I read your recent op-ed with interest. Our office is glad to see you’re standing with the residents of Leon County in questioning the City of Tallahassee’s unfair and potentially unconstitutional — fire services fee. That’s a step in the right direction for Leon County tax payers.
However, I also read your piece with deep frustration. If you’ve known about the Ocala lawsuit and the legal risks surrounding this fee structure, then why did you vote for it? When the County pushed back on rubberstamping cost increases, including a fire station that’s
now more than double its original estimate, with no line-item budget — why did you vote for that too?
Where was the call for a forensic audit during the meeting? Where was the demand for transparency? Why did you support raising the fee by 25% without raising these questions?
Your op-ed only came after weeks of public outcry and negative press but in the budget workshop where this fee hike was discussed, the vote to move it forward was unanimous.
It’s also hard to ignore the timing. Just two months ago, before rumors of the mayor’s re-election bid began swirling, you silently voted to rubberstamp this entire plan — no questions, no objections. Now, with a potential campaign looming and the need to draw political contrast, your posture has suddenly changed. The public deserves to know: is this about policy, or politics? Because if the fire services fee is wrong now, it was wrong then and it was wrong every other time you voted for it. Leadership means having the courage to speak up when it’s inconvenient, not just when it’s time to campaign. Your office also been vocal in your opposition to the new police headquarters —scrutinizing the cost, challenging
the need, demanding answers. But when it came time to apply the same scrutiny to the $34 million price tag for Fire Station 17, the silence was deafening. Why is it that when a project involves law enforcement, it’s open season for criticism — but when it involves the fire department, the budget gets a pass?
Police and firefighters are both vital first responders. They both deserve fairness and respect. As elected officials, we don’t get to cherrypick accountability based on what plays better politically. Your op-ed also left out the most critical impact of all: housing affordability. This fire services fee hike doesn’t just hurt a balance sheet: it raises rents and property costs across the board. It burdens working families, retirees, and disproportionally affects renters already struggling with the cost of living. It adds fuel to the affordability crisis already plaguing our own neighborhoods.
Our residents can’t keep absorbing the cost of City Hall’s budgetary missteps. They shouldn’t be punished for poor planning and political posturing. In the future, lets put political posturing aside and take a stand for all our residents, and first responders in Tallahassee and Leon County alike, no matter the timing or convenience.
Chief Judge Refers Leon Clerk Gwen Marshall Knight to Supreme Court
By Steve Stewart
The Chief Judge for Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit has reported Leon County Clerk of Court Gwen Marshall to the Florida Supreme Court, claiming “neglect of duty.”
In an eight-page letter dated June 27 from Chief Judge Frank Allman to Marshall, Allman outlined a pattern of excessive delays and ongoing filing and docketing errors resulting in inaccurate court records, with the potential to cause significant due process and/or safety issues. Marshall publicly responded by saying, "We must respectfully dissent from his characterization of the facts. The Clerk’s Office remains committed to fulfilling our duties to the public."
The Letter
The letter served as a formal report of neglect of duty by the Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Office (Clerk's Office) to the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, as required by Rule 2.215(l) of the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration.
Judge Allman noted that he has received numerous and ongoing complaints from various judicial stakeholders, including the Public Defender, State Attorney, Office of Intervention and Detention Alternatives (IDA), private attorneys, media, court administration staff, and judges.
The letter stated that Chief Judge Allman had previously met with the Clerk on March 3, 2025, to discuss these issues and stressed the need for improvement. However, despite this
and collaborative efforts from judges, court staff, and justice partners, there has been no substantial or sustained improvement, leading to serious concerns about the Clerk's Office's capacity to fulfill its essential duties.
Neglect of Duty
Allman states the “complaints reveal a pattern of excessive delays and ongoing filing and docketing errors, resulting in inaccurate court records and the potential for significant due process and/or safety issues. These deficiencies are now materially affecting the prompt and efficient administration of justice in the Second Judicial Circuit, demonstrating a systemic failure to perform core responsibilities.
"Neglect of Duty" is defined as a public officer's failure to perform duties required by law.”
The report details twelve specific areas of concern which include Incorrect Docket Entry Resulting in Unlawful Arrest, Failure to Docket Warrant Resulting in Unlawful Release, Failure to Seal Court Filing, and Failure to Allow Access to Case Records.
The Chief Judge emphasizes that these errors fall within the Clerk's statutory duties, which include maintaining court records, dockets, and filings with care and security, and complying with judicial orders.
According to Paul Flemming, spokesman for the Florida Supreme Court, Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz has received the letter but has yet to take any action.
Senate, House Approves NPR Cuts
On Friday, July 18th, the US House approved $9B in cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid programs, advancing President Donald Trump's budget agenda in a 216-213 vote largely along party lines. The House vote came ahead of a midnight Friday deadline and marked the first time since 1999 that Congress has approved a president’s effort to cancel previously authorized discretionary spending. The bill now heads to the White House for Trump’s signature.
“We need to get back to fiscal sanity and this is an important step,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. Opponents voiced concerns not only about the programs targeted, but about Congress ceding its spending powers to the executive branch as investments approved on a bipartisan basis were being subsequently canceled on party-line votes. The package cancels $1.1B in previously authorized funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which subsidizes over 1,500 local media stations. About $400M in funding for an HIV/AIDS prevention program was restored earlier this week after
bipartisan pushback, helping to secure Senate approval of the package by a 51-48 vote.
International Buyers Purchased $56 Billion Worth of U.S. Homes
Foreign buyers purchased $56 billion worth of U.S. existing homes from April 2024 through March 2025, according to the National Association of Realtors® 2025 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report. This is a 33.2% increase from the previous 12-month period. International buyers purchased 78,100 properties, up 44% from the prior year and the first year-over-year increase since 2017. The median purchase price for foreign buyers of $494,400 was a record high.
"International interest in buying U.S. real estate increased following the global economic recovery from several years of pandemic-related disruptions. However, elevated home prices and interest rates continue to dampen overall potential sales activity and remain well below pre-pandemic levels," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "Boosted by a significant increase in the state’s housing inventory, Florida remained the top destina-
tion for foreign home buyers, extending a streak of at least 15 years. To some degree, due to stubbornly high mortgage rates, a greater share of international home buyers paid cash – 47% compared to 28% among all buyers – and they were more likely to purchase homes priced in the upper end of the market.”
Harvard Funding Hearing
Lawyers for Harvard University and the Trump administration appeared in federal court on Monday, July 21, over whether Harvard can recoup roughly $2.6B in research grants.
The administration cut the grants in April after accusing Harvard of antisemitism; a letter last month from the Education Department found Harvard guilty of violating Jewish students’ civil rights. Harvard says the cuts were retaliatory after the Ivy League rejected demands by a federal task force to end all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and rework its faculty hiring and admissions process, among other changes.
Harvard is the world’s largest academic research institute with a $53.2B endowment, and is responsible for more scientific output than any
other university.
President Trump Indicates He'll Let Fed Chair Powell Serve Out Term
President Trump indicated on Tuesday he would let Jerome Powell serve out his term as Federal Reserve chair, saying "he's going to be out pretty soon anyway."
The comment comes as the president has relentlessly attacked Powell in recent weeks for not cutting interest rates.
Last week, Trump floated the idea of firing Powell before retreating somewhat and adding he's "not planning" to fire the Fed chair, though without fully ruling it out. An attempt to fire Powell could spark a legal battle, because the Federal Reserve is set up to function as an independent body free of political interference. Such a move would likely also roil financial markets.
On Tuesday, while answering questions from reporters, Trump again attacked Powell for being too cautious on cutting interest rates. "I call him too late. He's too late all the time," Trump said. "He should have lowered interest rates many times."
He went on to say that Powell is leaving his post soon enough anyway, indicating he
was willing to wait out his term as chair of the Fed, which ends on May of next year.
Cane Sugar Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola said it will launch a version of its flagship soda sweetened with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup this fall, following public statements by President Donald Trump about the change. The company said the new edition—already sold in Mexico and parts of Europe— will not replace the existing version.
The move follows a push from Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reduce artificial ingredients and dyes. Both sweeteners contain fructose and glucose, but HFCS typically has slightly more fructose. Because fructose is metabolized in the liver, some research suggests excessive intake may contribute to fat buildup and insulin resistance. Experts maintain HFCS is safe and nutritionally similar in calories to cane sugar. Critics warn eliminating HFCS could cost thousands of jobs and $5.1B in farm revenue. Coca-Cola originally switched from cane sugar to HFCS in the early 1980s due to rising sugar prices.
National News Briefs
Leon County Unemployment Rate Reaches 34 Month High
The latest jobs report shows the Leon County June unemployment rate increased to 4.3%. The May unemployment rate was 3.8%. The increase was driven by more than 1,000 people entering the workforce.
The 4.3% unemployment rate is the highest reported in since August 2021 when the unemployment rate was 4.4%. The U.S. June unemployment rate came in at 4.1%, while the Florida rate was reported as 3.9%
The number of jobs in Leon County increased in June by 142 when compared to the May jobs
report. There were 158,091 people working in Leon County in June compared to May’s number of 157,949.
The size of the workforce increased in June. There were 165,168 people in the workforce in June, up 1,088 from the 164,080 reported in May. Year Over Year Comparisons
The Leon County Jobs Report shows the number of people working in June 2025 was 109 less than in June 2024. The June labor force – those looking for jobs – came in at 165,168 which was 498 more than the number reported one year ago.
The June unemployment rate of 4.3% is up from the 3.9% reported one year ago.
The chart shows the monthly level of jobs in Leon County over the last 37 months with a 12-mth. average trend line. Jun-23Jun-24Jun-25Chg 24/25
A New Townhome Community
The site preparation is nearly complete and now the vertical construction of a large townhome project is underway on Tallahassee’s southside near the corner of Capital Circle and Woodville Highway. The name of the development is The Cottages at Capital Circle. The build-to-rent complex will consist of 206 townhome units on a 30-acre site. Living spaces will range from just over 1,000 square feet to slightly more than 1,400 square feet. Amenities will include a large pool and club house, along with
Tallahassee MSA Single Family Median Sales Price Up in June
The Median sales price of existing homes in the Tallahassee MSA were up 1.5% in June 2025 when compared to June 2024, according to the Florida Association of REALTORS®. The Tallahassee MSA includes Leon, Jefferson, Gadsden, and Wakulla counties. Leon county accounts for almost 90% of the MSA real estate transactions.
The number of transactions also increased from one year ago. There were 388 transactions in June 2025, up 18.7% from the 327 transactions recorded one year ago.
At the state level, the Florida median sales price declined 3.5% when compared to one year ago. The Florida median sales price dropped from $427,000 in June 2024 to $412,000 in June 2025.
At the national level, the National Association of REALTORS® reported the median sales price for singlefamily homes in June was $441,500, up 2% from June 2024.
"The record high median home price highlights how American homeowners' wealth continues to grow—a benefit of homeownership.
The average homeowner's wealth has expanded by $140,900 over the past five years," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.
"Multiple years of undersupply are driving the record high home price. Home construction continues to lag population growth. This is holding back first-time home buyers from entering the market. More supply is needed to increase the share of firsttime homebuyers in the coming years even though some markets appear to have a temporary oversupply at the moment."
Gets Federal Agriculture Aid
Florida will oversee $675.9 million in federal money to help the state’s agriculture industry recover from hurricane damage in 2023 and 2024. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Brooke Rollins traveled to CPI citrus groves in Hendry County on Monday to announce a block-grant agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The money is expected to go toward infrastructure, citrus and timber losses, along with direct market losses, from Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024.
“Florida’s producers have endured backto-back devastating hurricane seasons, and this funding is a major victory that will help them rebuild, recover and continue feeding our state and nation,” Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said in a prepared statement.
The citrus industry recently wrapped up its 2024-2025 growing
season with the lowest production in more than a century, primarily because of hurricane damage and decades of destruction by citrus greening disease.
“From citrus greening to hurricanes, our industry has faced unprecedented challenges,”
Florida Citrus Mutual President Kevin Koppleman said in a statement.
“We remain committed to rebuilding a resilient, sustainable future for Florida citrus.”
The block grant money comes from the $30-billion American Relief Act, 2025, which was signed by thenPresident Joe Biden on December 21. A news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the agency worked with 14 states, including Florida, to design the block grants.
“America’s farmers and ranchers across the Southeast and in Florida have been hit hard and suffered significant economic losses during the last two hurricane seasons,” Rollins said in a statement.
Jun-25
The table above lists the most recent single family home sales in the Killearn Estates neighborhood. The sales information is from the Leon County Property Appraiser. Killearn Estates is located in NE Tallahassee. There are approximately 3,800 homes in many uniquely characterized units with 11 parks or playgrounds, as well as miles of bridle trails for walking or jogging, lakes, and a private Golf & Country Club. The table above lists 15 recent transactions with sale prices ranging from a low of $332,500 to a high of $580,000. The average sales price for these transactions was calculated to be $434,100.
Reviewing another popular measure of home value, the dollar per square foot ($/SqFt) shows a range starting with a low of 163.8 $/SqFt to a high of 257.8 $/SqFt. The average $Sq/Ft was calculated to be 200.7$/SqFt.
Current homes listed for sale in Killearn Estates range from $315,000 to $725,000.
For more information on real estate sales in Leon county and overall economic conditions, visit TallahasseeReports.com
gated access. The prime contractor for the project is Atlanta-based Chapman Construction. Completion is expected next year. – WFSU News
Seminoles Lead Nation with 11 Players Drafted
Native Drew Faurot Goes in Fourth Round
By Seminoles.com
Seven Florida State baseball players were selected on the second and final day of the 2025 MLB Draft on Monday, July 14th, as a record total of 11 FSU players were picked in the 20-round draft over two days.
The Seminoles' 11 total picks in this year's draft are the most in school history and tied for the most among all NCAA teams this year. It bests the previous FSU high of 10 set in 1995, though two of those selections came after the 20th round.
On Monday, junior second baseman Drew Faurot was drafted in the fourth round (108th overall) by the Miami Marlins, sophomore righthanded pitcher Peyton Prescott was selected in the fifth round (163rd overall) by the New York Mets and redshirt junior left-handed pitcher Joey Volini was drafted in the sixth round (168th overall) by the Miami Marlins.
A Tallahassee, Florida, native, Faurot was named a First Team AllACC selection and was recognized on the Tallahassee Regional All-Regional Team in 2025 as a junior. He also earned ACC Player of the Week accolades after a school-recordtying 12 consecutive at-bats with a hit. Faurot was named to the ACC Championship All-Tournament Team in 2024. As a freshman at UCF in 2023, he collected Freshman All-America and AAC All-Freshman Team honors.
Faurot hit .307 in 2025 and started all 58 games at second base. He recorded 67 hits in 218 at-bats with 16 home runs, eight doubles, 51 RBI and 51 runs scored. Faurot walked 28 times, registered 123 total bases and had a .564 slugging percentage and a .388 on-base percentage. He
stole eight bases in 13 attempts.
In his two-year FSU career from 2024-25, Faurot hit .297 in 117 games with 114 starts. He has 129 hits with 22 home runs, 27 doubles and one triple in 435 at-bats. With 80 RBI, a .515 slugging percentage and a .368 on-base percentage, Faurot has 50 walks and 224 total bases.
Junior right-handed pitcher Evan Chrest was selected in the 15th round (462nd overall) by the Cleveland Guardians and three players were drafted in the 16th round, junior right fielder Gage Harrelson (469th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels, junior catcher Jaxson West (472nd overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays and junior right-handed pitcher Maison Martinez (474th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds.
On Sunday's opening day and first three rounds, junior left-handed starter Jamie Arnold was the 11th overall pick by the Athletics, junior shortstop Alex Lodise was the 60th overall selection by the Atlanta Braves, junior right-hander Cam Leiter was drafted 65th overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers and junior center fielder Max Williams was picked 78th overall by the Miami Marlins.
FSU's four selections on the first day were tied for second-most among all NCAA programs and the most in the ACC. The Seminoles' three picks in the first two rounds and four picks in the first three rounds were both the most in team history.
With this year's 11 draft picks, Florida State has 309 overall selections in program history since the team's first pick in 1966, outfielder Jim Lyttle, who went 10th overall to the New York Yankees.
For more information on Florida State baseball, check Seminoles.com.
Tallahassee Leon Babe Ruth Advances to World Series
By Robert Stewart
On July 19th, the Tallahassee Leon
Babe Ruth (TLBR) 14U baseball team beat Greenville, North Carolina in the final Southeast Regional game with a score of 10-2 in Tallahassee at the Lincoln high school baseball field. With this win, TLBR went undefeated in the regional tournament finishing with a record of 6-0 and advancing to the 14U Babe Ruth World Series on Aug. 7 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
After early in the final game of the Southeast Regional down 2-0 to Greenville, the Tallahassee Leon Babe Ruth 14U baseball team took charge in the third inning scoring three runs to take the lead with a score of 3-2 head-
ing into the fourth inning. TLBR kept their foot on the pedal as they scored seven runs in the sixth inning and beat Greenville with a final of 10-2.
Just before the final game of the Southeast Regional, Tallahassee Babe Ruth held a moment of silence for the recent passing of the current president of Babe Ruth Tallahassee, Brent Sims. In addition to being the president of Babe Ruth Tallahassee, Sims also contributed to the local baseball scene in Tallahassee by being an umpire, league administrator and tournament director. Sims has made a lasting impression on many young athletes in the Tallahassee area and will be missed by many.
Tallahassee