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Time 2020-07-26 11:04:09

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WebSite: http://www.fl-counties.com

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The HillBipartisan support grows for inclusion of election funding in Senate stimulus packageBipartisan federal, state, and local officials on Wednesday threw support behind Congress sending states more funds to address election challenges, such as increased mail-in voting, during the COVID-19 pandemic. During a Senate Rules Committee hearing on 2020 election preparations, committee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a key player in securing the funds, said he was open to looking into giving states more election funding with low levels of required state matches. Jul 24, 2020 Route FiftyCoronavirus Impact on County Budgets Projected to Total More than $200 BillionCounties across the country, reporting increased costs and plummeting revenue from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, anticipate a budget impact of at least $202 billion through the 2021 fiscal year, according to the results of a survey from the National Association of Counties. “America’s counties are facing immense fiscal pressure as we continue to fight this unprecedented public health and economic crisis,” Teryn Zmuda, NACo’s chief economist, said in a statement. “The fiscal impacts of the coronavirus pandemic will be felt by county residents across the nation, as services are reduced and local governments make difficult decisions while balancing already strained budgets.” Jul 23, 2020 NBC MiamiMiami-Dade Changing How It Reports COVID-19 DataMiami-Dade County has changed the way it calculates and reports the rate of positive test results, officials confirmed on Tuesday. For months, the county was reporting a higher rate than the state, which elected leaders said complicated their decision on whether to order additional restrictions and business closures. “We have been trying to get to the bottom of that discrepancy for a while now,” Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said. Jul 22, 2020 Ethics Workshop - Have you completed your Ethics requirement for 2016 yet? FAC offers the solution for your 2016 Ethics needs --ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops!  Both are available at the new lower price of $75.During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics...view Florida Association of Counties Trust Helping Counties Manage Risk Commissioners and staff from more than 10 counties attended the annual Risk Management Conference hosted by the Florida Association of Counties Trust (FACT), October 20-21. The conference offers free training for Trust...view FAC Corporate Partner Working with Counties to Combat Zika Mosquito control product and service provider, Clarke, has responded to the serious Zika public health threat by creating a unique public-private partnership model called the “Z-Kit.” The goal behind the effort is to help...view Don t get left in the dark - Register for Legislative Conference today! In five short weeks, county commissioners and staff will be coming together to decide the 2017 legislative priorities for Florida s 67 counties.  Make sure the voice of your county is heard and register today!New...view Sayfie Review s Florida Leaders Summit An Invitation to Members of the Florida Association of CountiesOn November 17-18 in Orlando, Sayfie Review will host its fourth Florida Leaders Summit, a non-partisan event for Florida s top leaders, modeled after the...view Ambassadors needed for the 2016 Election It’s that time of year again!  Elections are coming and we need Commissioners who are willing to serve as mentors for our incoming Commissioners in November.  We could have another large class of newly elected members joining us...view Energy Roadmaps in K-12 Schools Can Help Improve Air Quality and Bottom Line K-12 schools in the United States spend more than $8 billion annually on energy. It is the second-highest operating expenditure for schools after personnel costs. By working with a partner to create an energy roadmap, schools can...view FAC Offers Financing Solutions to Help Counties After the Storm Recovery from the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew will likely to take weeks and months in counties along Florida’s east coast. FAC has a number of resources to assist counties impacted by the damaging effects of the storm. The...view Clinic Tour Showcases Best Practice Health Solutions for Local Government Employees FAC and Enterprise Partner Healthstat co-hosted an onsite employee health clinic tour last week in Polk County.  The City of Lakeland employee clinic, managed by Healthstat, hosted four counties interested in learning more about...view April is National County Government Month!! National County Government Month (NCGM), held each April, is an annual celebration of county government. For the past 25 years, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has encouraged counties to promote county services and...view FAC to Hold NFIP Reauthorization Meeting in Tallahassee In light of the unexpected consequences of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Act and the issues left unaddressed by the 2014 Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act, FAC’s Federal Policy Committee has taken steps to ensure Florida’s...view FAC Enterprise Program Saves Counties Time and Money! What if we told you that you could save time and money on purchases you are currently making with multiple well-respected suppliers that you already work with? nbsp; All of this while utilizing a contract held by another...view FAC Welcomes You to the Capitol County! Many of you will be traveling to Tallahassee during the 2016 Legislative Session and we want you to know you have an open invitation. The FAC office should always be thought of as your home away from home when you are in the...view Federal Grant Opportunities FY 2016 Cooperative Agreement to Benefit Homeless Individuals - nbsp;The nbsp;purpose of this program is to enhance and/or expand the infrastructure and mental health and substance use treatment services of states, local...view Legislative Day Highlights Governor Scott will deliver the opening remarks on Wednesday morning at the Legislative Briefing, launching FAC s Legislative Day! nbsp;The Governor will welcome commissioners to Tallahassee and address his priorities...view From East to West, FAC s Finance Program Has Florida Counties Covered Thanks to FAC rsquo;s low-cost, low-interest, financing option available through the Florida Local Government Finance Program (FLGFP), two counties are addressing important needs in their communities. On Florida rsquo;s...view FAC Partners with Polk to Promote Discount Card FAC staff recently partnered with Polk County to help promote the Prescription Discount Card Program at their employee health fair. Through the partnership, participating Florida counties can offer residents and county employees...view Legislative Day - Registration is Open Each nbsp;year during the height of the Legislative Session, FAC hosts our Legislative Day. Commissioners and staff are encouraged to come to Tallahassee to assist in the lobbying efforts to protect home rule and prevent...view Legislative Day - Book Your Hotel Room Now The demand for hotel rooms in the downtown area near the Capitol continues to increase as do the room rates. In an effort to allow attendees to book the hotel that works best for their budget, FAC is providing a list of hotels in...view Corporate Partner Spotlight: Nabors, Giblin Nickerson, Attorneys at Law Nabors, Giblin and Nickerson (NG amp;N) is a law firm which limits its practice to representing local governments. The practice of NG amp;N is divided into the following practice areas: Public Finance, Local Government...view Have You Checked Out FAC s Online Buyer s Guide? In September, FAC launched its new Buyer rsquo;s Guide! The purpose of this guide is to provide products and services for county government professionals through a year-round online resource. This will be an efficient way to...view Legislative Day Sponsorships Now Available! On February 3rd, the Florida Association of Counties will host its annual Legislative Day in Tallahassee, FL. This two day event will bring together over 200 county commissioners, county lobbyists and other senior staff to...view FAC Offers Low-Cost Finance Solutions that Work for Local Government As Florida rsquo;s economy shows signs of improvement, local governments are reconsidering infrastructure and capital improvement projects that were put on hold a few years ago. Projects such as roads, libraries, courthouses...view 2016 FAC Calendar! Winners Announced! This week the Florida Association of Counties unveiled the photo winners for the 2016 FAC Calendar. nbsp; With close to 500 photos submitted under our theme of Awesome Weather the competition was fierce. nbsp; With...view FAC Legislative Priorities Online Last week the membership met at the 2015 Legislative Conference in Nassau County to vote on FAC s legislative platform for the 2016 Legislative Session. nbsp;Due to the accelerated session, this year that saw committee...view Three Forms of County Government The Evolution of County Government Structure: A seven part series Part four in our seven part series from The Florida County Government Guide......view Senator Bill Nelson to speak at Legislative Conference Attend the Closing Session Breakfast to ensure that your voice is heard! The first order of business will be for the membership to consider and approve FAC rsquo;s final policy statements; these statements guide FAC rsquo...view Just a reminder: you are required to take four hours of Ethics education each calendar year! FAC offers the solution--ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops! During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional......view Enterprise Committee Chair Announces Members Enterprise Committee Chair Alan Maio, Sarasota County Commissioner, recently named the members of the committee. The committee will work with FAC staff to evaluate current and potential programs and partnerships to ensure they...view FACT Risk Management Conference is Huge Success! On October 29 amp; 30, the Florida Association of Counties Trust (FACT) hosted its Annual Risk Management and Educational Conference in St. Augustine in St. John rsquo;s County. We had an amazing turnout with more than...view Training in GIS Applications for Natural Resource Management Register now for this hands-on, 3.5-day workshop that will introduce you to basic GIS knowledge and skills for real world applications! nbsp; December 14......view Ron Littlepage to Speak at Legislative Conference The Florida Times Union Op-Ed Columnist, Ron Littlepage, will be the guest speaker at Thursday rsquo;s luncheon during the upcoming Legislative Conference (November 18-20 in Nassau County). nbsp; Ron rsquo;s columns...view Three Forms of County Government The Evolution of County Government Structure: A seven part series. nbsp;Part three in our seven part series from ......view FEMA Seeks Comments on Proposed Stafford Act Section 705 Policy FEMA seeks public comments from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, private non-profit organizations, and interested members of the public regarding the Agency rsquo;s proposed policy describing guidelines FEMA...view The Evolution of County Government Structure Part two in our seven part series from The Florida County Government Guide: Evolution of County Government Structure in Florida will focus on Cha......view Attend the FAC Legislative Conference in Nassau County and Experience a Hidden Gem Amelia Island is the Florida beach with a Southern accent. nbsp; Set in the Sea Island chain, this barrier island was named among the Top 10 North American islands by Conde Nast Traveler rsquo;s Reader rsquo;s Choice...view Save the Date: Florida Water Law and Policy Conference The Florida Water Law Institute and CLE International will be holding its 10th Annual Conference on Florida Water Law amp; Policy on November 5-6, 2015, at the Sheraton Riverwalk in Tampa. nbsp; The conference will bring...view Governor Announces Springs Restoration Projects This week, Governor Rick Scott announced that the DEP and Water Management Districts have approved 26 springs projects, funded by the $40 million included in the 2015-16 budget. nbsp; This figure, combined with approximately...view Nation Wide Stay to the EPA Water Rules On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay to the Waters of the U.S. Rule. nbsp;The rule was written to clarify which water bodies were covered under the Clean Water Act. nbsp;In response to the rule,...view SAVE THE DATE: 2015 Public - Private Partnership Summit The Division of Emergency Management is planning the 2015 Public ndash; Private Partnership Summit for December 16-17 in the Florida Panhandle. The details of the location and agenda are in development and will be provided...view Register for the UF Florida Sea Grant s December GIS Workshop Introductory Training in GIS Applications for Natural Resource Management Register now for this hands-on, 3.5-day workshop that will introduce you to basic GIS knowledge and skills for real world applications! ......view DEP Invest $5.4 Million in Local Recreational Facilites Oct. 5, 2015, nbsp;DEP Press Office ~Communities receive grants nbsp;for nbsp;sports facilities, playgrounds nbsp;and picnic areas~ ......view Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act Reauthorization Stalled in Congress Originally enacted in 1974, the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJPDA) sets standards for the care and custody of juveniles and provides direct funding to states and counties for research, training, and...view Save the Date: Florida Water Law and Policy Conference The Florida Water Law Institute and CLE International will be holding its 10th Annual Conference on Florida Water Law amp; Policy on November 5-6, 2015, at the Sheraton Riverwalk in Tampa. nbsp; The conference will bring...view Florida Beverage Association Announces Grant Program The Florida Beverage Association (FBA) has announced that its will launch a new grant program that will providing funds to community organizations and local governments to promote nutrition, physical activity and health and...view House to Hold Anchoring and Mooring Workshop The State Affairs Committee of the Florida House of Representatives has announced that it will hold a public workshop during the interim committee week of October 5-9, for the purpose of taking testimony on the following...view DEP Presents its Legislative Budget Request During the first Committee Week this session, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) presented its Legislative Budget Request (LBR) to the House Agriculture and Natural resources Appropriations Committee. nbsp; The...view Army Corps of Engineers Awards Contract to Improve Indian River Lagoon Late last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) awarded a $197 million contract to Barnard Construction Company, from Bozeman, Montana, to build a new reservoir and stormwater treatment areas that will significantly...view Legislative Conference - Early Bird Deadline is Approaching Be sure to register by Friday, October 16th. nbsp; After this date, registration fees will increase. nbsp;CLICK HERE nbsp;to register online. nbsp; nbsp;......view Commemorate The 70th Anniversary of the Ending of WWII 2015 marks the 70 year anniversary of the end of World War II. The Florida Department of State is drawing attention to this important anniversary with the campaign nbsp;Victory Florida, which honors and celebrates the heroes...view FAC Launches Buyer s Guide FAC has launched its new Buyer rsquo;s Guide! The guide contains listings of products and services for county government professionals through a year-round online resource. Members now have an efficient way to browse for...view FACT Now Offering Cyber Security Coverage for Counties According to the Department of Homeland Security rsquo;s Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign, the yearly cost of cyber crime per organization spanned a range of $1.3 million to $58 million. Cyber attacks are an ever ......view NACo Prescription Card Now Includes Dental and Health Discounts Now counties can save even more on health costs thanks to nbsp;NACo rsquo;s Prescription- Health- Dental nbsp; Discount Program nbsp;-- formerly known as......view New Series: The Evolution of County Government Structure The Florida Association of Counties has an extensive education division that spends much of its time focused on educating commissioners on county government and leadership in the classroom. nbsp; In this new feature, FAC will...view FAC President Names Enterprise Committee Chair FAC is pleased to announce that President Barbara Sharief has appointed Sarasota County Commissioner Alan Maio as Chair of FAC rsquo;s Enterprise Committee. nbsp; Commissioner Maio is an accountant, business owner and...view FAC 2nd Vice President The qualifying period for declaration of candidacy for FAC 2nd Vice President is now open! The deadline for submission is Friday, October 16, 2015. The election of the 2nd Vice Pre......view FAC ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops! Did you know you are required to take four hours of Ethics education each year? FAC offers the solution--ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops! During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics ......view ACC Registration is Now Open Registration for the ACC Program is now open and there are still spots available. nbsp; All CCC Graduates are encouraged to apply for this advanced certification program. nbsp; The dates for the 2015-2016 ACC program...view Save the Date: Florida Water Law and Policy Conference The Florida Water Law Institute and CLE International will be holding its 10th Annual Conference on Florida Water Law amp; Policy on November 5-6, 2015, at the Sheraton Riverwalk in Tampa. nbsp; The conference will bring...view Training Available on the Stafford Act for Community Resilience The Environmental Protection Agency and the Antioch New England s Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience have announced that they are co-hosting a 90-minute online training session for local government and...view Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Update On August 27, 2015, a federal judge in North Dakota granted a preliminary injunction, temporarily stopping the EPA from enforcing its new ldquo;Waters of the U.S. rdquo; rule in at least 13 states. nbsp; nbsp;...view Legislative Conference - Registration Opens in September The FAC Legislative Conference is the final opportunity for the membership and Legislative Policy Committees to meet and voice their opinion on the policies FAC lobbies during the legislative session. On the final day,...view Policy Conference: Policy Statements Online As many of you know the 2016 Legislative Session begins in January meaning committee weeks begin in September. nbsp;In order to provide guidance to staff during the committee weeks each policy committee voted on priorities...view Policy Conference - Register by August 20th and $ave The 2015-16 Policy Committee Conference will be held August 26-28 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Pinellas County (333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701). nbsp;This event brings together the FAC...view CCC Workshop - Understanding Charter Government Be sure to join us, and guest speaker Kurt Spitzer, at the Policy Committee Conference to learn about Charter Government. nbsp; The state constitution provides Floridians the power to restructure their county government...view ACC Class Registration is now open! Registration for the ACC Program is now open. nbsp; All CCC Graduates are encouraged to apply for this advanced certification program. nbsp; The dates for the 2015-2016 ACC program sessions will be: nbsp; October 22-...view Miami-Dade County Profiled in Governing Magazine The cover story for the August edition of Governing profiles the efforts of Miami-Dade County to reduce the criminalization of individuals with behavioral health problems through the use of tools such as nbsp;pre-arrest...view Waters of the United States (WOTUS) - Update As reported earlier, Florida has joined a number of states in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction regarding the joint EPA/ACOE Waters of the U.S. Final Rule. nbsp; nbsp; According to news reports, a total of...view FWC Looking for Members for Non-Motorized Boat Working Group The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), upon the recommendation of the Florida Boating Advisory Council (BAC), is requesting applications for participation in a Non-Motorized Boat Working Group. nbsp;The...view FDOT Open House FDOT is hosting an Open House to support the update of the Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Policy Plan. The FTP/SIS Open House will be held in conjunction with TRANSPLEX. TRANSPLEX will...view Florida s June Employment Figures Released From Florida Department of Economic Opportunity nbsp; Florida rsquo;s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in June 2015, down 0.2 percentage point from the May 2015 rate of 5......view ACC Class Registration opens WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5th at 10:00 am EDT! Registration for the ACC Program will open on WEDNESDAY (August 5th) at 10:00 am EDT. nbsp; All CCC Graduates are encouraged to apply for this advanced certification program. nbsp; ......view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today The 2015-16 Policy Committee Conference will be held August 26-28 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Pinellas County (333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701). nbsp;This event brings together the FAC...view CCC Workshop - Understanding Charter Government Be sure to join us, and guest speaker Kurt Spitzer, at the Policy Committee Conference to learn about Charter Government. nbsp; The state constitution provides Floridians the power to restructure their county government...view Polk County Benefits from New Employee Life Insurance Program! Polk is the latest county to take advantage of the Employee Life Option (ELO) program, a new FAC Enterprise partnership that offers guaranteed whole life insurance coverage to county employees. nbsp; FAC rsquo;s newest...view Charlotte s Web Licensing Update After being mired in administrative proceedings for months, the Florida Department of Health finally appears ready to begin reviewing applications from nurseries seeking one of five licenses to grow medical marijuana in the state...view Congress Considers Public Safety Bills Congress is currently considering two bills that could positively impact county jails and alternatives programs. nbsp; NACo is actively engaged with these bills as they progress and the bills have incorporated counties ...view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today The 2015-16 Policy Committee Conference will be held August 26-28 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Pinellas County (333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701). nbsp;This event brings together the FAC...view Study shows Florida s counties use of juvenile civil citations increasing Florida counties are increasingly turning to civil citations rather than arresting juveniles suspected of committing minor crimes, reports the Tampa Bay Times. nbsp; According to a recent study, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and...view NACo Jail Population and Pretrial Release Study NACo recently released a study entitled County Jails nbsp;at a Crossroads: An Examination of the Jail Population and Pretrial Release, accompanied ......view Sentence Reduction In an effort to reduce the burden of prisons on Florida rsquo;s taxpayers and communities, the Florida Legislature has continue to search for ways to safety reduce the number of non-violent offenders in Florida rsquo;s...view Property Tax Report DR 420 Forms due this Friday, July 24, 2015 On Wednesday, July 1, 2015 the Florida Association of Counties sent an email requesting property tax data for every county found in their respective DR 420 form for the 2015 Property Tax Report. Your DR 420 form will help us...view Non-Motorized Boat Working Group Being Formed nbsp; The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), upon the recommendation of the Florida Boating Advisory Council (BAC), is requesting applications for participation in a Non-Motorized Boat Working Group....view Regional Offshore Sand Source Inventory (ROSSI) The erosion of sand from Florida rsquo;s beaches is a continuing problem affecting not only our fragile ecosystems, but the economic viability of our coastal communities. nbsp; nbsp;Unfortunately, we have exhausted...view Derelict Vessels As reported last month, FAC participated in a workshop held by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) to identify and prioritize the many problems and potential solutions related to derelict vessels. ...view Policy Committee Conference - Registration is Open The 2015-16 Policy Committee Conference will be held August 26-28 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Pinellas County (333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701). nbsp;This event brings together the FAC...view DCF Project Team Reviewing Baker Act and Marchman Act In anticipation of the 2016 Legislative Session, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has assembled a project team to review the Baker Act and Marchman Act, with the goal of drafting proposed legislation for the...view Florida Transportation Plan Update The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is updating the Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Policy Plan. The FTP defines Florida rsquo;s future transportation vision and...view Derelict Vessels As many in the County family know, there are a number of issues involving the regulation and enforcement of derelict vessels on state waters within their jurisdiction. nbsp; nbsp; During the 2015 Legislative Session......view Waters of the U.S. Rule On Monday, June 29th, the joint EPA/Army Corps of Engineers Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule was published in the Federal Register. nbsp; See 80 FR 37053 (75 pages). nbsp; nbsp; By law, the ldquo;effective date...view Homeland Security National Training Program Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate announced the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, or NOFO, for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) Continuing...view Barbara Sharief Sworn in as FAC President Broward County Commissioner BarbaraSharief was installed to serve as President of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC). nbsp;Commissioner Sharief was sworn in during the installation lunch at the 2015 FAC Annual...view Elections held at Annual Business Meeting Elections were held during the FAC Annual Business Meeting for the FAC Board of Directors as well as the offices of President-Elect, 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President. nbsp;The membership voted Marion County...view Counties Recognized for Advocacy Work The 2015 Presidential Advocacy Awards were presented during the Graduation and Awards Luncheon. nbsp;The Presidential Advocacy Award is given to Commissioners who go above and beyond in advocating for local governments...view ACC CCC Graduation More than 35 commissioners graduated from the Advanced County Commissioner and Certified County Commissioner programs during the Awards and Graduation Luncheon on Wednesday. nbsp; nbsp;FAC s education programs are...view Credentials for NACo Election at Annual conference Credentials forms are coming in, but there are plenty of counties that haven rsquo;t yet submitted their forms. nbsp;For everything to go smoothly at this year rsquo;s election, we would like all attending counties...view Join a NACo Steering Committee Today! Now is the time to get active in the National Association of Counties (NACo) by joining a steering committee! If you have interest in a specific issue, expertise on a certain topic, or concerns about the effects of federal...view FAC Dedicates Conference Room to Former General Counsel In 2012, the Florida Association of Counties lost a dear and dedicated friend in William J. ldquo;Bill rdquo; Roberts. nbsp; Bill had served Florida rsquo;s counties as FAC rsquo;s General Counsel for 35...view Ethic Workshops Available All Year Long Did you know you are required to take four hours of Ethics education each year? FAC offers the solution--ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops! During the 2013 Legislative......view Annual Conference Workshop: Addressing Poverty in Your County 8:15-9:45 a.m. There are many families falling into the category of Asset Limited Income Contingent Employed-- individuals and families who are working, but are unable to afford the basic necessities of housi......view Annual Conference Workshop: Working with Your Sheriff 2:00-3:30 p.m. For the last three years, FAC has held a workshop during Annual Conference that is specifically focused for County Commissioners and County Managers. This year, the workshop is a pan......view New FAC President to be Installed at Annual Conference Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief will be installed as the 2015-16 President of the Florida Association of Counties during the Installation Luncheon on Thursday, June 18 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. That ev......view EPA/Corps Finalize CWA WOTUS Rule On Thursday, May 27, the Obama Administration released its controversial final rule on what constitutes a ldquo;water of the U.S. rdquo; jurisdictional under the Clean Water Act (CWA). nbsp; The Environmental...view Don t Miss Friday s Closing Session at Annual Conference! You won rsquo;t want to miss the program that we have scheduled for Friday rsquo;s plated breakfast and Closing Session. First, FAC will swear in the newly elected offi......view Don t miss the 3rd Annual Silent Auction Plan to place your bids in the 3rd Annual Silent Auction at the 2015 Annual Conference. The auction will be held in the exhibit hall on Wednesday June 17th during the ......view FAC launches new sponsorship with eConnectDirect reg; to help counties in Florida manage investment needs The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) in partnership with the National Association of Counties Financial Services Center (NACo-FSC) is endorsing eConnectDirect reg;, an online platform that provides county treas......view Corporate Partner Spotlight: Healthstat At Healthstat, we rsquo;re committed to working with you to reduce your company rsquo;s healthcare spending and increase productivity while improving the well-being of your employees. Our integrated workplace health...view Welcome the Newest Members of FACM! The Florida Association of County Managers (FACM) is up and running and the inaugural membership drive is underway. nbsp; FACM is excited to welcome the following new members: nbsp; Lee Niblock, Jack Brown, Robert...view Employee Life Insurance Program a Hit in Escambia County Escambia is the latest county to join the Employee Life Option (ELO) program, a new FAC Enterprise partnership that offers guaranteed whole life insurance coverage to County employees. nbsp; FAC rsquo;s newest partner,...view 2015 Silent Auction at Annual Conference Don rsquo;t miss the 3rd Annual Silent Auction at the 2015 Annual Conference! The Auction will be hosted in the exhibit hall on Wednesday, June 17th during the ......view Corporate Enterprise Partner Spotlight: Nationwide Retirement Solutions The National Association of Counties (NACo), in partnership with Nationwide Retirement Solutions nbsp;(NRS), and state associations of counties, provides county employees with a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Program.......view Chris Holley s Retirement Party After 10 years at FAC and many more years of hard work and dedication, Chris Holley has decided that it rsquo;s time for a permanent vacation! nbsp; Chris will retire in June after serving a decade as the Executive...view Advance County Commissioner Education Program Launched by the Florida Counties Foundation in 2006, the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) education program, The Florida Forum for County Leaders, is an advanced leadership program designed for graduates of the...view Ethics Workshops Did you know you are required to take four hours of Ethics education each year? FAC offers the solution--ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops! During the 2013 Legislative......view NACo President Appointment Applications Now Being Accepted The NACo Presidential Appointment Process for 2015-16 has begun. Incoming NACo President Sallie Clark will be finalizing her leadership team prior to the NACo Annual Conference in Mecklenburg County (Charlotte), North Carolina in...view AHCA Seeking Public Input on LIP Extension Request AHCA is currently soliciting public input on its request to amend the state rsquo;s 1115 Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) Waiver in order to redesign and extend the Low Income Pool (LIP) through June 30, 2017. nbsp; Since...view Child Welfare Professionals Recognition Day is May 11th On April 29, 2015, the Florida Senate adopted SJR 1654 sponsored by Senator Bullard recognizing May 11, 2015 as ldquo;Child Welfare Professionals Recognition Day rdquo; ......view Silent Auction Benefiting Florida s Veterans to be Held at the 2015 Annual Conference We are excited to announce that our 3rd Annual Silent Auction will be held at the 2015 Annual Conference. Over the past two years this event has been a great success, bringing increased enthusiasm and traffic to the Tradeshow,...view FAC Annual Conference Workshop on Effective Communications Effective public speaking skills are a prerequisite in most successful careers and especially for effective county commissioners. nbsp;However, most people dread standing up in front of a crowd and making a presentation,...view Exhibitor Sponsor Opportunities are Going Quickly - Reserve Your Spot Today! Conference is just two months out and booths and sponsorships are going fast! The 2015 FAC Annual Conference and Educational Exposition will be held June 16-19, 2015, at the beautiful Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra, Florida. ......view New FAC President to be Installed at Annual Conference Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief will be installed as the FAC 2015-16 President during FAC s Annual Conference, June 16-19 at the Sawgrass Marriott in St. Johns County. Comm. Sharief is currently i......view Annual Conference Hotel Update Unfortunately, our room block at the Sawgrass Marriott is partially sold out - Wednesday is the only available night at this time. nbsp; However, we expect some rooms to open up periodically so you can continue to check the...view Qualifying Period for FAC 2nd Vice President Closes May 15, 2015 The qualifying period for FAC 2nd Vice President is coming to a close. If you plan to declare your candidacy, you must send a letter of intent, via U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested or other commercial express carrie...view Be a Part of the FAC Leadership Team FAC and incoming President Barbara Sharief are looking for county commissioners wishing to become statewide leaders and advance the mission of FAC - helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening...view St. Lucie County Focuses on Fitness The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners can count more than 1,200 reasons why its new Wellness Program is working. About halfway through the 12-week Weight-Loss Challenge to kick off the county rsquo;s new Wellness...view 2015 FAC Annual Conference New Registration Process We are pleased to announce the Florida Association of Counties rsquo; new portal and online community! nbsp; As part of this new community, you can register for our upcoming events including FAC rsquo;s 2015 Annual...view FOOD NETWORK S CHEF JEFF HENDERSON WILL SPEAK AT FAC s ANNUAL CONFERENCE You won rsquo;t want to miss FAC rsquo;s 2015 Annual Conference, June 16-19 at the Sawgrass Marriott in St. Johns County. Our theme for this year s Conference is Diversity Brings Us Together and the...view UF/IFAS Extension: A Long Time Partner of the Florida Association of Counties UF/IFAS Extension has developed a strong partnership with FAC to deliver education programs for county leaders. For the last decade, UF/IFAS Extension has sponsored the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) Program. This partnership...view ACC Graduates Eligible for Leadership Florida Class XXXIV Scholarship As part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to once again provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning...view National Library Week - April 12-18 Celebrate National Library Week at Your Local St. Johns County Public Library St. Johns County, FL ndash; The St. Johns County Public Library System joins libraries nationwide in celebrating National Library Week April 12...view Florida Department of Health Addresses County Health Rankings Florida Department of Health News Release Contact: 850-245-2111 TALLAHASSEE mdash;Today, the Florida Department of Health acknowledged the release of the sixth annual County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. A collaboratio......view County Day of Recognition for Nation Service The first County Day of Recognition for National Service is an initiative being led by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), as part of National County...view Another Successful Legislative Day at the Capitol Last week more than 200 county commissioners and county staff from across the state came to Tallahassee to advocate for home-rule as part of FAC rsquo;s annual Legislative Day. nbsp; While Legislative Day began as an...view FAC Annual Conference - New Registration and Hotel Room Process The countdown is on! Registration for the 2015 FAC Annual Conference and Exposition opens on April 6th with a new process for registering for the conference and for booking your hotel room. nbsp; Under the new FAC hotel room...view County Spotlight: Sarasota County Sarasota County s 2014 Annual Report is now available The report contains a comprehensive look at the county rsquo;s structure, financial data, and how the county is meeting the goals it established ......view Corporate Partner Spotlight: FPL nbsp;Florida Power amp; Light nbsp; Florida Power amp; Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida nbsp; ......view FAC 2015 Legislative Day - Make Your Time at the Capitol Count The FAC 2015 Legislative Day is right around the corner! nbsp; Commissioners and staff are encouraged to come to Tallahassee to assist in the lobbying efforts to protect home rule and prevent unfunded mandates. nbsp;...view Leon County s Award Winning Budgeting Exercise A big challenge each year for Counties is the budgeting process. There are many factors that have to be considered in order to ensure that the needs of your community are being met. As with our personal finances, often there are...view FAC s Newest Corporate Partners! Please help FAC welcome both LSSI and Bryant Miller Olive to the Corporate Partner Family. nbsp; The Corporate Partner Program provides comprehensive marketing opportunities for our Partners to showcase their products and...view Library Systems Services (LSSI) joins the FAC Corporate Partner Program! Library Systems amp; Services, LLC (LSSI) has partnered with communities throughout the US to provide library outsourcing for new and existing libraries, as well as contract library services for Federal agencies. Nationwide...view Bryant Miller Olive (BMO) joins the FAC Corporate Partner Program Bryant Miller Olive represents governments, businesses and agencies nationwide in legal matters relating to public finance, state and local government law, complex transactions, project finance, and litigation. nbsp; ......view Florida Becomes a NACo 100% State Pasco, Union, Baker and Calhoun counties have recently joined the National Association of Counties (NACo) making Florida a 100 percent membership state. nbsp;This is a great advancement for Florida rsquo;s counties with...view FAC Legislative Day Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center (555 W. Pensacola Street, Tallahassee), Thursday, March 26, for the Florida Association of Counties 2015 Legislative Day. nbsp; As a participant, you will get up-to-date...view Regional Workshop - The Legislative Process FAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Regional Workshop on Legislative Process just in time for the 2015 Legislative Session! nbsp; This regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative Session for Florida and how...view 2015 Pre-Session Webinar The 2015 Legislative Session kicks off on Tuesday, March 3rd. nbsp;Join us on Monday March 2nd for a complete preview of the biggest issues facing counties including: DJJ Cost Share Enterprise Zones Tax Reform: CST ......view SB 1114 - Prohibiting Membership Organizations from Suing the State Filed this week, SB 1114 (Sen. Stargel) ndash; Membership Associations that would require associations organized as a Florida not-for-profit corporation to comply with certain reporting requirements if the organization...view Local Government Surplus Trust Fund SPB 7024/ HB 913 ndash; Local Government Surplus Trust Fund ndash; Disbursement of Fund B Balance nbsp; A companion bill to SPB 7024, HB 913, was filed by Rep. Trumbull on February 23. nbsp; The bill would...view Waste Management Joins FAC Corporate Partner Program FAC is pleased to announce that long standing sponsor Waste Management is joining the FAC Corporate Partner Program. nbsp; Waste Management rsquo;s Florida Area provides collection, recycling, transfer and di......view FAC Legislative Day - Register Today! Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center (555 W. Pensacola Street, Tallahassee), Thursday, March 26, for the Florida Association of Counties 2015 Legislative Day. nbsp; As a participant, you will get up-to-date...view Regional Workshop: Legislative Process FAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Regional Workshop on Legislative Process just in time for the 2015 Legislative Session! nbsp; This regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative Session for Florida and how...view Juvenile Justice Detention Cost Share The ongoing juvenile detention cost-share dispute featured prominently during the presentation of the Governor rsquo;s budget before the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee. nbsp; Discussion about...view SB 224/HB 163 - Public Records Requirements for Contractors Amending Sec. 119.0701, this legislation seeks to discourage litigation arising from abusive public records requests to government contractors. nbsp; SB 224 received its first hearing in the House Government Oversight and...view SPB 7024 - Local Government Surplus Trust Fund - Disbursement of Fund B Balance Staff from the State Board of Administration (SBA) recently met with Executive Director Chris Holley and other FAC staff to discuss the pending termination of the Fund B Surplus Funds Trust Fund and the disbursement of the funds...view Congress Holds Joint Hearing on Proposed Waters of the U.S. Rule In an unusual joint hearing last week, members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee examined the impacts of the EPA rsquo;s proposed Waters of the U.S...view President Obama Proposes Everglades Funding Last week, President Obama released his proposed budget which includes a $240 million commitment to Florida Everglades restoration. nbsp; The administration did not specify the projects to be funded, but at least $124 million...view Florida House Committee Passes Water Resources Bill This week, the House State Affairs Committee passed a comprehensive water resources bill, which addresses a number of policy areas including water quality and quality; the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI); Lake Okeechobee...view DEP Accepting Proposals for Nearly $6M in Water Grants The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is soliciting grant applications for projects that reduce or eliminate nonpoint source pollution. nbsp;These grants, known as ldquo;319 Grants rdquo; were...view Governor s Conforming Bills Read through for a short analysis of the Governor s conforming bills that affect counties. College Textbook Exemption This bill proposes to exempt College textbooks from sales tax. To be eligible for the exemption, ......view MacArthur Foundation Announces $75 Million for Jail Reform From the National Association of Counties The MacArthur Foundation has announced an exciting opportunity to undertake local jail reform through its new ......view 2015 NACo Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties The National Association of Counties (NACo) is excited to announce that it is currently accepting applications for the 2015 Achievement Awards! nbsp; ......view Florida Civic Advance Summit Plan to attend the inaugural Florida Civic Advance (FCA) Summit on Sunday-Monday, February 22-23, 2015 in Orlando. Over 25 state associations, including the Florida Association of Counties, are collaborating in this historic...view Survey: 1st African American Elected Officials To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the League of Cities is conducting a special research project to honor the first African-Americans elected to local governments in Florida. Please provide the...view FAC Legislative Day - Registration Is Open Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center (555 W. Pensacola Street, Tallahassee), Thursday, March 26, for the Florida Association of Counties 2015 Legislative Day. nbsp; As a participant, you will get up-to-date...view CCC Workshops From March 25-27, during the week of FAC s Legislative Day event, commissioners have the opportunity to earn up to 19.5 hours of credit toward the County Commissioner Certification (CCC) Program. By simply attending the...view April is National County Government Month! Each year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) encourages counties to promote county government programs and services provided in their communities and to celebrate their successes during the month of April. This year...view FAC Analysis of the Governor s 2015 Proposed Budget Available Online Governor Rick Scott s proposed budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2016 totals approximately $76.98 billion, and represents a $92,100,000 decrease from the 2014 General Appropriations Act which defines the state budget for...view Health Insurance Coverage for Emergency Services SB 516, by Senators Bean and Garcia, would limit reimbursement for emergency medical services (EMS) and potentially reduce revenues to EMS providers throughout the state, including county EMS/ambulance services. nbsp; Under...view Sober Homes/Recovery Residences Bills Filed Rep. Hager and Sen. Clemens have again filed bills that attempt to address the issue of unregulated sober homes, which are become increasingly problematic in many areas of the state. nbsp; HB 21 and SB 326 create a voluntary...view Ethics Last week, representatives from the Commission on Ethics presented proposed Ethics Code revisions to the Legislature. nbsp; These suggested changes include: Amending the conflict of interest law to ......view Contractors Public Records Responsibilities Adopted in 2013, Sec. 119.0701 codifies the obligations of public contractors with respect to compliance with Florida rsquo;s public records laws. nbsp; This statute requires contractors acting on behalf of a public...view Juvenile Justice The Governor rsquo;s Budget Proposal estimates the total county funding responsibility for juvenile justice to be $54,392,156, roughly 53% of the total estimated costs for juvenile detention. nbsp; While less than the...view Police Body Cameras The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee held a workshop on HB 57 which would require uniformed officers assigned to patrol duties to be equipped with body cameras. nbsp; HB 57 was filed by Rep. Shevrin Jones, and a companion...view Governor Scott Releases Proposed Budget, Pledges Funds for Everglades Restoration In Miami this week, Governor Scott announced plans to spend $150 million in his next budget for Everglades restoration. nbsp; nbsp; He also stated that he intends to ask legislators to dedicate a quarter of all Amendment...view Florida Citrus in Dire Straits In presentations before legislative committees and in his weekly newsletter, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam warned that ldquo;time is not on our side rdquo; in the fight against citrus greening. nbsp;Citrus...view Florida Power Companies Plan to Increase Solar Capacity Last week, two of Florida rsquo;s investor owned utilities announced plans to increase solar capacity in the state. nbsp; Gulf Power has proposed a joint effort with developer HelioSage and the United States Navy and Air...view Mark Your Calendars for Legislative Day in March FAC rsquo;s 2015 Legislative Day will be held Thursday, March 26 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County. Commissioners and staff are encouraged to come to Tallahassee to assist in the lobbying efforts to protect...view Joint Officers Meeting Today, FAC s executive committee met with executive committee members of the Florida League of Cities and Florida School Boards association to discuss the upcoming legislative session and the share issues facing counties,...view New Commissioner Workshop This week in Alachua County, FAC hosted a workshop open to all 58 new Commissioners elected to office in November. nbsp; The 1 frac12; day workshop was designed to help newly elected officials gain a better understanding...view Amendment 1 Last week, the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee held its first meeting in preparation for the 2015 Legislative Session, and a discussion of Amendment 1 was the only item on the agenda. nbsp; ...view Florida Transportation Plan The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is updating the Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Plan. To kickoff this process, FDOT hosted Florida rsquo;s Transportation Visioning...view Water Projects With the Senate discussing the nuances of Amendment 1, an important announcement was made in the House Agriculture amp; Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. nbsp; nbsp; Chairman Albritton indicated that he...view Cabinet Approves Charlotte and Collier County Land Purchases This week, the Governor and Cabinet unanimously approved the purchase of lands in Charlotte and Collier Counties in an effort to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in southwest Florida. nbsp; nbsp;The projects...view The Commission and Pythons and Bears, Oh My! Last week the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission announced plans to address the Burmese Pythons and black bear populations in the state. nbsp; nbsp; Although bear hunting has been banned in Florida for 20 years, recent...view FEMA Announces Launch of the Interim Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate Federal Emergency Management Agency WASHINGTON ndash; nbsp; The U.S. Department of Homeland Security rsquo;s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today announced the launch of the...view New Commissioner Workshop - January 14-15, 2015 - Registration Now Open The Florida Association of Counties is pleased to offer an educational workshop designed specifically for newly elected commissioners. nbsp; Mark your calendars for the New Commissioners Workshop on January 14-15, 2015 in...view Mark Your Calendars for Legislative Day in March FAC rsquo;s 2015 Legislative Day will be held Thursday, March 26 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County. Commissioners and staff are encouraged to come to Tallahassee to assist in the lobbying efforts to protect...view ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Is your county the best? Is your county great at bringing in new business? nbsp; Are you doing things that are innovative and creative when it comes to recruiting companies or expanding local businesses? nbsp; Is your Economic Development program...view Flood Insurance - FEMA In 2013, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) adopted flood insurance reform as one of its top federal priorities. As a part of its advocacy strategy, FAC developed several policy recommendations that were shared with...view Disaster Recovery Assistance - FEMA Deobligations In response to ongoing audits by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of counties who have received disaster recovery assistance from the Federal government, FAC President Grover Robinson formed a workgroup to address this...view FAC Federal Committee The FAC Federal Committee has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, December 18 at 2:30. nbsp; nbsp; Any county interested in federal issues is encouraged to participate on the call. nbsp; The conference call dial...view A Healthy Florida Works The Associated Industries of Florida and Florida Hospital Association, along with local business and health care groups from around the state, are partnering to promote a plan to provide health insurance to an additional one...view FAC Vacancy on Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation Program The Florida Association of Counties is soliciting interest from our members to serve as our representative on the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. In 1993, a voluntary law enforcement accreditation...view Last Chance - Online Ethics Now Available During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;...view Governor Appoints Leaders to State Agencies Governor Rick Scott has recently appointed or reappointed the following individuals to lead state agencies. nbsp; For more information please visit http://www.flgov.com/. ......view News Notes Takes a Vacation Due to the upcoming holiday this will be the last News amp; Notes for 2014. nbsp;We wish our County families and friends and very happy holiday season. nbsp;We ll see you in 2015!......view Gulf County Commissioner Warren Yeager is FAC s New 2nd VP Gulf County Commissioner Warren Yeager was elected by fellow commissioners and installed as 2nd nbsp;Vice President of the Association during FAC rsquo;s Legislative Conference last week. Commissioner Yeager was sworn in...view Scott Shalley Named Next Executive Director of FAC The Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve Scott Shalley as the next Executive Director of the Association during the Board meeting at Legislative Conference. nbsp; Scott has served for the past two years of the...view Strategic Plan Approved by Membership The membership approved the Association rsquo;s next five year strategic plan at Legislative Conference. nbsp;Over the past year FAC met with the membership to identify priorities and the direction the Associations needs...view 2015 Legislative Priorities Voted on at Confernce FAC held its Legislative Conference last week November 19-21, 2014, in Hillsborough County, where elected officials and county staff from across the state met to adopt policy positions for the 2015 Legislative Session and select...view Public Safety Policy Committee Update The Public Safety committee heard from guest speaker, Antoinette Triplett, CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Homelessness Initiative (THHI), who shared the truly incredible story of Operation: REVEILLE, where more than 50 public and...view Growth Management, Agriculture Environment Committee Update After several years of debating the merits of the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) program, the committee adopted a new statement that calls for improving the intergovernmental coordination process for all land development...view Finance Tax Administration Committee Update Representative Greg Steube and his wife, joined the FTA committee where he was presented with FAC rsquo;s 2014 County Champion Award for his 2 year effort in passing HB 175, which provides for the collection of the E-911 fee...view Health Human Services Policy Committee Update At the HHS committee meeting, guest speaker Clint Shouppe from BayCare Health System presented on Medicaid funding in Florida, with a focus on the future of the state rsquo;s Low Income Pool (LIP), which is funded largely by...view Urban Caucus Update The Urban Caucus met Wednesday morning and debated new and revised policy statements regarding several issues of concern facing large urban counties. nbsp; The issues were so numerous that the caucus put forth a list of...view Rural Caucus Update The Rural Caucus met on Wednesday and, after introducing its new Vice Chairman, Ralph Thomas (Wakulla County) and hearing a presentation from the Small County Coalition, discussed and debated new and revised policy statements...view Federal Committee Update The Federal Committee, led by Commissioner Doug Smith, Commissioner Heather Carruthers, nbsp;and Commissioner Bill McClure, invited Ms. Deborah Cox, nbsp;NACo rsquo;s Legislative Director, and Ms. Val Gelnovatch of...view Legislative Policy Statements are Online FAC s entire Legislative Program is available on our website. nbsp;We encourage you to bring the policy statements with you as you meet with your legislative delegations leadi......view Legislative Conference Survey The 2014-15 Legislative Conference was held last week in Hillsborough County with over 200 commissioners and county staff in attendance. nbsp; For those of you that attended, we hope you enjoyed the event and we need your...view New Commissioner Workshop - January 14-15, 2015 - Registration Open Now The Florida Association of Counties is pleased to offer an educational workshop designed specifically for newly elected commissioners. nbsp; Mark your calendars for the New Commissioners Workshop on January 14-15, 2015 in...view Last Chance - Ethics Online Now Available During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;...view Florida Supreme Court Long Range Strategic Plan The Florida Supreme Court has formed a Long Range Strategic Plan Workgroup to develop and update the long-range strategic plan for the judicial branch. The Plan will outline priority goals and strategies to address the major...view FEMA Releases Strategic Plan for 2014 to 2018 The 2014-2018 FEMA Strategic Plan reflects objectives FEMA will accomplish to provide the best possible support to U.S. citizens before, during, and after disasters. It sets fo......view Public Comment on Draft Unified Federal Review Process Guidance Due November 28 As a part of the implementation of the Unified Federal Review process required by Section 429 of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, a FEMA-led interagency steering group has developed draft guidance document (copy...view USACE-Maintained Database Provides Value for Coastal Decision-Makers As the Federal agency authorized to study, plan, design, construct, and renourish coastal risk reduction projects, USACE is tasked with providing technical input on current and future needs for coastal projects. Accurate, up-to-...view Eastern Federal Lands Access Program Call for Projects Alert The Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands (EFL) will be accepting Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) applications in order to develop a four year program of projects for Fiscal Years (FY) 2015 through FY 2018....view FWC Conducting Anchoring Survey The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) will be conducting an online survey regarding its potential anchoring regulations in Florida. nbsp; The survey was developed using comments received by the Agency...view SJRWMD Announces Cost-Share Funding Opportunity The St. Johns River Water Management District will accept applications from Jan. 5 to March 13, 2015, for cost-share funding for water conservation and construction projects that will contribute to any of the following: ......view Legislative Conference is Next Week This is the final opportunity for the membership to consider and approve FAC rsquo;s final policy statements; these statements guide FAC rsquo;s efforts during the 2015 Session. You do not have to serve on a policy...view UPDATE: DJJ - Proposed Rules Challenge On November 12 -13, 2014, an administrative law judge in Tallahassee heard evidence and arguments in the Proposed Rule Challenge brought against DJJ by FAC and 27 counties. nbsp; The Rule Challenge was filed after DJJ held a...view Enterprise Zones On November 1, 2014, the Bureau of Business and Economic Incentives within the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released the 2014 edition of its Florida Enterprise Zone Program Annual Report. This a......view Update on Waters of the U.S. Last week, the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), a policy-oriented committee tasked with providing policy advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule, has issued its...view Amendment I Passed by Florida Voters Last week, Florida rsquo;s voters overwhelmingly approved the Florida Water and Land Conservation Amendment, which will dedicate, for 20 years, 33 percent of net revenues from excise tax on real estate transactions ( ...view U.S. Supreme Court Takes Up Florida-Georgia Water Dispute Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider Florida rsquo;s lawsuit against Georgia regarding the increased withdrawals of water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system, which has caused a fisheries...view Manatee Season Set to Begin Florida rsquo;s manatee season officially begins on November 15th, when these animals begin to arrive in large numbers to enjoy our warm waters for the winter. nbsp; nbsp; Boaters should take note of the seasonal...view DEP to Hold Public Hearing on Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Estuaries The Department has scheduled a public hearing before the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) to establish numeric nutrient criteria (NNC) for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a in individual estuary...view Legislative Conference - Discount Deadline is Approaching Be sure to register by Wednesday, November 5th. nbsp; After this date, registration fees will increase $50. nbsp; You do not have to serve on a policy committee to attend; all commissioners and county staff are encouraged...view New Commissioner Orientation at Legislative Conference Although campaigns can be grueling, once the election is over, the real work begins! The Florida Association of Counties is here to welcome and answer the new Commissioners rsquo; questions with a New Commissioners...view Post-Conference Workshop: Ethics Ethics, Public Records amp; Sunshine Law November 21, 2014 (6 Core Credits) (10:30 AM ndash; 3:30 PM) During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation ......view Florida Establishes Ebola Protocol The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and Division of Emergency Management (DEM) are taking steps to prepare for the possibility of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) diagnosis in the state. nbsp;On October 25, the Governor signed...view Waters of the U.S. - Proposed Rule Update As reported in our last newsletter, the US Environmental Protection Agency has extended for the second time the public comment period on its controversial proposed rule to define the scope of Waters of the United States under...view DEP to Hold Public Hearing on Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Estuaries The Department has scheduled a public hearing before the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) to establish numeric nutrient criteria (NNC) for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a in individual estuary...view DEP to Hold Webinar on Beach Management Funding Assistance (BMFA) Program According to DEP rsquo;s Division of Water Resource Management, draft assessments have been completed for beach and inlet projects requesting BMFA program funds in FY2015/2016. These project assessments list each ranking...view Enterprise Zone Survey The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) recently completed an Enterprise Zones survey, based on questions originally submitted by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) to the association...view County Profiles Florida rsquo;s counties are great! nbsp; You know it. nbsp; We know it. nbsp; But do you know all the fun facts about your county neighbors? Starting this month, FAC will highlight an amazing Florida county...view Register Today for Ethics 2014 CCC WORKSHOP: Ethics, Public Records amp; Sunshine Law November 21, 2014 (6 Core Credits) (10:30 AM ndash; 3:30 PM) During the 2013 Legisl......view EPA Extends Comment Period on WOTUS Rule The US Environmental Protection Agency has extended for the second time the public comment period on its controversial proposed rule to define the scope of Waters of the United States under Clean Water Act jurisdiction. nbsp...view Update on Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule nbsp; After several workshops and a rule challenge by the Sierra Club, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) is now finalizing its revisions to the Urban Turf Rule, found in r. 5E-1003 F.A.C. nbsp;...view 2015 Legislative Session - The Year of Water! As we all have been hearing for quite some time, the 2015 session promises to be the ldquo;Year of Water. rdquo; nbsp; nbsp; After a summer of supposition and prognostication, stakeholders have been asked by...view Get to Know Your Land Stewardship Constituents Chris Demers, UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation Private lands in Florida provide a wide variety of services that benefit society, including economic activity, clean air, groundwater......view Legislative Conference - Register Today! The FAC Legislative Conference will be held November 19-21 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside in Hillsborough County. nbsp; This is the final opportunity for the membership and Legislative Policy Committees to meet and voice...view Commissioners Grover Robinson and Doug Smith Present to Florida s Business Leaders This week, FAC President Grover Robinson and 2012 Past President Doug Smith presented at the Annual Future of Florida Forum put on by the Florida Chamber Foundation. nbsp; This was a great opportunity to share the importance...view Florida Chamber Healthcare Summit FAC President Grover Robinson and FAC staff attended the Florida Chamber Healthcare Summit at the 2014 Future of Florida Forum in Orlando on Tuesday. nbsp; Panelists discussed various current and emerging issues in healthcare...view CCC WORKSHOP: Ethics, Public Records Sunshine Law November 21, 2014 (6 Core Credits) (10:30 AM ndash; 3:30 PM) During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commi......view Waters of the United States After the ldquo;Regulatory Overreach Protection Act rdquo; (H.R. 5078) was passed earlier this month in the U.S. House, Senator Pat Roberts (R ndash; Kansas) has called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to act on...view Florida Everglades to Receive Federal Dollars for Tamiami Bridge U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced that Florida has been awarded a $20 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant to help fund the elevated 2.6-mile bridge over the Tamiami...view Everglades Challenge: Remove Phosphorus and Win $10 million Last week, the Everglades Foundation announced a scientific challenge: nbsp; Solve the chronic phosphorus pollution problem and win $10 million. nbsp; The winning project must demonstrate phosphate reduction on an...view Reclaimed Water Study - Public Workshops Scheduled In recognizing the importance of reclaimed water and the challenges Florida faces in expanding its use, the 2014 Legislature passed SB 536, requiring a comprehensive study on the use of reclaimed water (to also include stormwater...view Pre-Order your 2015 FAC Calendar The 2015 FAC Calendar, Sunrises and Sunsets, is on sale now! nbsp; There s a reason why Florida is called the Sunshine State and those of us who are fortunate to live under the Florida sun can attest to the beautiful...view FAC Legislative Conference Has Been Rescheduled Due to circumstances beyond our control, the 2014 Legislative Conference has been rescheduled and relocated. nbsp; The new dates are November 19-21, 2014 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside in Hillsboro......view Online Ethics Now Available During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;...view Submit Your Comments to EPA on Waters of the U.S. In recent weeks the White House, EPA and US Corp of Army Engineers have made it clear that they intend to finalize the nbsp;proposed rule......view Weekly Federal Updates Available on the FAC Website FAC has partnered the Ferguson Group to enhance our federal advocacy and strengthen Florida s presence on a national level. nbsp;The Ferguson Group is providing weekly legislative updates as well as information on...view Policy Conference - Meeting Materials Available Online Policy Conference meeting materials are going electronic! We invite you to access the policy committee meeting materials through your FAC Portal. You can access materials by simply logging in to your portal account and clicking...view Online Ethics Course - Register Today During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;...view FY 2014-15 County by County Tentative Property Tax Rates Data The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has recently completed a compilation/summary of proposed tentative property tax rates and related information for FY 2014-15. FAC is providing this information as a service to its...view County Stormwater Impacts The fiscal analysis on county stormwater impacts of the WOTUS rule that was performed by Applied Technology amp; Management (ATM) on behalf of the Florida H2O Coalition was released last Friday. nbsp;The four counties...view FAC Calendar Photo Contest Closes Today Today is the last day to submit your photo for the 2015 FAC Calendar photo contest( if you haven t done it yet you can do it now! click here to submit). amp;nbsp......view Policy Conference - Meeting Materials Go Electronic Policy Conference meeting materials are going electronic! We invite you to access the policy committee meeting materials through your FAC Portal. You can access materials by simply logging in to your portal account and clicking...view Tell your story! What has your county done to improve economic development In September, FAC will be on a panel at the Florida Chamber Forum to discuss some of the innovative approaches counties have taken to improve economic development in their county. nbsp; We rsquo;d like to share your story...view Medical Marijuana Workgroup FAC is forming a medical marijuana workgroup with the Florida League of Cities and law enforcement to discuss the regulation of marijuana-related businesses in Florida should Amendment 2 pass. nbsp;FAC would like to appoint...view Spotlight your county in the 2015 FAC Calendar It rsquo;s that time of year again! nbsp; The 2015 FAC Calendar photo contest is well under way and we are certain that this will be our best calendar yet! nbsp; This year rsquo;s theme, Sunrises amp; Sunsets...view Online Ethics Now Available During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;...view Waters of the United States - Proposed EPA/ACOE Rule On Monday, U.S. Congressman Steve Southerland held a press conference in the Capitol rotunda in Tallahassee in support of his proposed ldquo;Regulatory Overreach Protection Act rdquo; (H.R. 5078), rsquo; which is...view DEP Releases Springs Restoration Funding Plan Last week, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released is Springs Restoration Project Plan for Fiscal Year 2014-2015. nbsp; This year, the $25 million legislative allocation was combined with local government...view Florida Retirement System Actuarial Assumption Conference The Florida Retirement System Actuarial Assumption Conference met on August 11, 2014 to discuss the Experience Study developed by the state rsquo;s actuary. This study is conducted every 5 years to review and update valuation...view DEP Announces Rulemaking Workshops on Estuary NNCs The DEP has scheduled public workshops for its rulemaking efforts regarding estuary-specific numeric nutrient criteria. nbsp; Rule revisions will be discussed at the public workshops scheduled during the next two weeks in...view FWC to Hold Workshops on Anchoring in State Waters The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be holding two public workshops to present a framework for possible legislation authorizing counties and municipalities to regulate anchoring on state waters. ...view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today! The 2014-15 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 17-19, 2014 at the Sandestin Beach Resort in Walton County. This event brings together the FAC Legislative Policy Committees to examine the Association ......view 2015 FAC Calendar Photo Contest There s a reason why Florida is called the Sunshine State and those of us fortunate to live under the Florida sun can attest to the beautiful sunrises and sunsets we see every day! nbsp;That is why we are pleased to...view County Revenue Estimates The Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) has published FY 2014-15 County Revenue Estimates. nbsp; The Revenue Estimates include Communications Services Tax, County Revenue Sharing Program, Local Option ......view Join a NACo Steering Committee GET INVOLVED! nbsp;Join a NACo Policy Steering Committee Now is the time to get active in the National Association of Counties (NACo) by joining a steering committee! If......view Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge Elected 2nd Vice President of NACo Immediate Past President of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Desloge poised to lead nbsp;National Association of Counties (NACo) in 2016-17- Leon County District 4 Commissioner Bryan De......view Commissioner Gail Garrard Appointed to Board of Directors Lafayette County Commissioner Gail Garrard was appointed to the FAC Board of Directors by FAC President, Escambia County Commissioner, Grover Robinson, she will be filling a vacancy that occurred as a result of the election of...view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today! The 2014-15 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 17-19, 2014 at the Sandestin Beach Resort in Walton County. This event brings together the FAC Legislative Policy Committees to examine the Association s agenda...view Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson receives Scholarship to Leadership Florida FAC and UF/IFAS have once again partnered with Leadership Florida to provide a $5,000 scholarship through FACTOR for an ACC Alumni to participate in the Annual Leadership Florida class. nbsp; Each year, between 40 and 70...view CCC Workshops at the 2014 FAC Policy Conference COUNTY GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND AUTHORITY and COUNTY GOVERNMENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES September 17 - 18, 2014 (6 Core Credits each) Included with your Policy Commit......view ACC Application - Available Online August 4th at 10:00 a.m. EDT The application for the 2014 ndash; 2015 ACC Program will open on Monday (August 4th) at 10:00 am EDT. nbsp; Before you apply to attend the ACC program, please check your calendars......view Second Rule Workshop on Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act On August 1, 2014, beginning at 9:00 a.m., the Department of Health will hold another workshop on establishing a regulatory structure supporting the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014, including the creation of...view Update on Waters of the U.S. - Proposed Rule EPA Local Government Advisory Committee Workgroup On July 10th, Stephen James attended a meeting of EPA rsquo;s Local Government Advisory Committee and its ldquo;Protecting America rsquo;s Waters Workshop rdquo;...view Sustainable Florida Seeks Nominations for Best Practice Awards Tallahassee, FL ndash; July 2014 ndash; Sustainable Florida, the state rsquo;s premier organization promoting a bettersocial, environmental and economic future, seeks nominations for the annual Best Practice Awards...view Policy Committee Conference - Hotel Room Block is Open! The 2014-15 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 17-19 at the Sandestin Beach Resort in Walton County. nbsp; The room block is open so book today! nbsp; Call (800) 320-8115; the group code is 2353GC. FAC...view Rule Workshop on Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014 On Monday, July 7, 2014, the Department of Health held its first Rule Workshop on proposed rules dealing with the implementation and regulation of SB1030, the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. nbsp; SB1030 provides for the...view Senate Community Planning Act Survey The Senate Community Affairs Committee is reviewing how some of the changes to the growth management act (now known as the Community Planning Act) are working at the local level. nbsp;Specifically, during the 2014...view 2015 FAC Calendar Theme Contest It s that time of year again! nbsp;We here at FAC are getting ready to put together the 2015 FAC Calendar and it s time to vote on the theme for next year. nbsp;You have until August 1st to vote for your...view UPDATE: DJJ Rule Development and Rule Challenge The litigating parties in the Rule Challenge held a status conference with the Administrative Law Judge Wednesday, July 9, 2014, where it was decided the Rule Challenge will be held in abeyance pending DJJ rsquo;s...view FAC Annual Tentative Property Tax Rate Report With the TRIM (Truth in Millage) process starting on Tuesday July 1st, FAC is preparing to conduct its annual property tax survey to collect data to produce our annual property tax report later this summer. ......view Federal Tax Reform From: NACo (National Association of Counties); by Jacque Alamia Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) recently signaled their continued commitment to ove......view Update on Waters of the U.S. As of last week, more than 260 lawmakers, from both chambers and both parties, have come out publicly against the proposed rule on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). nbsp; A group of 231 members of the House of Representatives sent...view State Approves Sale of Surplus Property to Fund Land Acquisition Last week, the Florida Cabinet approved the sale of approximately $27 million in surplus property, the proceeds of which will be used by Florida Forever, its conservation land-buying program. nbsp; nbsp; The surplus...view Florida Bans the Importation of Lionfish The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given its final approval to a ban on the importation of lionfish into Florida. nbsp; This ban would impact those who deal in the invasive species for resale for the...view SURVEY - Annual Conference The FAC 2014 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition was held June 17-20 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orange County. If you attended, we need and welcome your feedback. Please help us with future program...view Grover Robinson Installed as FAC President Escambia County Commissioner Grover C. Robinson, IV was installed to serve as President of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC). nbsp; Robinson was sworn in during the installation lunch at the 2014 FAC Annual Conference...view Annual Conference - It s Not Too Late to Register If you would like to attend the FAC 2014 Annual Conference but haven rsquo;t registered yet, it rsquo;s not too late. nbsp; You can register on-site. nbsp; The FAC Registration Desk will be open Tuesday, June 17...view Annual Conference - Silent Auction FAC is once again collaborating with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the Florida Veterans Foundation (FVF), and the County Veterans Service Officers Association of Florida to hold a silent auction on Wednesday,...view Pre-Conference Welcome Event Kick-off your conference with an evening of fun, fellowship and a little old fashioned competition. nbsp; We know many of you will arrive in Tampa on Tuesday afternoon and will need something to do that evening so join us!...view Florida Trend President will Speak at Opening Session Our theme for this year s Annual Conference is Florida Lives Here and the Opening General Session on Wednesday will focus on all of the exciting things that are currently going on in the state and to help us...view Orlando Magic s Lucas Boyce to Speak Orange County has arranged for a presentation by Lucas Boyce at the Installation Luncheon on Thursday. Lucas has overcome many obstacles to achieve his dreams. When Lucas graduated high-school, he had three aspirations: to work...view Senator Bill Nelson Invited for Closing Session Senator Bill Nelson will be our Keynote for this session. Nelson is a Florida native who grew up on the Space nbsp; Coast. nbsp; His public service career began in 1972, with his election to the Florida Legislature. He...view Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant is FAC s New 2nd VP In accordance with the FAC Bylaws, any commissioner, other than commissioners currently in office, who choose to run for Association office must have formally declared their candidacy via certified mail, with a postmark date no...view Trial Court Prohibits Governor from Removing Commissioners Under Firearms Preemption Statute In December 2011, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners and several individual commissioners filed suit against the state, challenging HB 45 (2011), the additional firearms preemption bill from the 2011 legislative...view 2014 General Appropriations Act Signed General Overview Governor Rick Scott signed the 2014 General Appropriations Act ndash; the state rsquo;s spending plan for SFY 2015. The budget totals $77 billion, with more than $68.9 million in spending vetoed by the Governor. Ov......view Waters of the U.S. Update The EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have announced that they are extending the public comment period for their Joint ldquo;Waters of the U.S. rdquo; (WOTUS) proposed rule from July 21 until October 20, 2014, an...view Governor Vetoes Lionfish Bounty Program The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) had requested and the Legislature approved funding in the 2014 state budget in the amount of $427,000 to address the proliferation of lionfish in state waters. nbsp...view DEP Holding Seminar and Workshop on Public Mooring Fields - General Permit The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced a public workshop on the adoption of a new environmental resource permit for public mooring fields to accommodate up to 100 vessels. nbsp; This general permit is...view DEP Beach Management Funding Assistance Program / Local Government Funding Request The DEP is planning the development of the annual prioritized list of beach and inlet management projects in preparation for submittal of the Department rsquo;s FY2015/2016 Local Government Funding Request (LGFR) and the...view Deciding When to Outsource Energy Services ldquo;Outsourcing rdquo; traces its modern roots to the global expansion of business in the 1970s and 80s. During this time frame, the mindset was that, in order to compete, organizations must focus on their core...view Traveling to NACo Conference in New Orleans? Don t miss this sessionA. Healthstat, a FAC Platinum Corporate Partner, is encouraging Florida rsquo;s delegation to attend the workshop entitled ldquo;Return on Investment for Onsite Health Clinics rdquo;. nbsp; nbsp; Tim Lee, Chair...view FAC 2014 Annual Conference and Educational Exposition REGISTER BY JUNE 6 - SAVE $50 Be sure to register by Friday, June 6th - registration fees increase $50 after this date. nbsp; Register online or postmark your check by June 6th. nbsp;......view DJJ Proposed Rule Hearing This is just a reminder that the hearing on DJJ rsquo;S proposed rules on detention cost-share is in Tallahassee, next Friday, June 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. FAC created a separate website with all hearing information, relevant...view Florida Retirement System - Implementation of GASB 68 Along with members of the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA) and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants(FICPA), FAC attended a meeting with the Florida Department of Management Services, Division...view New Jail Reporting Requirements: Sexually Violent Offenders This Session, the Legislature passed a series of bills that changed civil and criminal laws related to sexual offenders and predators (SB 522, 524, 526 and 528). nbsp; Specifically, SB 522 places new reporting requirements on...view Waters of the U.S. Update As previously reported, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) published a proposed rule entitled Definition of ldquo;Waters of the United States rdquo; Under the Clean...view Corps of Engineers Approves $1.9 Billion Everglades Plan Last Week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a $1.9 billion plan for central Everglades restoration projects, after weeks of criticism over its review process. nbsp; nbsp; Environmentalists had hoped the Central...view South Florida Water Management District Proposes New CUPCon Rules The SFWMD is re-initiating rule development to amend its consumptive use permitting pursuant to the DEP rsquo;s statewide effort to improve consistency and efficiency throughout the state. nbsp; nbsp; The re-...view Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Agriculture Spending Bill From The Ferguson Group The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $20.6 billion Agriculture spending bill last Thursday that contains a carefully constructed compromise on enforcing school nutrition standards. At the mar......view Congress Sends Water Infrastructure Bill to the President From The Ferguson Group On May 22, the Senate passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA) by a vote of 91-7, sending the measure (HR 3080) to the President s desk for his sign......view 2014 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday (May 31 through June 8, 2014) The first of three temporary sales tax holidays will take place from May 31st through June 8, 2014. During the ldquo;Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday rdquo; period, qualifying items related to hurricane...view Are You Leaving Office in 2012? County Commissioners are the lifeblood of the Association, and every year a few of you choose to hang your hat and leave the public arena for the greener pastures of privacy and normalcy. If you have decided to leave office, and...view Visit NACo s Research Center The National Association of Counties has recently upgraded their web portal to include a dedicated research section. nbsp; Visit http://www.naco.org/research/Pages/Research-Center.a......view Register Today and Save The FAC 2014 Annual Conference is just around the corner! nbsp; Be sure to register for Annual Conference before Friday, June 6 to avoid the next fee increase (early bird rates ended on May 9th). nbsp; ......view Florida Trend President to Speak at Annual Conference Our theme for this year s Annual Conference is Florida Lives Here and the Opening General Session will focus on all of the exciting things that are currently going on in the state and to help us better understand...view Wind and Flood Mitigation Workshops FAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties! nbsp; Thanks to a generous grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we are able to offer two......view Bipartisan Conference Committee Approves Water Funding Bill Last week, a joint congressional conference committee approved a bicameral and bipartisan conference report on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which will now become the final version of t......view Federal Government Announces Plan to Battle Citrus Greening According to the Associated Press, the U.S. government will spend $1.5 million on efforts to control the bacteria that causes citrus greening. nbsp; U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the money w......view Governor Scott Signs HB 5601 From the Governor s Press OfficeMonday May 12, 2014 ORLANDO, Fla. ndash; Today, Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 5601 that cuts more than $121 million in taxes. The signing of this legislation also b......view DJJ Issues Proposed Rules On Thursday, May 15, DJJ published its Notice of Proposed Rules regarding detention cost-sharing, with a scheduled hearing in Tallahassee on June 6, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. EST nbsp;(phone participation will be allowed, with...view Op-Ed on Water Resources Development Act October 24, 2013 Recently, state and local elected officials and community leaders from 16 South Florida counties trave......view Cutting Government Waste: Something We Can All Agree On April 9, 2014BY Commissioner Bryan Desloge, Leon County From balancing a state budget to considering hundreds of bills, Florida lawmakers face a lot of tough challenges during the annual 60-day Legislative Session. nbsp;...view Health and Human Services Update *FAC PRIORITY*Relating to HomelessnessSB 1090 (Sen. Latvala) and HB 979 (Rep. Peters) Summary: Requires the Florida Housing Financ......view Growth Management and Transportation Update Vacation Rentals *REMOVES PREEMPTION* HB 307 (Rep. Hutson) and SB 356 (Sen. Thrasher) Summary: nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;Removes a preemption p......view Agriculture and Environment Update Springs Protection*UNFUNDED MANDATE*SB 1576 (Sen. Dean) nbsp; nbsp; Summary: nbsp; Designates act as Florida Springs and Aquifer Prote......view Public Safety Update *FAC PRIORITY*Juvenile Detention Costs*UNFUNDED MANDATE*SB 1532 (Sen. Bradley) / HB 5305 (Justice Appropriations/McBurney) Summ......view Finance and Tax Update *FAC Priority*2014 Tax Reduction and Economic Development Incentive Package1. Motor Vehicle License Fees($0 impact to local governments - Cities and Counties) amp;n......view Administration Update Public Records*UNFUNDED MANDATE*SB 1648 (Formerly PCB 7064, Government Oversight) and HB 1151 (Rep. Hood) Summary: nbsp; Prohibits the use of pu......view Wind and Flood Mitigation Workshops Once again, FAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties! nbsp; Thanks to a generous grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we are able to offer ......view Annual Conference - Register Today! Registration is now open. nbsp; Click here to register online. Unfortunately, the room block at the Hilton Bonnet Creek is currently sold out on Thursday night.......view FEMA External Affairs Bulletin The FEMA External Affairs Bulletin is distributed weekly and includes information on the latest consultations, advisories and open comment periods. It also includes important announcements from around FEMA and useful links to...view Legislature on Easter Break The State Legislature was on a break this week in observance of Passover and Easter. nbsp; They will return to Tallahassee next week. nbsp; For an update on the legislation we are following you can read our most recent...view Annual Conference - Register Today! Registration is now open. nbsp; Click here to register online. Unfortunately, the room block at the Hilton Bonnet Creek is currently sold out on Thursday night. nbsp; You ......view Wind and Flood Mitigation Workshops Once again, FAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties. nbsp; Thanks to a grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we are able to offer two programs this year, one on Wind...view Leadership Florida Opportunity for ACC Graduates As part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to once again provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning...view News Service of Florida s Political Almanac News Service of Florida recently published their first Political Almanac which provides a state House district by district look the at the stat in terms of the demographics of the residents and how they vote. nbsp; If you are...view Counties Claim State Owes Money By Overcharging For Juvenile Detention Costs This article from WFSU was published on April 16th Florida rsquo;s counties say the state owes them money. They claim they rsquo;ve been overcharged for helping pay the cost of juveniles in detention centers. The two...view Administration nbsp;*UNFUNDED MANDATE* Public Records nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; amp;n......view Finance and Tax *FAC Priority* Tax Reduction and Economic Development Incentive Package HB 5601 Bo......view Public Safety *FAC PRIORITY* *UNFUNDED MANDATE* Juvenile Detention Costs nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; ......view Agriculture and Environment *UNFUNDED MANDATE* Springs Protection nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;...view Growth Management and Transportation *REMOVES PREEMPTION* Vacation Rentals nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;...view Wind and Flood Mitigation Workshops Once again, FAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties. nbsp; Thanks to a grant from the Florida Divisio......view Annual Conference - Room Block Update The room block at the Hilton Bonnet Creek is almost sold out (depending on the nights you plan to stay) ndash; Thursday night is currently completely sold out. We are working to locate some overflow hotels nearby a......view Strong UF/IFAS Extension Partnership Continues For years, nbsp;FAC has worked closely with the University of Florida/IFAS Extension. Over the last decade, the two organizations have strengthen their partnership, nbsp;discovered many similarities in their missi......view Next Week in the Legislature The Senate and the House will take a break over the week of April 14 in recognition of Easter and Passover. Conference committees will meet on their return. nbsp; ......view This Week in the Legislature The House and Senate heard bills relating to the Florida Retirement System. SB 1114 and HB 7173 were voted favorably out of their first committees. The Senate bill now heads to Appropriations while the House bill heads to the...view Annual Conference - Hotel Room Block Is Open Click here to book online. nbsp;Or, call (800) 445-8667 to reserve your room at the Hilton Bonnet Creek. Ask for the Florida Association of Counties block......view Health and Human Services Update *FAC PRIORITY*Relating to HomelessnessSB 1090 (Sen. Latvala) and HB 979 (Rep. Peters) Summary: Requires the Florida Housing Financ......view Growth Management and Transportation Update Vacation RentalsHB 307 (Rep. Hutson) and SB 356 (Sen. Thrasher) Summary: nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;Removes a preemption placed on local governments in 2011 that......view Agriculture and Environment Update Springs ProtectionSB 1576 (Sen. Dean) nbsp; nbsp; Summary: nbsp; Designates act as Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act nbsp; Provide......view Public Safety Update *FAC PRIORITY*Juvenile Detention CostsSB 1532 (Sen. Bradley) / HB 5305 (Justice Appropriations/McBurney) Summary: ......view Finance and Tax Update *FAC Priority*HB 5601Tax Reduction and Economic Development Incentive PackageHouse Proposed Concept Both the Senate and House have agreed upon reducing Motor Vehicle License Fees by approxim......view Administration Update Public RecordsSB 1648 (Formerly PCB 7064, Government Oversight) and HB 1151 (Rep. Hood) Summary: nbsp; Prohibits the use of public funds in payment of ......view Florida Economic Conditions On Monday March 31st nbsp; the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) released its latest report related to the state of the economy in Florida. Major highlights of this report include: Florida growth rates are...view Top 5 Misconceptions about the Procurement of Energy Commodities Why overcoming them is critical to reducing costs Every day, energy decision-makers are bombarded with phone calls and emails from energy firms proclaiming they have the best ideas about how to procure energy. However, energy...view Wind and Flood Mitigation Workshops Once again, FAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties. nbsp; Thanks to a grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we are able to offer two programs this year, one on Wind...view UF/IFAS 100th Anniversary Celebration - April 17th FAC is pleased to announce the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of UF/IFAS Extension on April 17th from 11:00 am ndash; 2:00 pm at the UF Plaza of the America. nbsp; For more information on the festivities, be sure...view Economics of Medicaid Expansion Program The Bob Graham Center for Public Service is holding a discussion on the economic impacts of Medicaid expansion on April 9 at 6 p.m. Robin Rudowitz, Associate Director, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, is an expert...view Legislative Day Survey If you attended the FAC Legislative Day last week in Tallahassee, we need your feedback! nbsp; Please help us with future program planning by completing an online survey. nbsp; Just click on the link below and you will be...view This week in the Legislature Lisa Hurley testified in House Appropriations in support of HB 5305, which would amend the cost-share arrangement between counties and the Department of Juvenile Detention and resu......view Next week in the Legislature Senator Bradley rsquo;s bill relating to juvenile detention costs (SB 1532) is on the calendar for a hearing in Senate Community Affairs. The bill eliminates DJJ rsquo;s flawed pro......view Growth Management and Transportation Update Vacation Rentals nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;...view Agriculture and Environment Update Springs Protection nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp...view Public Safety Update *FAC PRIORITY*Juvenile Detention Costs nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; ...view Finance and Tax Update *FAC Priority*HB 5601 Tax Reduction and Economic Development Incentive Package Both the Senate and House have agreed upon reducing Motor Vehicle License Fees by approximately $395 million. nbsp; As a part......view Administration Update Public Records nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;...view EPA and USACOE Release Proposed Rule on Waters of the U.S. On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) jointly released a proposed rule to clarify protections under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands. nbsp; This...view Governor Scott Announces Restoration Projects in Apalachicola Bay Governor Scott has announced specific projects to be funded by the $6.3 million in federal disaster assistance approved last month. nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;The projects, which must first be approved by the National Oceanic...view 2014 Florida Auditor General s Recommendations on Beach Erosion Control Program The Florida DEP rsquo;s Beach Management Funding Assistance Program has announced that it will be presenting a webinar to address the 2014 Florida Auditor General rsquo;s Recommendations in Report No. 2014-064. nbsp;...view Leadership Florida Opportunity for ACC Graduates As part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to once again provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning...view Florida s Workforce System Unifies with Single Brand to Better Reach Employers and Job Seekers At CareerSource Florida and in the offices of our 24 regional partners, we have done more than just change our name. To better assist job seekers and businesses who often work and operate throughout their region and the state, we...view Legislative Day - It s Not Too Late to Register! If you plan to attend Legislative Day next week on Thursday, March 27, but haven rsquo;t registered yet, you can register on-site. Registration will open at 8:15 a.m. at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center. nbsp; The...view REGISTER TODAY for these upcoming Educational Opportunities. 2014 ETHICS WORKSHOPS ndash; March 27, June 17, and December 5 (6 CCC Core credits) During the last year rsquo;s Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Co......view April is National County Government Month Each year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) encourages counties to promote county government programs and services provided in their communities and to celebrate their successes during the month of April. This year’s...view Florida Entertainment Production Industry Fact Sheet 2014 The Entertainment Production Industry Rally in Tally will take place next week - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - in Tallahassee. The purpose of this Rally is to allow industry members and interested parties the opportunity to thank...view Legislative Day - Register Today! If you plan to attend Legislative Day in March, be sure to register by Thursday, March 20! nbsp; After this date, higher on-site fees will apply. Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday,...view LAST CALL to register for classes before the prices increase on March 20th! 2014 ETHICS WORKSHOPS ndash; March 27, June 17, and December 5 (6 CCC Core credits) During the last year rsquo;s Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring ......view Thank You to our Legislative Day Sponsors The Florida Association of Counties would like to take a moment to thank our 2014 Legislative Day Sponsors! Sponsors for Legislative Day help make it possible to host a Legislative Briefing so that we can better inform our...view President Obama signs Bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act into Law Today President Obama signed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370). nbsp; See below for more information on H.R. 3370. ----- Friday, March 14, 2014 U.S. Senate Passes Bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insuran...view NACo 2014 Achievement Awards From the National Association of Counties NACo is proud to announce that the 2014 Achievement Awards process is now open for submissions! Since 1970, NACo has been highlighting county projects through the Ac......view 2014 Virtual Business Summit If you rsquo;re an established business or industry seeking to expand or improve hellip; or a start-up business newly underway hellip; an entrepreneur with ideas for starting a business hellip; or an economic...view FAC Hosts Inaugural Congressional Breakfast In tandem with the National Association of Counties rsquo; 2014 Legislative Conference, the Florida Association of Counties hosted its inaugural Florida Congressional Breakfast on March 4 in Washington, D.C. nbsp; The...view Legislative Day - Register Today! If you plan to attend Legislative Day in March, be sure to register by Thursday, March 20! nbsp; After this date, higher on-site fees will apply. Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday,...view Upcoming educational opportunities - open to ALL Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers 2014 Ethics Workshops ndash; March 27, June 17, and December 5 (6 CCC Core credits) During the last year rsquo;s Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that C......view Representatives Gonzalez and Caldwell Presented with FAC Awards This week FAC Finance amp; Tax Advocate, Davin Suggs, presented Representative Eddy Gonzalez was presented with the 2013 Legislative Leadership Award for his leadership as the Chairman of the of the House of Representatives...view Florida Association of Counties Completes Federal Fly-In on Flood Insurance Reform U.S. House of Representatives announces issue will be addressed after February recess On February 11 and 12, 2014, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), along with commissioners and staff from Martin, Charlotte, Lee, Miami-...view FAC Applauds Majority Leader Cantor s Announcement to Bring Flood Insurance Reform to House Floor On February 12, U.S. House of Representatives rsquo; Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) announced that the House will ldquo;act to protect the flood insurance program but also protect homeowners from unreasonable and...view Florida Retirement System Reform On Tuesday, February 18th the Senate Committee for Community Affairs passed by a 5-4 vote a Proposed Committee Bill (SB7046) that would close the Defined Benefit Plan and crea......view Ethics and Elections The Senate Ethics and Elections committee passed SB846 this week which is considered to be the second part of the ethics reform package passed last year in SB 2. nbsp; The bill provides ......view Controlled Substances (Synthetic Drugs) This year rsquo;s annual synthetic drugs bill HB 697 (Rep. Ingram) unanimously passed Criminal Justice committee this week. nbsp; The bill outlaws 6 new synthetic drug formulas to the il......view Environment Agriculture SB 624 - Fair Associations. nbsp; This bill prohibits counties from levying a tax, special assessment, or fee for the pl......view Sayfie Water Summit This week, the Sayfie Review and the Graham Center presented a pre-session forum on Florida rsquo;s water Issues with special guests Senator Joe Negron and Speaker-Designate Steve Crisafulli. nbsp; The forum was an...view Legislative Day - Deadlines Approaching If you plan to attend Legislative Day in March, book your hotel room NOW! nbsp; Hotel room blocks are filling fast ndash; both blocks will close on Tuesday (February 25). nbsp; After the blocks close, the reduced FAC...view Upcoming educational opportunities - open to ALL Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers 2014 ETHICS WORKSHOPS ndash; March 27, June 17, and December 5 (6 CCC Core credits) During the last year rsquo;s Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed new ethics legislation requirin......view New FAC Silver Corporate Partner FAC is pleased to announce the addition of Locklear amp; Associates, Inc. to the Corporate Partner family. nbsp; Locklear amp; Associates is a full-service engineering and environmental consulting firm dedicated to...view Legislative Day - Deadlines Approaching If you plan to attend Legislative Day in March, book your hotel room NOW! nbsp; Hotel room blocks are filling fast and the cut-off dates are near. nbsp; Also, the Early Bird registration rate expires on February 28 ...view United States Senate Passes Delay in Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Rate Hikes; Floridians Waiting on House Action On January 30, the United States Senate passed S.1926 to delay the implementation of certain provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act (BW-12). nbsp; BW-12 is designed to eliminate government flood insurance...view Major win for America s counties in farm bill conference report Press release from the National Association of Counties PILT funding extended for one year; rural development priorities securedWASHINGTON, D.C. ndash; nbsp;Last ni......view Sober Homes bill to be heard next week SB 582 ndash; Relating to Substance Abuse Services, will be heard in Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs on Tuesday, February 11th at 10am. nbsp;The proposed bill c......view Juvenile Justice - 985 Rewrite This week the House Criminal Justice committee unanimously passed Proposed Committee Bill 14-01 pertaining to revisions to the Chapter 985, Florida Statutes, governing the juvenile justice system. nbsp; The bill has broad...view SB862 - Prescription Drug Monitoring Program On Tuesday the Senate Health Policy committee took up Proposed Committee bill 7016 which seeks to overhaul safety provisions related to the State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program dat......view Relating to Communications Services Taxes - SB 266 (Hukill) On Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 SB 266 (Sen. Hukill) relating to communications Services Taxes was heard and passed by the Senate Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities C......view Numeric Nutrient Criteria What rsquo;s Next: After a favorable ruling by the federal court last month regarding the modification of the Consent Decree, it is expected that the EPA will now approve Florida rsquo;s pending criteria and withdraw its...view Governor Scott s Recommended Budget Last week, Governor Scott released his recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2014-15. nbsp; In the Environmental and Natural Resources category, the Governor recommended a total appropriation of $3.3 billion, with approximately...view Committee Week Update: Environment Agriculture Water and Wastewater Utility Systems Two different bills dealing with Water and Wastewater Utility Systems were heard this week. nbsp; The House bill (......view St. Johns District Accepting Applications for Cost-Share Projects The St. Johns River Water Management District is accepting applications from Feb. 3 to March 31, 2014, for cost-share funding for projects that will provide: Nutrient-loading reduction in springsheds, the Indian River Lagoon and...view Diversifying Florida s Economy through Local Economic Development On January 30th 2014, Florida TaxWatch published a report titled ldquo;Diversifying Florida rsquo;s Economy through Local Economic Development rdquo;. This report gives local government guidance to choose between...view 2014 Ethics Workshop Open to all Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four...view Jones Edmunds Goes Platinum! We are pleased to announce that long time FAC supporter Jones Edmunds amp; Associates, Inc. is our newest Platinum Corporate Partner. nbsp; Jones Edmunds has been a part of the FAC Corporate Partner program for 9 years....view REGISTER TODAY the upcoming Regional Workshop on the Legislative Process on January 30th! This regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative Session for Florida and how to make the best of the process. nbsp; It will cover the Legislative timelines, committee structures, calendars, bill tracking, and...view 2014 ETHICS WORKSHOP - Open to all Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp;Since 1996,...view 2014 Legislative Overview Webinar - Free for members! Join us for an overview of our priority issues and a look at what we expect to be big this year as we head in to the 2014 Legislative Session. nbsp; The webinar will be Wednesday, February 26th at 10:00AM ET. nbsp; ......view Join FAC in Washington to Share Your Concerns on Flood Insurance Reform, February 11 On January 27, the United States Senate is expected to take up a bill (S. 1926) that would delay certain flood insurance rate hikes resulting from the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12). This bill is an...view Governor s Budget to Be Released on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 It has been confirmed by the Governor rsquo;s Office that Governor Rick Scott rsquo;s spending plan for FY 2014-2015 will be released on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. The Governor rsquo;s budget recommendations are...view Juvenile Detention Cost-Share Last week in the Senate Appropriations Committee for Criminal and Civil Justice, the Department of Juvenile Justice and FAC were scheduled to provide an update on the status of the detention cost-share issue. nbsp; Although...view HB 301 and SB 584 - Relating to Medical Examiners State law, s. 406.11, F.S., requires medical examiners to determine and verify the cause of death in certain cases, generally in situations where death is unusual or there are suspicious circumstances. nbsp; Additionally,...view Governor Scott Announces Environmental Protection Funding Recommendations This week, Governor Rick Scott announced that his 2014-2015 budget recommendation will include $55 million in funding for restoration and protection of Florida rsquo;s springs. nbsp; This total contemplates $25 million...view Representative Patronis Files Environmental Regulation Bill This week, Representative Patronis has filed his fourth consecutive Environmental Regulation bill (HB 703). nbsp; nbsp; The bill, in its current form, comprises ten sections and 13 pages, although there is no way to...view Central Florida Water Initiative Draft Regional Water Supply Plan Comment Period Extended The Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) brings together the St. Johns River, South Florida and Southwest Florida water management districts with the DEP, DACS and regional utilities to address short-term and long-term water...view Public meetings scheduled for SJRWMD Water Supply Plan 2013 The St. Johns River Water Management District will hold five public meetings and a technical methods workshop to discuss the draft District Water Supply Plan 2013 (Plan) and to obtain public input. One of those is a newly added...view Nationwide and NACo College Scholarship Opportunity Your high school senior can be awarded $2,000 for college. You may not have thought about it, but you re in a race against time to get ready to retire. The good news is: participating in your employer s retirement plan...view Legislative Day is March 27th - Register Today Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday, March 27 for the Florida Association of Counties 2014 Legislative Day. nbsp;As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative actions affecting...view REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the upcoming Regional Workshop on the Legislative Process This regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative Session for Florida and how to make the best of the process. nbsp; It will cover the Legislative timelines, committee structures, calendars, bill tracking, and...view 2014 Ethics Workshop Open to all Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four...view FAC Travels to Washington, D.C. on Biggert-Waters, National Flood Insurance Program Addressing the effects of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act on Florida rsquo;s communities was adopted as a federal advocacy priority for the Association this past fall. Braving the polar vortex, FAC staff...view SB 342 - Relating to Florida Clean Indoor Air Act passes first committee SB 342, which would authorize local governments to further restrict smoking on certain county or municipal property, passed unanimously in Senate Regulated Industries on Thursday, Januar......view Post-Adjudicatory Drug Courts On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to review the OPPAGA report on the effectiveness of Florida rsquo;s post-adjudicatory drug courts. Chapter 2013-40, Laws of Florida,...view Sentencing Reform The House Criminal Justice committee met on Thursday to workshop a sentencing reform bill. nbsp; The package contains several provisions that both increase and decrease penalties for certain some criminal offenses. nbsp;...view Federal Court Approves State Numeric Nutrient Criteria Rules On Tuesday, Judge Robert Hinkle approved the motion by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to modify the 2009 consent decree between the agency and...view Senator Simmons Releases New Draft Springs Protection Bill On Thursday, January 9, Senator Simmons released a REVISED DRAFT of the Springs Protection Bill after considering the many comments received from stakeholder groups including the Florida Association of Counties. nbsp;...view Environment Agriculture Committee Wrap-Up Senate Agriculture Committee ndash; This week the Committee heard a presentation on Bear Management in Florida by Nick Wiley, the Executive Director of Florida rsquo;s Fish and Wildlife Conservatio......view Onsite Sewage Program Research Review and Advisory Committee (RRAC) In accordance with Section 381.0065, F.S., the Florida Association of Counties must appoint a member to the Department of Health Onsite Sewage Program Research Review and Advisory Committee (RRAC). The Committee assists the...view Legislative Day - Book Your Hotel Room Today! The 2014 Legislative Day will be held on Thursday, March 27 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County. nbsp;A reception honoring the Florida Legislature will be held on Wednesday evening, March 26. nbsp;Hotel...view CCC Year End Update This year rsquo;s class promises to be the largest group of graduates to date! nbsp; Of the most recent class of 98 new commissioners, I am pleased to announce that 22 have already completed all their CCC requirements for...view Regional Workshop on the Legislative Process Looking for that perfect last minute Holiday gift? nbsp; REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the upcoming Regional Workshop on the Legislative Process. nbsp; This regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative ......view MLS Expansion to Florida On July 31, 2013 during the MLS All Star Game, Commissioner Don Garber announced that the league would expand to 24 teams by 2020. This gave the Orlando based club a major boost towards their MLS bid. On November 19th, 2013 after...view SJRWMD Water Supply Plan Available to the Public The St. Johns River Water Management District has completed its DRAFT Water Supply Plan (WSP) and has made it available to local governments and other stakeholders. nbsp; The intent of the Water Supply Plan is to ensure that...view FAC Strategic Plan Regional Meetings Mark your calendars! FAC is working on our strategic plan which will set the direction for the Association for the next 3-5 years. How can we serve you better?What do you like? Don rsquo;t like?What do you want?......view Affordable Housing The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) is working with a coalition of stakeholders to ensure the Legislature provides full funding for state and local SHIP programs for FY 14/15. nbsp; As a part of that effort, it is...view Healthy Perspectives Healthy Perspectives: The December issue of Healthy Perspectives is available on our website. nbsp; Brought to you......view Mark Your Calendars for Legislative Day! The 2014 Legislative Day will be held on Thursday, March 27 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County. nbsp;A reception honoring the Florida Legislature will be held on Wednesday evening, March 26. nbsp;...view Juvenile Detention Costs: FY12-13 Final Reconciliation REVISED On November 27, 2013, DJJ issued its 2012-13 Detention Cost Share Final Reconciliation indicating the counties were due a net credit of more than $41 million. nbsp; nbsp;However, on December 3, 2013, DJJ released its...view FAC Legislative Team Meets with League of Cities This week, FAC rsquo;s Legislative team held joint meetings with it counterparts from the Florida League of Cities. nbsp; nbsp; At the League rsquo;s recent Legislative Conference, the environmental policy...view FAC Adopts Statement Supporting Regulation of Sober Houses During last month rsquo;s Legislative Conference, FAC adopted a policy statement in support of state legislation defining and establishing minimum regulatory standards for ldquo;sober houses rdquo; or ldquo;...view FAC Strategic Plan Regional Meetings The Florida Association of Counties has begun developing our next five year strategic plan through an appointed Strategic Planning Committee. nbsp; Our goal is to find new and innovative ways to serve our counties and grow...view Purchase your 2014 FAC Calendar today! The 2014 FAC Calendar has arrived! nbsp; This year rsquo;s theme is Beautiful Roads amp; Trails. nbsp; nbsp;Florida is home to some of the most beautiful roads and trails - both natural and man-made - that...view Legislative Delegation Meetings The 2014 Legislative Session is right around the corner with committee weeks beginning in January. nbsp; FAC is preparing for another challenging session with the potential for tax cuts and unfunded mandates that effect local...view Speaker-Designate Steve Crisafulli Pens Article Discussing Views on Florida s Water Issues We need commitment on Florida s water issues One of Florida rsquo;s most precious resources is water. Our state is world renowned for our 1,200 miles of beaches, our springs and more than 7,700 large lakes. Yet Flo......view 2014 FAC Priorities Focus on Tax Reform, Juvenile Detention, Funding for Water and Homeless As the state economy begins to improve with modest revenue growth, FAC is preparing for another challenging legislative session and the potential for tax cuts and unfunded mandates that effect local revenues. During last week...view Legislative Conference Wrap-Up: Health Human Services Policy Committee During the FAC Legislative Conference last week in Volusia County, the Health amp; Human Services Policy Committee met to adopt policy positions for the 2014 Legislative Session and select its top priorities. nbsp; Many...view Legislative Conference Wrap-Up: Environment Agriculture The Growth Management, Agriculture amp; Environment Policy Committee had a very productive meeting last week, discussing several issues that we anticipate will receive heightened attention during the upcoming legislative...view CCC County Government Workshops Thanks to all the Commissioners who attended the recent CCC workshops on County Government during our recent Legislative Conference in Volusia County. nbsp; We had two days of workshops filled with great speakers and both...view CCC Ethics Workshop FAC was pleased to present an Ethics workshop after the Legislative Conference on November 15th. nbsp; Over 100 Commissioners, Constitutional Officers, and County Staff attended this workshop. nbsp; Thank you to all who...view Legislative Conference Survey If you attended the Legislative Conference, November 13-15, in Volusia County, we hope you enjoyed the event! nbsp;Now, we need your feedback. Please help us with future program planning by completing an online survey. ...view Housing and Insurance Committee Holds Hearing on National Flood Insurance Program This week the U.S. House of Representatives rsquo; Financial Services Housing and Insurance Subcommittee held a hearing concerning the National Flood Insurance Program and implementation of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood...view U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Appoint WRDA Conferees and Begin Negotiations In October, the U.S. House of Representatives easily passed an $8 billion water infrastructure bill known as the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). nbsp; nbsp; The bill authorizes about two dozen port,...view Action Needed on Payment in Lieu of Taxes This week, the National Association of Counties issued an Action Alert regarding the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Representative Scott Tipton (R-Colo.) is circulating a bipartisan ldquo;......view FEMA Seeks Applicants for Biggert-Waters Related Technical Mapping Advisory Council by Jacquelyn Alamia As part of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is required to create the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) to study the...view Hope Fading for Immigration Reform in this Congress by nbsp;Jacquelyn Alamia On November 13, nbsp;House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) stated that he has no plans to participate in any House-Senate conference nbsp;that would involve the Senate rsquo;s immigration...view Florida Clean Indoor Air Act Bills Filed Sen. Bradley and Rep. Edwards filed bills amending Part II of Chapter 386, F.S., commonly known as the ldquo;Florida Clean Indoor Air Act, rdquo; to grant local governments the ability to restrict smoking on certain...view RESPECT of Florida nbsp; The Florida Association of Counties would like to highlight our newest busin......view 2014 Calendar of Events is Available Mark your calendars for upcoming FAC conferences and events ndash; CLICK HERE to download the 2014 calendar! nbsp; Some event details ar......view Legislative Conference is Next Week! This is the final opportunity for the membership to consider and approve FAC rsquo;s final policy statements; these statements guide FAC rsquo;s efforts during the 2014 Session. You do not have to serve on a policy...view Conference Materials are Available Online The 2013 Legislative Conference meeting materials are available online. nbsp; Materials can be accessed through the FAC Portal or online at ......view Ethics Workshop - Not Too Late To Register! During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp;Since...view Homeowners Flood Insurance Reform Act Introduced in Congress Another bill to address the unanticipated effects on insurance premiums as a result of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act (BW-12) was introduced on October 29, 2013. Sponsored by Representatives Michael Grimm (R-...view Proposed Constitutional Amendment: Medical Marijuana People United for Medical Marijuana has started a citizen initiative petition titled Use of Marijuana for Certain Medical Conditions. nbsp; The proposed Florida Constitutional amendment would allow for the medical use of...view Florida Supreme Court Takes Up Preemption of Pre-2010 Red Light Camera Ordinances In 2010, the Legislature amended state law to preempt regulation of red light cameras to the state. However, before those changes took place in 2010, local governments adopted red light camera ordinances to cite and find drivers...view Finance and Tax Issues at 2013 Legislative Conference For those attending the 2013 FAC Legislative Conference you can expect to engage in informative discussions and debate over issues regarding to proposed tax reform, economic development, and other related items during the Finance...view Springs Protection DRAFT Legislation FAC recently disseminated a DRAFT springs protection bill prepared by Senator Simmons (R - . nbsp; In short, the bill identifies 21 ldquo;Outstanding Florida Springs rdquo; and requires water management districts to...view Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin This week, the Senate Select Committee issued its Draft Report and Recommendations, and then deliberated and revised the recommendations in committee. nbsp; The Final Report includes funding recommendations of over $220...view NCCAE Conference nbsp; In October, Florida hosted the National County Commission Association Executives in Monroe......view Minimum Housing Standards Survey Desoto County is trying to learn how many County Governments have adopted and enforce minimum housing standards, or if they regulate rental housing ndash; to include single family. nbsp; If they do have minimum standards...view Healthy Perspectives Healthy Perspectives: Brought to you through a joint partnership between FAC and Aetna, the November issue of Healthy Perspectives can be found ......view Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs Selected for President Obama s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience From Broward County In recognition of her leadership in preparing South Florida for the impacts of climate change, Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs was selected today as a member of President Obama rsquo;s Task Force on...view State Agency for Surplus Property Program The Department of Management Services, Bureau of Federal Property Assistance, is your single point of contact for surplus federal property and excess military property. nbsp; Two separate and distinct programs operate under...view Legislative Conference - Discount Deadline is Nov. 7! Be sure to register by Thursday, November 7 to avoid paying higher on-site registration fees. nbsp; Click here to register online. FAC rsquo;s Legislative Conference will be held November......view ETHICS WORKSHOP - Open to all Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp;Since 1996,...view Florida Retirement System/GASB 68 On October 2, 2013, a Florida Retirement System (FRS) Actuarial Assumption Estimating Conference was held to decide what methods and assumptions will be used for the 2013 actuarial valuation. nbsp; The annual valuation of......view Employer-Sponsored Benefits Task Force The Employer-Sponsored Benefits Task Force that was established pursuant to HB655 met for the second time in Tallahassee on October 23, 2013. nbsp; nbsp;HB655 was passed in 2013 and preempts local governments from...view Electronic Cigarette Fact Sheet Several bills have been filed this year to prohibit the sale or gift of ldquo;alternative nicotine products rdquo; or ldquo;nicotine dispensing devices, rdquo; both of which by definition would include...view DCF Recovery Residence Report Released Last session, proviso language in the budget directed the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to develop a plan to determine whether residential sober-living facilities should be subject to state licensure or...view Senator Simmons Drafts Springs Protection Bill As reported earlier this month, there is a renewed interest in the Florida Legislature this session on springs protection. nbsp; Over the summer, FAC has participated in discussions with potential bill sponsors and the...view Water Resources Reform and Development Act Sails through the House The U.S. House of Representatives easily passed an $8 billion water infrastructure bill on October 23rd by a vote of 417-3. nbsp; None of the 3 dissenting votes were Florida members. nbsp; The bill authorizes about two...view Outcry Continues Over Biggert-Waters, National Flood Insurance Program Addressing the effects of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act (BW-12) on Florida rsquo;s communities was adopted as a federal advocacy priority for FAC this past September. nbsp;Passed in October 2012, BW-...view Letter to president, action highlight flood policy update By Charlie BanNACo Staff Writer Efforts to adjust recent federal flood insurance policy got a boost from one of the Biggert-Waters Act rsquo;s sponsors, who said she was committed to fixing the act rsquo;s unintended...view FCC examines siting policies on local wireless infrastructure National Association of Counties The FCC is taking a fresh look at its rules for local governments as they regulate wirelss infrastructure siting. On Sept. 26, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that...view FCC sets rates for inmate calling services By Yejin JangNACo Associate Legislative Director A new FCC order caps the rate jails and other correctional facilities may charge inmates for interstate phone calls. County jails that offer interstate inmate calling services......view DCF Safe Sleep Campaign Since January 2013, 128 alleged reports of babies dying due to unsafe sleep have been called in to the Florida Abuse Hotline. These deaths are 100 percent preventable and your county can help decrease them by participating in The...view Independent Stationers Awarded New School Supplies Contract Save on School Supplies Through Locally-Owned Dealers US Communities We are excited to announce that Independent Stationers has been awarded a multi-year contract to provide ......view Compressed Natural Gas Symposium On November 6th, the Florida s FIRST EVER CNG Symposium and Showcase will be taking place in Tallahassee. Presentations will include an overview of the recently-enacted Natural Gas Motor Fuels Bill by the Department of...view Legislative Conference - Hotel Alert The hotel is almost sold out - BOOK TODAY! nbsp; However, the hotel will continue to book rooms at the group rate of $129 until the FAC cut-off date of Friday, October 18. nbsp; It is possible the hotel could sell out...view FAC Adopts Federal Program For the first time in its history, the Florida Association of Counties is adopting a formal federal advocacy and information program. FAC rsquo;s Executive Committee and Board of Directors identified lobbying federal issues...view Policy Conference Recap: Finance, Tax Administration During the month of September 2013, the Florida Association held its annual Policy Conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. As a part of the policy conference the Finance, Tax and Administration policy committee met to discuss...view Policy Conference Recap: Public Safety At FAC rsquo;s Policy Conference last month in Palm Beach, the Public Safety Policy Committee met to discuss issues that will most likely come up during the 2014 Legislative Session. nbsp; The conversation focused on...view Policy Conference Recap: Health Human Services Health and Human Services Policy Committee The FAC Health and Human Services Policy Committee held a productive meeting during the Policy Conference in Palm Beach County last month. nbsp; Commissioners discussed several new......view Policy Conference Recap: Agriculture Environment Fertilizer Workgroup The newly formed Fertilizer Workgroup met for the first time at the Policy Conference in West Palm Beach. nbsp; The group was put together to serve three main purposes related to this controversial iss......view Committee Week Update: Agriculture Environment Senate Agriculture Committee / House Agriculture amp; Natural Resources Subcommittee ndash; This week, these committees heard state land management presentations by representatives of the Florida Forestry Service, the...view Senate Committee on Gaming to Hold Public Workshops From the Senate Committee on Gaming Gaming is a well-established business sector in Florida with roots stretching back to the 1890s. In the past 25 years, gaming industries have been transformed, not just in Florida but all...view State Wins Summary Judgment in Satellite TV Litigation Circuit Court Upholds State Tax on Satellite TV. nbsp; Counties are breathing a sigh of relief from the threat of Direct TV rsquo;s legal challenge to the Communications Services Tax ( ldquo;CST rdquo;) on...view LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE - 3 CCC Workshop opportunities COUNTY GOVERNMENT Mark your calendars to attend the FAC rsquo;s upcoming Legislative Conference Workshop at the Hilton Daytona Beach (Volusia County) from November 13-15, 2013. nbsp; Two CCC Core workshops (6 hours of...view October Healthy Perspectives Healthy Perspectives: nbsp;Click here to read the October issue of Healthy Perspectives, a joint publication of Aetna and the Florida Associat......view Florida Walks - County Teams The Florida Walks challenge is under way and we have had a great response! nbsp; If your county doesn t have a team yet it s not too late to sign up, go to www.floridawalks.org and join the challenge. If y......view Legislative Conference - Register Today! FAC rsquo;s Legislative Conference will be held November 13-15 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront in Volusia County. nbsp; This is the final opportunity for the membership and Legislative Policy Committees to meet and...view FAC President Desloge Appeals to Congress on National Flood Insurance Program On behalf of Florida rsquo;s 67 counties, FAC President Bryan Desloge this week appealed to members of Congress for their help in addressing provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act that affect Florida. The...view 2013 Ethics Training Required nbsp;FAC to offer this training in November The Florida Commission on Ethics has issued an advisory opinion, answering a series of questions under the new Senate Bill 2 four hour ethics training requirements for ldquo;...view FAC Travels to Washington, D.C. for Federal Advocacy Next week, FAC staff will join South Florida county commissioners and staff for two days of federal advocacy in Washington, D.C. FAC will meet with members of Congress to support passage of a Water Resources Development Act and $...view SPRINGS LEGISLATION - Call to Action FAC staff has been speaking with Senator David Simmons, Senator Darren Soto, and Representative Bryan Nelson, each of whom has expressed interest in springs protection legislation this coming session. nbsp; nbsp; ...view Affordable Housing During the 2013 session, the Legislature passed SB 1852, which allocated $100 million from the National Mortgage Settlement to state and local housing programs. This week, the Senate Transportation and Economic Development...view Economic Developement The Department of Economic Opportunity made its annual economic indicators presentation this week in the House. nbsp; Speaking before the House Economic Affairs Committee, DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio highlighted...view Flood Insurance The House Insurance and Banking Committee met this week and heard a report from the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) on the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. nbsp; Acknowledging recent media reports...view Finance Tax: Committee Week Update During the week of September 23rd the legislature its first round of interim committee meetings. Although the Senate Finance and Tax committee did not meet, staff met with Chairwoman, Sen. Hukill. Issues discussed primarily focus...view Public Safety: Committee Week Update This week the House Criminal Justice committee announced its 2014 work plan. nbsp; The subjects they plan to take up are: Stand nbsp; Your Ground; Juvenile Sentencing Reform based on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in...view Health Human Services: Committee Week Update In the health care policy arena, members of the health care appropriations committees received progress reports on the implementation of statewide Medicaid managed care (SMMC) and the transition to diagnosis related group (DRG)...view Numeric Nutrient Criteria On Tuesday, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida heard oral arguments on the cross motions of EPA and Earthjustice et al. regarding the modification and, conversely, the e......view Agriculture Environment: Committee Week Update This week was the first of nine scheduled committee weeks prior to the start of the 2014 Legislative Session. nbsp; Committees will meet once a month until the end of the year, and then twice in January three time in February...view EPA Considers Changes to Landfill Emission Rules From the National Association of Counties The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering potential changes to federal rules governing municipal solid waste landfill emissions. nbsp; There are currently more...view SAVE THE DATE - 2013 Florida Energy Summit From the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services The 2013 Florida Energy Summit will be held this year on October 14-15 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. nbsp; As the nation rsquo;s third largest consumer of...view NACo introduces new Grants Clearinghouse From the National Association of Counties The National Association of Counties (NACo) today launched a significant upgrade to the NACo Grants Clearinghouse which offers almost 10 times as many grant opportunities for counties....view County Family Mourns Putnam County Commissioner Ed Taylor It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Putnam County Commissioner Ed Taylor. nbsp; Commissioner Taylor was a dedicated public servant and he will be missed. nbsp; Our thoughts and prayers go out to his...view 2013 Policy Conference The FAC 2013-14 Policy Conference will be held next week, September 18-20, at the Marriott West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County. Senator Jeff ......view Policy Conference is Going Paperless Policy Conference meeting materials are now available for electronic download! nbsp; We invite you to go paperless and access the meeting materials through your FAC Portal or on the ......view New Ethics Workshop During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. Since 1996, as...view ACC Alumni Scholarship for Leadership Florida As part of the FACTOR sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC was able to provide the ACC Alumni an opportunity to receive a scholarship of up to $5,000 if they chose to apply and were selected to participate in the upcoming ......view FAC Enterprise Partner: Source2 FAC is pleased to announce that Enterprise Partner Source2 has signed a new contract with Sumter County, Florida government, which is currently home to over 90,000 Florida residents. nbsp; Source 2 is a staffing solution...view Legislative Budget Commission Approves Financial Outlook for Florida On Thursday, September 12 the Legislative Budget Commission approved a three-year financial outlook developed by Economists from the Office of Economic amp; Demographic Research (EDR). EDR rsquo;s financial outlook...view Supreme Court Set To Hear Online Travel Case Back in 2009, 17 counties filed suit against certain internet travel companies, including Expedia and Orbitz, seeking a determination of whether the online companies should remit taxes on what they pay directly to hotels to buy...view Juvenile Justice Update On Thursday, September 12, 2013, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) appeared before the Legislative Budget Commission to seek approval of a revised spending plan. Changes to the spending plan were requested due to a...view U.S. House of Representatives Releases Water Resources Reform and Development Act This week, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unveiled the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2013. Touting a reduction in bureaucracy, no earmarks and the promotion of fiscal...view Legislative Budget Commission Approves Funding for Water Quality Improvements On Thursday, the Joint Legislative Budget Commission approved a request from the Department of Environmental Protection to spend $2,769,525 to improve water quality in the St. Lucie River and Caloosahatchee River basins. nbsp...view Numeric Nutrients The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida entered an order in favor of the EPA in litigation involving Florida s Impaired Waters Rule (IWR). nbsp; nbsp; The Court previously granted Summary...view EPA Water Quality Plan Seeks to Apply Lessons from Florida s Nutrient Dispute EPA has recently proposed revisions to the manner in which it reviews and approves state water quality standards. nbsp; It is widely considered a reaction to several problems the agency faced after environmentalists...view State Lands - Acquisition and Restoration Council to Meet This Week The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will convene a public meeting of the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) on Friday, September 13, 2013. nbsp; The purpose of the meeting is to present the scientific...view DEP to Begin Rulemaking on Public Mooring Fields The Department has announced it will adopt a new environmental resource general permit for public mooring fields pursuant to language in House Bill 999, passed in the 2013 Legislative Session. nbsp; The bill, which amended...view Florida Springs to Receive Financial Aid Florida is going to spend nearly $37 million to help improve the water quality of several springs across the state. nbsp; Last week, Governor Scott announced a list of the projects that will receive a combination of state and...view SPRINGS LEGISLATION - Call to Action Last week, FAC rsquo;s Environmental Advocate, Stephen James met with Senator David Simmons, Senator Darren Soto, and Representative Bryan Nelson in Orlando, Florida, to discuss potential springs legislation for the 2014...view 2013 Florida Water Forum For those who will not be in attendance at FAC rsquo;s Policy Conference in West Palm Beach, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) and the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) are hosting the 4th...view FAC Honored by Department of Veterans Affairs FAC was honored and humbled last week to receive a Commendation from the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) for ldquo;exceptionally meritorious service and outstanding contributions in support of Florida rsquo...view FAC Ethics Programs During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. To fulfill this...view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today! The FAC 2013-14 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 18-20 in Palm Beach County at the Marriott West Palm Beach (1001 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401). nbsp; This event brings together the FAC...view Charter Government Workshop - September 18 Have you registered for the FAC Policy Committee Conference yet? nbsp; By registering to attend the Policy Committee Conference, you will be able to participate in the CCC workshop, Understanding Charter Government, which is...view REMINDER - ACC Registration is now open and Scholarships are still available! Registration for the 2013-2014 ACC Program is open. nbsp; In order to apply, you must be a CCC graduate. nbsp;Before you apply to attend the ACC program, please check your calendars to ensure that you may attend all 3...view Senate Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin Meets Last week, the Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin held its inaugural meeting/workshop in Stuart, Florida. nbsp; The Committee, chaired by Senator Joe Negron (Stuart), was convened to explore...view Numeric Nutrient Criteria Last week in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Judge Robert Hinkle issued an Order clarifying the Consent Decree deadlines. nbsp; According to the Order, the EPA rsquo;s motion to...view DEP Holds Workshops on Conservation Lands The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is reviewing the extensive inventory of state-owned conservation lands in an effort to assess each of the properties and to determine which have the highest conservation value....view DEP Holds Workshop on Bacteria/Pathogen Risks Last week, the DEP rsquo;s Pathogen Technical Advisory Committee held its first workshop to begin a new rulemaking effort with regard to bacteria and pathogen risks in recreational waters to reflect new criteria and...view Local Works Day is September 6th! The Florida Local Government Coalition has launched an initiative to help educate people on all the ways local governments serve their communities. nbsp; September 6th is Local Works Day......view FAC Ethics Programs During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. Since 1996, as...view Policy Committee Conference - Revised Agenda There have been some changes to the Policy Committee Conference agenda ndash; click here to print the latest. nbsp; The FAC 20......view Charter Government Workshop Have you registered for the FAC Policy Committee Conference yet? nbsp; The deadline to take advantage of the early bird rate to attend this conference is Friday, August 23rd. nbsp; By registering to attend the Policy...view ACC Registration is now open and Scholarships are still available! Registration for the 2013-2014 ACC Program is now open. nbsp; In order to apply, you must be a CCC graduate. nbsp;Before you apply to attend the ACC program, please check your calendars to ensure that you may attend all...view Ricoh Awarded New Multifunction Printer Document Services Contract Through the FAC relationship with US Communities, we are excited to announce that Ricoh Americas Corporation has been awarded a multi-year contract to supply multifunction products (MFPs) and related services through U.S....view Florida Retirement System Posts Strong Investment Performance Last week the State Board of Administration (SBA) released investment performance figures for FY12-13 showing that the FRS Defined Benefit (pension) plan earned a 13.12% return, beating its benchmark by 111 basis points, and...view Juvenile Secure Detention - UPDATE In a letter dated August 1, 2013, Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters warned Governor Scott, Senator Negron, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Representative McKeel, Chair of the House...view Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon / Lake Okeechobee Basin to Hold First Workshop in Stuart The Florida Senate Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin will meet on Thursday, August 22, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Charles and Rae Kane Center in Stuart. Chaired by Senator Joe Negron...view Numeric Nutrient Criteria Last week, Judge Hinkle signed Orders granting motions filed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding the enforcement of numeric nutrient criteria in...view U.S. Senate Committee Holds Field Hearing in Apalachicola This week, FAC staff attorney Stephen James attended the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation field hearing in Apalachicola. nbsp; nbsp; The hearing was focused on the impact of ......view Agricultural Land Owners Encouraged to Apply to Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam is encouraging Florida rsquo;s agricultural land owners to consider applying to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The goal of the program is to acquire perpetual...view EPA Releases Alarming Drinking Water Infrastructure Report The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released its quadrennial ldquo;Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment rdquo; and Florida has been ranked in the top 20 percent of states in...view Future of Farm Bill Unclear as August Recess Begins With the current extension of the farm bill set to expire on September 30, the future of new farm legislation remains uncertain as Congress begins a five-week recess. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) has announced that...view 2014 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Passes House Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the FY2014 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2609) by a vote of 227-198. nbsp; The measure funds U.S. nbsp; Army Corps of Engineers...view 2014 FAC Calendar - Become a Calendar County! Now accepting photo submissions for the 2014 FAC Calendar. The results are in and the theme for the 2014 FAC Calendar is ldquo;Beautiful Roads amp; Trails. rdquo; nbsp; As residents of Florida we know that our...view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today The 2013-14 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 18-20 at the Marriott West Palm Beach (1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, 33401). This event brings together the FAC Legislative Policy Committees to examine...view Advanced County Commissioner Program Registration Registration for the 2013-2014 ACC Program is now open. nbsp; In order to apply, you must be a CCC graduate. nbsp;Before you apply to attend the ACC program, please check your calendars to ensure that you may attend all...view 2014 Legislative Issues: Submit Your Policy Proposals With the Florida Association of Counties rsquo; Policy Committee Conference just six weeks away, the 2014 policy development process is underway. Policy Committee members have been appointed and staff are reviewing past...view County Medicaid Workgroup FAC is currently in the process of establishing a County Medicaid Workgroup, which will be tasked with exploring alternative approaches to the county-by-county distribution of the Medicaid cost share pursuant to s. 409.915, F.S...view Select Committee to Study Lake Okeechobee Releases into Indian River Lagoon This month, Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) appointed a Senate Select Committee on the Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin. The select committee will investigate policies, spending, and any other governmental...view Updates on Municipal Bonds and Tax Reform NACo recently released its latest update on the effort of counties and other local government associations to persuade Congress to preserve the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds during the ongoing tax reform discussions. ...view Florida Water Forum On September 20, 2013, Associated Industries of Florida will host the 4th Annual Florida Water Forum at the Renaissance Orlando Hotel. nbsp; The event will once again provide an opportunity for Floridians to hear from Florida...view Natural Gas Rebate Program Last month, Governor Scott signed HB 579 (Ray / Simpson) relating to Natural Gas Motor Fuel (ch. 2013-198, L.O.F.). nbsp; nbsp; The bill creates Part V of Chapter 206, F.S., which repeals the annual decal fee program for...view Healthy Perspectives - August 2013 Healthy Perspectives: The August issue of Health Perspectives is available now. Made available through the FAC/Aetna partnership, this fun monthly new......view FAC Honored at NACo Annual Conference NACo and CVS/Caremark recently honored FAC with an Outstanding Program Advocate Award for excellence in supporting and promoting the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program. The award was presented to FAC leaders on July 21, 2013...view Is your county innovative? Tell us about it. FAC is working through Keep It Local, Florida to spread the word about home rule. nbsp; As a part of our Keep It Local, Florida communications we would like to highlight something your innovative your county is doing. Keep...view Pick the theme for the 2014 FAC Calendar! Each year we ask members to vote on the theme for our calendar then hold a contest to pick photos for the calendar. nbsp; This year rsquo;s choices are: Famous landmarks Spectacular weather Beautiful roads amp; trai...view Florida Trust appoints New Board Member The Florida Trust appointed Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith to their Board this month. nbsp; Commissioner Smith will join an elite group of government officials on the Trust Board that is responsible for the oversight and...view July Healthy Perspectives Healthy Perspectives: The July issue of FAC/Aetna rsquo;s Healthy Perspectives is available here. nbsp; This month rsquo;s issue includes: -Ti......view UPDATE: Juvenile Detention Costs Based on DJJ rsquo;s revised county estimated billings for FY13-14, it appears counties may actually owe $40,000,000 LESS than was originally projected. nbsp;The revised estimates were calculated after the First District...view Spill Settlement Should Help Legitimate Claimants By John C. Ming? For the past three years, BP has worked with the people of the Gulf to help restore nbsp;the region rsquo;s environment and economy. nbsp; It rsquo;s been a big job, and we rsquo;ve tried to...view Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge Installed as President Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge was installed as FAC President last week at the FAC Annual Conference. nbsp; Commissioner Desloge rsquo;s priority and theme for his term as president is: Civility.Opportunity.Unity...view Second Vice President and Board of Directors Elected at Annual Business Meeting Congratulations to Broward Vice Mayor Barbara Sharief who was elected FAC 2nd Vice President last week at the FAC Annual Conference. nbsp; Vice Mayor Sharief ran unopposed for the office and was elected unanimously by voice...view FAC Honors Legislators, Commissioners at Annual Conference The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) presented twenty-four legislators and county commissioners with 2013 Legislative Awards during the 2013 FAC Annual Conference amp; Exposition in Hillsborough County. ldquo;The...view FAC Graduates Commissioners from CCC ACC at Annual Conference CCC - At Annual Conference on Wednesday, June 26 during the Awards Luncheon FAC honored the following 8 commissioners as Certified County Commissioners (CCC) graduates: Christopher Constance, Charlotte; Bryant H. Culpepper,...view Torchbearer Program FAC rsquo;s 2009-14 Strategic Plan called for the Education Division to create an additional continuing education program for certified alumni and an incentive program. At Annual Conference, FAC nbsp;launched the...view Policy Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs Named FAC relies on Commissioners to provide guidance on legislative policies to meet the diverse needs of our counties. nbsp; Each year the president appoints commissioners to serve as leaders of our standing policy committees:...view SURVEY - Annual Conference The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition was held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside in Hillsborough County. If you attended, we need and welcome your feedback. Please help us with future program...view Enterprise Florida hosts Rural Economic Development Boot Camp As a follow-up to the Rural Study findings presented to the regions, the Rural Economic Development Boot camp is intended to complement the activities undertaken by loc......view Twelve Florida House Members Sign on to House Municipal Bond Letter In a large bipartisan effort to support the continued tax exemption for municipal bond interest, more than 130 Representatives signed on to a letter to House leadership, including twelve Florida House members. Led by Reps. Dutch...view FAC Joins Organizations from 40 States to Support Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Funding FAC recently joined the National Association of Counties and more than 200 organizations from 40 states in supporting the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant. FAC signed onto a coalition letter to...view Numeric Nutrient Criteria Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for total nitrogen and phosphorus for the freshwater segments of the Lower St. Johns River as Site Specific Alternative...view Florida Supreme Court Overruled on Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against an Orange County permit applicant claiming that the water management district rsquo;s requirements were an unconstitutional taking of his...view Cuts in Federal Funding Threaten Florida s Beach Monitoring Programs Environmentalists are concerned about proposed cuts in federal funding that has historically been provided to states for beach water quality testing. nbsp; nbsp; In his fiscal year 2014 budget, President Barack Obama has...view South Florida Water Management District to Consider Selling Public Land The South Florida Water Management District is one of the state rsquo;s largest landowners with some 1.5 million acres ranging from central to southern Florida. nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; In response to recent budget...view Governor Scott Extends Scallop Season Governor Rick Scott has announced an early start to recreational scallop season beginning on Saturday, June 29th, up two days from the original starting date of July 1. The season will be open in Gulf of Mexico state waters (...view Lawmakers Search for Paths to Farm Bill Passage The recent dismantling of the farm bill on the House floor seemed to signal the end of any long-term agricultural authorizations for the foreseeable future, but there have been efforts from lawmakers in both chambers to explore...view Bill Would Halt EPA Regulation of Coal Ash A bill to prohibit the EPA from regulating coal ash as a hazardous waste passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee June 19, 31 ndash;16. The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 (H.R. 2218) would establish...view Agriculture Spending Bills Approved in House and Senate Committees On June 13, the House Appropriation Committee approved their FY2014 Agriculture Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2410) by a voice vote. The measure would provide $19.45 billion in discretionary funds for FY2014, which is $1.28 billion...view County and Municipal Revenue Estimates The Department of Revenue s Office of Tax Research has released county and municipal revenue estimates for the 2013-14 fiscal year. They can be viewed here......view Annual Conference is next week! You DO NOT want to miss this Conference...dynamic speakers include NY Times Best Seller Stephen Carter, The Biggest Loser Season 4 Winner, and a 100+ Booth Exposition with Silent Auction. nbsp; It rsquo;s not too late to...view Pre-Conference Welcome Event (Tuesday) To ensure a hassle-free experience, be sure to check-in at the FAC registration desk on Tuesday afternoon from 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. to pick up your registration materials or register on-site. nbsp;The Welcome Event is only $15...view Congratulations to the Advanced County Commissioner Class of 2013! Launched by the Florida Counties Foundation in 2006, the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) education program, ldquo;The Florida Forum for County Leaders, rdquo; is an advanced leadership program designed for graduates...view Monroe County s Mayor Neugent Testifies on Gulf Restoration before Congress On June 6, Florida Keys Mayor George Neugent testified before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Invited by Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV and Florida Senator Bill Nelson, Mayor Neugent...view Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds Under Threat As tax reform discussions advance on Capitol Hill, proposals that would cap certain tax benefits continue to be offered as a way to help address the federal debt and deficit. Specific elements within these proposals threaten the...view Pretrial Conference in Orlando September 15-18, 2013 The National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA) will hold its annual conference in Orlando this year. The conference will highlight the latest research being done in the pretrial field, the next generation risk...view UPDATE: Juvenile Detention Costs Earlier this month we reported that the First District Court of Appeal issued a ruling siding with the counties who argued the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) was improperly shifting a portion of the state rsquo;s...view FACHSA Annual Business Meeting at FAC Annual Conference The Florida Association of County Human Services Administrators (FACHSA) is holding its annual business meeting on Thursday, June 27 from 9:00am to 5:00pm during the FAC Annual Conference at the Marriott Tampa Waterside. nbsp...view Federal News from NACo On June 19th, the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee passed a $44.1 billion appropriations bill that included a $1.4 billion reduction in funding for the Community Development Block...view Environmentalists Intend Antidegradation Suit to Strengthen Florida s Numeric Nutrient Plan Environmentalists in Florida are threatening to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its alleged failure to require the state to enforce antidegradation rules in the Clean Water Act, a sign that that the...view St. Lucie River and Estuary BMAP Finalized The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently finalized the St. Lucie River and Estuary Basin Management Action Plan for the Implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Nutrients and Dissolved...view Interim Committee Schedule Released In a memorandum sent out to the Legislature last week, President Gaetz and Speaker Weatherford proposed the following schedule for interim committee meetings in preparation for the 2014 Regular Legislative Session: The week of...view Florida Legislators Oppose Ban on Deer Importation Last week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) considered a measure that would impose a blanket prohibition on the importation of live deer and elk to reduce the chance that potentially fatal ldquo;...view Florida Officials Encourage Catching and Eating Lionfish The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently adopted rule changes regarding lionfish harvesting that will waive the recreational license requirement for divers harvesting lionfish using pole spears, handheld...view SFWMD to Ease Use Restrictions on its Land The South Florida Water Management District has proposed changes to the administrative rules governing recreation on its public lands (Rule 40E-7, Florida Administrative Code). nbsp; nbsp;These revisions are intended to...view Annual Conference - Register by June 18 The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside in Hillsborough County. nbsp; nbsp; The chance to beat your own drum, a NY Times best-selling author...view Pre-Conference Welcome Event Kick-off your conference with an evening of fun, fellowship and a little old fashioned competition. nbsp; We know many of you will arrive in Tampa on Tuesday afternoon and will need something to do that evening so join us!...view Help FAC give Back to Florida s Veterans - Participate in the Silent Aution at Annual Conference We are pleased to announce an additional conference event that will, no doubt, generate excitement and helps us help Floridians who served our country in the United States military. nbsp; We also want to recognize the many...view FDOT Secretary, Ananth Prasad, will speak at Annual Conference Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Ananth Prasad will speak at the Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, June 26 (12-1:30 p.m.). nbsp; Secretary Prasad is responsible for managing the $7 billion agency which...view Congratulations to the Certified County Commissioners class of 2013! The Certified County Commissioner Program is a voluntary certification program sponsored by the University of Florida/IFAS and it is designed for county commissioners to learn information and enhance skills relevant to their...view Medicaid Webinar Scheduled for June 17 FAC will be having a webinar on Monday, June 17 at 3:00pm to go over changes to the county-state Medicaid cost sharing methodology. nbsp; In advance of SB 1520 rsquo;s July 1 effective date, we will provide information on...view Court Sides with Counties on Juvenile Detention Costs On Wednesday, the First District Court of Appeal sided with the counties who argued the Department of Juvenile Justice was improperly shifting a portion of the state rsquo;s juvenile detention costs onto the counties. ...view Property Tax Survey Request Coming Soon As we approach July 1, 2013, FAC anticipates facilitating its annual request for property tax information including each county rsquo;s DR-420 form. nbsp; This information will be utilized, as in the past, to develop a...view Governor Signs SB 1520 and County Billing Update On May 20, Governor Scott signed into law SB 1520, which makes significant changes to Medicaid county billing. nbsp; Beginning on July 1, counties will pay fixed monthly amounts for their Medicaid cost shares, and will no...view Governor Signs Everglades Bill Last week, Governor Rick Scott held a press conference in West Palm Beach to announce the signing of HB 7065, which provides state funding for his $880 million Everglades restoration plan. nbsp; nbsp;Among other things,...view Environmental Bills signed by the Governor SB 0682 - Fossil Fuel Combustion Products (Simpson) - Chapter No. 2013-068 HB 0999 - Environmental Regulation (Patronis) - Chapter No. 2013-092 SB 1806 - Total Maximum Daily Loads (EPC Committee) - Chapter No. 2013-070......view Proposed Rule Changes for Solid Waste Grants, Recycling and Recovered Materials On June 3, 2013, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) published in the Florida Administrative Register two Notices of Proposed Rule for Chapter 62-716, F.A.C. (Solid Waste Grants, Annual Reports, and Recycling) and...view DACS Urban Turf Rule Workshop Last week, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) held a workshop in Tallahassee to discuss proposed revisions to the Urban Turf Rule in 5E-1.003(2), F.A.C. nbsp; nbsp; For a summary of the comments...view Former EPA Chief Lands at Apple Lisa Jackson, who led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency throughout President Obama s first term, has landed a job with Apple Inc. nbsp; Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the hire during an interview at a recent digital...view SFWMD - Water Supply Facilities Work Plan - Technical Assistance Workshop On November 15, 2012, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board adopted the Lower West Coast Water Supply Plan Update. nbsp; nbsp; Pursuant to 163.3177(6)(c)3, Florida Statutes, local governments...view Healthy Perspectives Healthy Perspectives: Brought to you as always by our valued partner Aetna, the June Issue of Healthy Perspectives can be found here. nbsp; This month s issue includes moti......view Gulf Restoration needs Science and Community With passage of the RESTORE Act by Congress, 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines paid by BP and other parties responsible for the 2010 Gulf oil spill now will be used for projects that benefit Florida communities. Jack Payne,...view Qualifying Period for FAC 2nd Vice President has Closed In accordance with the FAC Bylaws, any commissioner, other than commissioners currently in office, who choose to run for Association office must have formally declared their candidacy via certified mail, with a postmark date no...view Winner of The Biggest Loser to speak at Annual Conference You will not want to miss the very full program for Friday rsquo;s plated breakfast and Closing Session (8:00 ndash; 10:00 a.m.). After swearing in FAC rsquo;s newly elected officers and Board of Directors, our...view Annual Conference - Register Today! The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside (Hillsborough County). nbsp; The chance to beat your own drum and hear a NY Times best-selling author are...view County Administrator Placement Support Initiative FAC is proud to announce that we have launched a new member services program, County Administrator Placement Support. nbsp; The program will be available to assist counties in determining the best person to fill their open...view CCC Pre-Conference Growth Management Workshop - June 25th Commissioners, be sure to register for the pre-conference CCC Workshop on Growth Management when you are registering for Annual Conference! amp;......view Medicaid Managed Care Update Earlier this year, and following 2011 state legislation which laid the groundwork for Statewide Medicaid Managed Care in Florida, the federal government granted conditional approval to allow the state to move most Medicaid...view Department of Homeland Security House Appropriations Bill Released On May 16, the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee held a markup of the FY2014 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill. Among other things, the proposal would provide $1.5 billion for FEMA State...view Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services Announces Round 2 of Health Care Innovation Awards The federal Centers for Medicare amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the opening of the second round of Health Care Innovation Awards. nbsp; Through the program, CMS will offer up to $1 billion in funding for...view Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds Tax-exempt municipal bonds have been a fundamental feature of the United States tax code since 1913. Municipal bonds remain the primary method used by states and local governments to finance public capital improvements and public...view Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) - Local Government Section The Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) is a research arm of the Legislature principally concerned with forecasting economic and social trends that affect policy making, revenues, and appropriations. nbsp; The...view July is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month In 2012 and again this year, Florida rsquo;s legislature, the only state to do so, passed a Joint Resolution sponsored by Senator Richter and Representative Passidomo de......view Census Bureau Conducting Survey The work of the United States Census Bureau continues throughout the decade. However, this year they are also conducting the American Housing S......view EPA Denies Petitions Challenging Florida DEP Officials The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has dismissed petitions from two environmental groups claiming two top Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials had conflicts of interest prohibited under federal law...view EPA Files Determination on Identification of Impaired Surface Waters On May 13, 2013, EPA filed with the US District Court in Tallahassee its analysis and findings with regard to Florida s Impaired Waters Rule (Rules 62-303.320(4) and 62-303.320(6)(a) F.A.C.). This is the result...view DACS to Hold Workshop on Urban Turf Rule (Fertilizer) Last week, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) announced a public workshop to discuss proposed revisions to the Urban Turf Rule in 5E-1003 F.A.C. nbsp; The Workshop will be held on May 28th at 9:30 a.m...view Agriculture Commissioner Launches Re-Election Campaign Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is running for re-election. nbsp; Putnam, a former member of Congress, quietly opened a campaign account in April for the 2014 election, without making any formal announcement....view Meeker Resigns as Executive Director of the SFWMD Melissa Meeker, the head of the South Florida Water Management District resigned Monday, leaving after just two years in the position. nbsp; nbsp; In a letter to the Governing Board chairman, Ms. Meeker said she was...view Wakulla Springs and Wakulla River BMAP Meetings Last week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a meeting in Woodville, south of Tallahassee, regarding Wakulla Springs and the Wakulla River. nbsp;The meeting was held to receive comments on the...view U.S. Senate Approves Water Resources Development Act To continue Everglades restoration, Florida would need to plug canals, build levees and create large water storage areas to guide clean water through western Broward and Palm Beach counties and into the core of the famed ...view Farm Bill Moving in House and Senate Agriculture Committees ?The Agriculture Committee leadership of both the House and the Senate announced last week that they will move the Farm Bill through their committees. Senate and House leaders have also promised to give the bill floor time by...view New York Times Bestseller to speak at Annual Conference Our theme for FAC rsquo;s Annual Conference this year rsquo;s is ldquo;Civility. Opportunity. Unity. rdquo; The Opening General Session on Wednesday, June 26 (2:00 ndash; 3:30 p.m.) will focus on Civility:...view Annual Conference - Register Today! The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside (Hillsborough County). nbsp; The chance to beat your own drum and hear a NY Times best-selling author are...view Interested in a Leadership Position with FAC?? Each year, volunteer leaders guide FAC as we choose which issues to focus our legislative priorities on and fight in Tallahassee. These leaders become statewide leaders guiding the direction of the Association and making critical...view NACo Begins 2013-14 Presidential Appointment Process The 2013-14 NACo Presidential Appointment process has begun! NACo First Vice President Linda Langston recently sent appointment in......view Qualifying Period for FAC Officers Closes May 15th Each office of the FAC Executive Committee is open for election except that of the President, which is automatically filled by the President-Elect. If you plan to declare your candidacy for President-Elect, First Vice President...view May Healthy Perspectives Aetna and FAC Provide ldquo;Healthy Solutions rdquo; hellip;..available here is the May issue of ldquo;Healthy Solutions rdquo;. This month rsquo;s iss......view No Agreement on Medicaid Expansion Although three different Medicaid expansion alternatives were proposed during the regular Legislative Session, the two chambers could not reach consensus on certain major components of their respective plans; namely, whether or...view Paper Reduction Initiative and the Task Force on Electronic Filing of Bail Bonds Paper Reduction Initiative and the Task Force on Electronic Filing of Bail Bonds Legislation was passed this session that seeks to reduce paper documents by expanding the use of electronic transmittals in several areas. nbsp...view Online Sales Tax Bill Passes Senate On Monday, May 6, 2013 the United States Senate passed The Marketplace nbsp; Fairness Act of 2013. nbsp; The Marketplace Fairness Act does not create a new tax, rather, the legislation would grant the authority for state...view Numeric Nutrient Criteria Update Legislation: nbsp; This session, the legislature passed a bill authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt rules for those water bodies not covered under the first phase of......view Endangered Green Sea Turtles Make Comeback According to published reports, endangered green sea turtles have multiplied in Florida during the past twenty years, and are now thriving in protected waters along the east coast from Melbourne to the Florida Keys. nbsp;...view DACS Office of Agricultural Water Policy - Spring Meeting FAC representative Stephen James will be attending the Annual Spring Meeting of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rsquo; Office of Agricultural Water Policy on May 14, 2013. nbsp; Among th......view Silver Springs: Where Are We Now? The Silver Springs Alliance is hosting a public forum to answer questions on what is happening at Silver Springs near Ocala, one of Florida s most iconic springs. The event will include a number of guest speakers, as well as...view State s Annual Hurricane Conference Begins Emergency management officials from across Florida are meeting in South Florida this week to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. nbsp; The annual Governor rsquo;s Hurricane Conference begins Sunday with training...view FEDERAL ISSUES: Water Affordability Dialogue with EPA and Local Government Partners Begins On April 29, representatives from THE national Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC), U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened to discuss Clean Water Act (...view Agriculture: ?Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Expand Opportunities for the Next Generation of Farmers Last week Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2013 (H.R. 1727/S. 837) in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of...view HB 7007 Presented to Governor Governor Rick Scott was presented with the general appropriations act S 1500 (Relating to Appropriations) and H 7007 (Relating to Economic Development) on Thursday, May 9. The Governor has until May 24, 2013 to act on the bills...view County Criminal History Checks Florida law authorizes counties (Section 125.5801, Florida Statutes), by ordinance, to require employment screening for any position which the governing body of the county finds is critical to security or public safety and for...view Two New Trauma Centers Allowed on Final Day of Session During the final days of the Legislative Session, language was added to an already controversial bill by Rep. O rsquo;Toole, HB 1159, to allow for two new trauma centers in the state. nbsp; A separate bill by Sen. Bean,...view Next Week in the Legislature Health Policy rsquo;s SB 1884 regarding County Medicaid Contributions is on the Special Order Calendar for Monday, April 29. The Senate will also take up the creations of the Healthy Florida program (SB 1816, Appropriations...view Annual Conference - Register Today! The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside (Hillsborough County). nbsp; The chance to beat your own drum and hear a NY Times best-selling author are...view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human Services This week in the Legislature, SB 1884 was amended in Senate Appropriations to phase in the transition to enrollment-based county Medicaid cost-sharing over seven years. nbsp; Originally,......view This Week in the Legislature: Growth Transportation Legislation that closes an affordable housing tax exemption loophole passed the Senate this week and heads to the Governor for signature. SB 928 by Senator Simpson, which is this year amp;rs......view This Week in the Legislature: Environment This week in the Legislature, the Governor signed into law SB 444, the ocean outfall bill, after three years of advocacy from the affected South Florida counties. nbsp;Additionally, ......view This Week in the Legislature: Public Safety This week, the Governor signed SB 294 ndash; Controlled Substances, which adds 22 new synthetic drug formulas to the list of illegal schedule I drugs. nbsp; This new law will help law e......view This Week in the Legislature: Finance Tax Troubling Value Adjustment Board legislation may wait until the 2014 legislative session. nbsp; HB 1381 nbsp; by Rep. Wood contained several substantial changes to existing Florida Statutes......view This Week in the Legislature: Administration This week two priorities of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate were passed and sent to the Governor. nbsp; SB 2, nbsp;a comprehensive ethics reform package which was he......view CCC Emergency Management Workshop - May 16th FAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Emergency Management workshop on May 16th in Seminole County from 8:30 am ndash; 4:00 pm......view CCC Pre-Conference Growth Management Workshop - June 25th Commissioners, be sure to register for the pre-conference CCC Workshop on Growth Management when you are registering for Annual Conference! amp;......view SURVEY - Legislative Day If you attended the FAC 2013 Legislative Day, held April 4th at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County, FAC needs your feedback. nbsp; Please help us with future program planning by completing an online survey....view NACo County Leadership Institute Alumni Congratulations to the CLASS of 2013! Honorable Alex Barnett, Judge, Harrison County, KYHonorable Wendell Bostwick, Commissioner, Curry County, NMHonorable Blair Brady, Commissioner, Wahkiakum County, WAHonorable Maggi......view Annual Conference - 2013 Theme Coming Soon! Every year at the FAC Annual Conference, we introduce a new theme and goals for the Association! nbsp; FAC President Bryan Desloge has selected his theme for 2013. nbsp; We can t wait to share with you the exciting...view Next Week in the Legislature The Senate Appropriations Committee will take up SB 1884 relating to County contributions to Medicaid (formerly SPB 7156) on Tuesday, April 23. ......view ACC Class of 2012-13 This week, the seventh series of the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) Program program concluded in Alachua County. nbsp; nbsp;The FACTOR programs are sponsored by University of Florida/IFAS Extension. nbsp;Fourteen...view Medicaid Billing Call to Action SB 1884, County Medicaid Billing, will be debated in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, April 23rd. nbsp; The m......view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human Services This week in the Legislature, the Senate finally released its proposal for transitioning counties from a claims-based Medicaid cost-sharing relationship with the state to a formula-based approach. nbsp; ......view This Week in the Legislature: Growth Transportation The House advanced its transportation package this week by passing out of the Economic Affairs Committee a 110-page amendment to HB 7127. nbsp; Many of the objectionable provision......view This Week in the Legislature: Environment This week in the Legislature, the Ocean Outfall bill (SB 444) was passed by both chambers and will now go the Governor to be signed into law. nbsp; Senator Bradley rsquo;s bill (......view This Week in the Legislature: Public Safety SB 294, which makes certain synthetic drugs illegal nbsp;is one step away from becoming law. nbsp;The bill unanimously passed both chambers this week and is headed to the Governor. amp;nbs......view This Week in the Legislature: Finance Tax Significant issues including Communication Services Taxes, Local Business Taxes, and Sales Tax Exemptions for Commercial Leases may have to wait until next year. nbsp; This week both the House and Senate Finance and Tax...view This Week in the Legislature: Administration Legislation aimed at correcting some of the problems encountered in the last general election is headed to the Governor. nbsp; This week the Legislature passed HB 7013, which extends early ......view NACo Analysis on President s FY14 Budget Request We wanted to share with you a new National Association of Counties (NACo) presentation on the President rsquo;s FY2014 budget request. nbsp; The presentation includes a summary of the President rsquo;s budget as well...view Florida Ready by 21 Community Challenge The Forum for Youth Investment invites localities from across the state to apply for the Florida Ready by 21 Community Challenge. nbsp; This is a unique opportunity to improve the lives of children and youth in your community...view SURVEY - Legislative Day If you attended the FAC 2013 Legislative Day, held April 4th at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County, FAC needs your feedback. nbsp; Please help us with future program planning by completing an online survey....view FAC Annual Conference - Reserve Your Hotel Room Today! The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held in Hillsborough County, June 25-28, at the Marriott Tampa Waterside. nbsp; The FAC room block will opened on April 1st. nbsp; As you know, this...view Emergency Management Workshop FAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Emergency Management workshop on May 16th in Seminole County from 8:30 am ndash; 4:00 pm. nbsp; Commissioners - if you attend the workshop in its entirety, you will earn 6 elective...view FAC Aetna - A Healthy Partnership Did you know that liquid calories in alcohol, juices, sports drinks or sodas can have an enormous impact on our weight? How much of an impact? Read more in the April Issue of ......view Next Week in the Legislature: Medicaid The Florida Senate will take up the state-county Medicaid relationship on Tuesday, April 16 at 1:30 pm. A proposed committee bill (SB 7156) Relating to County Contributions to Medicaid w......view This Week in the Legislature: Public Safety A ban on texting while driving moved closer to reality this week with SB 52 (Sen. Detert) passing its last committee stop. The Senate bill now heads to the floor; its House companion is on ......view This Week in the Legislature: Administration This week, Senator Latvala took his omnibus elections bill (SB 600) and campaign finance reforms (SB 1382) for their final commi......view This Week in the Legislature: Growth Transportation Bills that would close an affordable housing tax exemption loophole and save local governments $140 million in annual recurring revenue are moving through committees and heading to the floor in both chambers. nbsp; ......view This Week in the Legislature: Finance Tax Legislation regarding the application of sales and use tax to tangible items purchased via an online or mail order transaction was passed by the Senate Finance and Tax subcommittee this week. nbsp; The legislation originally...view This Week in the Legislature: Environment Legislation sponsored by Senator Diaz de la Portilla (SB 444) addressing ocean outfalls passed unanimously in the Senate this week and is now in House Messages. Senator Hays rsquo; bill (......view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human Services The House finally unveiled its alternative to Medicaid expansion this week, which would create the Florida Health Choices Plus program to offer health accounts to qualifying individuals who fall below 100 percent of the federal...view FAC Legislative Day a Success! This week more than 200 commissioners and staff came to Tallahassee to lobby in support of home rule and against unfunded mandates. The event started with a reception on Wednesday evening. Governor Scott attended the reception...view FAC Online Directory is Live! Looking for phone number or email address for some one in your neighboring county? Can t remember where you left your printed directory? Getting connected is just a click away with ......view FAC Annual Conference - Room Block is Now Open The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held in Hillsborough County, June 25-28, at the Marriott Tampa Waterside. The FAC room block is now open. As you know, this block fills very quickly so make...view Next Week in the Legislature Rep. Patronis rsquo; environmental regulation bill (HB 999) is up in House Agriculture amp; Natural Resources Appropriations on Monday; ......view This Week in the Legislature: Public Safety In budget news, juvenile secure detention will become a conference issue in the closing weeks of Session. While both the Senate and House budget proposals reduce the counties rsquo; trust fund for secure detention costs due...view This Week in the Legislature: Administration Majority Leader Precourt rsquo;s HB 655 on medical and leave benefits was debated for an hour on the House floor this week. The bill preempts counties from mandating its contractors prov......view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human Services Sen. Bean introduced his alternative Medicaid expansion proposal this week, which would create the Health Choice Plus program (HCP) to offer health benefits accounts to enrollees. nbsp; The existing Florida Health Choices...view This Week in the Legislature: Growth Transportation Both chambers continue to move this year rsquo;s growth management bills. nbsp; HB 319 relating to local pay-and-go provisions passed the Senate Transportation Committee, while ......view This Week in the Legislature: Finance Tax Legislation regarding the application of E-911 fees to pre-paid telecommunications services was passed in both the Senate and House this week, however each chamber is taking a distinctly different approach. nbsp; The House...view FAC Annual Conference - Room Block opens Monday, April 1 The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held in Hillsborough County, June 25-28, at the Marriott Tampa Waterside. nbsp; The FAC room block will open on Monday, April 1. nbsp; As you know,...view Ethics and Financial Management Workshops- April 3rd and 5th Registration is still open for our April 3-5th events: FAC rsquo;s Annual Legislative Day and 2 CCC workshops: nbsp; Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Laws and Financial Management. nbsp; Commissioners and Council...view This Week in the Legislature: Administration This week in the Senate, Senator Simpson rsquo;s bill to reform the Florida Retirement System (SB 1392) passed out of its last committee and is now headed to the Senate floor. Unlike the......view This Week in the Legislature - Finance Tax The Senate Appropriations committee passed a property tax package this week that included a number of measures with the potential to positively affect the administration and stability of local property tax revenues. The measure...view This Week in the Legislature: Environment nbsp;Speaker-Designate Crisafulli introduced to a group a stakeholders a proposed bill that would create a Fertilizer Regulatory Review Commission. nbsp; Under the proposal, the Commission would be charged with a...view This Week in the Legislature - Health Human Services nbsp;Both the House and Senate Health Care Appropriations Subcommittees released their budget proposals this week. nbsp; While it is still early in the process, a few issues to highlight include: Both budget proposals...view This Week in the Legislature: Public Safety The House and Senate released their budget proposals for criminal justice programs this week. nbsp; Some significant items effecting counties include: The Senate proposes to exempt counties for another year from the...view This Week in the Legislature: Transportation Growth Management Despite early signs to leave growth management alone for the 2013 session, the House has fast tracked its concurrency bill, HB 319 by Rep. Ray. nbsp; The bill essentially eliminates the ......view Available Environment Grant Opportunities March 2013 ndash; Nearly $35.8 Million in Funding Available for State, Local, and Tribal Governments Nearly $35.8 million of funding is avail......view 2013 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards Sustainable Florida is calling for nominations for its 2013 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards. nbsp;The Awards ndash; now in its 17th year - celebrate the best examples of sustainable development and prac......view Sample Resolution Supporting Tax Exempt Municipal Bonds NACo has provided a draft resolutions that counties can use to support Tax Exempt Municipal Bonds. nbsp; Click here for a copy of the resolution.......view Next Week in the Legislature nbsp; The House and Senate will meet on Wednesday and Thursday only, with a focus on appropriations. The Revenue Estimating Conference announced growth of $3.5B in general revenue for the upcoming year and both chambers thi...view This Week in the Legislature: Public Safety The regulation of pain management clinics through SB 1192 (Sen. Grimsley) and HB 831 (Rep. Fasano) moved through both houses ......view This Week in the Legislature: Finance Tax Rep. Steube rsquo;s HB 807 that would collect E-911 fees on prepaid mobile telecommunications for use in support of local government emergency communications operations continued to move th......view This Week in the Legislature: Administration Reform of the Florida Retirement System ndash; a priority for the Speaker of the House - continued moving through the House this week, with a second reading on the floor and a two-hour debate. nbsp;......view This Week in the Legislature: Health and Human Services The Senate Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to introduce SPB 7038, Sen. Negron rsquo;s proposal for providing health care coverage to individuals who fall below 138% of the fed......view This Week in the Legislature: Transportation and Growth Management Bills that change the transportation concurrency and proportionate share process continue to move through both the House and Senate. HB 319 passed its second of three committees this week a......view This Week in the Legislature: Environment Bills to address the discharge of domestic wastewater through ocean outfalls (SB 444, HB 707) passed in both chambers this we......view Water Projects to be Considered for Funding in General Appropriations Act This week, the House Agriculture amp; Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee released a Water Project Application Form and General Criteria for the funding of water projects in the General Appropriations Act. nbsp...view Ethics and Financial Management Workshops - April 3rd and 5th Registration is currently open for our April 3-5th events: FAC rsquo;s Annual Legislative Day and 2 CCC workshops: nbsp; Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Laws and Financial Management. nbsp; Commissioners and...view NACo Action Alert on Municipal Bonds and Marketplace Fairness Act Municipal Bonds Update 59 ORGANIZATIONS UNITE ON BONDS: The National Association of Counties, U.S. Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities coordinated a national campaign to protect the t......view Child Abuse Prevention Month Through the collaborative efforts of the Governor rsquo;s Office of Adoption and Child Protection, the Florida Department of Children and Families, and the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, we are raising awareness to end...view Next Week in the Florida Legislature The Revenue Estimating Conference meets Friday, March 15 on General Revenue projections, with budget allocations from both chambers of the Legislature to follow next week. The House will continue discussions on ethics reform....view This Week in the Legislature: Administration A priority for Speaker of the House Will Weatherford continued its march through the House of Representatives this week and is headed to the floor. HB 7011 (Rep. Brodeur), which reforms the Florida Retirement System (FRS), passed...view This Week in the Legislature: Finance Tax A bill that would update the Emergency Communications Number E911 System to include prepaid communications and account for retail changes in communication service and advances in technology (HB 807, Rep. Stuebe) passed...view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human Services This week, the Senate Select Committee on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act joined the House in rejecting Medicaid expansion with a vote down party lines. Instead the Senate will look toward creating an alternative...view This Week in the Legislature: Transportation Growth Management Both the House and Senate initiated the process of closing a loophole that allows for-profit affordable housing developers to receive an exemption from ad valorem taxes. HB 921 by Rep. Renuart and SB 740 by Sen. Simpson passed...view This Week in the Legislature: Environment FAC representatives this week met with Representative Steve Crisafulli to discuss local regulation of fertilizer application. The future House Speaker is seeking a science-based approach to fertilizer regulation and a moratorium...view This Week in the Legislature: Public Safety The Senate moved a bill forward that will expand the controlled substances register by another 22 new formulas. SB 294 by Senator Bradley passed a third committee and has one more stop before going to the Senate floor. Its House...view Speaker Pro Tem, State Agency Heads to attend Legislative Day! FAC s 2013 Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County on Thursday, April 4. A reception honoring the Florida Legislature will open the event on the evening of Wednesday, April 3....view Operating Efficiently through Information Technology The FAC Enterprise Committee was recently introduced to a secure web-based internal and external information management system called AcuityInfo. We feel the system s features could be of benefit in numerous areas of...view SAVE THE DATE: 2013 NACo County Solutions and Marketplace The 2013 NACo Annual Conference, County Solutions and Marketplace, is being held July 19-22, 2013 in Tarrant County Texas (Fort Worth). This meeting brings together county officials from across the country to learn, network and...view UF/IFAS Center for Public Information Education (PIE Center) Webinar: Buying Local Food: Beliefs and Impacts This monthly webinar series provides opportunities to learn about critical agriculture and natural resource issues in an interactive online environment. Speakers include experts and practitioners who share their relevant research...view March Healthy Perspectives Healthy Perspectives: Brought to you by our valued partner Aetna, the March issue of Healthy Perspectives can be found here. This month s issue includes: tips to help you move more , guidelines for good eye health...view DEP and EPA Craft Solution for Safer, Cleaner Water for Florida The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached an agreement to continue the protection of Florida s waterways from excess nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. These...view Speaker Pro Tem, State Agency Heads to attend Legislative Day! FAC s 2013 Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County on Thursday, April 4. A reception honoring the Florida Legislature will open the event on the evening of Wednesday, April 3....view 2013 Legislative Day Webinar Join us on March 20th for a webinar on how to get the most from your upcoming visit to the Capitol. We will discuss making appointments with legislators, how to maximize your time when meeting with members and how to get your...view FAC Priorities: Medicaid The membership of the Florida Association of Counties identified addressing the flawed state Medicaid billing system as a legislative priority. Last week, FAC s Legislative Executive Committee voted for FAC to advocate for...view FAC Priorities: Juvenile Detention Since 2005, counties have shared in the financial responsibility of juvenile detention with the state. Counties are billed for juvenile detention based on estimates from the prior year. However, the billing methodology has...view FAC Priorities: Communications Services Tax Communications Services Tax (CST), House Finance and Tax Subcommittee (conceptual). Concept of reforming the CST to consolidate the taxation of communications services into a single unified statewide rate, regardless of the...view This week in the Legislature: Health Human Services Disposition of Human Remains: Clarifies and updates the statutes relating to unclaimed and indigent burials. Smoking Preemption/Clean Indoor Air Act: Bills would remove counties and cities from the preemption, allowing them to...view This week in the Legislature: Transportation Growth Management Draft Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Package: Primary issues relating to FDOT operations of interest to counties; Affordable Housing: SB 928 represents this year s affordable housing package for the Florida...view This week in the Legislature: Environment Agriculture Purchase of Land by a Government Entity: County may purchase land for conservation purposes only if an accurate inventory of government-owned property, not more than 1 year old, is made public. Ocean Outfalls: The bill amends...view This week in the Legislature: Public Safety Controlled Substances Synthetic Drugs : Expands Schedule I of the controlled substances register to include 22 new formulas of synthetic drugs. Concealed Weapons and Firearms: Seek to permit local governments to...view Florida County Government Guide Our Members asked for it, and we are pleased to present the second edition of the comprehensive guide on all aspects of Florida county government, including Florida s history, county government structure, leadership and...view Leadership Florida Scholarship for ACC Graduates As part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning in the Fall...view This week in the Legislature: Finance Tax Local Business Taxes: The draft language embodies concepts with an overarching purpose to replace the current local business tax structure in ch. 205, F.S., with a simplified version of the tax that is more consistent across...view FACTOR: Regional Webinar - Economic Development On March 7th, the Regional Webinar on Economic Development was held at 6 UF/IFAS Extension offices in the state. This workshop explained how counties may identify, implement and support successful economic development...view Merit Pay Policies Columbia County is researching merit pay policies and structures of pay plans with this type merit system implemented by other counties. If you implement a merit pay plan structure for employees please to e-mail your policies and...view Elections Report: We need your feedback After the 2012 General Election, Governor Scott asked Secretary of State Ken Detzner, to review the administration of the election and make recommendations on ways to improve the system....view This week in the Legislature: Administration Elections, HB 7013 (House Ethics amp; Elections Subcommittee). Summary: Early Voting Days/Hours: Extends period from 8 days minimum up to 14 days; increases hours from 96 to a maximum of 168 hours and allows for voting the...view Regional Webinar on Economic Development - March 7th FAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Regional Webinar on Economic Development which will take place next week. This regional webinar explains how counties may identify, implement and support successful economic development...view Leadership Florida Scholarships for ACC Graduates As part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning in the Fall...view The All New FAC Online Directory - Coming Soon!!! Looking for phone number or email address for some one in your neighboring county? Can t remember where you left your printed directory? Getting connected is just a click away with FAC s new online directory! Look...view Ethics and Financial Management Workshops - April 3rd and 5th In addition to this upcoming webinar, registration is currently open for our April 3-5th events: FAC s Annual Legislative Day and 2 CCC workshops: Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Laws and Financial Management. ...view Florida Association of Realtors seek $1.4 Billion tax exemption Currently, commercial rentals are taxed at 6% at the state level, plus the local discretionary surtax. SB 656 by Sen. Hukill and HB 629 by Rep. O Toole propose to phase out the sales and use tax on commercial rentals by...view Medicaid Reform and PPACA Update On February 20, the federal government issued conditional approval of a waiver that will allow the state to require most Medicaid recipients to enroll in managed care plans. In notifying the state of its conditional approval,...view This Week in the Legislature - Public Safety As we approach the start of Session, you should know about some new bills that have been filed that may impact counties. With regard to Pain Management Clinics, Senator Grimsley filed SB 1192 which seeks to require doctors to...view Affordable Housing Three separate bills have been filed to close a statutory loophole that allows for-profit affordable housing projects to transfer their ownership to a non-profit entity in order to receive an exemption from ad valorem property...view This Week in the Legislature - Environment Agriculture SB 522 Biodiesel Fuel (Bradley) - This bill creates an exemption from the reporting, bonding, and licensing requirements of biodiesel wholesalers for local governments that manufacture biodiesel solely for internal use. The bill...view Transportation Update Last Wednesday the House Transportation Committee workshopped this year s transportation package. Among the bill s provisions are several issues of interest to counties. Some of these include a requirement that...view NACo News: Oppose Efforts to Eliminate or Limit Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds Tax-exempt bonds are a critical tool for counties that facilitates the budgeting and financing of long-range investments in the infrastructure and facilities necessary to meet public demand for government services. ...view Collecting Debt: A Civic Duty A Revenue Raiser FAC and NCS Plus have partnered together to offer a unique way to collect government debt. An approach that is restorative and effective. Take advantage of the guaranteed 400% ROI. ...view Numeric Nutrients This week, the Florida First District Court of Appeal (1st DCA) affirmed the Division of Administrative Hearings order upholding the Florida Department of Environmental Protection s nutrient criteria rule. The 1st DCA...view Operation Unite You can Make An Impact in fighting Rx drug abuse. Explore timely, relevant and evidence-based information with stakeholders from across the country at the National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, April 2-4, 2013, in Orlando....view Workshop on Potable Reuse for Florida The Florida WateReuse Association, in partnership with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the St. Johns Water Management District and the South Florida Water Management District, invites FAC members to participate...view Legislative Day - Discount Deadline is March 4 Register on or before March 4 and save $$!! FAC s 2013 Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County on Thursday, April 4. As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on...view FAC and Aetna team up to bring you Healthy Perspectives As a valued Enterprise and Corporate Partner, Aetna has shown an unparalleled commitment to promoting health and wellness throughout all of Florida s Counties. The FAC/Aetna team is constantly working to promote programs...view REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the Regional Webinar on Economic Development. This regional webinar explains how counties may identify, implement and support successful economic development activities to increase well-paying employment opportunities and create a broader taxbase....view This week in the Legislature - Ethics and Elections Secretary of State, Ken Detzner, released his Recommendations for Increased Accessibility and Efficiency in Florida Elections which emanated from his investigation into the 2012 General Election in Florida....view Communications Services Tax Working Group On Tuesday, February 12, 2013, during the Senate Finance and Tax Committee meeting, FAC staff provided comments in regard to the Communications Services Tax Working Group proposal to modernize existing state laws with respect to...view Prohibition of Local Referenda on Plan Amendments As a part of the growth management reforms of 2011 (The Community Planning Act), the Legislature prohibited local governments from using a referendum process for local comprehensive plan and map amendments. ...view Comprehensive Revision of the Florida Communications Services Tax Law During the week of February 11th, 2013 FAC staff received an advanced copy of proposed draft language for a Committee Bill in House Finance and Tax regarding a comprehensive revision of the Florida...view Red Light Cameras A bill that prohibits counties and cities from using traffic infraction detectors (a.k.a. Red Light Cameras) passed its first committee of reference this week. HB 4011 by Representative Campbell passed the Economic Affairs...view HB 203 - Relating to Agricultural Lands In 2003, the Legislature passed the Agricultural Lands and Practices Act, to prohibit counties from adopting any duplicative ordinance, resolution, regulation, rule, or policy that limits activity of a bona fide farm on...view This week in the Legislature - Public Safety SB 294 by Sen. Rob Bradly, dealing with synthetic drugs unanimously passed its first of four committee meetings last week. This bill expands the Schedule I Controlled Substances list to make illegal 22 new formulas for synthetic...view Comprehensive Revision of the Local Business Tax Law During the week of February 11th, 2013 FAC staff received an advanced copy of proposed draft language for a Committee Bill in House Finance and Tax regarding a comprehensive revision of the Local Business...view SB 244 - Water Management Districts SB 244 provides guidance concerning minimum flows and levels (MFLs), reservations, and recovery or prevention strategies. More specifically, the bill requires a priority list and schedule to include MFLs and reservations and a...view Florida Receives Waiver for Long-Term Managed Care Program The federal Centers for Medicare amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the state s waiver request to implement the Long-Term Care Managed Care program, which is one component of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care...view Developed Local Governments Comprehensive Planning Program Senator Simpson has also filed SB 786 to lessen the time comprehensive plan amendments are implemented. As proposed, the cities of Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Hialeah, along with Pinellas and Broward Counties would be required...view EPA to Consider Local Financial Capacity in Clean Water Act Compliance The EPA has directed its regional offices to consider local financial capacity when developing compliance schedules in order to meet Clean Water Act (CWA) responsibilities. Last week, the EPA announced this affordability...view Consumptive Use Permits for Alternative Water Supplies SB 364 directs that alternative water supply (AWS) development projects are eligible for consumptive use permits (CUPs) of at least 30 years, if there is sufficient data to provide reasonable assurance that the conditions will be...view Fiber Optic and Local Government Access Representative Harrell has filed a bill (HB 355) that would require the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to adopt rules governing the use of the department s excess fiber optic network cables by local governments...view NACo Health Reform Policy Academy: Where Implementation Stands Now Many key provisions of the Affordable Care Act are set to take effect in the coming year. With health insurance exchanges in each state open for enrollment in the fall, could counties be involved in public outreach and assistance...view See the Bills We re Tracking A comprehensive list of all the bills we re following is just a click away! We ve created a 2013 Bills to Watch page for easy access to summaries and up to date information on all the bills we re tracking....view Study Committee on Investor Owned Utilities This week the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee heard a presentation by Public Service Commissioner Julie Imanuel Brown regarding the Study Committee on Investor Owned Utilities. ...view Governor s Environmental Budget Last week, the Governor s Office presented its Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14. The Environmental Budget totals approximately $3 Billion, or roughly 4% of the total $74.2 Billion budget. No surprise, the largest...view Duke Energy to Close Crystal River Nuclear Plant This week, Duke Energy announced that it will permanently close its Crystal River nuclear power plant. This announcement follows a series of unsuccessful repairs since 2009, when its concrete containment building cracked during...view SAVE THE DATES: Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level Rise Potable Reuse for Florida The Florida Sea Grant College Program, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will present a full-day workshop Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level RisexLegal Issues for Local Government on...view Smoking Preemption/Clean Indoor Air Act SB 258 by Sen. Bradley will be heard in Senate Regulated Industries on Thursday, February 21. Pursuant to sec. 386.209, F.S., regulation of smoking is expressly preempted to the state, although school districts are allowed to...view Governor Releases Proposed Budget for 2014 On Thursday, January 31 Governor Scott released his proposed budget totaling $72.4 billion. The budget shows the first increase in the state budget in some time and as usually there are many components that impact counties. FAC...view Upcoming Webinars: Get the Latest Details on FAC s Legislative Priorities Don t miss your opportunity to provide input on FAC s legislative priorities for the 2013 Regular Session. Join us on February 11 to hear the latest information on proposals to address Medicaid Billing and Juvenile...view Legislative Day is Thursday, April 4th - Register Today Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday, April 4 for the Florida Association of Counties 2013 Legislative Day. As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative actions affecting county...view Ethics and Elections The Senate Ethics and Elections committee filed SB2, which is a comprehensive ethics reform bill impacting public officials at all levels of government in Florida. Some of the key provisions impacting local government officials...view Presentation of FAC Priorities Last week, Eric Poole, FAC Assistant Legislative Director, appeared before the Senate Community Affairs Committee to present FAC s policy priorities for 2013. The Community Affairs Committee is responsible for a range of...view CST Workgroup Final Meeting The Communications Services Tax Working Group held its final meeting on Monday, January 28, 2013, via teleconference to finalize the report. The workgroup was created during the 2012 legislative session and charged with...view Growth Management While growth management issues are expected to receive only marginal attention this legislative session, a few ancillary growth issues will likely be heard. One of the primary issues to attract some attention relates to the...view Proposed DOC Inmate Shift Governor Scott released his budget on Thursday, January 31, 2013, and FAC is pleased to announce that the Governor did not support DOC s proposal to retain all inmates with a year or less on their sentences at the time of...view Committee Weeks Update - Health Human Services Few substantive bills have been heard thus far during committee weeks, although several agencies and health care services providers presented to committees on a variety of topics. The Select Committees on Patient Protection and...view FAC Editorial Board Tour For the last month, FAC staff has been on the road talking with editorial boards and commissioners from across the state. Over the coming month, the travel will continue. If we are coming to your county you should have received...view This week in the Legislature - Environment Agriculture Senate Agriculture Committee - This week the committee heard a presentation from Patrick Juneau, the BP Claims Administrator (succeeding Ken Feinberg). Mr. Juneau was appointed by a Federal Judge to implement the Settlement...view Joint Officers Meeting On Friday, February 1, the Florida Association of Counties held its annual leadership meeting with the executive committees of FAC, the Florida League of Cities and the Florida School Boards Associations....view EPA to Consider Local Financial Capacity in Clean Water Act Compliance The EPA has directed its regional offices to consider local financial capacity when developing compliance schedules in order to meet Clean Water Act (CWA) responsibilities. Last week, the EPA announced this affordability...view Silver Springs to Become State Park Marion County s Silver Springs has been drawing tourists since the 1800s with its crystal clear waters and glass-bottom boat rides. The attraction has been operated since 2001 by Palace Entertainment, a California leisure-...view SAVE THE DATE - Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level Rise The Florida Sea Grant College Program, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will present a full-day workshop Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level RisexLegal Issues for Local Government on...view MORE SNAKE NEWS - Environmentalists to File Suit over Rattlesnake Protection According to published reports, environmental activists will file a lawsuit seeking to expedite federal action on its request to give endangered species protection to the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. This week, the Arizona-...view 2013 NACo Achievement Award Program The National Association of Counties is reaching out to let you know about the 2013 NACo Achievement Award Program. The Achievement Award program recognizes comprehensive and innovative projects in various categories that support...view Legislative Day is April 4th - Register Today Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday, April 4 for the Florida Association of Counties 2013 Legislative Day. As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative actions affecting county...view Legislative Update This week, the Florida Legislature gathered in Tallahassee for its first Interim Committee Week of the new year. Committees in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate met to discuss priority issues for...view Florida Clean Indoor Air Act Bills have been filed in both the House and Senate that would reinstate local control over smoking regulations. Specifically, HB 141 by Rep. Cummings and SB 258 by Sen. Bradley would remove the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act...view Week in the Legislature - Public Safety This week s meetings were filled with a lot of agency presentations but some substantive issues and bills were discussed. The House Criminal Justice subcommittee chaired by Rep. Matt Gaetz signaled its desire to pass...view This Week in the Legislature - Environment and Agriculture Senate Agriculture Committee - This week the Committee heard presentations about the problems facing the oyster industry in Apalachicola Bay. The committee was briefed by Professor Karl Havens with the University of Florida...view House Select Committee on Claims Bills This committee met for the first time under the leadership of Chair James Grant (R - Hillsborough, Pinellas) and Co-Chair Gwyn Clarke-Reed (D -Broward). Chairman Grant stated that the committee will determine first if the claims...view This Week in the Legislature - Transportation As is customary during the interim committee weeks, various state agencies have been making presentations before House and Senate Committees. Among those presenting new and revised initiatives was the Florida Department of...view Pretrial Services Roundtable FAC co-sponsored a roundtable on Pretrial Services at the FSU College of Law on January 10, 2013. Stakeholders from around the state representing every segment of the criminal justice system met to discuss the current status of...view DJJ Secure Detention Workgroup The second meeting of the secure detention workgroup will be in Tallahassee on Friday, January 25, 2013. The purpose of the meeting is to continue discussing the ideas and concepts developed by the group at the December 7, 2012...view Growth Management The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) made a presentation to the Senate Community Affairs Committee on its Proportionate Share Calculation Report. The department was directed to develop the report following legislation...view Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics Seminar The Florida Bar s CLE Committee and the City, County and Local Government Law Section will be presenting a seminar on Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics at the University Center Club in Leon County on Friday, February 8...view Leadership Governance Work Group As a part of the year and a half long work of the most recent Bylaws Committee, that committee recommended an alteration to the Bylaws that would eliminate the office of President-Elect. There were several rationales for this...view FACTOR: New Commissioner Workshop On January 9-10 in Alachua County, FAC held its biennial New Commissioner Workshop. Over 50% of our newly elected Commissioners participated in this day and a half, in depth course. The course focused on a wide range of topics...view FACTOR: ACC 2012-13 Program In addition to the New Commissioner Orientation, FAC also held the second class of the 2012-13 ACC Program. Commissioners discussed, Leading Your Communities during Turbulent Times which focused on leadership...view NACo Prescription Drug Card Program Need help creating buzz and a new marketing strategy for the NACO Prescription Drug Card Program in your County? Look No further, NACo has done the ground work! The key to encouraging residents to participate is making them...view FAC Enterprise Programs FAC has a number of enterprise efforts that provide goods and services to county governments. Most of these programs are designed by counties, for counties, and have been so successful that they have been made available to other...view FPL Announces Plan for Natural Gas Pipeline In a presentation to the Public Service Commission, Florida Power and Light (FPL) announced a plan to add a major natural gas pipeline that would stretch from western Alabama across hundreds of miles of Florida to its plant in...view Florida Lawmakers Reintroduce Everglades Caucus With a new congressional class coming in, two South Florida representatives x Miami Republican Mario Diaz-Balart and Miramar Democrat Alcee Hastings x announced they are reintroducing the Everglades Caucus in the U.S...view Local Government Representative Needed: Department of Health Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems - Technical Review and Advisory Panel The Technical Review and Advisory Panel assists the DOH on rulemaking matters related to Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems. Pursuant to Florida Statute, this panel must include a representative from local government...view Cabinet Revives a Limited Florida Forever Program Governor Scott and the Florida Cabinet approved a list of conservation projects proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) using the $8.4 million that was budgeted by the Legislature last session. While this is...view Ground Water Protection Council Conference Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC), the national association of State Groundwater agencies. GWPC is holding an important event related to many important issues related to the protection of groundwater, January 22-24 in...view Attorney General Pam Bondi Reminds Affected Floridians to Timely Present Their Oil Pollution Act Claims TALLAHASSEE, Fla.x As the three-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill approaches, Attorney General Pam Bondi reminds affected Floridians to timely present their Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ( OPA ) claims....view Coca-Cola Takes Aim at Obesity This week our Company launches an unprecedented campaign to help America beat one of the most serious, complex issues of this generation - obesity. In a series of new advertisements, we re using our marketing power and scale...view Our New Year s Resolution for this year and the past 83 years: Home Rule! For more than 83 years, FAC has worked to preserve and protect home rule. Our mission is not based on politics, population or even policy - but simply that your commission should have the authority to make the decisions best for...view NEW COMMISSIONER WORKSHOP - January 9-10, 2013 It s not too late to register! Register today for the upcoming CCC class, the New Commissioner Workshop which will be held January 9-10, 2013 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Alachua County. This is...view Pretrial Services Roundtable On Thursday, January 10, 2013, from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., FAC, along with the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida State University Project for Accountable Justice and the FSU College of Law, as well as, the Criminal Justice...view AHCA Releases Final DRG Conversion Implementation Plan On January 2, AHCA released the final Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) Conversion Implementation Plan. Pursuant to s. 409.905. F.S., AHCA was required to develop a plan to convert Medicaid inpatient hospital rates from the existing...view Florida Health Kids Corporation Board Opening The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation (FHKC) has an opening for a FAC representative on its Board of Directors. FHKC administers the Florida Healthy Kids Program, which offers affordable health insurance coverage for children...view 2012 Florida County Government Guide - Now available Our Members asked for it, and we are pleased to present the second edition of the comprehensive guide on all aspects of Florida county government, including Florida s history, county government structure, leadership and...view NACo Brief: Impact to counties of Nfiscal cliff deal On New Year s Day, Congress approved legislation (H.R. 8) to address the year-end tax hikes and spending cuts known as the fiscal cliff. The measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives late on January 1...view Annual Editorial Board Visits Next week, FAC will start its annual visit to newspaper editorial boards across the state. This is an opportunity to share with local media the issues facing counties this legislative session and ask them to weigh in on behalf...view Gulf Consortium Meeting On January 18th, the Gulf Consortium will meet to elect its officers and plan its meetings for 2013.The meeting details are as follows:Weedon Island PreserveCultural and NaturalHistory Center1800 Weedon Drive NESt....view DJJ - Secure Detention On December 7, 2012, FAC, along with the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Department of Juvenile Justice convened a workgroup in Tallahassee to discuss the challenges of the current shared detention model and possible ways to...view Advocate for counties finalizes its legislative priorities Gainesville SunThe Florida Association of Counties has established its game plan for the state Legislature s 2013 session as the new year nears.FAC, which represents the interests of the state s 67 counties,...view There is an app for that! FAC Smartphone App FAC has launched its first smartphone App! Attendees at our legislative conference were able to test the app - which includes links to conference documents, a calendar of events, FAC News Clips and event FAC News amp; Notes...view This Week in the Florida Legislature This week, the Florida Legislature met for its first Interim Committee Week of the 2013 Session. Committees in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate gathered to review the charges for each committee and...view County Manager Group Formed Over 30 County Managers, Administrators, Assistant Managers and others gathered November 29th for a full day workshop in Sarasota. Held in conjunction with the FAC Legislative Conference, the workshop provided attendees with a...view New Commissioner Workshop - January 9-10, 2013 Register today for the next CCC class, the New Commissioner Workshop which will be held January 9-10, 2013 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Alachua County. ...view Legislative Conference: HHS Policy Committee The Health and Human Services Policy Committee met to finalize its legislative package in preparation for the 2013 legislative session. Medicaid dominated the discussion, including the potential impacts that the federal Patient...view Legislative Conference: FT A Policy Committee The FTA Policy Committee addressed a broad range of finance and tax issues affecting counties. One of the primary issues that garnered significant discussion was the future of the communications services tax. The committee...view Legislative Conference: GEPA Policy Committee The Growth, Environmental Planning and Agriculture (GEPA) Policy Committee met last week during the FAC Legislative Conference and took-up several policy issues important to counties. While growth management has historically been...view Legislative Conference: Urban Caucus The Urban Caucus committee met at FAC s Legislative Conference to discuss issues that were of particular importance to our larger counties. The hot issues were the Department of Corrections proposal to shift inmates...view Leg Conference: Rural Caucus The Rural Caucus was convened by Chair Scarlet Frisina from Columbia County. The Caucus introduced a large number of newly elected commissioners in attendance and welcomed them to the FAC family. The Caucus then heard a...view NEW COMMISSIONER ORIENTATION - November 28, 2012 During Legislative Conference, a New Commissioner Orientation was held for newly elected commissioners. During this orientation, FAC s newest members introduced themselves, met FAC staff and the Executive Board, and learned...view Senate Discusses the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act The Senate Select Committee on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) held its first meeting on Monday, as the Legislature begins to examine if and how Florida will implement certain provisions of the federal health...view EPA Releases New Beach Water Standards In an effort to provide states with stronger guidance, the Environmental Protection Agency this week issued its first new recreational water quality standards since 1986. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) currently tests...view Federal Snake Ban Stymied in Congress Burmese Pythons and other large snakes that have invaded the Everglades and are feasting on its endangered wildlife are Florida s problem and not cause for a nationwide ban, declared some Republicans in Congress last week...view 2012 Florida County Government Guide - Now available Our members asked for it, and we are pleased to present the second edition of the comprehensive guide on all aspects of Florida county government, including Florida s history, county government structure, leadership and...view Save the Date: 2013 NACo Legislative Conference The NACo Legislative Conference is being held March 2-6, 2013 in Washington, DC. This meeting brings together county officials from across the country to focus on legislative issues facing county government. Attendees from...view Nassau County Commissioner Barry Holloway Installed as FAC 2nd Vice President SARASOTA COUNTY, FL - Last week at the Florida Association of Counties 2013 Legislative Conference Nassau County Commissioner Barry Holloway was elected by fellow commissioners and installed as 2nd Vice President of the...view Legislative Conference: Public Safety Policy Committee The Public Safety committee engaged in very lively debates on several issues of concern facing our counties. One issue was the Department of Corrections (DOC) proposal to shift thousands of prison inmates back to county...view Leg Conf: Medicaid Workgroup The Medicaid Workgroup held its second in-person meeting during the FAC Legislative Conference in Sarasota County. With several newly elected commissioners in attendance, the Workgroup first received some background information...view EPA Issues NNC On November 30, 2012, EPA notified the federal court that it had met its deadlines consistent with the requirements of the Court Order and Consent Decree. EPA s actions have been called by some a split decision....view National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and CRS Webinar The Southeast and Caribbean Climate Community of Practice announces a webinar for Monday, November 26, 2012, 3-4 pm Eastern. The webinar will include information on how your community can use the FEMA Community Rating System to...view Florida Stormwater Association s Winter Conference Florida Stormwater Association s Winter Conference will be held this year December 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency, 211 North Tampa Street, Tampa, Florida. The Conference is expected to provide something for everyone with...view DEP to Hold Water Resource Implementation Rule Workshops Florida s Department of Environmental Protection is holding rule development workshops November 14-16 to discuss proposed changes to its Water Resource Implementation Rule (Chapter 62-40, Florida Administrative Code). The...view Primary Care Initiatives Receive Grant Funding from State The Agency for Health Care Administration announced on October 23 the recipients of $35 million in grant awards, available through the Low Income Pool program and appropriated by the Legislature last session, for new and existing...view State Proposes Monthly Fee for Medically Needy Program As part of the transition to Medicaid managed care, AHCA is in the process of requesting a new waiver from the federal government to charge Medically Needy patients a monthly fee for services. Currently, the Medically Needy...view DEP Seeks to Sell State Land in Order to Buy Land of Higher Value In its proposed budget for 2013-14, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says it wants to sell up to $50 million worth of state land in the coming fiscal year to buy more conservation land. DEP requested no...view South Florida Water Management District Seeks Flood Mitigation Projects The SFWMD recently held a Regional Flood Mitigation Workshop, at which information was provided regarding loan and grant programs available to help local governments to implement mitigation projects. ...view Water standards draw another legal challenge In the latest move in years of legal battling, environmental groups have challenged a Florida Department of Environmental Protection s plan for carrying out controversial water-quality standards. The Florida Wildlife...view Medicaid Workgroup The Medicaid Workgroup held a conference call on Tuesday, October 30, in which Workgroup members were updated on progress that has been made since the Workgroup s previous meeting at the Policy Conference in September. ...view 2012 Pre-Justice Summit Meeting - Juvenile Justice On Wednesday, November 14, the Smart Justice Alliance (http://smartjusticealliance.org/) is hosting a meeting to discuss current issues in the juvenile justice system, including, diversion, detention, transition and access to...view Juvenile Justice Town Hall Meetings Beginning, November 15, 2012, the Department of Juvenile Justice will begin hosting a series of town hall meetings across the State to roll out its Roadmap for System Excellence. The plan is designed to transform Florida s...view Fertilizer Preemption Likely to Return While the Association of Counties has played an important role in protecting home rule authority over the past several years, it is very likely that similar legislation will be introduced again this coming session. At the 2012...view Communications Services Tax (CST) Workgroup Meetings The Communications Services Tax Workgroup convened on Tuesday, October 16 and again on Wednesday, October 31 at the Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) offices to continue scheduled meetings. nbsp; The workgroup was created...view Leg Conf: Growth Management, Environmental Planning and Administration The 2012-2013 FAC Legislative Conference will be held November 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, Florida. This event is the final opportunity for the membership and Legislative Policy...view Important Finance and Tax Issues to be discussed at FAC Legislative Conference The Florida Association of Counties will convene its annual Legislative Conference during November 28th through November 30th, 2012 in Sarasota County at the Sarasota Hyatt. As a part of this conference, on Thursday, November...view Health Human Services Policy Committee The Health amp; Human Services Policy Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, November 28 at the Legislative Conference in Sarasota. Major topics of discussion for the committee include: changes to the current Medicaid...view Important Public Safety Issues to be discussed at FAC Legislative Conference The FAC Public Policy Committee will meet Thursday, November 29, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in the Sarasota GH Room of the Hyatt Regency. Staff will present on the pressing issues of the DJJ State/County Detention Cost Share Model, the...view FAC Ambassador Program We have 97 new commissioners who will take office in November. Our goal is to pair a veteran commissioner with each new commissioner. Can FAC count on you? FAC s Ambassador Program was created to help newly elected...view Welcome Florida s 98 new county commissioners! The New Commissioners Orientation Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 28 from 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota in Sarasota County.This program is designed to provide an overview of the...view Legislative Conference - HOTEL ALERT Legislative Conference is just around the corner (November 28-30). All commissioners and county staff are encouraged to attend. If you haven t registered yet, do so today! The hotel room block is now closed, but many...view Amendment 4 Defeated! Celebration for Florida s 67 counties, 410 cities and year round residents were in order on Tuesday night when Amendment 4 was soundly defeated. The Amendment which had many changes to Florida s property tax system,...view EPA s Brownfields Area-wide Pilot Program Register for the NALGEP Brownfield Communities Network webinar today and gain valuable information about the recently announced grant guidelines and Request for Proposals for the FY2013 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Program....view Florida Forever Conservation advocates led by former Florida governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham announced a citizens petition drive Thursday for a constitutional amendment to dedicate state funding annually for the acquisition and...view Sanibel to host fertilizer legislation workshop On October 29th at 1:00 p.m. and October 30th at 5:00 p.m., the City of Sanibel will be conducting training workshops at Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road. In response to reports indicating that the legislature will again seek...view National Association of State Departments of Agriculture asks EPA to Approve Florida s NNC Rule Citing the unilateral decision to impose numeric nutrient criteria in Florida and the federal lawsuit seeking similar action in the Mississippi River Basin, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)...view Long Range Program Plan for the State Courts System: FY13-14-FY17-18 The Florida Supreme Court released its strategic plan establishing the long-term focus of the Judicial Branch States Court System and outlining strategies to address issues evolving from past events and trends. The Long Range...view Communications Services Tax (CST) Workgroup - Upcoming Meeting (October 16, 2012) On Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 the Communications Services Tax (CST) Workgroup will continue its series of meetings. The working group will meet in Tallahassee at the Department of Revenue....view SAVE THE DATE - New Commissioner Orientation - November 28th Be sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming New Commissioner Orientation being offered to all new Commissioners from 12:30-5:00pm on Wednesday, November 28 during our Legislative Conference. ...view Let FAC Talk to Your Community on Amendment 4 This week, FAC s Communication Director Cragin Mosteller traveled to around Florida to speak against Amendment 4. Ms. Mosteller presented to the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte Sun editorial editor...view Watching TaxWatch: 2010 TaxWatch Report Contradicts 2012 TaxWatch Report Which TaxWatch report do you believe? That s the question being asked by the opponents of Amendment 4, who point to a 2010 report in Florida TaxWatch concluding that Amendment 4-style assessment caps result in fewer...view Legislative Conference - Register Today! FAC s Legislative Conference will be held November 28-30 in Sarasota County. All commissioners and county staff are encouraged to join us as we finalize our policy process for the 2013 Legislative Session. This is your...view FPL joins with Miami-Dade County to expand solar energy, enhance environmental protections and pursue advanced technologies for the futureFlorida Power amp; Light Company and Miami-Dade County announced plans to collaborate on innovative energy and environmental improvements over the next several years.The plans include: adding more than 1 million solar panels across Miami-Dade; creating an advanced reclaimed water system that would enable the reuse of up to 60 million gallons a day of County wastewater; enhancing and extending the carbon-free energy capacity and environmental restoration work at FPL’s Turkey Point power generation complex; and developing high-tech transportation-related improvement projectsview Tree Trimming ResolutionA resolution strongly opposing the passage of Senate Bill 574 and House Bill 521 which would preempt local tree protection ordinances such as those currently in place in the city of Jacksonville; Directing Legislative services to circulation the resolution to the Florida Legislative; providing an effective date.view North-Central Florida region selected for the 8th ACE exchange!The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE), organized by the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC), is a six-day, high-level tour that showcases successful examples of entrepreneurship, innovation, strategic investments and public-private partnerships from a specific region/country that contribute to the economic development at the local, national, and regional levels.This year, the North-Central Florida region has been selected for the 8th ACE exchange on December 3-9, 2017, which will bring 50 economic and political decision makers from across the Americas and beyond together for a tour of the innovative hubs, leading firms, and educational and research institutions in six Florida communities: Orlando/Orange County, Space Coast, Flagler County, St. Augustine, Gainesville, and Tallahassee-Leon County.view Leg Bulletin: Hurricane Irma MariaHurricane response and recovery issues continue to receive significant attention in Tallahassee. In the legislature, no less the six committees held meetings on the impacts of Hurricane Irma, including the Senate Appropriations Committee.view Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail program Regional Trail System and Individual Trail project solicitationThe Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is soliciting new proposals for funding Regional Trail System and Individual Trail projects through the Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail program for inclusion in the Tentative Five Year Work Program development cycle. Projects programmed for this cycle will be funded as early as Fiscal Years 2023/2024.view Procurement Disaster Assistance Training Webinar The State of Florida, in coordination with FEMA, is providing four webinar-based training sessions on Procurement of Disaster Assistance for city/county leaders on Monday, September 25. The sessions will consist of 15 minutes of presentation and 45 minutes for questions and answers. Primary participants should be those with responsibilities including purchasing, finance and contracts in addition to city/ county leaders.view Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi: Debris Removal Stalemate UnacceptableAfter hearing several complaints from county administrators, city mayors and other local elected officials about debris removal contractors not performing their duties to remove debris in accordance with their pre-storm contracts, Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi released the following statement. Governor Scott is calling on debris removal companies from Florida and across the country who are willing to help at a fair price to contact the Florida Department of Transportation.view FSA Cooperative Purchasing Program Delayed Bid ReviewHurricane Irma cause the Cooperative Purchasing Program to delay the bid review and award for the 2017-18 vehicles and heavy equipment contracts.  The Florida Association of Counties partners with the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) to provide counties, sheriffs and other local governments with low cost products that have been competitively procured so that purchasing departments can focus on getting the right equipment not the contract process.  The Florida Association of Counties benefits when the county purchases off this contract – reinvesting in the programs that support county government.view NEW FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION DERELICT VESSEL INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURESThe State of Florida has recently invested $1.5 million for a second year to be issued by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) as grants to local governments to remove derelict vessels from public waters of the State! The Commission intends to advertise the new grant funding opportunity in November 2017.view Corporate Supports Counties after HurricaneThere are many resources available to counties to help keep the business of local government running after a disaster strikes. The National Association of Counties has compiled a list of partner companies who are available to help Florida recover. view Volunteer Florida Thanks Aetna Foundation for $50,000 Donation to Florida Disaster FundVolunteer Florida today thanked the Aetna Foundation for its generous donation of $50,000 to the Florida Disaster Fund, which was activated by Governor Scott to aid those impacted by Hurricane Irma. The Florida Disaster Fund, administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities in times of disaster.view Nationwide Foundation donate $500k to American Red CrossOn the heels of Harvey, the American Red Cross is now helping southeastern U.S. residents as recovery begins following Irma. In support of these efforts, the Nationwide Foundation has announced an additional $500,000 contribution to the American Red Cross. This is in addition to the recent $500,000 contribution in response to Harvey, for a total of $1 million committed.view Nationwide Emergency ReliefOn September 12th the IRS granted relief to taxpayers who have been adversely affected by Hurricane Irma and who have retirement assets in qualified employer plans that they would like to alleviate hardships caused by Hurricane Irma.   Nationwide intends to comply with IRS relief for victims of Hurricane Irma and will implement our expedited Unforeseeable Emergency (UE) process.view Duke Energy announces estimated power restoration times for FloridaDuke Energy has announced power restoration times for specific areas in Florida following the damage from Hurricane Irma.The company has restored power to more than 375,000 customers. It is currently reporting an estimated 1 million customers without power as of mid-day Tuesday. Crews will continue to work non-stop to safely and quickly restore service.view Aetna: We’re with youHelp for Aetna members and customers in areas affected by Hurricane IrmaDue to Hurricane Irma, and the expected impact to Florida, people may have had to leave their homes. As a result, we are making it easier for our members to refill prescriptions and obtain necessary care.  All Florida counties are impacted. Federal District Court Rejects Obama Overtime RuleTexas Federal District Judge Amos Mazzant has entered a ruling invalidating the overtime regulations proposed by Obama’s Department of Labor (DOL). The regulations, which were adopted on May 23, 2016 and which were previously scheduled to go into effect on December 1, 2016, raised the salary threshold for “white collar exemptions” to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)’s overtime provisions from $23,550 annually to $47,476 annually.view EPA Irma Update: Regions 2 and 4 Taking Precautions, Activating Emergency Response TeamsEPA is continuing preparations for Hurricane Irma, which is expected to hit Southern Florida, serviced by EPA Region 4. Irma has already made landfall in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, covered by EPA Region 2. The Agency is in the process of securing and assessing Superfund sites; compiling data for regulated facilities; granting fuel waivers to help stabilize prices at the pump and ensure emergency vehicles have access to fuel; and, preparing for infrastructure assessments and environmental sampling following the storm.view Duke EnergyDuke Energy has spent more than $2.4 billion since 2004 maintaining and strengthening its Florida power delivery system, including inspecting and replacing poles and trimming vegetation and trees. The company also invests in advanced technologies to transform the energy grid into a dynamic system to automatically detect, isolate and reroute power when a problem occurs.view EPA Approves Emergency Fuel Waiver for FloridaPlease see below regarding the approval of an emergency fuel waiver request by Administrator Pruitt in preparation for Hurricane Irma. We are working diligently with Region 4 to secure 22 current or former National Priorities List Superfund sites. The Administrator and the Region are also reviewing information about drinking and waste water systems in areas that may be affected and have staff standing by to help support the State of Florida if federal assistance is needed. We are also in touch with the State Emergency Operations Center and Governor Scott and are prepared to assist you where needed. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be helpful from my role at the EPA. view McDonough v. Fernandez-Rundle and the Eleventh Circuit’s Approach to Surreptitiously Recorded Meetings With Public OfficialsThe Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in McDonough v. Fernandez-Rundle[1] has immediate and profound implications for public sector officials. On February 7, 2014, a local citizen, James McDonough, met with Homestead Police Department (“HPD”) Police Chief, Alexander Rolle, to discuss complaints he had regarding a HPD officer. Unknown to Chief Rolle, Mr. McDonough used his cell phone to secretly record the conversation, which he subsequently distributed through the Internet. McDonough did not provide advance notice of his intent, and did not seek Chief Rolle’s permission to record the conversation.view CCC/CGEP WORKSHOP - UNDERSTANDING CHARTER GOVERNMENT – SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Registration for the upcoming Policy Committee Conference will open soon. Included in the registration fee is the opportunity to attend an elective workshop on Understanding Charter Government. You won’t want to miss this workshop on Friday morning. The state constitution provides Floridians the power to restructure their county government through the development of a county charter subject to approval by the electorate.view Submit Your Policy Ideas OnlineThe 2018 Legislative Session is approaching quickly and the FAC policy process has begun.Do you have a concern that you think we should be advocating on? A different approach to an issue we’re already advocating on? Tell us about it! Follow the link below to submit a policy proposal and your idea will be considered during the FAC Policy Conference and the FAC Legislative Conference for inclusion in next session’s policy program.view THE ACC APPLICATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON AUGUST 15, 2017Registration for the ACC Program will be available on August 15. Before you apply to attend the ACC program, please check your calendars to ensure that you may attend all 3 sessions which are required to graduate from the ACC Program. In order to apply for the ACC Program, you must be a CCC graduate. The tuition fee for the ACC Program is $450, which covers the cost of all three sessions as well as the group dinner on Thursday night, breakfast on Friday morning, and lunch on Friday afternoon (AND drinks and snacks during the sessions).view 2017 Online Ethics, Public Records Sunshine Law Workshop Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers are state mandated to take four hours of ethics programming each calendar year. This workshop is open to Commissioners, County Staff and all other Constitutional Officers. Participants who complete this workshop in its entirety will receive 6 core credits toward the CCC Certification as well as fulfill their 2017 Ethics requirement for the state. Since 1996, as part of FAC s Certified County Commissioner (CCC) Program, FAC has offered a comprehensive 6 hour mandatory Ethics, Public Records amp; Sunshine Law Course. Our existing course meets the requirements addressed in state law.view Charlotte High Grad Receives 2017 FAC Presidential Scholarship AwardFAC President and Charlotte County Commissioner Christopher Constance, M.D., presented Evan Flores, Charlotte High School graduate, with a $2,000 Presidential Scholarship during a Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, July 11. Flores will use the money to pursue degrees in biochemistry and political science at Florida State University.view Annual Conference WorkshopsThe 2017 FAC Annual Conference has 18 workshops focused on the most pressing legislative issues, latest technologies and trends, and so many other issues of importance to counties. We’ve asked the experts to come together in one location to inform and discuss these important and complex issues with attendees.view FAC Annual Conference Green Cay Mobile WorkshopTuesday, June 27 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.Experience public transit, water reclamation, natural wetland habitat and the creation of affordable housing in a single one-stop mobile workshopTake a ride on one of Palm Tran’s newest buses to learn about the latest technology advances in transit as we head to the Green Cay Nature Center, the county s nature center that overlooks 100 acres of constructed wetland habitat.view 2nd Annual “Speed-Dating” with State AgenciesMore and more the state is working with local communities to attract and grow businesses to Florida. Counties are as important as ever in the fast-changing economic and community development sector. For the second year, officials from the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Department of Transportation (DOT) and Enterprise Florida will be available Wednesday and Thursday during FAC’s Annual Conference for individual appointments to discuss your county’s priority projects.view FAC Celebration Dinner - Reserve your tickets today!If you are attending FAC’s Annual Conference, make sure you have also reserved your space at our inaugural Celebration Dinner Thursday evening. Purchase your tickets now to support FAC’s Florida Counties Foundation, our CCC amp; ACC graduates and FAC’s incoming President Commissioner Chris Constance.viewCommissioners and other Constitutional Officers are state mandated to take four hours of ethics programming each calendar year. This workshop is open to Commissioners, County Staff and all other Constitutional Officers. Participants who complete this workshop in its entirety will receive 6 core credits toward the CCC Certification as well as fulfill their 2017 Ethics requirement for the state. view EPA and Corps to hold conference call on “Waters of the U.S.” rulemaking with NACo membersOn June 12 at 12:00pm EDT, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has scheduled a conference call for NACo members to discuss their upcoming rewrite of the 2015 “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule under the requirements of Executive Order (EO) 13132—Federalism. EO 13132 requires federal agencies to consult with elected state and local government officials (or their respective national organizations) on yet-to-be-proposed rules that impact state and local governments. This call is ideal for those counties that want to learn more about the WOTUS rule rewrite and/or for counties who plan to submit comments on the rewrite.view U.S. Communities Saves Counties Money in the War on Opioid OverdosesGovernor Rick Scott recently directed the Florida Surgeon General to issue a standing order for Naloxone to ensure that first responders across the state have immediate access to treat opioid overdoses. County governments can purchase Naloxone and a nasal spray version called NARCAN at discounts up to 40% through the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. NARCAN is the only FDA-approved, needle-free version of the overdose antidote.view Registration is Open for June Ethics WorkshopDuring the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year.  This workshop is open to Commissioners, County Staff and all other Constitutional Officers.  Participants who complete this workshop in its entirety will receive 6 Core Credits toward the CCC Certification as well as fulfill their 2017 Ethics requirement for the Legislature. County Staff will earn 6 hours of Core Credit for the County Government Education Program and Torchbearers will receive 25 points.view County Government Education Program now available for county staffMany of our members have asked for a program for county staff to attend to get their County Government Education.  The wait is now over!  The first three classes were held in conjunction with Legislative Day last week in Leon County.  If you were unable to join us for these three events last week, don’t worry.  We will be offering Ethics in June and November as well as again in March and June of next year, and Growth Management and Financial Management will both be offered again next March, so you have plenty of time to get those core credits and still be a part of the first class to be recognized in June of 2018 as successfully completing the County Government Education Program. view Ginger Delegal Confirmed as FAC Executive DirectorThe FAC Board of Directors confirmed Virginia Ginger Delegal as FAC Executive Director during FAC s annual Legislative Day last week. Selected by the FAC Executive Committee in February, Ginger s confirmation is one step further in her permanent placement as FAC Executive Director. As directed by the Board, FAC President, Kathy Bryant, and Immediate Past President, Barbara Sharief, will begin contract negations.  Once terms of the contract are finalized it will go before the Board of Directors for final approval.view Special Invitation: NACo Small Group Transportation Peer ExchangeIn a continued partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the National Association of Counties invites you to attend an invitation-only, small group peer exchange event.  This upcoming session will provide county leaders with the opportunity to explore exciting new developments in transportation, infrastructure and economic development, and develop strategies to leverage these innovations to promote local and regional prosperity. view GOV. RICK SCOTT APPOINTS MEMBERS TO FLORIDA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSIONToday, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of 14 members to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) in accordance with Article XI, Section II of the Florida Constitution. The Governor appointed Carlos Beruff as Chairman of the Commission on Wednesday. The 37–member Commission convenes every 20 years to review Florida’s Constitution and propose potential changes to be approved by Florida voters. viewTallahassee, Fla., Mar. 3, 2017 – In a major victory for the City of Largo with implications for municipalities around the state, the Florida Supreme Court in a 6-0 decision yesterday upheld Largo’s right to accept payments in lieu of taxes from a nonprofit organization that owns an affordable housing community in the City.viewRegister now for this hands-on, 3.5-day workshop that will introduce you to basic GIS knowledge and skills for real world applications!For more information or to register visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gis-workshop-may-1st-4th-2017-tickets-30519044283Florida Sea Grant and the University of Florida IFAS Extension invite you to register for this 3.5-day intensive workshop on ArcGIS 10.4, a powerful tool for managing natural resources and guiding growth and development processes.You will be introduced to ArcGIS Desktop, the primary product used by professionals to compile, analyze, and manage geographic information.You will learn the most commonly used GIS skills in the industry today by completing “real-world” exercises that will build your confidence using GIS, increase your awareness about GIS data sources, and help you explore GIS tools to enhance your program and research projects.view Derelict Vessel Removal Funding Final Opportunity AnnouncementThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is currently announcing the final 2016/2017 opportunity to apply for Derelict Vessel (DV) Removal funds.  The application period for the final DV funding opportunity will begin on February 8, 2017, and run on a first-come, first-served basis. Approximately $399,000 in remaining derelict vessel removal funds are available to state, county and city governments.  Applications received after April 30, 2017, will not be eligible for consideration.  The Commission Derelict Vessel Final Removal Funding Opportunity Program application and guidelines may be downloaded at http://www.MyFWC.com/DVGrant.  You may also receive the guidelines and application by contacting Phil Horning at (850) 617-9540 or via email Phil.Horning@MyFWC.com.view 2017 Financial Management Workshop This course provides guidance for commissioners to better manage their county s fiscal affairs. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the state s fiscal trends, budgeting process, revenue sources available to their counties and the what, when and how to issue debt.  Participants who complete this workshop in its entirety will receive 6 core credits toward the CCC Certification.   Torchbearers will receive 25 points.view 2017 Growth Management WorkshopThis course is designed to give commissioners an understanding of the history of land use planning in Florida and how we got where we are today. Participants will learn the realities of implementing comprehensive plans including how amendments, development approvals, and exceptions should be handled. Participants who complete this workshop in its entirety will receive 6 core credits toward the CCC Certification, Torchbearers will receive 25 points for full attendance. view 2017 Ethics, Public Records Sunshine Laws Workshop During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year.  This workshop is open to Commissioners, County Staff and all other Constitutional Officers.  Participants who complete this workshop in its entirety will receive 6 core credits toward the CCC Certification as well as fulfill their 2017 Ethics requirement for the Legislature.view FAC Now Offers Staffing Solutions for Counties Through U.S. Communities PartnershipU.S. Communities has announced a dual award for a new staffing services and solutions contract. The contract was awarded to Acro Service Corporation and Knowledge Services through a competitive solicitation process conducted by lead public agency, Maricopa County, AZ. The contract offers counties and other agencies savings on staffing services, as well as recruitment, payroll and temp-to-hire services. The contract term is for three years with the option to extend the contract for six additional periods of one year each. To learn more about each contract and the solutions available, register for complimentary 30-minute webinars on February 8 amp; 9.view New Commissioner Workshop – February 1-2, 2017The Florida Association of Counties is pleased to offer an educational workshop designed specifically for newly elected commissioners.  Mark your calendars for the New Commissioner Workshop on February 1-2, 2017 in Alachua County at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center.  This in-depth, 1½ day workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1 and ends with a reception on the evening of Thursday, February 2. view Corporate Partner Spotlight: FBMCFBMC Benefits Management, Inc. (FBMC), an industry leader for more than 38 years, provides comprehensive employee benefits management. FBMC affords employers customized solutions, including brokerage of voluntary/core products, benefits education and communications, enrollment management, and administrative and compliance services. It partners with only “best in industry” insurance providers with A- and above ratings. FBMC is headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida, with on-site client field offices throughout the United States. For more information about FBMC, visit www.fbmc.com and www.fbmclearningcenter.com.view Corporate Partner Spotlight: Florida Power LightFlorida Power amp; Light Company Wins National Award for Electric Reliability Excellence in the U.S. for Second Consecutive YearAt FPL, we understand how much you depend on your electric service. When you flip the switch, you expect the lights to come on. We agree.That’s why we’re committed to building a stronger, smarter grid to deliver electricity you can count on in good weather and bad. FPL has improved its service reliability by approximately 25 percent over the past five years and our service ranks among the best nationwide – 99.98 percent reliable. But we’re never satisfied. We work year-round to improve your service even more.view The FAC Office: Your Home Office in the Capital CountyThe FAC office should always be thought of as your home away from home when you are in Tallahassee and we hope that you will take the opportunity to stop in while you are here. We have a work station set up in case you need to check emails, make a phone call or print documents. And with a little warning, we even have conference space available if you need to host a meeting while you are here. This is your office and you are welcome any time!view Corporate Partner Enterprise Program Spotlight: Nationwide Since its inception in 1980, the National Association of Counties Deferred Compensation Program has become the largest supplemental retirement income program available to county employees. Through a partnership with NACo, Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS), and FAC, Florida counties can offer employees access to this premier Section 457 Deferred Compensation Program.view Miami-Dade Leads the Way to U. S. Communities Contract for Waste and Recycling SolutionThe U.S. Communities Purchasing Alliance has awarded Rehrig Pacific Company a multi-year contract to provide waste carts, recycling carts and related products and services to local governments. This contract was awarded through a competitive solicitation process conducted by lead public agency Miami-Dade County. The initial contract term is for five years through September 30, 2021, with the option to renew the contract for five additional one year periods. view FAC Medical Marijuana SummitJoin local government officials from across the state to discuss the issues surrounding the legalization of medical marijuana and implementation of Amendment 2 in Florida. In accordance with our mission, FAC is focusing on education and collaboration to bring together industry and policy experts to provide insight into Florida’s emerging medical marijuana industry, discuss challenges arising in other states, provide alternative approaches to local regulations, and an update on proposed legislation and state rulemaking.  view New Commissioner Workshop – February 1-2, 2017The Florida Association of Counties is pleased to offer an educational workshop designed specifically for newly elected commissioners.  Mark your calendars for the New Commissioner Workshop on February 1-2, 2017 in Alachua County at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center.  This in-depth, 1½ day workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1 and ends with a reception on the evening of Thursday, February 2. view Have you completed your Ethics requirement for 2016 yet? FAC offers the solution for your last minute 2016 Ethics needs – the ONLINE Ethics Workshop!  Just $75.During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year.  For the last twenty years, FAC has offered a mandatory Ethics course as part of FAC’s Certified County Commissioner (CCC) Program that meets the requirements addressed in this legislation.  FAC continues to offer this course and has added several programming options to make it convenient for Commissioners, County Staff and Constitutional Officers to complete this Ethics, Public Records amp; Sunshine Law requirement.  You will receive certificates of Completion once you attend the entire workshop. view FACT Board Welcomes New MembersDuring the December Annual Meeting of the Florida Association of Counties Trust (FACT), the Board of Trustees approved four new members, and re-elected one member for another term. In total, five new Trustees have joined the FACT Board following the 2016 election cycle. They are Commissioner Bill Chapman (Walton), Commissioner Rob Williamson (Santa Rosa), Commissioner Henry Dean (St. Johns), Commissioner Buddy Mansfield (Desoto), and County Attorney Michael Mullin (Nassau). Commissioner Ralph Thomas (Wakulla) was re-elected to serve another term on the Board. Congratulations to these new Board members, and thank you for your service. For a complete listing of the Board of Trustees, visit: http://www.fact-insurance.com/. view Local Government Solutions: Why Public Sector Employers Should Consider Employee Health CentersLocal governments and public school boards across the country are investing in health and wellness centers to serve their employees. The centers are designed so that employees like firemen, policemen and teachers can get the care they need to stay healthy. Meanwhile, it turns out that health centers that are dedicated to public servants save taxpayers a lot of money. And they do it the old fashioned way – the “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” way.view House proposal kicks off flood insurance debate The House Financial Services Committee is taking a first step toward tackling a must-do item on next year s agenda: reauthorizing The National Flood Insurance Program.Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, the Missouri Republican who chairs the housing and insurance subcommittee, is circulating among Republican members for discussion this week a set of principles he hopes will guide the debate around updating the government insurance arm and strengthening the private flood insurance market.view NACo Update on Labor Overtime RuleFederal Judge Blocks Overtime Rule From Moving Forward on Dec. 1 Start Date On November 22, Texas U.S. Disrict Court Judge Amos Mazzant issued a nationwide temporary injunction, blocking the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) from implementing new overtime pay rules scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2016. Twenty-one states and dozens of business groups had filed suit in the eastern district of Texas to stop DOL from implementing rules that they say would substantially increase employment costs.viewThe Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Five, invites you to provide your comments to FDOT by participating in the Five-Year Tentative Work Program Public Hearing. The Tentative Work Program for fiscal years July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2022 which covers project development and environmental, preliminary engineering, right of way acquisition, construction, and public transportation projects for Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia Counties and includes Florida Turnpike Enterprise projects in these counties.view Legislative Conference - It s not too late to register!Legislative Conference is just around the corner – county commissioners and staff will soon be coming together to decide the 2017 legislative priorities for Florida s 67 counties.  Make sure the voice of your county is heard and register today!  Online registration is open until next Wednesday, November 23rd.  After this date, you will need to register on-site (at the higher on-site rate). On-site registration will be open on Tuesday, 11/29 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, 11/30 at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace in the Great Hall Foyer.  We hope you have Happy Thanksgiving and look forward to seeing you in Orange County!view Ethics Workshop - Have you completed your Ethics requirement for 2016 yet? Have you completed your Ethics requirement for 2016 yet? It’s almost December 1st!  Don’t wait until December 31st to get your Ethics for 2016.  Sign up TODAY!FAC offers the solution for your 2016 Ethics needs --ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops!  Both are available at the new lower price of $75.During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year.view Gold Corporate Partner Spotlight: Clarke Clarke has been a Corporate Partner with FAC for many years, but recently we have relied on them more than ever to help distribute the best and most current updates and research on Zika. While some parts of Florida have the cooler weather coming in, others are still a threat to breeding mosquitoes and the continued spreading of this virus.But Clarke is here to help! Did you know on their website you can view current information including media items to help you, including their online Zkit! From press releases to social media posts, they are here to help guide you through this  time.view Counties Impacted by Revenue Limitations and Unfunded Mandates Counties fiscally constrained amid rising service mandatesWASHINGTON — States increasingly limit counties’ capacity to raise adequate revenue to fund their activities. At the same time, state and federal governments are imposing more mandates on counties, without providing adequate funding, new research from the National Association of Counties (NACo) shows.view New Research Highlights Freight Rail s Economic ImpactFreight rail stands as a pillar of the U.S. economy–moving cargo, serving businesses and enriching our way of life. In particular, freight railroads distinguish themselves on infrastructure from other modes because they’re paying to maintain and enhance their lines with little help from taxpayers.view Federal NewsHouse Oversight Committee Report Finds Politicization of WOTUS RulemakingOn October 27, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released a staff report detailing findings from its two-year investigation into the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rulemaking process. The report alleges that pressure from the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led to a rulemaking that was a case study in legal shortcuts, predetermined conclusions, and politically motivated timelines.view Enterprise Partner Spotlight: Boston MutualThis year, Boston Mutual is celebrating 125 years of service! FAC is proud to offer our member counties guaranteed whole life insurance through a company that has stood through the test of time. Through a partnership with Boston Mutual and The Lee Group, FAC is able to offer counties and their employees guaranteed whole life insurance with rates typically reserved for large organizations. view Ethics Workshop - Have you completed your Ethics requirement for 2016 yet? FAC offers the solution for your 2016 Ethics needs --ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops!  Both are available at the new lower price of $75.During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year.  For the last twenty years, FAC has offered a mandatory Ethics course as part of FAC’s Certified County Commissioner (CCC) Program that meets the requirements addressed in this legislation. view Florida Association of Counties Trust Helping Counties Manage RiskCommissioners and staff from more than 10 counties attended the annual Risk Management Conference hosted by the Florida Association of Counties Trust (FACT), October 20-21. The conference offers free training for Trust participants from industry experts on risk management issues. Issues addressed at this year s conference included current topics in employment law, public records requests and violence in the workplace. Conference participants were also treated to a special guest presentation by legendary football coach Bobby Bowden who spoke about Leading a Winning Team. view FAC Corporate Partner Working with Counties to Combat ZikaMosquito control product and service provider, Clarke, has responded to the serious Zika public health threat by creating a unique public-private partnership model called the “Z-Kit.” The goal behind the effort is to help counties, municipalities, and mosquito abatement districts engage residents in the back yard Zika. This is the only way we will defeat Zika is by partnering with citizens and empowering them to take action.view Don t get left in the dark - Register for Legislative Conference today!In five short weeks, county commissioners and staff will be coming together to decide the 2017 legislative priorities for Florida s 67 counties.  Make sure the voice of your county is heard and register today!New Commissioner WorkshopA special shout out to: Citrus, Gulf, Martin and Polk counties for already registering newly elected commissioners to attend! There won t be a lot of time between swearing in and the conference so make sure to sign up your newly elected commissioners as soon as possible!view Sayfie Review s Florida Leaders SummitAn Invitation to Members of the Florida Association of CountiesOn November 17-18 in Orlando, Sayfie Review will host its fourth Florida Leaders Summit, a non-partisan event for Florida s top leaders, modeled after the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This is your personal, non-transferable invitation to the Summit.view Ambassadors needed for the 2016 ElectionIt’s that time of year again!  Elections are coming and we need Commissioners who are willing to serve as mentors for our incoming Commissioners in November.  We could have another large class of newly elected members joining us in November and it would be great if we could assign each newly elected Commissioner with a current FAC member willing to guide them through that first year.  If you are interested in serving as an Ambassador for FAC for the coming year, please complete this form letting us know your preferences and we will add you to the list to be paired with an incoming newly elected commissioner. view Energy Roadmaps in K-12 Schools Can Help Improve Air Quality and Bottom LineK-12 schools in the United States spend more than $8 billion annually on energy. It is the second-highest operating expenditure for schools after personnel costs. By working with a partner to create an energy roadmap, schools can outline and prioritize solutions for an improved classroom environment. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 15,000 schools across the nation are circulating unfit air. Find out how U.S. Communities partner Trane is helping local governments improve classroom environments using energy maps. Read more. view FAC Offers Financing Solutions to Help Counties After the StormRecovery from the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew will likely to take weeks and months in counties along Florida’s east coast. FAC has a number of resources to assist counties impacted by the damaging effects of the storm. The Florida Local Government Finance Program (FLGFP) is one solution you can count on. Administered by FAC, FLGFP provides flexible, low-interest, short- to medium-term loans backed by tax exempt commercial paper. view Clinic Tour Showcases Best Practice Health Solutions for Local Government EmployeesFAC and Enterprise Partner Healthstat co-hosted an onsite employee health clinic tour last week in Polk County.  The City of Lakeland employee clinic, managed by Healthstat, hosted four counties interested in learning more about how onsite employee clinics work. Representatives from Hillsborough, Sarasota, Highlands and Manatee counties attended the tour.  In addition to the City of Lakeland, Polk County and the Polk County School District also have onsite employee clinics managed by Healthstat.view April is National County Government Month!!National County Government Month (NCGM), held each April, is an annual celebration of county government. For the past 25 years, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has encouraged counties to promote county services and programs during the month of April.view FAC to Hold NFIP Reauthorization Meeting in TallahasseeIn light of the unexpected consequences of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Act and the issues left unaddressed by the 2014 Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act, FAC’s Federal Policy Committee has taken steps to ensure Florida’s issuesview FAC Enterprise Program Saves Counties Time and Money!What if we told you that you could save time and money on purchases you are currently making with multiple well-respected suppliers that you already work with? nbsp; All of this while utilizing a contract held by another public agency that has alr...view FAC Welcomes You to the Capitol County!Many of you will be traveling to Tallahassee during the 2016 Legislative Session and we want you to know you have an open invitation. The FAC office should always be thought of as your home away from home when you are in the Capitol County and we ...view Federal Grant OpportunitiesFY 2016 Cooperative Agreement to Benefit Homeless Individuals - nbsp;The nbsp;purpose of this program is to enhance and/or expand the infrastructure and mental health and substance use treatment services of states, local ...view Legislative Day HighlightsGovernor Scott will deliver the opening remarks on Wednesday morning at the Legislative Briefing, launching FAC s Legislative Day! nbsp;The Governor will welcome commissioners to Tallahassee and address his priorities for economic development and...view From East to West, FAC s Finance Program Has Florida Counties CoveredThanks to FAC rsquo;s low-cost, low-interest, financing option available through the Florida Local Government Finance Program (FLGFP), two counties are addressing important needs in their communities. On Florida rsquo;s west coast, Sarasota County...view FAC Partners with Polk to Promote Discount CardFAC staff recently partnered with Polk County to help promote the Prescription Discount Card Program at their employee health fair. Through the partnership, participating Florida counties can offer residents and county employees free discount card...view Legislative Day - Registration is OpenEach nbsp;year during the height of the Legislative Session, FAC hosts our Legislative Day. Commissioners and staff are encouraged to come to Tallahassee to assist in the lobbying efforts to protect home rule and prevent unfunded mandates. ...view Legislative Day - Book Your Hotel Room NowThe demand for hotel rooms in the downtown area near the Capitol continues to increase as do the room rates. In an effort to allow attendees to book the hotel that works best for their budget, FAC is providing a list of hotels in Tallahassee and y...view Corporate Partner Spotlight: Nabors, Giblin Nickerson, Attorneys at LawNabors, Giblin and Nickerson (NG amp;N) is a law firm which limits its practice to representing local governments. The practice of NG amp;N is divided into the following practice areas: Public Finance, Local Government Law, Litigation and Appellat...view Have You Checked Out FAC s Online Buyer s Guide?In September, FAC launched its new Buyer rsquo;s Guide! The purpose of this guide is to provide products and services for county government professionals through a year-round online resource. This will be an efficient way to browse for goods and s...view Legislative Day Sponsorships Now Available! On February 3rd, the Florida Association of Counties will host its annual Legislative Day in Tallahassee, FL. This two day event will bring together over 200 county commissioners, county lobbyists and other senior staff to discuss items...view FAC Offers Low-Cost Finance Solutions that Work for Local GovernmentAs Florida rsquo;s economy shows signs of improvement, local governments are reconsidering infrastructure and capital improvement projects that were put on hold a few years ago. Projects such as roads, libraries, courthouses, water and sewer impro...view 2016 FAC Calendar! Winners Announced!This week the Florida Association of Counties unveiled the photo winners for the 2016 FAC Calendar. nbsp; With close to 500 photos submitted under our theme of Awesome Weather the competition was fierce. nbsp; With Florida rsquo;s spectacular thunder...view FAC Legislative Priorities OnlineLast week the membership met at the 2015 Legislative Conference in Nassau County to vote on FAC s legislative platform for the 2016 Legislative Session. nbsp;Due to the accelerated session, this year that saw committee weeks beginning in October,...view Three Forms of County GovernmentThe Evolution of County Government Structure: A seven part series Part four in our seven part series from The Florida County Government Guide...view Senator Bill Nelson to speak at Legislative ConferenceAttend the Closing Session Breakfast to ensure that your voice is heard! The first order of business will be for the membership to consider and approve FAC rsquo;s final policy statements; these statements guide FAC rsquo;s efforts during the 20...view Just a reminder: you are required to take four hours of Ethics education each calendar year!FAC offers the solution--ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops! During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional...view Enterprise Committee Chair Announces MembersEnterprise Committee Chair Alan Maio, Sarasota County Commissioner, recently named the members of the committee. The committee will work with FAC staff to evaluate current and potential programs and partnerships to ensure they provide outstandin...view FACT Risk Management Conference is Huge Success!On October 29 amp; 30, the Florida Association of Counties Trust (FACT) hosted its Annual Risk Management and Educational Conference in St. Augustine in St. John rsquo;s County. We had an amazing turnout with more than 120 in attendance. ...view Training in GIS Applications for Natural Resource ManagementRegister now for this hands-on, 3.5-day workshop that will introduce you to basic GIS knowledge and skills for real world applications! nbsp; December 14...view Ron Littlepage to Speak at Legislative ConferenceThe Florida Times Union Op-Ed Columnist, Ron Littlepage, will be the guest speaker at Thursday rsquo;s luncheon during the upcoming Legislative Conference (November 18-20 in Nassau County). nbsp; Ron rsquo;s columns often criticize and sometime pr...view Three Forms of County GovernmentThe Evolution of County Government Structure: A seven part series. nbsp;Part three in our seven part series from ...view FEMA Seeks Comments on Proposed Stafford Act Section 705 PolicyFEMA seeks public comments from state, local, tribal and territorial governments, private non-profit organizations, and interested members of the public regarding the Agency rsquo;s proposed policy describing guidelines FEMA will follow when imple...view The Evolution of County Government StructurePart two in our seven part series from The Florida County Government Guide: Evolution of County Government Structure in Florida will focus on Cha...view Attend the FAC Legislative Conference in Nassau County and Experience a Hidden GemAmelia Island is the Florida beach with a Southern accent. nbsp; Set in the Sea Island chain, this barrier island was named among the Top 10 North American islands by Conde Nast Traveler rsquo;s Reader rsquo;s Choice Awards for seven consecutive y...view Save the Date: Florida Water Law and Policy ConferenceThe Florida Water Law Institute and CLE International will be holding its 10th Annual Conference on Florida Water Law amp; Policy on November 5-6, 2015, at the Sheraton Riverwalk in Tampa. nbsp; The conference will bring together esteemed faculty...view Governor Announces Springs Restoration ProjectsThis week, Governor Rick Scott announced that the DEP and Water Management Districts have approved 26 springs projects, funded by the $40 million included in the 2015-16 budget. nbsp; This figure, combined with approximately $42 million in matchin...view Nation Wide Stay to the EPA Water RulesOn Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay to the Waters of the U.S. Rule. nbsp;The rule was written to clarify which water bodies were covered under the Clean Water Act. nbsp;In response to the rule, 27 states including Florid...view SAVE THE DATE: 2015 Public - Private Partnership SummitThe Division of Emergency Management is planning the 2015 Public ndash; Private Partnership Summit for December 16-17 in the Florida Panhandle. The details of the location and agenda are in development and will be provided in the next few weeks. ...view Register for the UF Florida Sea Grant s December GIS WorkshopIntroductory Training in GIS Applications for Natural Resource Management Register now for this hands-on, 3.5-day workshop that will introduce you to basic GIS knowledge and skills for real world applications! ...view DEP Invest $5.4 Million in Local Recreational FacilitesOct. 5, 2015, nbsp;DEP Press Office ~Communities receive grants nbsp;for nbsp;sports facilities, playgrounds nbsp;and picnic areas~ ...view Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act Reauthorization Stalled in CongressOriginally enacted in 1974, the Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJPDA) sets standards for the care and custody of juveniles and provides direct funding to states and counties for research, training, and technical assistanc...view Save the Date: Florida Water Law and Policy ConferenceThe Florida Water Law Institute and CLE International will be holding its 10th Annual Conference on Florida Water Law amp; Policy on November 5-6, 2015, at the Sheraton Riverwalk in Tampa. nbsp; The conference will bring together esteemed faculty...view Florida Beverage Association Announces Grant Program The Florida Beverage Association (FBA) has announced that its will launch a new grant program that will providing funds to community organizations and local governments to promote nutrition, physical activity and health and wellness initiatives, a...view House to Hold Anchoring and Mooring Workshop The State Affairs Committee of the Florida House of Representatives has announced that it will hold a public workshop during the interim committee week of October 5-9, for the purpose of taking testimony on the following questions: nbsp; ...view DEP Presents its Legislative Budget RequestDuring the first Committee Week this session, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) presented its Legislative Budget Request (LBR) to the House Agriculture and Natural resources Appropriations Committee. nbsp; The LBR proposes a total o...view Army Corps of Engineers Awards Contract to Improve Indian River LagoonLate last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) awarded a $197 million contract to Barnard Construction Company, from Bozeman, Montana, to build a new reservoir and stormwater treatment areas that will significantly improve conditions in t...view Legislative Conference - Early Bird Deadline is ApproachingBe sure to register by Friday, October 16th. nbsp; After this date, registration fees will increase. nbsp;CLICK HERE nbsp;to register online. nbsp; nbsp;...view Commemorate The 70th Anniversary of the Ending of WWII2015 marks the 70 year anniversary of the end of World War II. The Florida Department of State is drawing attention to this important anniversary with the campaign nbsp;Victory Florida, which honors and celebrates the heroes and heroines ...view FAC Launches Buyer s GuideFAC has launched its new Buyer rsquo;s Guide! The guide contains listings of products and services for county government professionals through a year-round online resource. Members now have an efficient way to browse for goods and services provide...view FACT Now Offering Cyber Security Coverage for CountiesAccording to the Department of Homeland Security rsquo;s Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign, the yearly cost of cyber crime per organization spanned a range of $1.3 million to $58 million. Cyber attacks are an ever ...view NACo Prescription Card Now Includes Dental and Health DiscountsNow counties can save even more on health costs thanks to nbsp;NACo rsquo;s Prescription- Health- Dental nbsp; Discount Program nbsp;-- formerly known as...view New Series: The Evolution of County Government Structure The Florida Association of Counties has an extensive education division that spends much of its time focused on educating commissioners on county government and leadership in the classroom. nbsp; In this new feature, FAC will bring a key component...view FAC President Names Enterprise Committee ChairFAC is pleased to announce that President Barbara Sharief has appointed Sarasota County Commissioner Alan Maio as Chair of FAC rsquo;s Enterprise Committee. nbsp; Commissioner Maio is an accountant, business owner and certified planner. nbsp;His b...view FAC 2nd Vice PresidentThe qualifying period for declaration of candidacy for FAC 2nd Vice President is now open! The deadline for submission is Friday, October 16, 2015. The election of the 2nd Vice Pre...view CCC Workshops: County Government Structure and Authority and County Government Roles and ResponsibilitesNovember 18 - 19, 2015 (6 Core Credits each) Included with your Legislative Conference registration, FAC is pleased to announce TWO Core workshops. nbsp; On Wednesday, November 18, join us for the CCC Work...view FAC ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops!Did you know you are required to take four hours of Ethics education each year? FAC offers the solution--ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops! During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics ...view ACC Registration is Now OpenRegistration for the ACC Program is now open and there are still spots available. nbsp; All CCC Graduates are encouraged to apply for this advanced certification program. nbsp; The dates for the 2015-2016 ACC program sessions will be: ...view Save the Date: Florida Water Law and Policy ConferenceThe Florida Water Law Institute and CLE International will be holding its 10th Annual Conference on Florida Water Law amp; Policy on November 5-6, 2015, at the Sheraton Riverwalk in Tampa. nbsp; The conference will bring together esteemed faculty...view Training Available on the Stafford Act for Community ResilienceThe Environmental Protection Agency and the Antioch New England s Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience have announced that they are co-hosting a 90-minute online training session for local government and consultants on the Staf...view Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) UpdateOn August 27, 2015, a federal judge in North Dakota granted a preliminary injunction, temporarily stopping the EPA from enforcing its new ldquo;Waters of the U.S. rdquo; rule in at least 13 states. nbsp; nbsp; The states include: Alaska, Arizona,...view Legislative Conference - Registration Opens in SeptemberThe FAC Legislative Conference is the final opportunity for the membership and Legislative Policy Committees to meet and voice their opinion on the policies FAC lobbies during the legislative session. On the final day, commissioners vote and adopt...view Policy Conference: Policy Statements OnlineAs many of you know the 2016 Legislative Session begins in January meaning committee weeks begin in September. nbsp;In order to provide guidance to staff during the committee weeks each policy committee voted on priorities in each issue area and ...view Policy Conference - Register by August 20th and $aveThe 2015-16 Policy Committee Conference will be held August 26-28 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Pinellas County (333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701). nbsp;This event brings together the FAC legislative policy committees to...view CCC Workshop - Understanding Charter GovernmentBe sure to join us, and guest speaker Kurt Spitzer, at the Policy Committee Conference to learn about Charter Government. nbsp; The state constitution provides Floridians the power to restructure their county government through the development of ...view ACC Class Registration is now open!Registration for the ACC Program is now open. nbsp; All CCC Graduates are encouraged to apply for this advanced certification program. nbsp; The dates for the 2015-2016 ACC program sessions will be: nbsp; October 22-23, 2015...view Miami-Dade County Profiled in Governing MagazineThe cover story for the August edition of Governing profiles the efforts of Miami-Dade County to reduce the criminalization of individuals with behavioral health problems through the use of tools such as nbsp;pre-arrest diversion programs and a p...view Waters of the United States (WOTUS) - UpdateAs reported earlier, Florida has joined a number of states in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction regarding the joint EPA/ACOE Waters of the U.S. Final Rule. nbsp; nbsp; According to news reports, a total of twenty-nine states have filed ...view FWC Looking for Members for Non-Motorized Boat Working Group The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), upon the recommendation of the Florida Boating Advisory Council (BAC), is requesting applications for participation in a Non-Motorized Boat Working Group. nbsp;The working group will me...view FDOT Open HouseFDOT is hosting an Open House to support the update of the Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Policy Plan. The FTP/SIS Open House will be held in conjunction with TRANSPLEX. TRANSPLEX will begin on August 2...view Florida s June Employment Figures Released From Florida Department of Economic Opportunity nbsp; Florida rsquo;s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in June 2015, down 0.2 percentage point from the May 2015 rate of 5...view ACC Class Registration opens WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5th at 10:00 am EDT!Registration for the ACC Program will open on WEDNESDAY (August 5th) at 10:00 am EDT. nbsp; All CCC Graduates are encouraged to apply for this advanced certification program. nbsp; ...view Policy Committee Conference - Register TodayThe 2015-16 Policy Committee Conference will be held August 26-28 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Pinellas County (333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701). nbsp;This event brings together the FAC legislative policy committees to...view CCC Workshop - Understanding Charter GovernmentBe sure to join us, and guest speaker Kurt Spitzer, at the Policy Committee Conference to learn about Charter Government. nbsp; The state constitution provides Floridians the power to restructure their county government through the development of ...view Polk County Benefits from New Employee Life Insurance Program!Polk is the latest county to take advantage of the Employee Life Option (ELO) program, a new FAC Enterprise partnership that offers guaranteed whole life insurance coverage to county employees. nbsp; FAC rsquo;s newest partner, Boston Mutual, offe...view Charlotte s Web Licensing UpdateAfter being mired in administrative proceedings for months, the Florida Department of Health finally appears ready to begin reviewing applications from nurseries seeking one of five licenses to grow medical marijuana in the state. nbsp; Each licen...view Congress Considers Public Safety BillsCongress is currently considering two bills that could positively impact county jails and alternatives programs. nbsp; NACo is actively engaged with these bills as they progress and the bills have incorporated counties rsquo; concerns. nbsp; Both ...view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today The 2015-16 Policy Committee Conference will be held August 26-28 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Pinellas County (333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701). nbsp;This event brings together the FAC legislative policy comm...view Study shows Florida s counties use of juvenile civil citations increasingFlorida counties are increasingly turning to civil citations rather than arresting juveniles suspected of committing minor crimes, reports the Tampa Bay Times. nbsp; According to a recent study, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Pinellas Counties lead the s...view NACo Jail Population and Pretrial Release StudyNACo recently released a study entitled County Jails nbsp;at a Crossroads: An Examination of the Jail Population and Pretrial Release, accompanied ...view Sentence ReductionIn an effort to reduce the burden of prisons on Florida rsquo;s taxpayers and communities, the Florida Legislature has continue to search for ways to safety reduce the number of non-violent offenders in Florida rsquo;s prisons. nbsp; In 2014, the ...view Property Tax Report DR 420 Forms due this Friday, July 24, 2015 On Wednesday, July 1, 2015 the Florida Association of Counties sent an email requesting property tax data for every county found in their respective DR 420 form for the 2015 Property Tax Report. Your DR 420 form will help us tremendously in compil...view Non-Motorized Boat Working Group Being Formed nbsp; The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), upon the recommendation of the Florida Boating Advisory Council (BAC), is requesting applications for participation in a Non-Motorized Boat Working Group. nbsp;The working...view Regional Offshore Sand Source Inventory (ROSSI)The erosion of sand from Florida rsquo;s beaches is a continuing problem affecting not only our fragile ecosystems, but the economic viability of our coastal communities. nbsp; nbsp;Unfortunately, we have exhausted the traditional sources of beac...view Derelict VesselsAs reported last month, FAC participated in a workshop held by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) to identify and prioritize the many problems and potential solutions related to derelict vessels. nbsp; nbsp;At the worksh...view Policy Committee Conference - Registration is OpenThe 2015-16 Policy Committee Conference will be held August 26-28 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront in Pinellas County (333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701). nbsp;This event brings together the FAC legislative policy committees to...view DCF Project Team Reviewing Baker Act and Marchman Act In anticipation of the 2016 Legislative Session, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has assembled a project team to review the Baker Act and Marchman Act, with the goal of drafting proposed legislation for the upcoming session. ...view Florida Transportation Plan UpdateThe Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is updating the Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Policy Plan. The FTP defines Florida rsquo;s future transportation vision and identifies goals, objectives,...view Derelict VesselsAs many in the County family know, there are a number of issues involving the regulation and enforcement of derelict vessels on state waters within their jurisdiction. nbsp; nbsp; During the 2015 Legislative Session...view Waters of the U.S. RuleOn Monday, June 29th, the joint EPA/Army Corps of Engineers Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule was published in the Federal Register. nbsp; See 80 FR 37053 (75 pages). nbsp; nbsp; By law, the ldquo;effective date rdquo; will be A...view Homeland Security National Training ProgramFederal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate announced the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, or NOFO, for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Homeland Security National Training Program (HSNTP) Continuing Training Grants (CTG) ...view Barbara Sharief Sworn in as FAC PresidentBroward County Commissioner BarbaraSharief was installed to serve as President of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC). nbsp;Commissioner Sharief was sworn in during the installation lunch at the 2015 FAC Annual Conference and Educational Ex...view Elections held at Annual Business MeetingElections were held during the FAC Annual Business Meeting for the FAC Board of Directors as well as the offices of President-Elect, 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President. nbsp;The membership voted Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant as P...view Counties Recognized for Advocacy WorkThe 2015 Presidential Advocacy Awards were presented during the Graduation and Awards Luncheon. nbsp;The Presidential Advocacy Award is given to Commissioners who go above and beyond in advocating for local governments during the legislative sess...view ACC CCC GraduationMore than 35 commissioners graduated from the Advanced County Commissioner and Certified County Commissioner programs during the Awards and Graduation Luncheon on Wednesday. nbsp; nbsp;FAC s education programs are offered in partnership the Unive...view Credentials for NACo Election at Annual conferenceCredentials forms are coming in, but there are plenty of counties that haven rsquo;t yet submitted their forms. nbsp;For everything to go smoothly at this year rsquo;s election, we would like all attending counties to submit their credentials for...view Join a NACo Steering Committee Today!Now is the time to get active in the National Association of Counties (NACo) by joining a steering committee! If you have interest in a specific issue, expertise on a certain topic, or concerns about the effects of federal legislation on your coun...view FAC Dedicates Conference Room to Former General CounselIn 2012, the Florida Association of Counties lost a dear and dedicated friend in William J. ldquo;Bill rdquo; Roberts. nbsp; Bill had served Florida rsquo;s counties as FAC rsquo;s General Counsel for 35 years. nbsp; But, his efforts to help the ...view Ethic Workshops Available All Year LongDid you know you are required to take four hours of Ethics education each year? FAC offers the solution--ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops! During the 2013 Legislative...view Annual Conference Workshop: Addressing Poverty in Your County8:15-9:45 a.m. There are many families falling into the category of Asset Limited Income Contingent Employed-- individuals and families who are working, but are unable to afford the basic necessities of housi...view Annual Conference Workshop: Working with Your Sheriff2:00-3:30 p.m. For the last three years, FAC has held a workshop during Annual Conference that is specifically focused for County Commissioners and County Managers. This year, the workshop is a pan...view New FAC President to be Installed at Annual ConferenceBroward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief will be installed as the 2015-16 President of the Florida Association of Counties during the Installation Luncheon on Thursday, June 18 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. That ev...view EPA/Corps Finalize CWA WOTUS Rule On Thursday, May 27, the Obama Administration released its controversial final rule on what constitutes a ldquo;water of the U.S. rdquo; jurisdictional under the Clean Water Act (CWA). nbsp; The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army ...view Don t Miss Friday s Closing Session at Annual Conference! You won rsquo;t want to miss the program that we have scheduled for Friday rsquo;s plated breakfast and Closing Session. First, FAC will swear in the newly elected offi...view Don t miss the 3rd Annual Silent AuctionPlan to place your bids in the 3rd Annual Silent Auction at the 2015 Annual Conference. The auction will be held in the exhibit hall on Wednesday June 17th during the ...view FAC launches new sponsorship with eConnectDirect reg; to help counties in Florida manage investment needs The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) in partnership with the National Association of Counties Financial Services Center (NACo-FSC) is endorsing eConnectDirect reg;, an online platform that provides county treas...view Corporate Partner Spotlight: HealthstatAt Healthstat, we rsquo;re committed to working with you to reduce your company rsquo;s healthcare spending and increase productivity while improving the well-being of your employees. Our integrated workplace health centers and wellness programs h...view Welcome the Newest Members of FACM!The Florida Association of County Managers (FACM) is up and running and the inaugural membership drive is underway. nbsp; FACM is excited to welcome the following new members: nbsp; Lee Niblock, Jack Brown, Robert Presnell, Charles Chapman, June F...view Employee Life Insurance Program a Hit in Escambia CountyEscambia is the latest county to join the Employee Life Option (ELO) program, a new FAC Enterprise partnership that offers guaranteed whole life insurance coverage to County employees. nbsp; FAC rsquo;s newest partner, Boston Mutual, offers this p...view 2015 Silent Auction at Annual ConferenceDon rsquo;t miss the 3rd Annual Silent Auction at the 2015 Annual Conference! The Auction will be hosted in the exhibit hall on Wednesday, June 17th during the ...view Corporate Enterprise Partner Spotlight: Nationwide Retirement SolutionsThe National Association of Counties (NACo), in partnership with Nationwide Retirement Solutions nbsp;(NRS), and state associations of counties, provides county employees with a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Program....view Chris Holley s Retirement PartyAfter 10 years at FAC and many more years of hard work and dedication, Chris Holley has decided that it rsquo;s time for a permanent vacation! nbsp; Chris will retire in June after serving a decade as the Executive Director of the Florida Associat...view Advance County Commissioner Education ProgramLaunched by the Florida Counties Foundation in 2006, the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) education program, The Florida Forum for County Leaders, is an advanced leadership program designed for graduates of the Certified County Commissioners (...view Ethics WorkshopsDid you know you are required to take four hours of Ethics education each year? FAC offers the solution--ONSITE and ONLINE Ethics Workshops! During the 2013 Legislative...view NACo President Appointment Applications Now Being AcceptedThe NACo Presidential Appointment Process for 2015-16 has begun. Incoming NACo President Sallie Clark will be finalizing her leadership team prior to the NACo Annual Conference in Mecklenburg County (Charlotte), North Carolina in July. If you are ...view AHCA Seeking Public Input on LIP Extension RequestAHCA is currently soliciting public input on its request to amend the state rsquo;s 1115 Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) Waiver in order to redesign and extend the Low Income Pool (LIP) through June 30, 2017. nbsp; Since 2005, LIP has been a sour...view Child Welfare Professionals Recognition Day is May 11thOn April 29, 2015, the Florida Senate adopted SJR 1654 sponsored by Senator Bullard recognizing May 11, 2015 as ldquo;Child Welfare Professionals Recognition Day rdquo; ...view Silent Auction Benefiting Florida s Veterans to be Held at the 2015 Annual ConferenceWe are excited to announce that our 3rd Annual Silent Auction will be held at the 2015 Annual Conference. Over the past two years this event has been a great success, bringing increased enthusiasm and traffic to the Tradeshow, while ben...view FAC Annual Conference Workshop on Effective CommunicationsEffective public speaking skills are a prerequisite in most successful careers and especially for effective county commissioners. nbsp;However, most people dread standing up in front of a crowd and making a presentation, with all eyes and ears on...view Exhibitor Sponsor Opportunities are Going Quickly - Reserve Your Spot Today!Conference is just two months out and booths and sponsorships are going fast! The 2015 FAC Annual Conference and Educational Exposition will be held June 16-19, 2015, at the beautiful Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra, Florida. ...view New FAC President to be Installed at Annual ConferenceBroward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief will be installed as the FAC 2015-16 President during FAC s Annual Conference, June 16-19 at the Sawgrass Marriott in St. Johns County. Comm. Sharief is currently i...view Annual Conference Hotel UpdateUnfortunately, our room block at the Sawgrass Marriott is partially sold out - Wednesday is the only available night at this time. nbsp; However, we expect some rooms to open up periodically so you can continue to check the Marriott s availability...view Qualifying Period for FAC 2nd Vice President Closes May 15, 2015The qualifying period for FAC 2nd Vice President is coming to a close. If you plan to declare your candidacy, you must send a letter of intent, via U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested or other commercial express carrie...view Be a Part of the FAC Leadership TeamFAC and incoming President Barbara Sharief are looking for county commissioners wishing to become statewide leaders and advance the mission of FAC - helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county ...view St. Lucie County Focuses on Fitness The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners can count more than 1,200 reasons why its new Wellness Program is working. About halfway through the 12-week Weight-Loss Challenge to kick off the county rsquo;s new Wellness Initiative, more than...view 2015 FAC Annual Conference New Registration ProcessWe are pleased to announce the Florida Association of Counties rsquo; new portal and online community! nbsp; As part of this new community, you can register for our upcoming events including FAC rsquo;s 2015 Annual Conference. amp;nbs...view FOOD NETWORK S CHEF JEFF HENDERSON WILL SPEAK AT FAC s ANNUAL CONFERENCEYou won rsquo;t want to miss FAC rsquo;s 2015 Annual Conference, June 16-19 at the Sawgrass Marriott in St. Johns County. Our theme for this year s Conference is Diversity Brings Us Together and the Opening General Session on Wednesday, June 17 ...view UF/IFAS Extension: A Long Time Partner of the Florida Association of CountiesUF/IFAS Extension has developed a strong partnership with FAC to deliver education programs for county leaders. For the last decade, UF/IFAS Extension has sponsored the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) Program. This partnership has ensured our a...view ACC Graduates Eligible for Leadership Florida Class XXXIV Scholarship As part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to once again provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning in the Fall of 2015...view National Library Week - April 12-18Celebrate National Library Week at Your Local St. Johns County Public Library St. Johns County, FL ndash; The St. Johns County Public Library System joins libraries nationwide in celebrating National Library Week April 12 ndash; 18. ...view Florida Department of Health Addresses County Health RankingsFlorida Department of Health News Release Contact: 850-245-2111 TALLAHASSEE mdash;Today, the Florida Department of Health acknowledged the release of the sixth annual County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. A collaboratio...view County Day of Recognition for Nation ServiceThe first County Day of Recognition for National Service is an initiative being led by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), as part of National County Government Month. The inte...view Another Successful Legislative Day at the CapitolLast week more than 200 county commissioners and county staff from across the state came to Tallahassee to advocate for home-rule as part of FAC rsquo;s annual Legislative Day. nbsp; While Legislative Day began as an opportunity for counties to co...view FAC Annual Conference - New Registration and Hotel Room ProcessThe countdown is on! Registration for the 2015 FAC Annual Conference and Exposition opens on April 6th with a new process for registering for the conference and for booking your hotel room. nbsp; Under the new FAC hotel room booki...view County Spotlight: Sarasota CountySarasota County s 2014 Annual Report is now available The report contains a comprehensive look at the county rsquo;s structure, financial data, and how the county is meeting the goals it established ...view Corporate Partner Spotlight: FPL nbsp;Florida Power amp; Light nbsp; Florida Power amp; Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida nbsp; ...view FAC 2015 Legislative Day - Make Your Time at the Capitol CountThe FAC 2015 Legislative Day is right around the corner! nbsp; Commissioners and staff are encouraged to come to Tallahassee to assist in the lobbying efforts to protect home rule and prevent unfunded mandates. nbsp; Thursday, March 26, will begin...view Leon County s Award Winning Budgeting Exercise A big challenge each year for Counties is the budgeting process. There are many factors that have to be considered in order to ensure that the needs of your community are being met. As with our personal finances, often there are more needs than th...view FAC s Newest Corporate Partners!Please help FAC welcome both LSSI and Bryant Miller Olive to the Corporate Partner Family. nbsp; The Corporate Partner Program provides comprehensive marketing opportunities for our Partners to showcase their products and services before Florida C...view Library Systems Services (LSSI) joins the FAC Corporate Partner Program!Library Systems amp; Services, LLC (LSSI) has partnered with communities throughout the US to provide library outsourcing for new and existing libraries, as well as contract library services for Federal agencies. Nationwide, 78 communities...view Bryant Miller Olive (BMO) joins the FAC Corporate Partner ProgramBryant Miller Olive represents governments, businesses and agencies nationwide in legal matters relating to public finance, state and local government law, complex transactions, project finance, and litigation. nbsp; ...view Florida Becomes a NACo 100% StatePasco, Union, Baker and Calhoun counties have recently joined the National Association of Counties (NACo) making Florida a 100 percent membership state. nbsp;This is a great advancement for Florida rsquo;s counties with us completely unified as a ...view FAC Legislative DayJoin us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center (555 W. Pensacola Street, Tallahassee), Thursday, March 26, for the Florida Association of Counties 2015 Legislative Day. nbsp; As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative acti...view Regional Workshop - The Legislative ProcessFAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Regional Workshop on Legislative Process just in time for the 2015 Legislative Session! nbsp; This regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative Session for Florida and how to mak...view 2015 Pre-Session WebinarThe 2015 Legislative Session kicks off on Tuesday, March 3rd. nbsp;Join us on Monday March 2nd for a complete preview of the biggest issues facing counties including: DJJ Cost Share Enterprise Zones Tax Reform: CST ...view SB 1114 - Prohibiting Membership Organizations from Suing the State Filed this week, SB 1114 (Sen. Stargel) ndash; Membership Associations that would require associations organized as a Florida not-for-profit corporation to comply with certain reporting requirements if the organization receives more than 25% of i...view Local Government Surplus Trust FundSPB 7024/ HB 913 ndash; Local Government Surplus Trust Fund ndash; Disbursement of Fund B Balance nbsp; A companion bill to SPB 7024, HB 913, was filed by Rep. Trumbull on February 23. nbsp; The bill would distribute the balance r...view Waste Management Joins FAC Corporate Partner ProgramFAC is pleased to announce that long standing sponsor Waste Management is joining the FAC Corporate Partner Program. nbsp; Waste Management rsquo;s Florida Area provides collection, recycling, transfer and di...view FAC Legislative Day - Register Today!Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center (555 W. Pensacola Street, Tallahassee), Thursday, March 26, for the Florida Association of Counties 2015 Legislative Day. nbsp; As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative acti...view Regional Workshop: Legislative ProcessFAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Regional Workshop on Legislative Process just in time for the 2015 Legislative Session! nbsp; This regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative Session for Florida and how to mak...view Juvenile Justice Detention Cost ShareThe ongoing juvenile detention cost-share dispute featured prominently during the presentation of the Governor rsquo;s budget before the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee. nbsp; Discussion about the pending litigation betw...view SB 224/HB 163 - Public Records Requirements for ContractorsAmending Sec. 119.0701, this legislation seeks to discourage litigation arising from abusive public records requests to government contractors. nbsp; SB 224 received its first hearing in the House Government Oversight and Accountability Committee,...view SPB 7024 - Local Government Surplus Trust Fund - Disbursement of Fund B BalanceStaff from the State Board of Administration (SBA) recently met with Executive Director Chris Holley and other FAC staff to discuss the pending termination of the Fund B Surplus Funds Trust Fund and the disbursement of the funds remaining after th...view Congress Holds Joint Hearing on Proposed Waters of the U.S. RuleIn an unusual joint hearing last week, members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee examined the impacts of the EPA rsquo;s proposed Waters of the U.S. rule on state and loc...view President Obama Proposes Everglades FundingLast week, President Obama released his proposed budget which includes a $240 million commitment to Florida Everglades restoration. nbsp; The administration did not specify the projects to be funded, but at least $124 million would go directly to ...view Florida House Committee Passes Water Resources BillThis week, the House State Affairs Committee passed a comprehensive water resources bill, which addresses a number of policy areas including water quality and quality; the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI); Lake Okeechobee and the Northern E...view DEP Accepting Proposals for Nearly $6M in Water GrantsThe Florida Department of Environmental Protection is soliciting grant applications for projects that reduce or eliminate nonpoint source pollution. nbsp;These grants, known as ldquo;319 Grants rdquo; were authorized pursuant to the 1987 amendme...view Governor s Conforming Bills Read through for a short analysis of the Governor s conforming bills that affect counties. College Textbook Exemption This bill proposes to exempt College textbooks from sales tax. To be eligible for the exemption, ...view MacArthur Foundation Announces $75 Million for Jail ReformFrom the National Association of Counties The MacArthur Foundation has announced an exciting opportunity to undertake local jail reform through its new ...view 2015 NACo Achievement Awardsfrom the National Association of Counties The National Association of Counties (NACo) is excited to announce that it is currently accepting applications for the 2015 Achievement Awards! nbsp; ...view Florida Civic Advance SummitPlan to attend the inaugural Florida Civic Advance (FCA) Summit on Sunday-Monday, February 22-23, 2015 in Orlando. Over 25 state associations, including the Florida Association of Counties, are collaborating in this historic meeting to see how we ...view Survey: 1st African American Elected OfficialsTo commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the League of Cities is conducting a special research project to honor the first African-Americans elected to local governments in Florida. Please provide the names, if any, of ...view FAC Legislative Day - Registration Is OpenJoin us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center (555 W. Pensacola Street, Tallahassee), Thursday, March 26, for the Florida Association of Counties 2015 Legislative Day. nbsp; As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative acti...view CCC Workshops From March 25-27, during the week of FAC s Legislative Day event, commissioners have the opportunity to earn up to 19.5 hours of credit toward the County Commissioner Certification (CCC) Program. By simply attending the Legislative Day Briefing on...view April is National County Government Month! Each year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) encourages counties to promote county government programs and services provided in their communities and to celebrate their successes during the month of April. This year rsquo;s theme i...view FAC Analysis of the Governor s 2015 Proposed Budget Available OnlineGovernor Rick Scott s proposed budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2016 totals approximately $76.98 billion, and represents a $92,100,000 decrease from the 2014 General Appropriations Act which defines the state budget for SFY 2015. nbsp; Proposed ...view Health Insurance Coverage for Emergency ServicesSB 516, by Senators Bean and Garcia, would limit reimbursement for emergency medical services (EMS) and potentially reduce revenues to EMS providers throughout the state, including county EMS/ambulance services. nbsp; Under current law, county gov...view Sober Homes/Recovery Residences Bills FiledRep. Hager and Sen. Clemens have again filed bills that attempt to address the issue of unregulated sober homes, which are become increasingly problematic in many areas of the state. nbsp; HB 21 and SB 326 create a voluntary certification program ...view EthicsLast week, representatives from the Commission on Ethics presented proposed Ethics Code revisions to the Legislature. nbsp; These suggested changes include: Amending the conflict of interest law to ...view Contractors Public Records ResponsibilitiesAdopted in 2013, Sec. 119.0701 codifies the obligations of public contractors with respect to compliance with Florida rsquo;s public records laws. nbsp; This statute requires contractors acting on behalf of a public agency to maintain public recor...view Juvenile JusticeThe Governor rsquo;s Budget Proposal estimates the total county funding responsibility for juvenile justice to be $54,392,156, roughly 53% of the total estimated costs for juvenile detention. nbsp; While less than the total dollar amount proposed ...view Police Body CamerasThe House Criminal Justice Subcommittee held a workshop on HB 57 which would require uniformed officers assigned to patrol duties to be equipped with body cameras. nbsp; HB 57 was filed by Rep. Shevrin Jones, and a companion bill, SB 248 was filed...view Governor Scott Releases Proposed Budget, Pledges Funds for Everglades RestorationIn Miami this week, Governor Scott announced plans to spend $150 million in his next budget for Everglades restoration. nbsp; nbsp; He also stated that he intends to ask legislators to dedicate a quarter of all Amendment 1 revenues over the next 2...view Florida Citrus in Dire Straits In presentations before legislative committees and in his weekly newsletter, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam warned that ldquo;time is not on our side rdquo; in the fight against citrus greening. nbsp;Citrus greening is caused by a bacteria...view Florida Power Companies Plan to Increase Solar CapacityLast week, two of Florida rsquo;s investor owned utilities announced plans to increase solar capacity in the state. nbsp; Gulf Power has proposed a joint effort with developer HelioSage and the United States Navy and Air Force to build the largest...view Mark Your Calendars for Legislative Day in MarchFAC rsquo;s 2015 Legislative Day will be held Thursday, March 26 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County. Commissioners and staff are encouraged to come to Tallahassee to assist in the lobbying efforts to protect home rule and prevent...view Joint Officers MeetingToday, FAC s executive committee met with executive committee members of the Florida League of Cities and Florida School Boards association to discuss the upcoming legislative session and the share issues facing counties, cities, and school boards...view New Commissioner WorkshopThis week in Alachua County, FAC hosted a workshop open to all 58 new Commissioners elected to office in November. nbsp; The 1 frac12; day workshop was designed to help newly elected officials gain a better understanding of a wide range of topics...view Amendment 1Last week, the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee held its first meeting in preparation for the 2015 Legislative Session, and a discussion of Amendment 1 was the only item on the agenda. nbsp; nbsp; The Committee rsquo;s ...view Florida Transportation PlanThe Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is updating the Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Plan. To kickoff this process, FDOT hosted Florida rsquo;s Transportation Visioning Summit on December 17, ...view Water ProjectsWith the Senate discussing the nuances of Amendment 1, an important announcement was made in the House Agriculture amp; Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. nbsp; nbsp; Chairman Albritton indicated that he would accept on-line applicati...view Cabinet Approves Charlotte and Collier County Land PurchasesThis week, the Governor and Cabinet unanimously approved the purchase of lands in Charlotte and Collier Counties in an effort to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in southwest Florida. nbsp; nbsp;The projects include $3.15 million to acq...view The Commission and Pythons and Bears, Oh My!Last week the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission announced plans to address the Burmese Pythons and black bear populations in the state. nbsp; nbsp; Although bear hunting has been banned in Florida for 20 years, recent bear attacks around Ocala ...view FEMA Announces Launch of the Interim Office of the Flood Insurance AdvocateFederal Emergency Management Agency WASHINGTON ndash; nbsp; The U.S. Department of Homeland Security rsquo;s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today announced the launch of the Interim Office of...view New Commissioner Workshop - January 14-15, 2015 - Registration Now OpenThe Florida Association of Counties is pleased to offer an educational workshop designed specifically for newly elected commissioners. nbsp; Mark your calendars for the New Commissioners Workshop on January 14-15, 2015 in Alachua County at the Hil...view Mark Your Calendars for Legislative Day in MarchFAC rsquo;s 2015 Legislative Day will be held Thursday, March 26 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County. Commissioners and staff are encouraged to come to Tallahassee to assist in the lobbying efforts to protect home rule and prevent...view ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Is your county the best?Is your county great at bringing in new business? nbsp; Are you doing things that are innovative and creative when it comes to recruiting companies or expanding local businesses? nbsp; Is your Economic Development program working? Preservin...view Flood Insurance - FEMAIn 2013, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) adopted flood insurance reform as one of its top federal priorities. As a part of its advocacy strategy, FAC developed several policy recommendations that were shared with members of Congress in e...view Disaster Recovery Assistance - FEMA Deobligations In response to ongoing audits by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of counties who have received disaster recovery assistance from the Federal government, FAC President Grover Robinson formed a workgroup to address this issue. nbsp;The grou...view FAC Federal CommitteeThe FAC Federal Committee has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, December 18 at 2:30. nbsp; nbsp; Any county interested in federal issues is encouraged to participate on the call. nbsp; The conference call dial in number is nbsp; nbsp; 1-88...view A Healthy Florida Works The Associated Industries of Florida and Florida Hospital Association, along with local business and health care groups from around the state, are partnering to promote a plan to provide health insurance to an additional one million Floridia...view FAC Vacancy on Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation Program The Florida Association of Counties is soliciting interest from our members to serve as our representative on the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. In 1993, a voluntary law enforcement accreditation program was establis...view Last Chance - Online Ethics Now AvailableDuring the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;The Florida Association of ...view Governor Appoints Leaders to State AgenciesGovernor Rick Scott has recently appointed or reappointed the following individuals to lead state agencies. nbsp; For more information please visit http://www.flgov.com/. ...view News Notes Takes a VacationDue to the upcoming holiday this will be the last News amp; Notes for 2014. nbsp;We wish our County families and friends and very happy holiday season. nbsp;We ll see you in 2015!...view Gulf County Commissioner Warren Yeager is FAC s New 2nd VPGulf County Commissioner Warren Yeager was elected by fellow commissioners and installed as 2nd nbsp;Vice President of the Association during FAC rsquo;s Legislative Conference last week. Commissioner Yeager was sworn in at a special ce...view Scott Shalley Named Next Executive Director of FACThe Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve Scott Shalley as the next Executive Director of the Association during the Board meeting at Legislative Conference. nbsp; Scott has served for the past two years of the Director of FAC rsquo;s En...view Strategic Plan Approved by MembershipThe membership approved the Association rsquo;s next five year strategic plan at Legislative Conference. nbsp;Over the past year FAC met with the membership to identify priorities and the direction the Associations needs to move in over the next ...view 2015 Legislative Priorities Voted on at ConfernceFAC held its Legislative Conference last week November 19-21, 2014, in Hillsborough County, where elected officials and county staff from across the state met to adopt policy positions for the 2015 Legislative Session and select its top priorities...view Public Safety Policy Committee UpdateThe Public Safety committee heard from guest speaker, Antoinette Triplett, CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Homelessness Initiative (THHI), who shared the truly incredible story of Operation: REVEILLE, where more than 50 public and private partners l...view Growth Management, Agriculture Environment Committee UpdateAfter several years of debating the merits of the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) program, the committee adopted a new statement that calls for improving the intergovernmental coordination process for all land development proposals ndash; bo...view Finance Tax Administration Committee UpdateRepresentative Greg Steube and his wife, joined the FTA committee where he was presented with FAC rsquo;s 2014 County Champion Award for his 2 year effort in passing HB 175, which provides for the collection of the E-911 fee on prepaid wireless se...view Health Human Services Policy Committee UpdateAt the HHS committee meeting, guest speaker Clint Shouppe from BayCare Health System presented on Medicaid funding in Florida, with a focus on the future of the state rsquo;s Low Income Pool (LIP), which is funded largely by intergovernmental transfe...view Urban Caucus UpdateThe Urban Caucus met Wednesday morning and debated new and revised policy statements regarding several issues of concern facing large urban counties. nbsp; The issues were so numerous that the caucus put forth a list of priorities that were later ...view Rural Caucus UpdateThe Rural Caucus met on Wednesday and, after introducing its new Vice Chairman, Ralph Thomas (Wakulla County) and hearing a presentation from the Small County Coalition, discussed and debated new and revised policy statements regarding several iss...view Federal Committee UpdateThe Federal Committee, led by Commissioner Doug Smith, Commissioner Heather Carruthers, nbsp;and Commissioner Bill McClure, invited Ms. Deborah Cox, nbsp;NACo rsquo;s Legislative Director, and Ms. Val Gelnovatch of The Ferguson Group to provide ...view Legislative Policy Statements are OnlineFAC s entire Legislative Program is available on our website. nbsp;We encourage you to bring the policy statements with you as you meet with your legislative delegations leadi...view Legislative Conference SurveyThe 2014-15 Legislative Conference was held last week in Hillsborough County with over 200 commissioners and county staff in attendance. nbsp; For those of you that attended, we hope you enjoyed the event and we need your feedback! nbsp;Please he...view New Commissioner Workshop - January 14-15, 2015 - Registration Open NowThe Florida Association of Counties is pleased to offer an educational workshop designed specifically for newly elected commissioners. nbsp; Mark your calendars for the New Commissioners Workshop on January 14-15, 2015 in Alachua County at the Hil...view Last Chance - Ethics Online Now AvailableDuring the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;The Florida Association of ...view Florida Supreme Court Long Range Strategic Plan The Florida Supreme Court has formed a Long Range Strategic Plan Workgroup to develop and update the long-range strategic plan for the judicial branch. The Plan will outline priority goals and strategies to address the major issues facing th...view FEMA Releases Strategic Plan for 2014 to 2018The 2014-2018 FEMA Strategic Plan reflects objectives FEMA will accomplish to provide the best possible support to U.S. citizens before, during, and after disasters. It sets fo...view Public Comment on Draft Unified Federal Review Process Guidance Due November 28As a part of the implementation of the Unified Federal Review process required by Section 429 of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, a FEMA-led interagency steering group has developed draft guidance document (copy attached) to assist appl...view USACE-Maintained Database Provides Value for Coastal Decision-MakersAs the Federal agency authorized to study, plan, design, construct, and renourish coastal risk reduction projects, USACE is tasked with providing technical input on current and future needs for coastal projects. Accurate, up-to-date, and accessible t...view Eastern Federal Lands Access Program Call for Projects AlertThe Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands (EFL) will be accepting Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) applications in order to develop a four year program of projects for Fiscal Years (FY) 2015 through FY 2018. nbsp; Project approva...view FWC Conducting Anchoring Survey The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) will be conducting an online survey regarding its potential anchoring regulations in Florida. nbsp; The survey was developed using comments received by the Agency at recent public meetin...view SJRWMD Announces Cost-Share Funding OpportunityThe St. Johns River Water Management District will accept applications from Jan. 5 to March 13, 2015, for cost-share funding for water conservation and construction projects that will contribute to any of the following: ...view Legislative Conference is Next Week This is the final opportunity for the membership to consider and approve FAC rsquo;s final policy statements; these statements guide FAC rsquo;s efforts during the 2015 Session. You do not have to serve on a policy committee to attend; all c...view UPDATE: DJJ - Proposed Rules ChallengeOn November 12 -13, 2014, an administrative law judge in Tallahassee heard evidence and arguments in the Proposed Rule Challenge brought against DJJ by FAC and 27 counties. nbsp; The Rule Challenge was filed after DJJ held a series of rule worksho...view Enterprise ZonesOn November 1, 2014, the Bureau of Business and Economic Incentives within the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released the 2014 edition of its Florida Enterprise Zone Program Annual Report. This a...view Update on Waters of the U.S.Last week, the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), a policy-oriented committee tasked with providing policy advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule, has issued its Initial Findings and Re...view Amendment I Passed by Florida VotersLast week, Florida rsquo;s voters overwhelmingly approved the Florida Water and Land Conservation Amendment, which will dedicate, for 20 years, 33 percent of net revenues from excise tax on real estate transactions ( ldquo;doc stamps rdquo;) towar...view U.S. Supreme Court Takes Up Florida-Georgia Water Dispute Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider Florida rsquo;s lawsuit against Georgia regarding the increased withdrawals of water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system, which has caused a fisheries disaster in the Apalachi...view Manatee Season Set to Begin Florida rsquo;s manatee season officially begins on November 15th, when these animals begin to arrive in large numbers to enjoy our warm waters for the winter. nbsp; nbsp; Boaters should take note of the seasonal speed limits along rive...view DEP to Hold Public Hearing on Numeric Nutrient Criteria for EstuariesThe Department has scheduled a public hearing before the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) to establish numeric nutrient criteria (NNC) for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a in individual estuary segments for the followin...view Legislative Conference - Discount Deadline is Approaching Be sure to register by Wednesday, November 5th. nbsp; After this date, registration fees will increase $50. nbsp; You do not have to serve on a policy committee to attend; all commissioners and county staff are encouraged to register! amp;...view New Commissioner Orientation at Legislative ConferenceAlthough campaigns can be grueling, once the election is over, the real work begins! The Florida Association of Counties is here to welcome and answer the new Commissioners rsquo; questions with a New Commissioners Orientation ...view Post-Conference Workshop: EthicsEthics, Public Records amp; Sunshine Law November 21, 2014 (6 Core Credits) (10:30 AM ndash; 3:30 PM) During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation ...view Florida Establishes Ebola Protocol The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and Division of Emergency Management (DEM) are taking steps to prepare for the possibility of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) diagnosis in the state. nbsp;On October 25, the Governor signed an executive orde...view Waters of the U.S. - Proposed Rule UpdateAs reported in our last newsletter, the US Environmental Protection Agency has extended for the second time the public comment period on its controversial proposed rule to define the scope of Waters of the United States under federal Clean Water A...view DEP to Hold Public Hearing on Numeric Nutrient Criteria for EstuariesThe Department has scheduled a public hearing before the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) to establish numeric nutrient criteria (NNC) for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a in individual estuary segments for the followin...view DEP to Hold Webinar on Beach Management Funding Assistance (BMFA) Program According to DEP rsquo;s Division of Water Resource Management, draft assessments have been completed for beach and inlet projects requesting BMFA program funds in FY2015/2016. These project assessments list each ranking criterion in program rule ...view Enterprise Zone SurveyThe Florida Association of Counties (FAC) recently completed an Enterprise Zones survey, based on questions originally submitted by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) to the association for its considerati...view County ProfilesFlorida rsquo;s counties are great! nbsp; You know it. nbsp; We know it. nbsp; But do you know all the fun facts about your county neighbors? Starting this month, FAC will highlight an amazing Florida county periodically in our New...view Register Today for Ethics 2014CCC WORKSHOP: Ethics, Public Records amp; Sunshine Law November 21, 2014 (6 Core Credits) (10:30 AM ndash; 3:30 PM) During the 2013 Legisl...view EPA Extends Comment Period on WOTUS RuleThe US Environmental Protection Agency has extended for the second time the public comment period on its controversial proposed rule to define the scope of Waters of the United States under Clean Water Act jurisdiction. nbsp; The new deadline for ...view Update on Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule nbsp; After several workshops and a rule challenge by the Sierra Club, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) is now finalizing its revisions to the Urban Turf Rule, found in r. 5E-1003 F.A.C. nbsp; The Urban Turf Rule ...view 2015 Legislative Session - The Year of Water!As we all have been hearing for quite some time, the 2015 session promises to be the ldquo;Year of Water. rdquo; nbsp; nbsp; After a summer of supposition and prognostication, stakeholders have been asked by leadership to provide thoughts on wate...view Get to Know Your Land Stewardship ConstituentsChris Demers, UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation Private lands in Florida provide a wide variety of services that benefit society, including economic activity, clean air, groundwater...view Legislative Conference - Register Today! The FAC Legislative Conference will be held November 19-21 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside in Hillsborough County. nbsp; This is the final opportunity for the membership and Legislative Policy Committees to meet and voice their opinion on the poli...view Commissioners Grover Robinson and Doug Smith Present to Florida s Business LeadersThis week, FAC President Grover Robinson and 2012 Past President Doug Smith presented at the Annual Future of Florida Forum put on by the Florida Chamber Foundation. nbsp; This was a great opportunity to share the importance of counties with the s...view Florida Chamber Healthcare Summit FAC President Grover Robinson and FAC staff attended the Florida Chamber Healthcare Summit at the 2014 Future of Florida Forum in Orlando on Tuesday. nbsp; Panelists discussed various current and emerging issues in healthcare, many of which affect...view CCC WORKSHOP: Ethics, Public Records Sunshine Law November 21, 2014 (6 Core Credits) (10:30 AM ndash; 3:30 PM) During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commi...view Waters of the United StatesAfter the ldquo;Regulatory Overreach Protection Act rdquo; (H.R. 5078) was passed earlier this month in the U.S. House, Senator Pat Roberts (R ndash; Kansas) has called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to act on the House bill (or proposed S...view Florida Everglades to Receive Federal Dollars for Tamiami BridgeU.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced that Florida has been awarded a $20 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant to help fund the elevated 2.6-mile bridge over the Tamiami Trail (US-41). nbsp; T...view Everglades Challenge: Remove Phosphorus and Win $10 millionLast week, the Everglades Foundation announced a scientific challenge: nbsp; Solve the chronic phosphorus pollution problem and win $10 million. nbsp; The winning project must demonstrate phosphate reduction on an increasingly larger scale; from t...view Reclaimed Water Study - Public Workshops ScheduledIn recognizing the importance of reclaimed water and the challenges Florida faces in expanding its use, the 2014 Legislature passed SB 536, requiring a comprehensive study on the use of reclaimed water (to also include stormwater and excess surfac...view Pre-Order your 2015 FAC CalendarThe 2015 FAC Calendar, Sunrises and Sunsets, is on sale now! nbsp; There s a reason why Florida is called the Sunshine State and those of us who are fortunate to live under the Florida sun can attest to the beautiful sunrises...view FAC Legislative Conference Has Been RescheduledDue to circumstances beyond our control, the 2014 Legislative Conference has been rescheduled and relocated. nbsp; The new dates are November 19-21, 2014 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside in Hillsboro...view Online Ethics Now AvailableDuring the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;The Florida Association of ...view Submit Your Comments to EPA on Waters of the U.S.In recent weeks the White House, EPA and US Corp of Army Engineers have made it clear that they intend to finalize the nbsp;proposed rule...view Weekly Federal Updates Available on the FAC WebsiteFAC has partnered the Ferguson Group to enhance our federal advocacy and strengthen Florida s presence on a national level. nbsp;The Ferguson Group is providing weekly legislative updates as well as information on federal grants and updates on is...view Policy Conference - Meeting Materials Available OnlinePolicy Conference meeting materials are going electronic! We invite you to access the policy committee meeting materials through your FAC Portal. You can access materials by simply logging in to your portal account and clicking on 2014-15 Policy C...view Online Ethics Course - Register Today During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;The Florida Associati...view FY 2014-15 County by County Tentative Property Tax Rates DataThe Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has recently completed a compilation/summary of proposed tentative property tax rates and related information for FY 2014-15. FAC is providing this information as a service to its membership to allow for t...view County Stormwater ImpactsThe fiscal analysis on county stormwater impacts of the WOTUS rule that was performed by Applied Technology amp; Management (ATM) on behalf of the Florida H2O Coalition was released last Friday. nbsp;The four counties studied were Manatee, Pinel...view FAC Calendar Photo Contest Closes TodayToday is the last day to submit your photo for the 2015 FAC Calendar photo contest( if you haven t done it yet you can do it now! click here to submit). amp;nbsp...view Policy Conference - Meeting Materials Go ElectronicPolicy Conference meeting materials are going electronic! We invite you to access the policy committee meeting materials through your FAC Portal. You can access materials by simply logging in to your portal account and clicking on 2014-15 Policy C...view Tell your story! What has your county done to improve economic developmentIn September, FAC will be on a panel at the Florida Chamber Forum to discuss some of the innovative approaches counties have taken to improve economic development in their county. nbsp; We rsquo;d like to share your story as a part of that! nbsp; ...view Medical Marijuana WorkgroupFAC is forming a medical marijuana workgroup with the Florida League of Cities and law enforcement to discuss the regulation of marijuana-related businesses in Florida should Amendment 2 pass. nbsp;FAC would like to appoint 5 persons to the workg...view Spotlight your county in the 2015 FAC CalendarIt rsquo;s that time of year again! nbsp; The 2015 FAC Calendar photo contest is well under way and we are certain that this will be our best calendar yet! nbsp; This year rsquo;s theme, Sunrises amp; Sunsets, is a natural fit for the Sunshine St...view Online Ethics Now AvailableDuring the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed ethics legislation requiring that County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp; nbsp;The Florida Association of ...view Waters of the United States - Proposed EPA/ACOE RuleOn Monday, U.S. Congressman Steve Southerland held a press conference in the Capitol rotunda in Tallahassee in support of his proposed ldquo;Regulatory Overreach Protection Act rdquo; (H.R. 5078), rsquo; which is scheduled to be heard on the Hous...view DEP Releases Springs Restoration Funding Plan Last week, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released is Springs Restoration Project Plan for Fiscal Year 2014-2015. nbsp; This year, the $25 million legislative allocation was combined with local government and water management dis...view Florida Retirement System Actuarial Assumption ConferenceThe Florida Retirement System Actuarial Assumption Conference met on August 11, 2014 to discuss the Experience Study developed by the state rsquo;s actuary. This study is conducted every 5 years to review and update valuation assumptions and current ...view DEP Announces Rulemaking Workshops on Estuary NNCs The DEP has scheduled public workshops for its rulemaking efforts regarding estuary-specific numeric nutrient criteria. nbsp; Rule revisions will be discussed at the public workshops scheduled during the next two weeks in Tallahassee, Palm Bay, an...view FWC to Hold Workshops on Anchoring in State WatersThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be holding two public workshops to present a framework for possible legislation authorizing counties and municipalities to regulate anchoring on state waters. nbsp; nbsp; The Anchori...view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today!The 2014-15 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 17-19, 2014 at the Sandestin Beach Resort in Walton County. This event brings together the FAC Legislative Policy Committees to examine the Association ...view 2015 FAC Calendar Photo ContestThere s a reason why Florida is called the Sunshine State and those of us fortunate to live under the Florida sun can attest to the beautiful sunrises and sunsets we see every day! nbsp;That is why we are pleased to announce that the 2015 FAC Cal...view County Revenue EstimatesThe Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) has published FY 2014-15 County Revenue Estimates. nbsp; The Revenue Estimates include Communications Services Tax, County Revenue Sharing Program, Local Option ...view Join a NACo Steering CommitteeGET INVOLVED! nbsp;Join a NACo Policy Steering Committee Now is the time to get active in the National Association of Counties (NACo) by joining a steering committee! If...view Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge Elected 2nd Vice President of NACoImmediate Past President of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Desloge poised to lead nbsp;National Association of Counties (NACo) in 2016-17- Leon County District 4 Commissioner Bryan De...view Commissioner Gail Garrard Appointed to Board of Directors Lafayette County Commissioner Gail Garrard was appointed to the FAC Board of Directors by FAC President, Escambia County Commissioner, Grover Robinson, she will be filling a vacancy that occurred as a result of the election of FAC officers i...view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today!The 2014-15 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 17-19, 2014 at the Sandestin Beach Resort in Walton County. This event brings together the FAC Legislative Policy Committees to examine the Association s agenda for the next legislativ...view Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson receives Scholarship to Leadership FloridaFAC and UF/IFAS have once again partnered with Leadership Florida to provide a $5,000 scholarship through FACTOR for an ACC Alumni to participate in the Annual Leadership Florida class. nbsp; Each year, between 40 and 70 applicants from a variety ...view CCC Workshops at the 2014 FAC Policy ConferenceCOUNTY GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND AUTHORITY and COUNTY GOVERNMENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES September 17 - 18, 2014 (6 Core Credits each) Included with your Policy Commit...view ACC Application - Available Online August 4th at 10:00 a.m. EDTThe application for the 2014 ndash; 2015 ACC Program will open on Monday (August 4th) at 10:00 am EDT. nbsp; Before you apply to attend the ACC program, please check your calendars...view Second Rule Workshop on Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act On August 1, 2014, beginning at 9:00 a.m., the Department of Health will hold another workshop on establishing a regulatory structure supporting the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014, including the creation of dispensing regions, ap...view Update on Waters of the U.S. - Proposed RuleEPA Local Government Advisory Committee Workgroup On July 10th, Stephen James attended a meeting of EPA rsquo;s Local Government Advisory Committee and its ldquo;Protecting America rsquo;s Waters Workshop rdquo; in Atlanta...view Sustainable Florida Seeks Nominations for Best Practice AwardsTallahassee, FL ndash; July 2014 ndash; Sustainable Florida, the state rsquo;s premier organization promoting a bettersocial, environmental and economic future, seeks nominations for the annual Best Practice Awards...view Policy Committee Conference - Hotel Room Block is Open!The 2014-15 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 17-19 at the Sandestin Beach Resort in Walton County. nbsp; The room block is open so book today! nbsp; Call (800) 320-8115; the group code is 2353GC. FAC rsquo;s rate is $139 plus app...view Rule Workshop on Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014On Monday, July 7, 2014, the Department of Health held its first Rule Workshop on proposed rules dealing with the implementation and regulation of SB1030, the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. nbsp; SB1030 provides for the medical use of low-THC...view Senate Community Planning Act SurveyThe Senate Community Affairs Committee is reviewing how some of the changes to the growth management act (now known as the Community Planning Act) are working at the local level. nbsp;Specifically, during the 2014 legislative session, bills were ...view 2015 FAC Calendar Theme ContestIt s that time of year again! nbsp;We here at FAC are getting ready to put together the 2015 FAC Calendar and it s time to vote on the theme for next year. nbsp;You have until August 1st to vote for your favorite theme, we ll announce the winner...view UPDATE: DJJ Rule Development and Rule ChallengeThe litigating parties in the Rule Challenge held a status conference with the Administrative Law Judge Wednesday, July 9, 2014, where it was decided the Rule Challenge will be held in abeyance pending DJJ rsquo;s Notification of Amended/Modified ...view FAC Annual Tentative Property Tax Rate ReportWith the TRIM (Truth in Millage) process starting on Tuesday July 1st, FAC is preparing to conduct its annual property tax survey to collect data to produce our annual property tax report later this summer. ...view Federal Tax ReformFrom: NACo (National Association of Counties); by Jacque Alamia Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) recently signaled their continued commitment to ove...view Update on Waters of the U.S. As of last week, more than 260 lawmakers, from both chambers and both parties, have come out publicly against the proposed rule on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). nbsp; A group of 231 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to the EPA an...view State Approves Sale of Surplus Property to Fund Land AcquisitionLast week, the Florida Cabinet approved the sale of approximately $27 million in surplus property, the proceeds of which will be used by Florida Forever, its conservation land-buying program. nbsp; nbsp; The surplus property includes four closed p...view Florida Bans the Importation of Lionfish The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given its final approval to a ban on the importation of lionfish into Florida. nbsp; This ban would impact those who deal in the invasive species for resale for the aquarium trade, and will...view SURVEY - Annual Conference The FAC 2014 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition was held June 17-20 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orange County. If you attended, we need and welcome your feedback. Please help us with future program planning by completing this...view Grover Robinson Installed as FAC PresidentEscambia County Commissioner Grover C. Robinson, IV was installed to serve as President of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC). nbsp; Robinson was sworn in during the installation lunch at the 2014 FAC Annual Conference and Educational Expos...view Annual Conference - It s Not Too Late to RegisterIf you would like to attend the FAC 2014 Annual Conference but haven rsquo;t registered yet, it rsquo;s not too late. nbsp; You can register on-site. nbsp; The FAC Registration Desk will be open Tuesday, June 17 from 3:00 ndash; 6:30 p.m. and wil...view Annual Conference - Silent AuctionFAC is once again collaborating with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, the Florida Veterans Foundation (FVF), and the County Veterans Service Officers Association of Florida to hold a silent auction on Wednesday, June 18 in the Exhibit ...view Pre-Conference Welcome EventKick-off your conference with an evening of fun, fellowship and a little old fashioned competition. nbsp; We know many of you will arrive in Tampa on Tuesday afternoon and will need something to do that evening so join us! The Welcome Event will b...view Florida Trend President will Speak at Opening SessionOur theme for this year s Annual Conference is Florida Lives Here and the Opening General Session on Wednesday will focus on all of the exciting things that are currently going on in the state and to help us better understand the diversity that ...view Orlando Magic s Lucas Boyce to SpeakOrange County has arranged for a presentation by Lucas Boyce at the Installation Luncheon on Thursday. Lucas has overcome many obstacles to achieve his dreams. When Lucas graduated high-school, he had three aspirations: to work at the White House,...view Senator Bill Nelson Invited for Closing SessionSenator Bill Nelson will be our Keynote for this session. Nelson is a Florida native who grew up on the Space nbsp; Coast. nbsp; His public service career began in 1972, with his election to the Florida Legislature. He then served six terms in the...view Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant is FAC s New 2nd VPIn accordance with the FAC Bylaws, any commissioner, other than commissioners currently in office, who choose to run for Association office must have formally declared their candidacy via certified mail, with a postmark date no later than May 15, ...view Trial Court Prohibits Governor from Removing Commissioners Under Firearms Preemption StatuteIn December 2011, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners and several individual commissioners filed suit against the state, challenging HB 45 (2011), the additional firearms preemption bill from the 2011 legislative session. Specifica...view 2014 General Appropriations Act Signed General Overview Governor Rick Scott signed the 2014 General Appropriations Act ndash; the state rsquo;s spending plan for SFY 2015. The budget totals $77 billion, with more than $68.9 million in spending vetoed by the Governor. Ov...view Waters of the U.S. UpdateThe EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have announced that they are extending the public comment period for their Joint ldquo;Waters of the U.S. rdquo; (WOTUS) proposed rule from July 21 until October 20, 2014, an additional 91 days. This e...view Governor Vetoes Lionfish Bounty ProgramThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) had requested and the Legislature approved funding in the 2014 state budget in the amount of $427,000 to address the proliferation of lionfish in state waters. nbsp; These funds would ha...view DEP Holding Seminar and Workshop on Public Mooring Fields - General Permit The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced a public workshop on the adoption of a new environmental resource permit for public mooring fields to accommodate up to 100 vessels. nbsp; This general permit is required by sect; 373...view DEP Beach Management Funding Assistance Program / Local Government Funding RequestThe DEP is planning the development of the annual prioritized list of beach and inlet management projects in preparation for submittal of the Department rsquo;s FY2015/2016 Local Government Funding Request (LGFR) and the FY2015/2025 Long-Range Bud...view Deciding When to Outsource Energy Services ldquo;Outsourcing rdquo; traces its modern roots to the global expansion of business in the 1970s and 80s. During this time frame, the mindset was that, in order to compete, organizations must focus on their core business, and then identify other...view Traveling to NACo Conference in New Orleans? Don t miss this sessionA.Healthstat, a FAC Platinum Corporate Partner, is encouraging Florida rsquo;s delegation to attend the workshop entitled ldquo;Return on Investment for Onsite Health Clinics rdquo;. nbsp; nbsp; Tim Lee, Chair of Cobb County Commissioners will be s...view FAC 2014 Annual Conference and Educational ExpositionREGISTER BY JUNE 6 - SAVE $50 Be sure to register by Friday, June 6th - registration fees increase $50 after this date. nbsp; Register online or postmark your check by June 6th. nbsp;...view DJJ Proposed Rule Hearing This is just a reminder that the hearing on DJJ rsquo;S proposed rules on detention cost-share is in Tallahassee, next Friday, June 6, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. FAC created a separate website with all hearing information, relevant documents and upcoming ...view Florida Retirement System - Implementation of GASB 68Along with members of the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA) and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants(FICPA), FAC attended a meeting with the Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Retirement(DMS) ...view New Jail Reporting Requirements: Sexually Violent OffendersThis Session, the Legislature passed a series of bills that changed civil and criminal laws related to sexual offenders and predators (SB 522, 524, 526 and 528). nbsp; Specifically, SB 522 places new reporting requirements on jails related to pers...view Waters of the U.S. Update As previously reported, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) published a proposed rule entitled Definition of ldquo;Waters of the United States rdquo; Under the Clean Water Act nbsp; on April ...view Corps of Engineers Approves $1.9 Billion Everglades PlanLast Week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a $1.9 billion plan for central Everglades restoration projects, after weeks of criticism over its review process. nbsp; nbsp; Environmentalists had hoped the Central Everglades Planning Project...view South Florida Water Management District Proposes New CUPCon RulesThe SFWMD is re-initiating rule development to amend its consumptive use permitting pursuant to the DEP rsquo;s statewide effort to improve consistency and efficiency throughout the state. nbsp; nbsp; The re-initiation will cure some discrepancies...view Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Agriculture Spending BillFrom The Ferguson Group The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $20.6 billion Agriculture spending bill last Thursday that contains a carefully constructed compromise on enforcing school nutrition standards. At the mar...view Congress Sends Water Infrastructure Bill to the President From The Ferguson Group On May 22, the Senate passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA) by a vote of 91-7, sending the measure (HR 3080) to the President s desk for his sign...view 2014 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday (May 31 through June 8, 2014)The first of three temporary sales tax holidays will take place from May 31st through June 8, 2014. During the ldquo;Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday rdquo; period, qualifying items related to hurricane preparedness are exempt ...view Are You Leaving Office in 2012?County Commissioners are the lifeblood of the Association, and every year a few of you choose to hang your hat and leave the public arena for the greener pastures of privacy and normalcy. If you have decided to leave office, and this is your last ...view Visit NACo s Research CenterThe National Association of Counties has recently upgraded their web portal to include a dedicated research section. nbsp; Visit http://www.naco.org/research/Pages/Research-Center.a...view Register Today and SaveThe FAC 2014 Annual Conference is just around the corner! nbsp; Be sure to register for Annual Conference before Friday, June 6 to avoid the next fee increase (early bird rates ended on May 9th). nbsp; ...view Florida Trend President to Speak at Annual ConferenceOur theme for this year s Annual Conference is Florida Lives Here and the Opening General Session will focus on all of the exciting things that are currently going on in the state and to help us better understand the diversity that is Florida. amp;nbsp...view Wind and Flood Mitigation WorkshopsFAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties! nbsp; Thanks to a generous grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we are able to offer two...view Bipartisan Conference Committee Approves Water Funding Bill Last week, a joint congressional conference committee approved a bicameral and bipartisan conference report on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which will now become the final version of t...view Federal Government Announces Plan to Battle Citrus Greening According to the Associated Press, the U.S. government will spend $1.5 million on efforts to control the bacteria that causes citrus greening. nbsp; U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the money w...view Governor Scott Signs HB 5601From the Governor s Press OfficeMonday May 12, 2014 ORLANDO, Fla. ndash; Today, Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 5601 that cuts more than $121 million in taxes. The signing of this legislation also b...view DJJ Issues Proposed RulesOn Thursday, May 15, DJJ published its Notice of Proposed Rules regarding detention cost-sharing, with a scheduled hearing in Tallahassee on June 6, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. EST nbsp;(phone participation will be allowed, with advanced notice). nbsp; Fo...view Op-Ed on Water Resources Development ActOctober 24, 2013 Recently, state and local elected officials and community leaders from 16 South Florida counties trave...view Cutting Government Waste: Something We Can All Agree OnApril 9, 2014BY Commissioner Bryan Desloge, Leon County From balancing a state budget to considering hundreds of bills, Florida lawmakers face a lot of tough challenges during the annual 60-day Legislative Session. nbsp; With so many...view Health and Human Services Update *FAC PRIORITY*Relating to HomelessnessSB 1090 (Sen. Latvala) and HB 979 (Rep. Peters) Summary: Requires the Florida Housing Financ...view Growth Management and Transportation UpdateVacation Rentals *REMOVES PREEMPTION* HB 307 (Rep. Hutson) and SB 356 (Sen. Thrasher) Summary: nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;Removes a preemption p...view Agriculture and Environment UpdateSprings Protection*UNFUNDED MANDATE*SB 1576 (Sen. Dean) nbsp; nbsp; Summary: nbsp; Designates act as Florida Springs and Aquifer Prote...view Public Safety Update *FAC PRIORITY*Juvenile Detention Costs*UNFUNDED MANDATE*SB 1532 (Sen. Bradley) / HB 5305 (Justice Appropriations/McBurney) Summ...view Finance and Tax Update *FAC Priority*2014 Tax Reduction and Economic Development Incentive Package1. Motor Vehicle License Fees($0 impact to local governments - Cities and Counties) amp;n...view Administration UpdatePublic Records*UNFUNDED MANDATE*SB 1648 (Formerly PCB 7064, Government Oversight) and HB 1151 (Rep. Hood) Summary: nbsp; Prohibits the use of pu...view Wind and Flood Mitigation WorkshopsOnce again, FAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties! nbsp; Thanks to a generous grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we are able to offer ...view Annual Conference - Register Today!Registration is now open. nbsp; Click here to register online. Unfortunately, the room block at the Hilton Bonnet Creek is currently sold out on Thursday night....view FEMA External Affairs BulletinThe FEMA External Affairs Bulletin is distributed weekly and includes information on the latest consultations, advisories and open comment periods. It also includes important announcements from around FEMA and useful links to stakeholder resources...view Legislature on Easter BreakThe State Legislature was on a break this week in observance of Passover and Easter. nbsp; They will return to Tallahassee next week. nbsp; For an update on the legislation we are following you can read our most recent Significant Bill Summary ...view Annual Conference - Register Today!Registration is now open. nbsp; Click here to register online. Unfortunately, the room block at the Hilton Bonnet Creek is currently sold out on Thursday night. nbsp; You ...view Wind and Flood Mitigation WorkshopsOnce again, FAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties. nbsp; Thanks to a grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we are able to offer two programs this year, one on Wind Mitigation an...view Leadership Florida Opportunity for ACC GraduatesAs part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to once again provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning in the Fall of 2014...view News Service of Florida s Political AlmanacNews Service of Florida recently published their first Political Almanac which provides a state House district by district look the at the stat in terms of the demographics of the residents and how they vote. nbsp; If you are interested in purchasing...view Counties Claim State Owes Money By Overcharging For Juvenile Detention CostsThis article from WFSU was published on April 16th Florida rsquo;s counties say the state owes them money. They claim they rsquo;ve been overcharged for helping pay the cost of juveniles in detention centers. The two sides appear c...view Administration nbsp;*UNFUNDED MANDATE* Public Records nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; amp;n...view Finance and Tax*FAC Priority* Tax Reduction and Economic Development Incentive Package HB 5601 Bo...view Public Safety*FAC PRIORITY* *UNFUNDED MANDATE* Juvenile Detention Costs nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; ...view Agriculture and Environment*UNFUNDED MANDATE* Springs Protection nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; amp;nbsp...view Growth Management and Transportation*REMOVES PREEMPTION* Vacation Rentals nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; amp;nbsp...view Health and Human Services*FAC PRIORITY* Relating to Homelessness SB 1090 (Sen. Latvala) and HB 979 (Rep. Peters) ...view Wind and Flood Mitigation WorkshopsOnce again, FAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties. nbsp; Thanks to a grant from the Florida Divisio...view Annual Conference - Room Block UpdateThe room block at the Hilton Bonnet Creek is almost sold out (depending on the nights you plan to stay) ndash; Thursday night is currently completely sold out. We are working to locate some overflow hotels nearby a...view Strong UF/IFAS Extension Partnership ContinuesFor years, nbsp;FAC has worked closely with the University of Florida/IFAS Extension. Over the last decade, the two organizations have strengthen their partnership, nbsp;discovered many similarities in their missi...view Next Week in the Legislature The Senate and the House will take a break over the week of April 14 in recognition of Easter and Passover. Conference committees will meet on their return. nbsp; ...view This Week in the Legislature The House and Senate heard bills relating to the Florida Retirement System. SB 1114 and HB 7173 were voted favorably out of their first committees. The Senate bill now heads to Appropriations while the House bill heads to the floor. Among ot...view Annual Conference - Hotel Room Block Is OpenClick here to book online. nbsp;Or, call (800) 445-8667 to reserve your room at the Hilton Bonnet Creek. Ask for the Florida Association of Counties block...view Health and Human Services Update *FAC PRIORITY*Relating to HomelessnessSB 1090 (Sen. Latvala) and HB 979 (Rep. Peters) Summary: Requires the Florida Housing Financ...view Growth Management and Transportation UpdateVacation RentalsHB 307 (Rep. Hutson) and SB 356 (Sen. Thrasher) Summary: nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;Removes a preemption placed on local governments in 2011 that...view Agriculture and Environment UpdateSprings ProtectionSB 1576 (Sen. Dean) nbsp; nbsp; Summary: nbsp; Designates act as Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act nbsp; Provide...view Public Safety Update *FAC PRIORITY*Juvenile Detention CostsSB 1532 (Sen. Bradley) / HB 5305 (Justice Appropriations/McBurney) Summary: ...view Finance and Tax Update *FAC Priority*HB 5601Tax Reduction and Economic Development Incentive PackageHouse Proposed Concept Both the Senate and House have agreed upon reducing Motor Vehicle License Fees by approxim...view Administration UpdatePublic RecordsSB 1648 (Formerly PCB 7064, Government Oversight) and HB 1151 (Rep. Hood) Summary: nbsp; Prohibits the use of public funds in payment of ...view Florida Economic ConditionsOn Monday March 31st nbsp; the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) released its latest report related to the state of the economy in Florida. Major highlights of this report include: Florida growth rates are ...view Top 5 Misconceptions about the Procurement of Energy CommoditiesWhy overcoming them is critical to reducing costs Every day, energy decision-makers are bombarded with phone calls and emails from energy firms proclaiming they have the best ideas about how to procure energy. However, energy procurement ma...view Wind and Flood Mitigation WorkshopsOnce again, FAC is offering two Mitigation workshops free of charge to our Counties. nbsp; Thanks to a grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, we are able to offer two programs this year, one on Wind Mitigation an...view UF/IFAS 100th Anniversary Celebration - April 17thFAC is pleased to announce the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of UF/IFAS Extension on April 17th from 11:00 am ndash; 2:00 pm at the UF Plaza of the America. nbsp; For more information on the festivities, be sure to ch...view Economics of Medicaid Expansion ProgramThe Bob Graham Center for Public Service is holding a discussion on the economic impacts of Medicaid expansion on April 9 at 6 p.m. Robin Rudowitz, Associate Director, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, is an expert on state and fede...view Legislative Day Survey If you attended the FAC Legislative Day last week in Tallahassee, we need your feedback! nbsp; Please help us with future program planning by completing an online survey. nbsp; Just click on the link below and you will be taken directly to the sur...view This week in the Legislature Lisa Hurley testified in House Appropriations in support of HB 5305, which would amend the cost-share arrangement between counties and the Department of Juvenile Detention and resu...view Next week in the Legislature Senator Bradley rsquo;s bill relating to juvenile detention costs (SB 1532) is on the calendar for a hearing in Senate Community Affairs. The bill eliminates DJJ rsquo;s flawed pro...view Growth Management and Transportation UpdateVacation Rentals nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; amp;...view Agriculture and Environment UpdateSprings Protection nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; amp;nbs...view Public Safety Update *FAC PRIORITY*Juvenile Detention Costs nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; amp;nbsp...view Finance and Tax Update *FAC Priority*HB 5601 Tax Reduction and Economic Development Incentive Package Both the Senate and House have agreed upon reducing Motor Vehicle License Fees by approximately $395 million. nbsp; As a part...view Administration UpdatePublic Records nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; amp;n...view EPA and USACOE Release Proposed Rule on Waters of the U.S.On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) jointly released a proposed rule to clarify protections under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands. nbsp; This rule could have signifi...view Governor Scott Announces Restoration Projects in Apalachicola Bay Governor Scott has announced specific projects to be funded by the $6.3 million in federal disaster assistance approved last month. nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;The projects, which must first be approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration...view 2014 Florida Auditor General s Recommendations on Beach Erosion Control ProgramThe Florida DEP rsquo;s Beach Management Funding Assistance Program has announced that it will be presenting a webinar to address the 2014 Florida Auditor General rsquo;s Recommendations in Report No. 2014-064. nbsp; nbsp; The webinar will be pres...view Leadership Florida Opportunity for ACC GraduatesAs part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to once again provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning in the Fall of 2014...view Florida s Workforce System Unifies with Single Brand to Better Reach Employers and Job SeekersAt CareerSource Florida and in the offices of our 24 regional partners, we have done more than just change our name. To better assist job seekers and businesses who often work and operate throughout their region and the state, we aligned the brand...view Legislative Day - It s Not Too Late to Register! If you plan to attend Legislative Day next week on Thursday, March 27, but haven rsquo;t registered yet, you can register on-site. Registration will open at 8:15 a.m. at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center. nbsp; The Legislative Day event ...view REGISTER TODAY for these upcoming Educational Opportunities.2014 ETHICS WORKSHOPS ndash; March 27, June 17, and December 5 (6 CCC Core credits) During the last year rsquo;s Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Co...view April is National County Government MonthEach year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) encourages counties to promote county government programs and services provided in their communities and to celebrate their successes during the month of April. This year’s theme is...view Florida Entertainment Production Industry Fact Sheet 2014The Entertainment Production Industry Rally in Tally will take place next week - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - in Tallahassee. The purpose of this Rally is to allow industry members and interested parties the opportunity to thank legislators...view Legislative Day - Register Today! If you plan to attend Legislative Day in March, be sure to register by Thursday, March 20! nbsp; After this date, higher on-site fees will apply. Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday, March 27. nbsp;...view LAST CALL to register for classes before the prices increase on March 20th! 2014 ETHICS WORKSHOPS ndash; March 27, June 17, and December 5 (6 CCC Core credits) During the last year rsquo;s Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring ...view Thank You to our Legislative Day SponsorsThe Florida Association of Counties would like to take a moment to thank our 2014 Legislative Day Sponsors! Sponsors for Legislative Day help make it possible to host a Legislative Briefing so that we can better inform our members of the progressi...view President Obama signs Bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act into LawToday President Obama signed the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (H.R. 3370). nbsp; See below for more information on H.R. 3370. ----- Friday, March 14, 2014 U.S. Senate Passes Bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insuran...view NACo 2014 Achievement AwardsFrom the National Association of Counties NACo is proud to announce that the 2014 Achievement Awards process is now open for submissions! Since 1970, NACo has been highlighting county projects through the Ac...view 2014 Virtual Business SummitIf you rsquo;re an established business or industry seeking to expand or improve hellip; or a start-up business newly underway hellip; an entrepreneur with ideas for starting a business hellip; or an economic or business developer otherwise int...view FAC Hosts Inaugural Congressional BreakfastIn tandem with the National Association of Counties rsquo; 2014 Legislative Conference, the Florida Association of Counties hosted its inaugural Florida Congressional Breakfast on March 4 in Washington, D.C. nbsp; The breakfast was held at The Florid...view Legislative Day - Register Today! If you plan to attend Legislative Day in March, be sure to register by Thursday, March 20! nbsp; After this date, higher on-site fees will apply. Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday, March 27. amp;nbsp...view Upcoming educational opportunities - open to ALL Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers2014 Ethics Workshops ndash; March 27, June 17, and December 5 (6 CCC Core credits) During the last year rsquo;s Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that C...view Representatives Gonzalez and Caldwell Presented with FAC AwardsThis week FAC Finance amp; Tax Advocate, Davin Suggs, presented Representative Eddy Gonzalez was presented with the 2013 Legislative Leadership Award for his leadership as the Chairman of the of the House of Representatives Local and Federal Affa...view Florida Association of Counties Completes Federal Fly-In on Flood Insurance ReformU.S. House of Representatives announces issue will be addressed after February recess On February 11 and 12, 2014, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), along with commissioners and staff from Martin, Charlotte, Lee, Miami-Dad...view FAC Applauds Majority Leader Cantor s Announcement to Bring Flood Insurance Reform to House FloorOn February 12, U.S. House of Representatives rsquo; Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) announced that the House will ldquo;act to protect the flood insurance program but also protect homeowners from unreasonable and unrealistic premium increases...view Florida Retirement System Reform On Tuesday, February 18th the Senate Committee for Community Affairs passed by a 5-4 vote a Proposed Committee Bill (SB7046) that would close the Defined Benefit Plan and crea...view Ethics and ElectionsThe Senate Ethics and Elections committee passed SB846 this week which is considered to be the second part of the ethics reform package passed last year in SB 2. nbsp; The bill provides ...view Controlled Substances (Synthetic Drugs)This year rsquo;s annual synthetic drugs bill HB 697 (Rep. Ingram) unanimously passed Criminal Justice committee this week. nbsp; The bill outlaws 6 new synthetic drug formulas to the il...view Environment AgricultureSB 624 - Fair Associations. nbsp; This bill prohibits counties from levying a tax, special assessment, or fee for the pl...view Sayfie Water Summit This week, the Sayfie Review and the Graham Center presented a pre-session forum on Florida rsquo;s water Issues with special guests Senator Joe Negron and Speaker-Designate Steve Crisafulli. nbsp; The forum was an informal discussion moderated by...view Legislative Day - Deadlines Approaching If you plan to attend Legislative Day in March, book your hotel room NOW! nbsp; Hotel room blocks are filling fast ndash; both blocks will close on Tuesday (February 25). nbsp; After the blocks close, the reduced FAC rate may not be available. amp;nb...view Upcoming educational opportunities - open to ALL Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers2014 ETHICS WORKSHOPS ndash; March 27, June 17, and December 5 (6 CCC Core credits) During the last year rsquo;s Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed new ethics legislation requirin...view New FAC Silver Corporate PartnerFAC is pleased to announce the addition of Locklear amp; Associates, Inc. to the Corporate Partner family. nbsp; Locklear amp; Associates is a full-service engineering and environmental consulting firm dedicated to consistently providing quality...view Legislative Day - Deadlines Approaching If you plan to attend Legislative Day in March, book your hotel room NOW! nbsp; Hotel room blocks are filling fast and the cut-off dates are near. nbsp; Also, the Early Bird registration rate expires on February 28 ndash; be sure to register onli...view United States Senate Passes Delay in Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Rate Hikes; Floridians Waiting on House ActionOn January 30, the United States Senate passed S.1926 to delay the implementation of certain provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act (BW-12). nbsp; BW-12 is designed to eliminate government flood insurance subsidies and stabili...view Major win for America s counties in farm bill conference report Press release from the National Association of Counties PILT funding extended for one year; rural development priorities securedWASHINGTON, D.C. ndash; nbsp;Last ni...view Sober Homes bill to be heard next weekSB 582 ndash; Relating to Substance Abuse Services, will be heard in Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs on Tuesday, February 11th at 10am. nbsp;The proposed bill c...view Juvenile Justice - 985 Rewrite This week the House Criminal Justice committee unanimously passed Proposed Committee Bill 14-01 pertaining to revisions to the Chapter 985, Florida Statutes, governing the juvenile justice system. nbsp; The bill has broad stakeholder support and p...view SB862 - Prescription Drug Monitoring ProgramOn Tuesday the Senate Health Policy committee took up Proposed Committee bill 7016 which seeks to overhaul safety provisions related to the State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program dat...view Relating to Communications Services Taxes - SB 266 (Hukill) On Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 SB 266 (Sen. Hukill) relating to communications Services Taxes was heard and passed by the Senate Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities C...view Numeric Nutrient Criteria What rsquo;s Next: After a favorable ruling by the federal court last month regarding the modification of the Consent Decree, it is expected that the EPA will now approve Florida rsquo;s pending criteria and withdraw its federal criteria. amp;...view Governor Scott s Recommended BudgetLast week, Governor Scott released his recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2014-15. nbsp; In the Environmental and Natural Resources category, the Governor recommended a total appropriation of $3.3 billion, with approximately $1.41 billion or 43% t...view Committee Week Update: Environment AgricultureWater and Wastewater Utility Systems Two different bills dealing with Water and Wastewater Utility Systems were heard this week. nbsp; The House bill (...view St. Johns District Accepting Applications for Cost-Share ProjectsThe St. Johns River Water Management District is accepting applications from Feb. 3 to March 31, 2014, for cost-share funding for projects that will provide: Nutrient-loading reduction in springsheds, the Indian River Lagoon and other...view Diversifying Florida s Economy through Local Economic Development On January 30th 2014, Florida TaxWatch published a report titled ldquo;Diversifying Florida rsquo;s Economy through Local Economic Development rdquo;. This report gives local government guidance to choose between development projects t...view 2014 Ethics WorkshopOpen to all Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four h...view Jones Edmunds Goes Platinum!We are pleased to announce that long time FAC supporter Jones Edmunds amp; Associates, Inc. is our newest Platinum Corporate Partner. nbsp; Jones Edmunds has been a part of the FAC Corporate Partner program for 9 years. Their continued support ha...view REGISTER TODAY the upcoming Regional Workshop on the Legislative Process on January 30th! This regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative Session for Florida and how to make the best of the process. nbsp; It will cover the Legislative timelines, committee structures, calendars, bill tracking, and coordination between the ...view 2014 ETHICS WORKSHOP - Open to all Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional OfficersDuring the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp;Since 1996, as part of FAC s Certif...view 2014 Legislative Overview Webinar - Free for members!Join us for an overview of our priority issues and a look at what we expect to be big this year as we head in to the 2014 Legislative Session. nbsp; The webinar will be Wednesday, February 26th at 10:00AM ET. nbsp; ...view Join FAC in Washington to Share Your Concerns on Flood Insurance Reform, February 11On January 27, the United States Senate is expected to take up a bill (S. 1926) that would delay certain flood insurance rate hikes resulting from the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12). This bill is an important first step ...view Governor s Budget to Be Released on Wednesday, January 29, 2014It has been confirmed by the Governor rsquo;s Office that Governor Rick Scott rsquo;s spending plan for FY 2014-2015 will be released on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. The Governor rsquo;s budget recommendations are typically submitted to the Legisl...view Juvenile Detention Cost-ShareLast week in the Senate Appropriations Committee for Criminal and Civil Justice, the Department of Juvenile Justice and FAC were scheduled to provide an update on the status of the detention cost-share issue. nbsp; Although the committee meeting w...view HB 301 and SB 584 - Relating to Medical ExaminersState law, s. 406.11, F.S., requires medical examiners to determine and verify the cause of death in certain cases, generally in situations where death is unusual or there are suspicious circumstances. nbsp; Additionally, medical examiners must de...view Governor Scott Announces Environmental Protection Funding Recommendations This week, Governor Rick Scott announced that his 2014-2015 budget recommendation will include $55 million in funding for restoration and protection of Florida rsquo;s springs. nbsp; This total contemplates $25 million for water quantity and water...view Representative Patronis Files Environmental Regulation BillThis week, Representative Patronis has filed his fourth consecutive Environmental Regulation bill (HB 703). nbsp; nbsp; The bill, in its current form, comprises ten sections and 13 pages, although there is no way to predict the amendatory process....view Central Florida Water Initiative Draft Regional Water Supply Plan Comment Period Extended The Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI) brings together the St. Johns River, South Florida and Southwest Florida water management districts with the DEP, DACS and regional utilities to address short-term and long-term water supply needs in the...view Public meetings scheduled for SJRWMD Water Supply Plan 2013 The St. Johns River Water Management District will hold five public meetings and a technical methods workshop to discuss the draft District Water Supply Plan 2013 (Plan) and to obtain public input. One of those is a newly added public meeting in J...view Nationwide and NACo College Scholarship OpportunityYour high school senior can be awarded $2,000 for college. You may not have thought about it, but you re in a race against time to get ready to retire. The good news is: participating in your employer s retirement plan puts you in the drive...view Legislative Day is March 27th - Register Today Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday, March 27 for the Florida Association of Counties 2014 Legislative Day. nbsp;As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative actions affecting county government. ...view REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the upcoming Regional Workshop on the Legislative ProcessThis regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative Session for Florida and how to make the best of the process. nbsp; It will cover the Legislative timelines, committee structures, calendars, bill tracking, and coordination between the ...view 2014 Ethics WorkshopOpen to all Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional Officers During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four h...view FAC Travels to Washington, D.C. on Biggert-Waters, National Flood Insurance Program Addressing the effects of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act on Florida rsquo;s communities was adopted as a federal advocacy priority for the Association this past fall. Braving the polar vortex, FAC staff this week travele...view SB 342 - Relating to Florida Clean Indoor Air Act passes first committee SB 342, which would authorize local governments to further restrict smoking on certain county or municipal property, passed unanimously in Senate Regulated Industries on Thursday, Januar...view Post-Adjudicatory Drug CourtsOn Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to review the OPPAGA report on the effectiveness of Florida rsquo;s post-adjudicatory drug courts. Chapter 2013-40, Laws of Florida, directs OPPAGA to evaluate t...view Sentencing ReformThe House Criminal Justice committee met on Thursday to workshop a sentencing reform bill. nbsp; The package contains several provisions that both increase and decrease penalties for certain some criminal offenses. nbsp; In its current form it inc...view Federal Court Approves State Numeric Nutrient Criteria Rules On Tuesday, Judge Robert Hinkle approved the motion by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to modify the 2009 consent decree between the agency and environmental groups. amp;...view Senator Simmons Releases New Draft Springs Protection BillOn Thursday, January 9, Senator Simmons released a REVISED DRAFT of the Springs Protection Bill after considering the many comments received from stakeholder groups including the Florida Association of Counties. nbsp; Although we are still reviewi...view Environment Agriculture Committee Wrap-UpSenate Agriculture Committee ndash; This week the Committee heard a presentation on Bear Management in Florida by Nick Wiley, the Executive Director of Florida rsquo;s Fish and Wildlife Conservatio...view Onsite Sewage Program Research Review and Advisory Committee (RRAC)In accordance with Section 381.0065, F.S., the Florida Association of Counties must appoint a member to the Department of Health Onsite Sewage Program Research Review and Advisory Committee (RRAC). The Committee assists the Department of Health in...view Legislative Day - Book Your Hotel Room Today!The 2014 Legislative Day will be held on Thursday, March 27 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County. nbsp;A reception honoring the Florida Legislature will be held on Wednesday evening, March 26. nbsp;Hotel room blocks are open amp;nda...view CCC Year End Update This year rsquo;s class promises to be the largest group of graduates to date! nbsp; Of the most recent class of 98 new commissioners, I am pleased to announce that 22 have already completed all their CCC requirements for graduation and 28 need a ...view Regional Workshop on the Legislative ProcessLooking for that perfect last minute Holiday gift? nbsp; REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the upcoming Regional Workshop on the Legislative Process. nbsp; This regional workshop will focus on the upcoming Legislative ...view MLS Expansion to FloridaOn July 31, 2013 during the MLS All Star Game, Commissioner Don Garber announced that the league would expand to 24 teams by 2020. This gave the Orlando based club a major boost towards their MLS bid. On November 19th, 2013 after the Or...view SJRWMD Water Supply Plan Available to the PublicThe St. Johns River Water Management District has completed its DRAFT Water Supply Plan (WSP) and has made it available to local governments and other stakeholders. nbsp; The intent of the Water Supply Plan is to ensure that water supplies are ava...view FAC Strategic Plan Regional MeetingsMark your calendars! FAC is working on our strategic plan which will set the direction for the Association for the next 3-5 years. How can we serve you better?What do you like? Don rsquo;t like?What do you want?...view Affordable HousingThe Florida Association of Counties (FAC) is working with a coalition of stakeholders to ensure the Legislature provides full funding for state and local SHIP programs for FY 14/15. nbsp; As a part of that effort, it is important for us to explain...view Healthy PerspectivesHealthy Perspectives: The December issue of Healthy Perspectives is available on our website. nbsp; Brought to you...view Mark Your Calendars for Legislative Day! The 2014 Legislative Day will be held on Thursday, March 27 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County. nbsp;A reception honoring the Florida Legislature will be held on Wednesday evening, March 26. nbsp;Registration and room block inform...view Juvenile Detention Costs: FY12-13 Final Reconciliation REVISEDOn November 27, 2013, DJJ issued its 2012-13 Detention Cost Share Final Reconciliation indicating the counties were due a net credit of more than $41 million. nbsp; nbsp;However, on December 3, 2013, DJJ released its REVISED Final Reconciliation ...view FAC Legislative Team Meets with League of CitiesThis week, FAC rsquo;s Legislative team held joint meetings with it counterparts from the Florida League of Cities. nbsp; nbsp; At the League rsquo;s recent Legislative Conference, the environmental policy committee selected two legislative priori...view FAC Adopts Statement Supporting Regulation of Sober HousesDuring last month rsquo;s Legislative Conference, FAC adopted a policy statement in support of state legislation defining and establishing minimum regulatory standards for ldquo;sober houses rdquo; or ldquo;recovery residences, rdquo; while also...view FAC Strategic Plan Regional MeetingsThe Florida Association of Counties has begun developing our next five year strategic plan through an appointed Strategic Planning Committee. nbsp; Our goal is to find new and innovative ways to serve our counties and grow business and cost saving op...view Purchase your 2014 FAC Calendar today!The 2014 FAC Calendar has arrived! nbsp; This year rsquo;s theme is Beautiful Roads amp; Trails. nbsp; nbsp;Florida is home to some of the most beautiful roads and trails - both natural and man-made - that you could ask for. nbsp; Whether you ri...view Legislative Delegation MeetingsThe 2014 Legislative Session is right around the corner with committee weeks beginning in January. nbsp; FAC is preparing for another challenging session with the potential for tax cuts and unfunded mandates that effect local revenues. During Legi...view Speaker-Designate Steve Crisafulli Pens Article Discussing Views on Florida s Water Issues We need commitment on Florida s water issues One of Florida rsquo;s most precious resources is water. Our state is world renowned for our 1,200 miles of beaches, our springs and more than 7,700 large lakes. Yet Flo...view 2014 FAC Priorities Focus on Tax Reform, Juvenile Detention, Funding for Water and HomelessAs the state economy begins to improve with modest revenue growth, FAC is preparing for another challenging legislative session and the potential for tax cuts and unfunded mandates that effect local revenues. During last week rsquo;s Legislative C...view Legislative Conference Wrap-Up: Health Human Services Policy CommitteeDuring the FAC Legislative Conference last week in Volusia County, the Health amp; Human Services Policy Committee met to adopt policy positions for the 2014 Legislative Session and select its top priorities. nbsp; Many items that have long been ...view Legislative Conference Wrap-Up: Environment AgricultureThe Growth Management, Agriculture amp; Environment Policy Committee had a very productive meeting last week, discussing several issues that we anticipate will receive heightened attention during the upcoming legislative session. nbsp; nbsp; amp;nbs...view CCC County Government WorkshopsThanks to all the Commissioners who attended the recent CCC workshops on County Government during our recent Legislative Conference in Volusia County. nbsp; We had two days of workshops filled with great speakers and both days were well attended. amp;...view CCC Ethics WorkshopFAC was pleased to present an Ethics workshop after the Legislative Conference on November 15th. nbsp; Over 100 Commissioners, Constitutional Officers, and County Staff attended this workshop. nbsp; Thank you to all who attended and to ...view Legislative Conference SurveyIf you attended the Legislative Conference, November 13-15, in Volusia County, we hope you enjoyed the event! nbsp;Now, we need your feedback. Please help us with future program planning by completing an online survey. nbsp; ...view Housing and Insurance Committee Holds Hearing on National Flood Insurance ProgramThis week the U.S. House of Representatives rsquo; Financial Services Housing and Insurance Subcommittee held a hearing concerning the National Flood Insurance Program and implementation of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act (BW-12...view U.S. Senate and House of Representatives Appoint WRDA Conferees and Begin NegotiationsIn October, the U.S. House of Representatives easily passed an $8 billion water infrastructure bill known as the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). nbsp; nbsp; The bill authorizes about two dozen port, dam, flood protection and en...view Action Needed on Payment in Lieu of TaxesThis week, the National Association of Counties issued an Action Alert regarding the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Representative Scott Tipton (R-Colo.) is circulating a bipartisan ldquo;...view FEMA Seeks Applicants for Biggert-Waters Related Technical Mapping Advisory Councilby Jacquelyn Alamia As part of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is required to create the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) to study the accuracy ...view Hope Fading for Immigration Reform in this Congressby nbsp;Jacquelyn Alamia On November 13, nbsp;House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) stated that he has no plans to participate in any House-Senate conference nbsp;that would involve the Senate rsquo;s immigration bill (...view Florida Clean Indoor Air Act Bills FiledSen. Bradley and Rep. Edwards filed bills amending Part II of Chapter 386, F.S., commonly known as the ldquo;Florida Clean Indoor Air Act, rdquo; to grant local governments the ability to restrict smoking on certain outdoor property. nbsp; Curren...view RESPECT of Florida nbsp; The Florida Association of Counties would like to highlight our newest busin...view 2014 Calendar of Events is AvailableMark your calendars for upcoming FAC conferences and events ndash; CLICK HERE to download the 2014 calendar! nbsp; Some event details ar...view Legislative Conference is Next Week!This is the final opportunity for the membership to consider and approve FAC rsquo;s final policy statements; these statements guide FAC rsquo;s efforts during the 2014 Session. You do not have to serve on a policy committee to attend; all commiss...view Conference Materials are Available OnlineThe 2013 Legislative Conference meeting materials are available online. nbsp; Materials can be accessed through the FAC Portal or online at ...view Ethics Workshop - Not Too Late To Register!During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp;Since 1996, as part of FAC s Cer...view Homeowners Flood Insurance Reform Act Introduced in CongressAnother bill to address the unanticipated effects on insurance premiums as a result of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act (BW-12) was introduced on October 29, 2013. Sponsored by Representatives Michael Grimm (R-NY), Cedric ...view Proposed Constitutional Amendment: Medical Marijuana People United for Medical Marijuana has started a citizen initiative petition titled Use of Marijuana for Certain Medical Conditions. nbsp; The proposed Florida Constitutional amendment would allow for the medical use of marijuana for ind...view Florida Supreme Court Takes Up Preemption of Pre-2010 Red Light Camera OrdinancesIn 2010, the Legislature amended state law to preempt regulation of red light cameras to the state. However, before those changes took place in 2010, local governments adopted red light camera ordinances to cite and find drivers who ran red lights...view Finance and Tax Issues at 2013 Legislative ConferenceFor those attending the 2013 FAC Legislative Conference you can expect to engage in informative discussions and debate over issues regarding to proposed tax reform, economic development, and other related items during the Finance, Tax and Administ...view Springs Protection DRAFT LegislationFAC recently disseminated a DRAFT springs protection bill prepared by Senator Simmons (R - . nbsp; In short, the bill identifies 21 ldquo;Outstanding Florida Springs rdquo; and requires water management districts to delineate the springsheds and ...view Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee BasinThis week, the Senate Select Committee issued its Draft Report and Recommendations, and then deliberated and revised the recommendations in committee. nbsp; The Final Report includes funding recommendations of over $220 million as described below ...view NCCAE Conference nbsp; In October, Florida hosted the National County Commission Association Executives in Monroe...view Minimum Housing Standards SurveyDesoto County is trying to learn how many County Governments have adopted and enforce minimum housing standards, or if they regulate rental housing ndash; to include single family. nbsp; If they do have minimum standards, I would like to know the...view Healthy PerspectivesHealthy Perspectives: Brought to you through a joint partnership between FAC and Aetna, the November issue of Healthy Perspectives can be found ...view Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs Selected for President Obama s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience From Broward County In recognition of her leadership in preparing South Florida for the impacts of climate change, Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs was selected today as a member of President Obama rsquo;s Task Force on Climate ...view State Agency for Surplus Property ProgramThe Department of Management Services, Bureau of Federal Property Assistance, is your single point of contact for surplus federal property and excess military property. nbsp; Two separate and distinct programs operate under Federal Property Assist...view Legislative Conference - Discount Deadline is Nov. 7!Be sure to register by Thursday, November 7 to avoid paying higher on-site registration fees. nbsp; Click here to register online. FAC rsquo;s Legislative Conference will be held November...view ETHICS WORKSHOP - Open to all Commissioners, County Staff and all Constitutional OfficersDuring the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. nbsp;Since 1996, as part of FAC s Certif...view Florida Retirement System/GASB 68On October 2, 2013, a Florida Retirement System (FRS) Actuarial Assumption Estimating Conference was held to decide what methods and assumptions will be used for the 2013 actuarial valuation. nbsp; The annual valuation of...view Employer-Sponsored Benefits Task ForceThe Employer-Sponsored Benefits Task Force that was established pursuant to HB655 met for the second time in Tallahassee on October 23, 2013. nbsp; nbsp;HB655 was passed in 2013 and preempts local governments from establishing mi...view Electronic Cigarette Fact SheetSeveral bills have been filed this year to prohibit the sale or gift of ldquo;alternative nicotine products rdquo; or ldquo;nicotine dispensing devices, rdquo; both of which by definition would include electronic cigarettes, to persons under the...view DCF Recovery Residence Report Released Last session, proviso language in the budget directed the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to develop a plan to determine whether residential sober-living facilities should be subject to state licensure or registration requirements. ...view Senator Simmons Drafts Springs Protection BillAs reported earlier this month, there is a renewed interest in the Florida Legislature this session on springs protection. nbsp; Over the summer, FAC has participated in discussions with potential bill sponsors and the Department of Environmental ...view Water Resources Reform and Development Act Sails through the HouseThe U.S. House of Representatives easily passed an $8 billion water infrastructure bill on October 23rd by a vote of 417-3. nbsp; None of the 3 dissenting votes were Florida members. nbsp; The bill authorizes about two dozen port, dam, ...view Outcry Continues Over Biggert-Waters, National Flood Insurance Program Addressing the effects of the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act (BW-12) on Florida rsquo;s communities was adopted as a federal advocacy priority for FAC this past September. nbsp;Passed in October 2012, BW-12 was designed to raise i...view Letter to president, action highlight flood policy updateBy Charlie BanNACo Staff Writer Efforts to adjust recent federal flood insurance policy got a boost from one of the Biggert-Waters Act rsquo;s sponsors, who said she was committed to fixing the act rsquo;s unintended consequ...view FCC examines siting policies on local wireless infrastructureNational Association of Counties The FCC is taking a fresh look at its rules for local governments as they regulate wirelss infrastructure siting. On Sept. 26, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that scrutinize...view FCC sets rates for inmate calling servicesBy Yejin JangNACo Associate Legislative Director A new FCC order caps the rate jails and other correctional facilities may charge inmates for interstate phone calls. County jails that offer interstate inmate calling services...view DCF Safe Sleep CampaignSince January 2013, 128 alleged reports of babies dying due to unsafe sleep have been called in to the Florida Abuse Hotline. These deaths are 100 percent preventable and your county can help decrease them by participating in The Safe Sleep Campai...view Independent Stationers Awarded New School Supplies ContractSave on School Supplies Through Locally-Owned Dealers US Communities We are excited to announce that Independent Stationers has been awarded a multi-year contract to provide ...view Compressed Natural Gas SymposiumOn November 6th, the Florida s FIRST EVER CNG Symposium and Showcase will be taking place in Tallahassee. Presentations will include an overview of the recently-enacted Natural Gas Motor Fuels Bill by the Department of Agriculture - p...view Legislative Conference - Hotel AlertThe hotel is almost sold out - BOOK TODAY! nbsp; However, the hotel will continue to book rooms at the group rate of $129 until the FAC cut-off date of Friday, October 18. nbsp; It is possible the hotel could sell out before that date so reserve y...view FAC Adopts Federal ProgramFor the first time in its history, the Florida Association of Counties is adopting a formal federal advocacy and information program. FAC rsquo;s Executive Committee and Board of Directors identified lobbying federal issues as a strategic priority...view Policy Conference Recap: Finance, Tax AdministrationDuring the month of September 2013, the Florida Association held its annual Policy Conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. As a part of the policy conference the Finance, Tax and Administration policy committee met to discuss potential upcoming le...view Policy Conference Recap: Public SafetyAt FAC rsquo;s Policy Conference last month in Palm Beach, the Public Safety Policy Committee met to discuss issues that will most likely come up during the 2014 Legislative Session. nbsp; The conversation focused on Synthetic Drugs, Pain Manageme...view Policy Conference Recap: Health Human ServicesHealth and Human Services Policy Committee The FAC Health and Human Services Policy Committee held a productive meeting during the Policy Conference in Palm Beach County last month. nbsp; Commissioners discussed several new...view Policy Conference Recap: Agriculture EnvironmentFertilizer Workgroup The newly formed Fertilizer Workgroup met for the first time at the Policy Conference in West Palm Beach. nbsp; The group was put together to serve three main purposes related to this controversial iss...view Committee Week Update: Agriculture EnvironmentSenate Agriculture Committee / House Agriculture amp; Natural Resources Subcommittee ndash; This week, these committees heard state land management presentations by representatives of the Florida Forestry Service, the Department...view Senate Committee on Gaming to Hold Public WorkshopsFrom the Senate Committee on Gaming Gaming is a well-established business sector in Florida with roots stretching back to the 1890s. In the past 25 years, gaming industries have been transformed, not just in Florida but all around ...view State Wins Summary Judgment in Satellite TV LitigationCircuit Court Upholds State Tax on Satellite TV. nbsp; Counties are breathing a sigh of relief from the threat of Direct TV rsquo;s legal challenge to the Communications Services Tax ( ldquo;CST rdquo;) on satellite television services sold to con...view LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE - 3 CCC Workshop opportunities COUNTY GOVERNMENT Mark your calendars to attend the FAC rsquo;s upcoming Legislative Conference Workshop at the Hilton Daytona Beach (Volusia County) from November 13-15, 2013. nbsp; Two CCC Core workshops (6 hours of core ...view October Healthy PerspectivesHealthy Perspectives: nbsp;Click here to read the October issue of Healthy Perspectives, a joint publication of Aetna and the Florida Associat...view Florida Walks - County TeamsThe Florida Walks challenge is under way and we have had a great response! nbsp; If your county doesn t have a team yet it s not too late to sign up, go to www.floridawalks.org and join the challenge. If y...view Legislative Conference - Register Today!FAC rsquo;s Legislative Conference will be held November 13-15 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront in Volusia County. nbsp; This is the final opportunity for the membership and Legislative Policy Committees to meet and voice their opinion on th...view FAC President Desloge Appeals to Congress on National Flood Insurance Program On behalf of Florida rsquo;s 67 counties, FAC President Bryan Desloge this week appealed to members of Congress for their help in addressing provisions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act that affect Florida. The reforms, which were p...view 2013 Ethics Training Required nbsp;FAC to offer this training in November The Florida Commission on Ethics has issued an advisory opinion, answering a series of questions under the new Senate Bill 2 four hour ethics training requirements for ldquo;cons...view FAC Travels to Washington, D.C. for Federal AdvocacyNext week, FAC staff will join South Florida county commissioners and staff for two days of federal advocacy in Washington, D.C. FAC will meet with members of Congress to support passage of a Water Resources Development Act and $1 billion in infra...view SPRINGS LEGISLATION - Call to Action FAC staff has been speaking with Senator David Simmons, Senator Darren Soto, and Representative Bryan Nelson, each of whom has expressed interest in springs protection legislation this coming session. nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;Although precise language ha...view Affordable HousingDuring the 2013 session, the Legislature passed SB 1852, which allocated $100 million from the National Mortgage Settlement to state and local housing programs. This week, the Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee...view Economic DevelopementThe Department of Economic Opportunity made its annual economic indicators presentation this week in the House. nbsp; Speaking before the House Economic Affairs Committee, DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio highlighted several indicators demons...view Flood InsuranceThe House Insurance and Banking Committee met this week and heard a report from the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) on the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. nbsp; Acknowledging recent media reports regarding escalating p...view Finance Tax: Committee Week UpdateDuring the week of September 23rd the legislature its first round of interim committee meetings. Although the Senate Finance and Tax committee did not meet, staff met with Chairwoman, Sen. Hukill. Issues discussed primarily focus...view Public Safety: Committee Week UpdateThis week the House Criminal Justice committee announced its 2014 work plan. nbsp; The subjects they plan to take up are: Stand nbsp; Your Ground; Juvenile Sentencing Reform based on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Graham; nbsp; Sexual Predator...view Health Human Services: Committee Week UpdateIn the health care policy arena, members of the health care appropriations committees received progress reports on the implementation of statewide Medicaid managed care (SMMC) and the transition to diagnosis related group (DRG) reimbursement for M...view Numeric Nutrient CriteriaOn Tuesday, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida heard oral arguments on the cross motions of EPA and Earthjustice et al. regarding the modification and, conversely, the e...view Agriculture Environment: Committee Week UpdateThis week was the first of nine scheduled committee weeks prior to the start of the 2014 Legislative Session. nbsp; Committees will meet once a month until the end of the year, and then twice in January three time in February before beginning the ...view EPA Considers Changes to Landfill Emission RulesFrom the National Association of Counties The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering potential changes to federal rules governing municipal solid waste landfill emissions. nbsp; There are currently more than 2,0...view SAVE THE DATE - 2013 Florida Energy Summit From the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services The 2013 Florida Energy Summit will be held this year on October 14-15 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. nbsp; As the nation rsquo;s third largest consumer of energy, it...view NACo introduces new Grants Clearinghouse From the National Association of Counties The National Association of Counties (NACo) today launched a significant upgrade to the NACo Grants Clearinghouse which offers almost 10 times as many grant opportunities for counties. amp;nbs...view County Family Mourns Putnam County Commissioner Ed TaylorIt is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Putnam County Commissioner Ed Taylor. nbsp; Commissioner Taylor was a dedicated public servant and he will be missed. nbsp; Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. ...view 2013 Policy ConferenceThe FAC 2013-14 Policy Conference will be held next week, September 18-20, at the Marriott West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County. Senator Jeff ...view Policy Conference is Going PaperlessPolicy Conference meeting materials are now available for electronic download! nbsp; We invite you to go paperless and access the meeting materials through your FAC Portal or on the ...view New Ethics WorkshopDuring the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. Since 1996, as part of FAC s Certif...view ACC Alumni Scholarship for Leadership FloridaAs part of the FACTOR sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC was able to provide the ACC Alumni an opportunity to receive a scholarship of up to $5,000 if they chose to apply and were selected to participate in the upcoming ...view FAC Enterprise Partner: Source2FAC is pleased to announce that Enterprise Partner Source2 has signed a new contract with Sumter County, Florida government, which is currently home to over 90,000 Florida residents. nbsp; Source 2 is a staffing solution company that allows an org...view Legislative Budget Commission Approves Financial Outlook for FloridaOn Thursday, September 12 the Legislative Budget Commission approved a three-year financial outlook developed by Economists from the Office of Economic amp; Demographic Research (EDR). EDR rsquo;s financial outlook predicts a budget surplus of $8...view Supreme Court Set To Hear Online Travel CaseBack in 2009, 17 counties filed suit against certain internet travel companies, including Expedia and Orbitz, seeking a determination of whether the online companies should remit taxes on what they pay directly to hotels to buy the rooms or on the...view Juvenile Justice UpdateOn Thursday, September 12, 2013, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) appeared before the Legislative Budget Commission to seek approval of a revised spending plan. Changes to the spending plan were requested due to a substantial budget defici...view U.S. House of Representatives Releases Water Resources Reform and Development Act This week, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unveiled the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2013. Touting a reduction in bureaucracy, no earmarks and the promotion of fiscal responsibility, the bill set...view Legislative Budget Commission Approves Funding for Water Quality ImprovementsOn Thursday, the Joint Legislative Budget Commission approved a request from the Department of Environmental Protection to spend $2,769,525 to improve water quality in the St. Lucie River and Caloosahatchee River basins. nbsp; According to the DEP...view Numeric NutrientsThe U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida entered an order in favor of the EPA in litigation involving Florida s Impaired Waters Rule (IWR). nbsp; nbsp; The Court previously granted Summary Judgment regarding EPA approval of the...view EPA Water Quality Plan Seeks to Apply Lessons from Florida s Nutrient DisputeEPA has recently proposed revisions to the manner in which it reviews and approves state water quality standards. nbsp; It is widely considered a reaction to several problems the agency faced after environmentalists successfully sued to force the ...view State Lands - Acquisition and Restoration Council to Meet This WeekThe Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will convene a public meeting of the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) on Friday, September 13, 2013. nbsp; The purpose of the meeting is to present the scientific process used to assess con...view DEP to Begin Rulemaking on Public Mooring Fields The Department has announced it will adopt a new environmental resource general permit for public mooring fields pursuant to language in House Bill 999, passed in the 2013 Legislative Session. nbsp; The bill, which amended Section 373.118(4), F.S....view Florida Springs to Receive Financial Aid Florida is going to spend nearly $37 million to help improve the water quality of several springs across the state. nbsp; Last week, Governor Scott announced a list of the projects that will receive a combination of state and local funding. nbsp; amp;...view SPRINGS LEGISLATION - Call to Action Last week, FAC rsquo;s Environmental Advocate, Stephen James met with Senator David Simmons, Senator Darren Soto, and Representative Bryan Nelson in Orlando, Florida, to discuss potential springs legislation for the 2014 legislative session. nbsp;...view 2013 Florida Water ForumFor those who will not be in attendance at FAC rsquo;s Policy Conference in West Palm Beach, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) and the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) are hosting the 4th Annual Florida Water F...view FAC Honored by Department of Veterans AffairsFAC was honored and humbled last week to receive a Commendation from the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA) for ldquo;exceptionally meritorious service and outstanding contributions in support of Florida rsquo;s 1.6 million veterans an...view FAC Ethics Programs During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. To fulfill this requirement ...view Policy Committee Conference - Register Today!The FAC 2013-14 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 18-20 in Palm Beach County at the Marriott West Palm Beach (1001 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401). nbsp; This event brings together the FAC Legislative Policy Committees...view Charter Government Workshop - September 18 Have you registered for the FAC Policy Committee Conference yet? nbsp; By registering to attend the Policy Committee Conference, you will be able to participate in the CCC workshop, Understanding Charter Government, which is included in your regis...view REMINDER - ACC Registration is now open and Scholarships are still available!Registration for the 2013-2014 ACC Program is open. nbsp; In order to apply, you must be a CCC graduate. nbsp;Before you apply to attend the ACC program, please check your calendars to ensure that you may attend all 3 workshops which are required...view Senate Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin MeetsLast week, the Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin held its inaugural meeting/workshop in Stuart, Florida. nbsp; The Committee, chaired by Senator Joe Negron (Stuart), was convened to explore short- and long term solu...view Numeric Nutrient CriteriaLast week in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Judge Robert Hinkle issued an Order clarifying the Consent Decree deadlines. nbsp; According to the Order, the EPA rsquo;s motion to clarify (or to actually modify...view DEP Holds Workshops on Conservation LandsThe Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is reviewing the extensive inventory of state-owned conservation lands in an effort to assess each of the properties and to determine which have the highest conservation value. nbsp; After this asse...view DEP Holds Workshop on Bacteria/Pathogen RisksLast week, the DEP rsquo;s Pathogen Technical Advisory Committee held its first workshop to begin a new rulemaking effort with regard to bacteria and pathogen risks in recreational waters to reflect new criteria and analytical methods. nbsp; The C...view Local Works Day is September 6th! The Florida Local Government Coalition has launched an initiative to help educate people on all the ways local governments serve their communities. nbsp; September 6th is Local Works Day...view FAC Ethics Programs During the 2013 Legislative Session, the Florida legislature passed new ethics legislation requiring that Commissioners and other Constitutional Officers take four hours of Ethics programming each calendar year. Since 1996, as part of FAC amp;r...view Policy Committee Conference - Revised AgendaThere have been some changes to the Policy Committee Conference agenda ndash; click here to print the latest. nbsp; The FAC 20...view Charter Government WorkshopHave you registered for the FAC Policy Committee Conference yet? nbsp; The deadline to take advantage of the early bird rate to attend this conference is Friday, August 23rd. nbsp; By registering to attend the Policy Committee Conference, you will...view ACC Registration is now open and Scholarships are still available!Registration for the 2013-2014 ACC Program is now open. nbsp; In order to apply, you must be a CCC graduate. nbsp;Before you apply to attend the ACC program, please check your calendars to ensure that you may attend all 3 workshops which are requ...view Ricoh Awarded New Multifunction Printer Document Services ContractThrough the FAC relationship with US Communities, we are excited to announce that Ricoh Americas Corporation has been awarded a multi-year contract to supply multifunction products (MFPs) and related services through U.S. Communities. This exclusi...view Florida Retirement System Posts Strong Investment PerformanceLast week the State Board of Administration (SBA) released investment performance figures for FY12-13 showing that the FRS Defined Benefit (pension) plan earned a 13.12% return, beating its benchmark by 111 basis points, and ending the nbsp; year ...view Juvenile Secure Detention - UPDATEIn a letter dated August 1, 2013, Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters warned Governor Scott, Senator Negron, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Representative McKeel, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, ...view Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon / Lake Okeechobee Basin to Hold First Workshop in StuartThe Florida Senate Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin will meet on Thursday, August 22, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Charles and Rae Kane Center in Stuart. Chaired by Senator Joe Negron (R-Stuart), the se...view Numeric Nutrient CriteriaLast week, Judge Hinkle signed Orders granting motions filed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding the enforcement of numeric nutrient criteria in Florida. nbsp; Specifi...view U.S. Senate Committee Holds Field Hearing in ApalachicolaThis week, FAC staff attorney Stephen James attended the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation field hearing in Apalachicola. nbsp; nbsp; The hearing was focused on the impact of ...view Agricultural Land Owners Encouraged to Apply to Rural and Family Lands Protection ProgramFlorida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam is encouraging Florida rsquo;s agricultural land owners to consider applying to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The goal of the program is to acquire perpetual agricultural conservatio...view EPA Releases Alarming Drinking Water Infrastructure Report The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released its quadrennial ldquo;Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment rdquo; and Florida has been ranked in the top 20 percent of states in infrastructure needs. nbsp; According...view Future of Farm Bill Unclear as August Recess BeginsWith the current extension of the farm bill set to expire on September 30, the future of new farm legislation remains uncertain as Congress begins a five-week recess. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) has announced that he will spend the r...view 2014 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Passes HouseLast month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the FY2014 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2609) by a vote of 227-198. nbsp; The measure funds U.S. nbsp; Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) civil works projec...view 2014 FAC Calendar - Become a Calendar County!Now accepting photo submissions for the 2014 FAC Calendar. The results are in and the theme for the 2014 FAC Calendar is ldquo;Beautiful Roads amp; Trails. rdquo; nbsp; As residents of Florida we know that our state has diverse ...view Policy Committee Conference - Register TodayThe 2013-14 Policy Committee Conference will be held September 18-20 at the Marriott West Palm Beach (1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, 33401). This event brings together the FAC Legislative Policy Committees to examine the Association s...view Advanced County Commissioner Program RegistrationRegistration for the 2013-2014 ACC Program is now open. nbsp; In order to apply, you must be a CCC graduate. nbsp;Before you apply to attend the ACC program, please check your calendars to ensure that you may attend all 3 workshops which are requ...view 2014 Legislative Issues: Submit Your Policy ProposalsWith the Florida Association of Counties rsquo; Policy Committee Conference just six weeks away, the 2014 policy development process is underway. Policy Committee members have been appointed and staff are reviewing past policies and introducing ne...view County Medicaid Workgroup FAC is currently in the process of establishing a County Medicaid Workgroup, which will be tasked with exploring alternative approaches to the county-by-county distribution of the Medicaid cost share pursuant to s. 409.915, F.S., as amended by SB ...view Select Committee to Study Lake Okeechobee Releases into Indian River Lagoon This month, Senate President Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) appointed a Senate Select Committee on the Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin. The select committee will investigate policies, spending, and any other governmental activities affectin...view Updates on Municipal Bonds and Tax ReformNACo recently released its latest update on the effort of counties and other local government associations to persuade Congress to preserve the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds during the ongoing tax reform discussions. nbsp; NACo staff is enc...view Florida Water Forum On September 20, 2013, Associated Industries of Florida will host the 4th Annual Florida Water Forum at the Renaissance Orlando Hotel. nbsp; The event will once again provide an opportunity for Floridians to hear from Florida rsquo;s key policymak...view Natural Gas Rebate Program Last month, Governor Scott signed HB 579 (Ray / Simpson) relating to Natural Gas Motor Fuel (ch. 2013-198, L.O.F.). nbsp; nbsp; The bill creates Part V of Chapter 206, F.S., which repeals the annual decal fee program for motor veh...view Healthy Perspectives - August 2013Healthy Perspectives: The August issue of Health Perspectives is available now. Made available through the FAC/Aetna partnership, this fun monthly new...view FAC Honored at NACo Annual ConferenceNACo and CVS/Caremark recently honored FAC with an Outstanding Program Advocate Award for excellence in supporting and promoting the NACo Prescription Discount Card Program. The award was presented to FAC leaders on July 21, 2013 as part of the NA...view Is your county innovative? Tell us about it.FAC is working through Keep It Local, Florida to spread the word about home rule. nbsp; As a part of our Keep It Local, Florida communications we would like to highlight something your innovative your county is doing. Keep It Local Fl...view Pick the theme for the 2014 FAC Calendar!Each year we ask members to vote on the theme for our calendar then hold a contest to pick photos for the calendar. nbsp; This year rsquo;s choices are: Famous landmarks Spectacular weather Beautiful roads amp; trai...view Florida Trust appoints New Board MemberThe Florida Trust appointed Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith to their Board this month. nbsp; Commissioner Smith will join an elite group of government officials on the Trust Board that is responsible for the oversight and transparency of the fun...view July Healthy PerspectivesHealthy Perspectives: The July issue of FAC/Aetna rsquo;s Healthy Perspectives is available here. nbsp; This month rsquo;s issue includes: -Ti...view UPDATE: Juvenile Detention CostsBased on DJJ rsquo;s revised county estimated billings for FY13-14, it appears counties may actually owe $40,000,000 LESS than was originally projected. nbsp;The revised estimates were calculated after the First District Court of Appeal sided wit...view Spill Settlement Should Help Legitimate Claimants By John C. Ming? For the past three years, BP has worked with the people of the Gulf to help restore nbsp;the region rsquo;s environment and economy. nbsp; It rsquo;s been a big job, and we rsquo;ve tried to do t...view Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge Installed as PresidentLeon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge was installed as FAC President last week at the FAC Annual Conference. nbsp; Commissioner Desloge rsquo;s priority and theme for his term as president is: Civility.Opportunity.Unity ndash; Florida rsquo;s le...view Second Vice President and Board of Directors Elected at Annual Business MeetingCongratulations to Broward Vice Mayor Barbara Sharief who was elected FAC 2nd Vice President last week at the FAC Annual Conference. nbsp; Vice Mayor Sharief ran unopposed for the office and was elected unanimously by voice vote during ...view FAC Honors Legislators, Commissioners at Annual ConferenceThe Florida Association of Counties (FAC) presented twenty-four legislators and county commissioners with 2013 Legislative Awards during the 2013 FAC Annual Conference amp; Exposition in Hillsborough County. ldquo;The preservation ...view FAC Graduates Commissioners from CCC ACC at Annual ConferenceCCC - At Annual Conference on Wednesday, June 26 during the Awards Luncheon FAC honored the following 8 commissioners as Certified County Commissioners (CCC) graduates: Christopher Constance, Charlotte; Bryant H. Culpepper, Okeechobee; Stephen R. ...view Torchbearer ProgramFAC rsquo;s 2009-14 Strategic Plan called for the Education Division to create an additional continuing education program for certified alumni and an incentive program. At Annual Conference, FAC nbsp;launched the Torchbearer program...view Policy Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs NamedFAC relies on Commissioners to provide guidance on legislative policies to meet the diverse needs of our counties. nbsp; Each year the president appoints commissioners to serve as leaders of our standing policy committees: Health amp; Human Services...view SURVEY - Annual Conference The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition was held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside in Hillsborough County. If you attended, we need and welcome your feedback. Please help us with future program planning by completing t...view Enterprise Florida hosts Rural Economic Development Boot CampAs a follow-up to the Rural Study findings presented to the regions, the Rural Economic Development Boot camp is intended to complement the activities undertaken by loc...view Twelve Florida House Members Sign on to House Municipal Bond LetterIn a large bipartisan effort to support the continued tax exemption for municipal bond interest, more than 130 Representatives signed on to a letter to House leadership, including twelve Florida House members. Led by Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-M...view FAC Joins Organizations from 40 States to Support Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Funding FAC recently joined the National Association of Counties and more than 200 organizations from 40 states in supporting the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant. FAC signed onto a coalition letter to subcommittee chairmen and ...view Numeric Nutrient CriteriaLast week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for total nitrogen and phosphorus for the freshwater segments of the Lower St. Johns River as Site Specific Alternative Criteria (SSAC) pursua...view Florida Supreme Court Overruled on Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management DistrictLast week, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Florida Supreme Court ruling against an Orange County permit applicant claiming that the water management district rsquo;s requirements were an unconstitutional taking of his land. nbsp; nbsp; When the l...view Cuts in Federal Funding Threaten Florida s Beach Monitoring ProgramsEnvironmentalists are concerned about proposed cuts in federal funding that has historically been provided to states for beach water quality testing. nbsp; nbsp; In his fiscal year 2014 budget, President Barack Obama has proposed eliminating $9.3 mil...view South Florida Water Management District to Consider Selling Public Land The South Florida Water Management District is one of the state rsquo;s largest landowners with some 1.5 million acres ranging from central to southern Florida. nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; In response to recent budget shortfalls, however, all state agencies ha...view Governor Scott Extends Scallop SeasonGovernor Rick Scott has announced an early start to recreational scallop season beginning on Saturday, June 29th, up two days from the original starting date of July 1. The season will be open in Gulf of Mexico state waters (shore to 9 nautical miles...view Lawmakers Search for Paths to Farm Bill PassageThe recent dismantling of the farm bill on the House floor seemed to signal the end of any long-term agricultural authorizations for the foreseeable future, but there have been efforts from lawmakers in both chambers to explore options for revivin...view Bill Would Halt EPA Regulation of Coal AshA bill to prohibit the EPA from regulating coal ash as a hazardous waste passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee June 19, 31 ndash;16. The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 (H.R. 2218) would establish requirements for management ...view Agriculture Spending Bills Approved in House and Senate Committees On June 13, the House Appropriation Committee approved their FY2014 Agriculture Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2410) by a voice vote. The measure would provide $19.45 billion in discretionary funds for FY2014, which is $1.28 billion below FY2013 enacted l...view County and Municipal Revenue EstimatesThe Department of Revenue s Office of Tax Research has released county and municipal revenue estimates for the 2013-14 fiscal year. They can be viewed here...view Annual Conference is next week! You DO NOT want to miss this Conference...dynamic speakers include NY Times Best Seller Stephen Carter, The Biggest Loser Season 4 Winner, and a 100+ Booth Exposition with Silent Auction. nbsp; It rsquo;s not too late to register ndash; register ...view Pre-Conference Welcome Event (Tuesday)To ensure a hassle-free experience, be sure to check-in at the FAC registration desk on Tuesday afternoon from 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. to pick up your registration materials or register on-site. nbsp;The Welcome Event is only $15 per person. nbsp;It wi...view Congratulations to the Advanced County Commissioner Class of 2013!Launched by the Florida Counties Foundation in 2006, the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) education program, ldquo;The Florida Forum for County Leaders, rdquo; is an advanced leadership program designed for graduates of the Certified County Com...view Monroe County s Mayor Neugent Testifies on Gulf Restoration before CongressOn June 6, Florida Keys Mayor George Neugent testified before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Invited by Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV and Florida Senator Bill Nelson, Mayor Neugent was the only electe...view Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds Under ThreatAs tax reform discussions advance on Capitol Hill, proposals that would cap certain tax benefits continue to be offered as a way to help address the federal debt and deficit. Specific elements within these proposals threaten the tax-exempt...view Pretrial Conference in Orlando September 15-18, 2013The National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA) will hold its annual conference in Orlando this year. The conference will highlight the latest research being done in the pretrial field, the next generation risk assessment, as well a...view UPDATE: Juvenile Detention CostsEarlier this month we reported that the First District Court of Appeal issued a ruling siding with the counties who argued the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) was improperly shifting a portion of the state rsquo;s juvenile detention costs ont...view FACHSA Annual Business Meeting at FAC Annual ConferenceThe Florida Association of County Human Services Administrators (FACHSA) is holding its annual business meeting on Thursday, June 27 from 9:00am to 5:00pm during the FAC Annual Conference at the Marriott Tampa Waterside. nbsp; In addition to the busi...view Federal News from NACoOn June 19th, the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee passed a $44.1 billion appropriations bill that included a $1.4 billion reduction in funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)...view Environmentalists Intend Antidegradation Suit to Strengthen Florida s Numeric Nutrient PlanEnvironmentalists in Florida are threatening to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its alleged failure to require the state to enforce antidegradation rules in the Clean Water Act, a sign that that the activists will be shifti...view St. Lucie River and Estuary BMAP Finalized The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently finalized the St. Lucie River and Estuary Basin Management Action Plan for the Implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for Nutrients and Dissolved Oxygen. nbsp; Should y...view Interim Committee Schedule ReleasedIn a memorandum sent out to the Legislature last week, President Gaetz and Speaker Weatherford proposed the following schedule for interim committee meetings in preparation for the 2014 Regular Legislative Session: The week of Septem...view Florida Legislators Oppose Ban on Deer ImportationLast week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) considered a measure that would impose a blanket prohibition on the importation of live deer and elk to reduce the chance that potentially fatal ldquo;Chronic Wasting Disease amp;rd...view Florida Officials Encourage Catching and Eating LionfishThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently adopted rule changes regarding lionfish harvesting that will waive the recreational license requirement for divers harvesting lionfish using pole spears, handheld nets, Hawaiian slings or...view SFWMD to Ease Use Restrictions on its LandThe South Florida Water Management District has proposed changes to the administrative rules governing recreation on its public lands (Rule 40E-7, Florida Administrative Code). nbsp; nbsp;These revisions are intended to make it easi...view Annual Conference - Register by June 18The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside in Hillsborough County. nbsp; nbsp; The chance to beat your own drum, a NY Times best-selling author and several new confer...view Pre-Conference Welcome EventKick-off your conference with an evening of fun, fellowship and a little old fashioned competition. nbsp; We know many of you will arrive in Tampa on Tuesday afternoon and will need something to do that evening so join us! The Welcome Event will b...view Help FAC give Back to Florida s Veterans - Participate in the Silent Aution at Annual ConferenceWe are pleased to announce an additional conference event that will, no doubt, generate excitement and helps us help Floridians who served our country in the United States military. nbsp; We also want to recognize the many county officials who served...view FDOT Secretary, Ananth Prasad, will speak at Annual Conference Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Ananth Prasad will speak at the Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, June 26 (12-1:30 p.m.). nbsp; Secretary Prasad is responsible for managing the $7 billion agency which oversees all o...view Congratulations to the Certified County Commissioners class of 2013!The Certified County Commissioner Program is a voluntary certification program sponsored by the University of Florida/IFAS and it is designed for county commissioners to learn information and enhance skills relevant to their duties and responsibil...view Medicaid Webinar Scheduled for June 17FAC will be having a webinar on Monday, June 17 at 3:00pm to go over changes to the county-state Medicaid cost sharing methodology. nbsp; In advance of SB 1520 rsquo;s July 1 effective date, we will provide information on how county shares will be...view Court Sides with Counties on Juvenile Detention CostsOn Wednesday, the First District Court of Appeal sided with the counties who argued the Department of Juvenile Justice was improperly shifting a portion of the state rsquo;s juvenile detention costs onto the counties. nbsp; In doing so, the appellate...view Property Tax Survey Request Coming SoonAs we approach July 1, 2013, FAC anticipates facilitating its annual request for property tax information including each county rsquo;s DR-420 form. nbsp; This information will be utilized, as in the past, to develop a statewide snapshot of prelimina...view Governor Signs SB 1520 and County Billing UpdateOn May 20, Governor Scott signed into law SB 1520, which makes significant changes to Medicaid county billing. nbsp; Beginning on July 1, counties will pay fixed monthly amounts for their Medicaid cost shares, and will no longer receive invoices for ...view Governor Signs Everglades BillLast week, Governor Rick Scott held a press conference in West Palm Beach to announce the signing of HB 7065, which provides state funding for his $880 million Everglades restoration plan. nbsp; nbsp;Among other things, the bill ...view Environmental Bills signed by the Governor SB 0682 - Fossil Fuel Combustion Products (Simpson) - Chapter No. 2013-068 HB 0999 - Environmental Regulation (Patronis) - Chapter No. 2013-092 SB 1806 - Total Maximum Daily Loads (EPC Committee) - Chapter No. 2013-070...view Proposed Rule Changes for Solid Waste Grants, Recycling and Recovered MaterialsOn June 3, 2013, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) published in the Florida Administrative Register two Notices of Proposed Rule for Chapter 62-716, F.A.C. (Solid Waste Grants, Annual Reports, and Recycling) and Chapter 62-722, F.A....view DACS Urban Turf Rule WorkshopLast week, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) held a workshop in Tallahassee to discuss proposed revisions to the Urban Turf Rule in 5E-1.003(2), F.A.C. nbsp; nbsp; For a summary of the comments provided at the workshop please...view Former EPA Chief Lands at AppleLisa Jackson, who led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency throughout President Obama s first term, has landed a job with Apple Inc. nbsp; Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the hire during an interview at a recent digital conference. nbsp; We re t...view SFWMD - Water Supply Facilities Work Plan - Technical Assistance Workshop On November 15, 2012, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board adopted the Lower West Coast Water Supply Plan Update. nbsp; nbsp; Pursuant to 163.3177(6)(c)3, Florida Statutes, local governments are required to adopt update...view Healthy PerspectivesHealthy Perspectives: Brought to you as always by our valued partner Aetna, the June Issue of Healthy Perspectives can be found here. nbsp; This month s issue includes moti...view Gulf Restoration needs Science and CommunityWith passage of the RESTORE Act by Congress, 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines paid by BP and other parties responsible for the 2010 Gulf oil spill now will be used for projects that benefit Florida communities. Jack Payne, vice president for agric...view Qualifying Period for FAC 2nd Vice President has Closed In accordance with the FAC Bylaws, any commissioner, other than commissioners currently in office, who choose to run for Association office must have formally declared their candidacy via certified mail, with a postmark date no later than May 15, ...view Winner of The Biggest Loser to speak at Annual ConferenceYou will not want to miss the very full program for Friday rsquo;s plated breakfast and Closing Session (8:00 ndash; 10:00 a.m.). After swearing in FAC rsquo;s newly elected officers and Board of Directors, our program will focus on ldquo;Creating ...view Annual Conference - Register Today!The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside (Hillsborough County). nbsp; The chance to beat your own drum and hear a NY Times best-selling author are in store fo...view County Administrator Placement Support InitiativeFAC is proud to announce that we have launched a new member services program, County Administrator Placement Support. nbsp; The program will be available to assist counties in determining the best person to fill their open county ...view CCC Pre-Conference Growth Management Workshop - June 25thCommissioners, be sure to register for the pre-conference CCC Workshop on Growth Management when you are registering for Annual Conference! amp;...view Medicaid Managed Care UpdateEarlier this year, and following 2011 state legislation which laid the groundwork for Statewide Medicaid Managed Care in Florida, the federal government granted conditional approval to allow the state to move most Medicaid recipients into managed ...view Department of Homeland Security House Appropriations Bill Released On May 16, the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee held a markup of the FY2014 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill. Among other things, the proposal would provide $1.5 billion for FEMA State and Local Pro...view Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services Announces Round 2 of Health Care Innovation Awards The federal Centers for Medicare amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the opening of the second round of Health Care Innovation Awards. nbsp; Through the program, CMS will offer up to $1 billion in funding for initiatives that test new...view Tax-Exempt Municipal BondsTax-exempt municipal bonds have been a fundamental feature of the United States tax code since 1913. Municipal bonds remain the primary method used by states and local governments to finance public capital improvements and public infrastructure proje...view Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) - Local Government SectionThe Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) is a research arm of the Legislature principally concerned with forecasting economic and social trends that affect policy making, revenues, and appropriations. nbsp; The ...view July is Bladder Cancer Awareness MonthIn 2012 and again this year, Florida rsquo;s legislature, the only state to do so, passed a Joint Resolution sponsored by Senator Richter and Representative Passidomo de...view Census Bureau Conducting SurveyThe work of the United States Census Bureau continues throughout the decade. However, this year they are also conducting the American Housing S...view EPA Denies Petitions Challenging Florida DEP OfficialsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has dismissed petitions from two environmental groups claiming two top Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials had conflicts of interest prohibited under federal law prior to being ap...view EPA Files Determination on Identification of Impaired Surface WatersOn May 13, 2013, EPA filed with the US District Court in Tallahassee its analysis and findings with regard to Florida s Impaired Waters Rule (Rules 62-303.320(4) and 62-303.320(6)(a) F.A.C.). This is the result in the latest of a series of citiz...view DACS to Hold Workshop on Urban Turf Rule (Fertilizer)Last week, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) announced a public workshop to discuss proposed revisions to the Urban Turf Rule in 5E-1003 F.A.C. nbsp; The Workshop will be held on May 28th at 9:30 a.m. at 3125 Connor Boulevard...view Agriculture Commissioner Launches Re-Election CampaignFlorida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is running for re-election. nbsp; Putnam, a former member of Congress, quietly opened a campaign account in April for the 2014 election, without making any formal announcement. nbsp; This should end any...view Meeker Resigns as Executive Director of the SFWMDMelissa Meeker, the head of the South Florida Water Management District resigned Monday, leaving after just two years in the position. nbsp; nbsp; In a letter to the Governing Board chairman, Ms. Meeker said she was stepping aside as executive direct...view Wakulla Springs and Wakulla River BMAP MeetingsLast week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a meeting in Woodville, south of Tallahassee, regarding Wakulla Springs and the Wakulla River. nbsp;The meeting was held to receive comments on the development of the basin ...view U.S. Senate Approves Water Resources Development ActTo continue Everglades restoration, Florida would need to plug canals, build levees and create large water storage areas to guide clean water through western Broward and Palm Beach counties and into the core of the famed ldquo;River of Grass. amp;rdq...view Farm Bill Moving in House and Senate Agriculture Committees?The Agriculture Committee leadership of both the House and the Senate announced last week that they will move the Farm Bill through their committees. Senate and House leaders have also promised to give the bill floor time by this summer, represen...view New York Times Bestseller to speak at Annual Conference Our theme for FAC rsquo;s Annual Conference this year rsquo;s is ldquo;Civility. Opportunity. Unity. rdquo; The Opening General Session on Wednesday, June 26 (2:00 ndash; 3:30 p.m.) will focus on Civility: Manners, Morals and the Etiquette of Democ...view Annual Conference - Register Today!The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside (Hillsborough County). nbsp; The chance to beat your own drum and hear a NY Times best-selling author are in store fo...view Interested in a Leadership Position with FAC??Each year, volunteer leaders guide FAC as we choose which issues to focus our legislative priorities on and fight in Tallahassee. These leaders become statewide leaders guiding the direction of the Association and making critical decisions during ...view NACo Begins 2013-14 Presidential Appointment ProcessThe 2013-14 NACo Presidential Appointment process has begun! NACo First Vice President Linda Langston recently sent appointment in...view Qualifying Period for FAC Officers Closes May 15thEach office of the FAC Executive Committee is open for election except that of the President, which is automatically filled by the President-Elect. If you plan to declare your candidacy for President-Elect, First Vice President or Second V...view May Healthy PerspectivesAetna and FAC Provide ldquo;Healthy Solutions rdquo; hellip;..available here is the May issue of ldquo;Healthy Solutions rdquo;. This month rsquo;s iss...view No Agreement on Medicaid Expansion Although three different Medicaid expansion alternatives were proposed during the regular Legislative Session, the two chambers could not reach consensus on certain major components of their respective plans; namely, whether or not to draw down bi...view Paper Reduction Initiative and the Task Force on Electronic Filing of Bail Bonds Paper Reduction Initiative and the Task Force on Electronic Filing of Bail Bonds Legislation was passed this session that seeks to reduce paper documents by expanding the use of electronic transmittals in several areas. nbsp; Among other t...view Online Sales Tax Bill Passes SenateOn Monday, May 6, 2013 the United States Senate passed The Marketplace nbsp; Fairness Act of 2013. nbsp; The Marketplace Fairness Act does not create a new tax, rather, the legislation would grant the authority for state and local governments to e...view Numeric Nutrient Criteria UpdateLegislation: nbsp; This session, the legislature passed a bill authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt rules for those water bodies not covered under the first phase of...view Endangered Green Sea Turtles Make ComebackAccording to published reports, endangered green sea turtles have multiplied in Florida during the past twenty years, and are now thriving in protected waters along the east coast from Melbourne to the Florida Keys. nbsp; nbsp; The number of turtl...view DACS Office of Agricultural Water Policy - Spring MeetingFAC representative Stephen James will be attending the Annual Spring Meeting of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rsquo; Office of Agricultural Water Policy on May 14, 2013. nbsp; Among th...view Silver Springs: Where Are We Now? The Silver Springs Alliance is hosting a public forum to answer questions on what is happening at Silver Springs near Ocala, one of Florida s most iconic springs. The event will include a number of guest speakers, as well as music and photographic...view State s Annual Hurricane Conference BeginsEmergency management officials from across Florida are meeting in South Florida this week to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. nbsp; The annual Governor rsquo;s Hurricane Conference begins Sunday with training sessions in Fort Lauderdale....view FEDERAL ISSUES: Water Affordability Dialogue with EPA and Local Government Partners Begins On April 29, representatives from THE national Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC), U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened to discuss Clean Water Act (CWA) water affordabil...view Agriculture: ?Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Expand Opportunities for the Next Generation of Farmers Last week Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2013 (H.R. 1727/S. 837) in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. nbsp; T...view HB 7007 Presented to GovernorGovernor Rick Scott was presented with the general appropriations act S 1500 (Relating to Appropriations) and H 7007 (Relating to Economic Development) on Thursday, May 9. The Governor has until May 24, 2013 to act on the bills....view County Criminal History Checks Florida law authorizes counties (Section 125.5801, Florida Statutes), by ordinance, to require employment screening for any position which the governing body of the county finds is critical to security or public safety and for any private contract...view Two New Trauma Centers Allowed on Final Day of SessionDuring the final days of the Legislative Session, language was added to an already controversial bill by Rep. O rsquo;Toole, HB 1159, to allow for two new trauma centers in the state. nbsp; A separate bill by Sen. Bean, SB 966, was amended earlier in...view Next Week in the Legislature Health Policy rsquo;s SB 1884 regarding County Medicaid Contributions is on the Special Order Calendar for Monday, April 29. The Senate will also take up the creations of the Healthy Florida program (SB 1816, Appropriations) ...view Annual Conference - Register Today!The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held June 25-28 at the Marriott Tampa Waterside (Hillsborough County). nbsp; The chance to beat your own drum and hear a NY Times best-selling author are in store fo...view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human ServicesThis week in the Legislature, SB 1884 was amended in Senate Appropriations to phase in the transition to enrollment-based county Medicaid cost-sharing over seven years. nbsp; Originally,...view This Week in the Legislature: Growth TransportationLegislation that closes an affordable housing tax exemption loophole passed the Senate this week and heads to the Governor for signature. SB 928 by Senator Simpson, which is this year amp;rs...view This Week in the Legislature: EnvironmentThis week in the Legislature, the Governor signed into law SB 444, the ocean outfall bill, after three years of advocacy from the affected South Florida counties. nbsp;Additionally, ...view This Week in the Legislature: Public SafetyThis week, the Governor signed SB 294 ndash; Controlled Substances, which adds 22 new synthetic drug formulas to the list of illegal schedule I drugs. nbsp; This new law will help law e...view This Week in the Legislature: Finance TaxTroubling Value Adjustment Board legislation may wait until the 2014 legislative session. nbsp; HB 1381 nbsp; by Rep. Wood contained several substantial changes to existing Florida Statutes...view This Week in the Legislature: AdministrationThis week two priorities of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate were passed and sent to the Governor. nbsp; SB 2, nbsp;a comprehensive ethics reform package which was he...view CCC Emergency Management Workshop - May 16thFAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Emergency Management workshop on May 16th in Seminole County from 8:30 am ndash; 4:00 pm...view CCC Pre-Conference Growth Management Workshop - June 25thCommissioners, be sure to register for the pre-conference CCC Workshop on Growth Management when you are registering for Annual Conference! amp;...view SURVEY - Legislative Day If you attended the FAC 2013 Legislative Day, held April 4th at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County, FAC needs your feedback. nbsp; Please help us with future program planning by completing an online survey. nbsp; ...view NACo County Leadership Institute AlumniCongratulations to the CLASS of 2013! Honorable Alex Barnett, Judge, Harrison County, KYHonorable Wendell Bostwick, Commissioner, Curry County, NMHonorable Blair Brady, Commissioner, Wahkiakum County, WAHonorable Maggi...view Annual Conference - 2013 Theme Coming Soon!Every year at the FAC Annual Conference, we introduce a new theme and goals for the Association! nbsp; FAC President Bryan Desloge has selected his theme for 2013. nbsp; We can t wait to share with you the exciting events at Annual Conference and the...view Next Week in the Legislature The Senate Appropriations Committee will take up SB 1884 relating to County contributions to Medicaid (formerly SPB 7156) on Tuesday, April 23. ...view ACC Class of 2012-13This week, the seventh series of the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) Program program concluded in Alachua County. nbsp; nbsp;The FACTOR programs are sponsored by University of Florida/IFAS Extension. nbsp;Fourteen nbsp;commissioners participat...view Medicaid Billing Call to ActionSB 1884, County Medicaid Billing, will be debated in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, April 23rd. nbsp; The m...view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human ServicesThis week in the Legislature, the Senate finally released its proposal for transitioning counties from a claims-based Medicaid cost-sharing relationship with the state to a formula-based approach. nbsp; ...view This Week in the Legislature: Growth Transportation The House advanced its transportation package this week by passing out of the Economic Affairs Committee a 110-page amendment to HB 7127. nbsp; Many of the objectionable provision...view This Week in the Legislature: Environment This week in the Legislature, the Ocean Outfall bill (SB 444) was passed by both chambers and will now go the Governor to be signed into law. nbsp; Senator Bradley rsquo;s bill (...view This Week in the Legislature: Public SafetySB 294, which makes certain synthetic drugs illegal nbsp;is one step away from becoming law. nbsp;The bill unanimously passed both chambers this week and is headed to the Governor. amp;nbs...view This Week in the Legislature: Finance TaxSignificant issues including Communication Services Taxes, Local Business Taxes, and Sales Tax Exemptions for Commercial Leases may have to wait until next year. nbsp; This week both the House and Senate Finance and Tax subcommittees have conclude...view This Week in the Legislature: AdministrationLegislation aimed at correcting some of the problems encountered in the last general election is headed to the Governor. nbsp; This week the Legislature passed HB 7013, which extends early ...view NACo Analysis on President s FY14 Budget RequestWe wanted to share with you a new National Association of Counties (NACo) presentation on the President rsquo;s FY2014 budget request. nbsp; The presentation includes a summary of the President rsquo;s budget as well as an in-depth look at federal...view Florida Ready by 21 Community ChallengeThe Forum for Youth Investment invites localities from across the state to apply for the Florida Ready by 21 Community Challenge. nbsp; This is a unique opportunity to improve the lives of children and youth in your community. nbsp; The Ready by 21 C...view SURVEY - Legislative Day If you attended the FAC 2013 Legislative Day, held April 4th at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County, FAC needs your feedback. nbsp; Please help us with future program planning by completing an online survey. nbsp; ...view FAC Annual Conference - Reserve Your Hotel Room Today!The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held in Hillsborough County, June 25-28, at the Marriott Tampa Waterside. nbsp; The FAC room block will opened on April 1st. nbsp; As you know, this block fills very quick...view Emergency Management WorkshopFAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Emergency Management workshop on May 16th in Seminole County from 8:30 am ndash; 4:00 pm. nbsp; Commissioners - if you attend the workshop in its entirety, you will earn 6 elective credits toward...view FAC Aetna - A Healthy PartnershipDid you know that liquid calories in alcohol, juices, sports drinks or sodas can have an enormous impact on our weight? How much of an impact? Read more in the April Issue of ...view Next Week in the Legislature: MedicaidThe Florida Senate will take up the state-county Medicaid relationship on Tuesday, April 16 at 1:30 pm. A proposed committee bill (SB 7156) Relating to County Contributions to Medicaid w...view This Week in the Legislature: Public SafetyA ban on texting while driving moved closer to reality this week with SB 52 (Sen. Detert) passing its last committee stop. The Senate bill now heads to the floor; its House companion is on ...view This Week in the Legislature: AdministrationThis week, Senator Latvala took his omnibus elections bill (SB 600) and campaign finance reforms (SB 1382) for their final commi...view This Week in the Legislature: Growth TransportationBills that would close an affordable housing tax exemption loophole and save local governments $140 million in annual recurring revenue are moving through committees and heading to the floor in both chambers. nbsp; ...view This Week in the Legislature: Finance TaxLegislation regarding the application of sales and use tax to tangible items purchased via an online or mail order transaction was passed by the Senate Finance and Tax subcommittee this week. nbsp; The legislation originally proposed to apply the sal...view This Week in the Legislature: EnvironmentLegislation sponsored by Senator Diaz de la Portilla (SB 444) addressing ocean outfalls passed unanimously in the Senate this week and is now in House Messages. Senator Hays rsquo; bill (...view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human ServicesThe House finally unveiled its alternative to Medicaid expansion this week, which would create the Florida Health Choices Plus program to offer health accounts to qualifying individuals who fall below 100 percent of the federal poverty level. nbsp; T...view FAC Legislative Day a Success!This week more than 200 commissioners and staff came to Tallahassee to lobby in support of home rule and against unfunded mandates. The event started with a reception on Wednesday evening. Governor Scott attended the reception for the...view FAC Online Directory is Live!Looking for phone number or email address for some one in your neighboring county? Can t remember where you left your printed directory? Getting connected is just a click away with ...view FAC Annual Conference - Room Block is Now OpenThe FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held in Hillsborough County, June 25-28, at the Marriott Tampa Waterside. The FAC room block is now open. As you know, this block fills very quickly so make your reservations earl...view Next Week in the Legislature Rep. Patronis rsquo; environmental regulation bill (HB 999) is up in House Agriculture amp; Natural Resources Appropriations on Monday; ...view This Week in the Legislature: Public SafetyIn budget news, juvenile secure detention will become a conference issue in the closing weeks of Session. While both the Senate and House budget proposals reduce the counties rsquo; trust fund for secure detention costs due to reduced bed capacity...view This Week in the Legislature: AdministrationMajority Leader Precourt rsquo;s HB 655 on medical and leave benefits was debated for an hour on the House floor this week. The bill preempts counties from mandating its contractors prov...view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human ServicesSen. Bean introduced his alternative Medicaid expansion proposal this week, which would create the Health Choice Plus program (HCP) to offer health benefits accounts to enrollees. nbsp; The existing Florida Health Choices Corporation would adminis...view This Week in the Legislature: Growth TransportationBoth chambers continue to move this year rsquo;s growth management bills. nbsp; HB 319 relating to local pay-and-go provisions passed the Senate Transportation Committee, while ...view This Week in the Legislature: Finance TaxLegislation regarding the application of E-911 fees to pre-paid telecommunications services was passed in both the Senate and House this week, however each chamber is taking a distinctly different approach. nbsp; The House Regulatory Affairs Commi...view FAC Annual Conference - Room Block opens Monday, April 1The FAC 2013 Annual Conference amp; Educational Exposition will be held in Hillsborough County, June 25-28, at the Marriott Tampa Waterside. nbsp; The FAC room block will open on Monday, April 1. nbsp; As you know, this block fills very quickly s...view Ethics and Financial Management Workshops- April 3rd and 5th Registration is still open for our April 3-5th events: FAC rsquo;s Annual Legislative Day and 2 CCC workshops: nbsp; Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Laws and Financial Management. nbsp; Commissioners and Council Members - these CCC...view This Week in the Legislature: Administration This week in the Senate, Senator Simpson rsquo;s bill to reform the Florida Retirement System (SB 1392) passed out of its last committee and is now headed to the Senate floor. Unlike the...view This Week in the Legislature - Finance TaxThe Senate Appropriations committee passed a property tax package this week that included a number of measures with the potential to positively affect the administration and stability of local property tax revenues. The measure, ...view This Week in the Legislature: Environment nbsp;Speaker-Designate Crisafulli introduced to a group a stakeholders a proposed bill that would create a Fertilizer Regulatory Review Commission. nbsp; Under the proposal, the Commission would be charged with a comprehensive review of existing...view This Week in the Legislature - Health Human Services nbsp;Both the House and Senate Health Care Appropriations Subcommittees released their budget proposals this week. nbsp; While it is still early in the process, a few issues to highlight include: Both budget proposals provide just o...view This Week in the Legislature: Public SafetyThe House and Senate released their budget proposals for criminal justice programs this week. nbsp; Some significant items effecting counties include: The Senate proposes to exempt counties for another year from the statutorily-requi...view This Week in the Legislature: Transportation Growth ManagementDespite early signs to leave growth management alone for the 2013 session, the House has fast tracked its concurrency bill, HB 319 by Rep. Ray. nbsp; The bill essentially eliminates the ...view Available Environment Grant Opportunities March 2013 ndash; Nearly $35.8 Million in Funding Available for State, Local, and Tribal Governments Nearly $35.8 million of funding is avail...view 2013 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards Sustainable Florida is calling for nominations for its 2013 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards. nbsp;The Awards ndash; now in its 17th year - celebrate the best examples of sustainable development and prac...view Sample Resolution Supporting Tax Exempt Municipal BondsNACo has provided a draft resolutions that counties can use to support Tax Exempt Municipal Bonds. nbsp; Click here for a copy of the resolution....view Next Week in the Legislature nbsp; The House and Senate will meet on Wednesday and Thursday only, with a focus on appropriations. The Revenue Estimating Conference announced growth of $3.5B in general revenue for the upcoming year and both chambers thi...view This Week in the Legislature: Public SafetyThe regulation of pain management clinics through SB 1192 (Sen. Grimsley) and HB 831 (Rep. Fasano) moved through both houses ...view This Week in the Legislature: Finance Tax Rep. Steube rsquo;s HB 807 that would collect E-911 fees on prepaid mobile telecommunications for use in support of local government emergency communications operations continued to move th...view This Week in the Legislature: Administration Reform of the Florida Retirement System ndash; a priority for the Speaker of the House - continued moving through the House this week, with a second reading on the floor and a two-hour debate. nbsp;...view This Week in the Legislature: Health and Human ServicesThe Senate Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to introduce SPB 7038, Sen. Negron rsquo;s proposal for providing health care coverage to individuals who fall below 138% of the fed...view This Week in the Legislature: Transportation and Growth ManagementBills that change the transportation concurrency and proportionate share process continue to move through both the House and Senate. HB 319 passed its second of three committees this week a...view This Week in the Legislature: EnvironmentBills to address the discharge of domestic wastewater through ocean outfalls (SB 444, HB 707) passed in both chambers this we...view Water Projects to be Considered for Funding in General Appropriations ActThis week, the House Agriculture amp; Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee released a Water Project Application Form and General Criteria for the funding of water projects in the General Appropriations Act. nbsp; nbsp; The criteria are t...view Ethics and Financial Management Workshops - April 3rd and 5th Registration is currently open for our April 3-5th events: FAC rsquo;s Annual Legislative Day and 2 CCC workshops: nbsp; Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Laws and Financial Management. nbsp; Commissioners and Council Members - these...view NACo Action Alert on Municipal Bonds and Marketplace Fairness ActMunicipal Bonds Update 59 ORGANIZATIONS UNITE ON BONDS: The National Association of Counties, U.S. Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities coordinated a national campaign to protect the t...view Child Abuse Prevention MonthThrough the collaborative efforts of the Governor rsquo;s Office of Adoption and Child Protection, the Florida Department of Children and Families, and the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, we are raising awareness to end child abuse in Florida. amp;...view Next Week in the Florida LegislatureThe Revenue Estimating Conference meets Friday, March 15 on General Revenue projections, with budget allocations from both chambers of the Legislature to follow next week. The House will continue discussions on ethics reform. The regulation of Internet cafes will be taken up by the Senate; House consideration of a bill banning these establishments takes place Friday, March 15.view This Week in the Legislature: AdministrationA priority for Speaker of the House Will Weatherford continued its march through the House of Representatives this week and is headed to the floor. HB 7011 (Rep. Brodeur), which reforms the Florida Retirement System (FRS), passed out of the House State Affairs committee on Thursday with amendments to include death and disability benefits for special risk workers.Here is a list of some of the bill we followed this week:Elections - HB 7013 (House Ethics amp; Elections Subcommittee)Ethics - SB 2 (Senate Ethics and Elections Committee)Campaign Finance Activities - HB 569 (R. Schenck) Regulation of Family or Medical Leave Benefits - SB 726 (S. Simmons)Political Subdivisions - HB 655 (R. Precourt)Florida Retirement System - HB 7011 (R. Brodeur) Florida Retirement System - SB 1392 (S. Simpson)Public Meetings - SB 50 (S. Negron)/HB 23 (R. Rodrigues)Claims - Select Committee on Claims (Workshop)view This Week in the Legislature: Finance TaxA bill that would update the Emergency Communications Number E911 System to include prepaid communications and account for retail changes in communication service and advances in technology (HB 807, Rep. Stuebe) passed unanimously in the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee this week. Communications Services Tax (CST) - House Finance and Tax Subcommittee (conceptual)Local Business Taxes - House Finance and Tax Subcommittee (conceptual)E-911 Fees - HB 807 (R. Stuebe)/SB 1070 (S. Hays)Commercial Rentals - HB 629 (R. O Toole)/SB 656 (S. Hukill)view This Week in the Legislature: Health Human ServicesThis week, the Senate Select Committee on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act joined the House in rejecting Medicaid expansion with a vote down party lines. Instead the Senate will look toward creating an alternative approach that would draw down federal funds and provide health care coverage to uninsured Floridians.Disposition of Human Remains - HB 171 (R. Rooney)/SB 370 (S. Sachs)Smoking Preemption/Clean Indoor Air Act - HB 439 (R. Hagar)/SB 258 (S. Bradley)County Contributions to Medicaid Program - SB 1244 (S. Soto)/HB 1117 (R. Wood)view This Week in the Legislature: Transportation Growth ManagementBoth the House and Senate initiated the process of closing a loophole that allows for-profit affordable housing developers to receive an exemption from ad valorem taxes. HB 921 by Rep. Renuart and SB 740 by Sen. Simpson passed their first committees this week.Transportation Concurrency - HB 319 (R. Ray)/SB 972 (S. Hukill)Transportation Bills - PCB THSS2 (R. Artiles)/SB 1132 (S. Brandes)Affordable Housing - SB 928 (S. Simpson)/HB 437 (R. Davis)Affordable Housing (Property Tax Loophole) - SB 740 (S. Simpson)/HB 921 (R. Renuart)Red Light Cameras - HB 4011 (R. Campbell)/No Senate Companion view This Week in the Legislature: EnvironmentFAC representatives this week met with Representative Steve Crisafulli to discuss local regulation of fertilizer application. The future House Speaker is seeking a science-based approach to fertilizer regulation and a moratorium on new local ordinances while a study group, which would include FAC and the Florida League of Cities, explores the issue. Legislation has yet to be filed. Here is a list of some of the bills we followed this week:Purchase of Land by a Government Entity - SB 584 (S. Hays)/HB 901 (R. Stone)Ocean Outfalls - SB 444 (S. Diaz de la Portilla)/ HB 707 (R. Diaz)Agricultural Lands - HB 203 (R. Beshears)/SB 1190 (Sen. Brandes)Purchase of Land by a Government Entity - SB 584 (S. Hays)/HB 901 (R. Stone)Agritourism - SB 1106 (S. Hays)/HB 927 (R. Raschein)Government-Owned Utilities - HB 733 (R. Mayfield) Environmental Permitting - HB 999 (R. Patronis) view This Week in the Legislature: Public SafetyThe Senate moved a bill forward that will expand the controlled substances register by another 22 new formulas. SB 294 by Senator Bradley passed a third committee and has one more stop before going to the Senate floor. Its House companion by Representative Ingram is seeing similar success in the House and has only one more committee stop.Here are a list of some of the bills we have been following this week:Controlled Substances Synthetic Drugs - SB 294 (S. Bradley)/HB 619 (R. Ingram)Concealed Weapons and Firearms - SB 374 (S. Braynon)/HB 97 (R. Powell)Pain Management Clinics - SB 1192 (S. Grimsley)/ HB 831 (R. Fasano)Texting While Driving - SB 52 (S. Detert)/HB 13 (R. Holder)view Speaker Pro Tem, State Agency Heads to attend Legislative Day!FAC s 2013 Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County on Thursday, April 4. A reception honoring the Florida Legislature will open the event on the evening of Wednesday, April 3. Thursday, April 4 will begin with a Legislative Briefing at the FSU Conference Center. Speaker Pro Tem Marti Coley and Senator Chris Smith will provide a Session Update.view Operating Efficiently through Information TechnologyThe FAC Enterprise Committee was recently introduced to a secure web-based internal and external information management system called AcuityInfo. We feel the system s features could be of benefit in numerous areas of constituent services, program and project management, as well as other areas of importance to your county. view SAVE THE DATE: 2013 NACo County Solutions and MarketplaceThe 2013 NACo Annual Conference, County Solutions and Marketplace, is being held July 19-22, 2013 in Tarrant County Texas (Fort Worth). This meeting brings together county officials from across the country to learn, network and guide the future of the Association. Attendees from Florida will be staying at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. Complete your registration and make your reservations as soon as possible as the room block will fill up quickly.view UF/IFAS Center for Public Information Education (PIE Center) Webinar: Buying Local Food: Beliefs and Impacts This monthly webinar series provides opportunities to learn about critical agriculture and natural resource issues in an interactive online environment. Speakers include experts and practitioners who share their relevant research, practical experiences and research-based recommendations.view March Healthy PerspectivesHealthy Perspectives: Brought to you by our valued partner Aetna, the March issue of Healthy Perspectives can be found here. This month s issue includes: tips to help you move more , guidelines for good eye health, a great recipe for healthy breakfast tacos and more. Please share this resource far and wide and forward to your county employees and their families!view DEP and EPA Craft Solution for Safer, Cleaner Water for FloridaThe Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached an agreement to continue the protection of Florida s waterways from excess nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. These pollutants cause algal blooms and are among the largest contributors to water quality problems in Florida.view Speaker Pro Tem, State Agency Heads to attend Legislative Day!FAC s 2013 Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County on Thursday, April 4. A reception honoring the Florida Legislature will open the event on the evening of Wednesday, April 3. Thursday, April 4 will begin with a Legislative Briefing at the FSU Conference Center. Speaker Pro Tem Marti Coley and Senator Chris Smith will provide a Session Update. view 2013 Legislative Day WebinarJoin us on March 20th for a webinar on how to get the most from your upcoming visit to the Capitol. We will discuss making appointments with legislators, how to maximize your time when meeting with members and how to get your message across.view FAC Priorities: MedicaidThe membership of the Florida Association of Counties identified addressing the flawed state Medicaid billing system as a legislative priority. Last week, FAC s Legislative Executive Committee voted for FAC to advocate for legislation that would allow counties to leave the Medicaid billing system and pay an annual cost-share based on a to-be-determined formula and for those counties who wish to remain in the current system the ability to do so.view FAC Priorities: Juvenile DetentionSince 2005, counties have shared in the financial responsibility of juvenile detention with the state. Counties are billed for juvenile detention based on estimates from the prior year. However, the billing methodology has changed several times over the years and has been the basis for countless lawsuits.view FAC Priorities: Communications Services TaxCommunications Services Tax (CST), House Finance and Tax Subcommittee (conceptual). Concept of reforming the CST to consolidate the taxation of communications services into a single unified statewide rate, regardless of the delivery medium or location of the services user. view This week in the Legislature: Health Human ServicesDisposition of Human Remains: Clarifies and updates the statutes relating to unclaimed and indigent burials. Smoking Preemption/Clean Indoor Air Act: Bills would remove counties and cities from the preemption, allowing them to further restrict smoking on certain county or municipal outdoor property if they choose do to so by local ordinance. view This week in the Legislature: Transportation Growth ManagementDraft Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Package: Primary issues relating to FDOT operations of interest to counties; Affordable Housing: SB 928 represents this year s affordable housing package for the Florida Housing Finance Corporation; Red Light Cameras: HB 4011 Prohibits counties and cities from using red light cameras.view This week in the Legislature: Environment AgriculturePurchase of Land by a Government Entity: County may purchase land for conservation purposes only if an accurate inventory of government-owned property, not more than 1 year old, is made public. Ocean Outfalls: The bill amends current law. Agricultural Lands: Prohibits a governmental entity (currently, a county ) from adopting or enforcing any prohibition, restriction, regulation, or other limitation on activity of bona fide farm operation on land classified as agricultural land. view This week in the Legislature: Public SafetyControlled Substances Synthetic Drugs : Expands Schedule I of the controlled substances register to include 22 new formulas of synthetic drugs. Concealed Weapons and Firearms: Seek to permit local governments to regulate carry of concealed weapons in public buildings or government-sponsored outdoor public venues. Pain Management Clinics: Requires physicians to consult PDMP prior to prescribing drugs to new patientsview Florida County Government GuideOur Members asked for it, and we are pleased to present the second edition of the comprehensive guide on all aspects of Florida county government, including Florida s history, county government structure, leadership and management, budgeting methods and strategies, economic development and growth management, human resources, purchasing and contracting, health and safety, and infrastructure.view Leadership Florida Scholarship for ACC GraduatesAs part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning in the Fall of 2013. We encourage all ACC Graduates to apply, including those that will graduate in June 2013.view This week in the Legislature: Finance TaxLocal Business Taxes: The draft language embodies concepts with an overarching purpose to replace the current local business tax structure in ch. 205, F.S., with a simplified version of the tax that is more consistent across various business types and among taxing jurisdictions. E-911 Fees: Currently, prepaid communications are not included in the base of services subject to the application of E-911 fees which fund E-911 operations in Florida Counties.view FACTOR: Regional Webinar - Economic Development On March 7th, the Regional Webinar on Economic Development was held at 6 UF/IFAS Extension offices in the state. This workshop explained how counties may identify, implement and support successful economic development activities to increase well-paying employment opportunities and create a broader tax base. view Merit Pay PoliciesColumbia County is researching merit pay policies and structures of pay plans with this type merit system implemented by other counties. If you implement a merit pay plan structure for employees please to e-mail your policies and pay plans to Lisa Roberts in Columbia County.view Elections Report: We need your feedbackAfter the 2012 General Election, Governor Scott asked Secretary of State Ken Detzner, to review the administration of the election and make recommendations on ways to improve the system.view This week in the Legislature: AdministrationElections, HB 7013 (House Ethics amp; Elections Subcommittee). Summary: Early Voting Days/Hours: Extends period from 8 days minimum up to 14 days; increases hours from 96 to a maximum of 168 hours and allows for voting the Sunday before the general election at the discretion of Supervisor of Electionsview Regional Webinar on Economic Development - March 7thFAC is pleased to announce the upcoming Regional Webinar on Economic Development which will take place next week. This regional webinar explains how counties may identify, implement and support successful economic development activities to increase well-paying employment opportunities and create a broader taxbase.view Leadership Florida Scholarships for ACC GraduatesAs part of the sponsorship from UF/IFAS Extension, FAC is pleased to provide the opportunity to assist our ACC Graduates with scholarships of up to $5,000 to participate in the next Leadership Florida Class beginning in the Fall of 2013. We encourage all ACC Graduates to apply, including those that will graduate in June 2013.view The All New FAC Online Directory - Coming Soon!!!Looking for phone number or email address for some one in your neighboring county? Can t remember where you left your printed directory? Getting connected is just a click away with FAC s new online directory! Look for it on the FAC home page in March 2013! view Ethics and Financial Management Workshops - April 3rd and 5thIn addition to this upcoming webinar, registration is currently open for our April 3-5th events: FAC s Annual Legislative Day and 2 CCC workshops: Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Laws and Financial Management. view Florida Association of Realtors seek $1.4 Billion tax exemptionCurrently, commercial rentals are taxed at 6% at the state level, plus the local discretionary surtax. SB 656 by Sen. Hukill and HB 629 by Rep. O Toole propose to phase out the sales and use tax on commercial rentals by reducing the tax rate by 1% per year and completely repealing both state and local sales and use taxes in the year 2019.view Medicaid Reform and PPACA UpdateOn February 20, the federal government issued conditional approval of a waiver that will allow the state to require most Medicaid recipients to enroll in managed care plans. In notifying the state of its conditional approval, the federal Centers for Medicare amp; Medicaid Services stated that certain terms and conditions will need to be included in the waiver agreement.view This Week in the Legislature - Public Safety As we approach the start of Session, you should know about some new bills that have been filed that may impact counties. With regard to Pain Management Clinics, Senator Grimsley filed SB 1192 which seeks to require doctors to consult the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) database before prescribing schedule II and III drugs to new patients.view Affordable HousingThree separate bills have been filed to close a statutory loophole that allows for-profit affordable housing projects to transfer their ownership to a non-profit entity in order to receive an exemption from ad valorem property taxes.view This Week in the Legislature - Environment AgricultureSB 522 Biodiesel Fuel (Bradley) - This bill creates an exemption from the reporting, bonding, and licensing requirements of biodiesel wholesalers for local governments that manufacture biodiesel solely for internal use. The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate Agriculture Committee, and will now move on to Community Affairs, its second of four committees of reference. view Transportation UpdateLast Wednesday the House Transportation Committee workshopped this year s transportation package. Among the bill s provisions are several issues of interest to counties. Some of these include a requirement that counties adopt sound mitigation standards and regulations into their comprehensive plans that are applicable to proposed development projects adjacent to FDOT highways. view NACo News: Oppose Efforts to Eliminate or Limit Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal BondsTax-exempt bonds are a critical tool for counties that facilitates the budgeting and financing of long-range investments in the infrastructure and facilities necessary to meet public demand for government services. view Collecting Debt: A Civic Duty A Revenue RaiserFAC and NCS Plus have partnered together to offer a unique way to collect government debt. An approach that is restorative and effective. Take advantage of the guaranteed 400% ROI. view Numeric NutrientsThis week, the Florida First District Court of Appeal (1st DCA) affirmed the Division of Administrative Hearings order upholding the Florida Department of Environmental Protection s nutrient criteria rule. The 1st DCA affirmed Administrative Law Judge Judge Bram Canter s order per curium (i.e. without an opinion). view Operation UniteYou can Make An Impact in fighting Rx drug abuse. Explore timely, relevant and evidence-based information with stakeholders from across the country at the National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, April 2-4, 2013, in Orlando.view Workshop on Potable Reuse for Florida The Florida WateReuse Association, in partnership with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the St. Johns Water Management District and the South Florida Water Management District, invites FAC members to participate in a one-day workshop. view Legislative Day - Discount Deadline is March 4Register on or before March 4 and save $$!! FAC s 2013 Legislative Day will be held at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center in Leon County on Thursday, April 4. As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative actions affecting county government.view FAC and Aetna team up to bring you Healthy Perspectives As a valued Enterprise and Corporate Partner, Aetna has shown an unparalleled commitment to promoting health and wellness throughout all of Florida s Counties. The FAC/Aetna team is constantly working to promote programs that help county employees lead healthy, happy, productive lives.view REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the Regional Webinar on Economic Development. This regional webinar explains how counties may identify, implement and support successful economic development activities to increase well-paying employment opportunities and create a broader taxbase.view This week in the Legislature - Ethics and ElectionsSecretary of State, Ken Detzner, released his Recommendations for Increased Accessibility and Efficiency in Florida Elections which emanated from his investigation into the 2012 General Election in Florida. Secretary Detzner testified in both the House and Senate Ethics and Elections committees that the number one complaint he encountered during his statewide tour was the length of lines at polling places. Secretary Detzner attributed the lines to a record voter turnout, a shortened early voting schedule, inadequate voting locations and the length of the ballot, and offered legislative remedies for each in his report.view Communications Services Tax Working GroupOn Tuesday, February 12, 2013, during the Senate Finance and Tax Committee meeting, FAC staff provided comments in regard to the Communications Services Tax Working Group proposal to modernize existing state laws with respect to the taxation of communications services.view Prohibition of Local Referenda on Plan Amendments As a part of the growth management reforms of 2011 (The Community Planning Act), the Legislature prohibited local governments from using a referendum process for local comprehensive plan and map amendments. view Comprehensive Revision of the Florida Communications Services Tax LawDuring the week of February 11th, 2013 FAC staff received an advanced copy of proposed draft language for a Committee Bill in House Finance and Tax regarding a comprehensive revision of the Florida Communications Services Tax law.view Red Light CamerasA bill that prohibits counties and cities from using traffic infraction detectors (a.k.a. Red Light Cameras) passed its first committee of reference this week. HB 4011 by Representative Campbell passed the Economic Affairs Committee by a vote of 10-8. FAC staff testified that, while only four counties have these systems in place, a report by the Florida Department of Highway Safety shows that they significantly reduce red light violations and, for some intersections, have reduced the number of vehicle crashes.view HB 203 - Relating to Agricultural Lands In 2003, the Legislature passed the Agricultural Lands and Practices Act, to prohibit counties from adopting any duplicative ordinance, resolution, regulation, rule, or policy that limits activity of a bona fide farm on agricultural land if the activity is already regulated through best management practices (BMPs), interim measures, or regulations by the DEP, DACS, or a water management district as part of a statewide or regional program; or regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture, Army Corps of Engineers, or Environmental Protection Agency. view This week in the Legislature - Public SafetySB 294 by Sen. Rob Bradly, dealing with synthetic drugs unanimously passed its first of four committee meetings last week. This bill expands the Schedule I Controlled Substances list to make illegal 22 new formulas for synthetic drugs. These formulas were included in Attorney General Pam Bondi s Emergency Order issued on December 11, 2012. view Comprehensive Revision of the Local Business Tax LawDuring the week of February 11th, 2013 FAC staff received an advanced copy of proposed draft language for a Committee Bill in House Finance and Tax regarding a comprehensive revision of the Local Business Tax law. view SB 244 - Water Management Districts SB 244 provides guidance concerning minimum flows and levels (MFLs), reservations, and recovery or prevention strategies. More specifically, the bill requires a priority list and schedule to include MFLs and reservations and a list of water bodies that may be affected by water withdrawals in an adjacent water management district.view Florida Receives Waiver for Long-Term Managed Care ProgramThe federal Centers for Medicare amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the state s waiver request to implement the Long-Term Care Managed Care program, which is one component of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program established by the Legislature in 2011. view Developed Local Governments Comprehensive Planning ProgramSenator Simpson has also filed SB 786 to lessen the time comprehensive plan amendments are implemented. As proposed, the cities of Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Hialeah, along with Pinellas and Broward Counties would be required to follow the small scale amendment process for all plan amendments.view EPA to Consider Local Financial Capacity in Clean Water Act Compliance The EPA has directed its regional offices to consider local financial capacity when developing compliance schedules in order to meet Clean Water Act (CWA) responsibilities. Last week, the EPA announced this affordability dialogue to its regional offices along with a document entitled, EPA s Dialogue with Local Government Financial Capability Framework. view Consumptive Use Permits for Alternative Water Supplies SB 364 directs that alternative water supply (AWS) development projects are eligible for consumptive use permits (CUPs) of at least 30 years, if there is sufficient data to provide reasonable assurance that the conditions will be met for the duration of the permit. If, within 7 years after a permit is granted, the permittee issues bonds to finance the project and completes construction, the permit may be extended to expire upon the retirement of the bonds or 30 years after construction was completed.view Fiber Optic and Local Government AccessRepresentative Harrell has filed a bill (HB 355) that would require the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to adopt rules governing the use of the department s excess fiber optic network cables by local governments for non-transportation purposes.view NACo Health Reform Policy Academy: Where Implementation Stands NowMany key provisions of the Affordable Care Act are set to take effect in the coming year. With health insurance exchanges in each state open for enrollment in the fall, could counties be involved in public outreach and assistance? What are some of the implications for counties in states that do not expand Medicaid?view See the Bills We re TrackingA comprehensive list of all the bills we re following is just a click away! We ve created a 2013 Bills to Watch page for easy access to summaries and up to date information on all the bills we re tracking.view Study Committee on Investor Owned UtilitiesThis week the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee heard a presentation by Public Service Commissioner Julie Imanuel Brown regarding the Study Committee on Investor Owned Utilities. view Governor s Environmental Budget Last week, the Governor s Office presented its Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14. The Environmental Budget totals approximately $3 Billion, or roughly 4% of the total $74.2 Billion budget. No surprise, the largest percentage of the total budget is allocated to Health and Human Services at approximately $31 Billion (41.7%) followed by Education at approximately $22 Billion (29.7%). view Duke Energy to Close Crystal River Nuclear PlantThis week, Duke Energy announced that it will permanently close its Crystal River nuclear power plant. This announcement follows a series of unsuccessful repairs since 2009, when its concrete containment building cracked during a maintenance and upgrade project. view SAVE THE DATES: Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level Rise Potable Reuse for Florida The Florida Sea Grant College Program, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will present a full-day workshop Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level RisexLegal Issues for Local Government on April 19, 2013 in Broward County, Florida. view Smoking Preemption/Clean Indoor Air ActSB 258 by Sen. Bradley will be heard in Senate Regulated Industries on Thursday, February 21. Pursuant to sec. 386.209, F.S., regulation of smoking is expressly preempted to the state, although school districts are allowed to restrict smoking on school district property. view Governor Releases Proposed Budget for 2014On Thursday, January 31 Governor Scott released his proposed budget totaling $72.4 billion. The budget shows the first increase in the state budget in some time and as usually there are many components that impact counties. FAC has compiled a general overview of the Governor s budget as well as items that are likely to impact counties.view Upcoming Webinars: Get the Latest Details on FAC s Legislative PrioritiesDon t miss your opportunity to provide input on FAC s legislative priorities for the 2013 Regular Session. Join us on February 11 to hear the latest information on proposals to address Medicaid Billing and Juvenile Detention, where we are in the process and the most recent legislative and executive actions. view Legislative Day is Thursday, April 4th - Register Today Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday, April 4 for the Florida Association of Counties 2013 Legislative Day. As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative actions affecting county government. view Ethics and ElectionsThe Senate Ethics and Elections committee filed SB2, which is a comprehensive ethics reform bill impacting public officials at all levels of government in Florida. Some of the key provisions impacting local government officials are mandatory annual ethics training, restrictions on a public official s ability to accept additional public employment while in an elected public office, gives the Commission on Ethics greater ability to collect financial disclosure fines through garnishment of wages and increasing the statute of limitations from four to twenty years, increases the current no-complaint time against a candidate from five to thirty days before an election and authorizes certain agencies to refer cases to the Commission for investigation. view Presentation of FAC PrioritiesLast week, Eric Poole, FAC Assistant Legislative Director, appeared before the Senate Community Affairs Committee to present FAC s policy priorities for 2013. The Community Affairs Committee is responsible for a range of local issues, including growth management, building codes, economic development, affordable housing, and community redevelopment, among others.view CST Workgroup Final MeetingThe Communications Services Tax Working Group held its final meeting on Monday, January 28, 2013, via teleconference to finalize the report. The workgroup was created during the 2012 legislative session and charged with reviewing and studying tax issues related to the sale of the Communications Services Tax. view Growth ManagementWhile growth management issues are expected to receive only marginal attention this legislative session, a few ancillary growth issues will likely be heard. One of the primary issues to attract some attention relates to the manner in which transportation projects can be funded through the proportionate share process in Ch. 163.view Proposed DOC Inmate ShiftGovernor Scott released his budget on Thursday, January 31, 2013, and FAC is pleased to announce that the Governor did not support DOC s proposal to retain all inmates with a year or less on their sentences at the time of sentencing in county jails instead of sending them to state operated prisons. view Committee Weeks Update - Health Human ServicesFew substantive bills have been heard thus far during committee weeks, although several agencies and health care services providers presented to committees on a variety of topics. The Select Committees on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act continued to discuss aspects of the federal health care law as the Legislature determines what type of health insurance exchange to establish, and whether the state should expand Medicaid coverage to individuals who fall within 133% of the federal poverty level. view FAC Editorial Board TourFor the last month, FAC staff has been on the road talking with editorial boards and commissioners from across the state. Over the coming month, the travel will continue. If we are coming to your county you should have received an email from Cragin Mosteller letting you know we d be in your county and seeing if you d like to meet. With Session, just around the corner this is a great time to share your concerns and positions with FAC.view This week in the Legislature - Environment AgricultureSenate Agriculture Committee - This week the committee heard a presentation from Patrick Juneau, the BP Claims Administrator (succeeding Ken Feinberg). Mr. Juneau was appointed by a Federal Judge to implement the Settlement Agreement, which he called the most complex and detailed in history. view Joint Officers MeetingOn Friday, February 1, the Florida Association of Counties held its annual leadership meeting with the executive committees of FAC, the Florida League of Cities and the Florida School Boards Associations.view EPA to Consider Local Financial Capacity in Clean Water Act Compliance The EPA has directed its regional offices to consider local financial capacity when developing compliance schedules in order to meet Clean Water Act (CWA) responsibilities. Last week, the EPA announced this affordability dialogue to its regional offices along with a document entitled, EPA s Dialogue with Local Government Financial Capability Framework. view Silver Springs to Become State ParkMarion County s Silver Springs has been drawing tourists since the 1800s with its crystal clear waters and glass-bottom boat rides. The attraction has been operated since 2001 by Palace Entertainment, a California leisure-park company, under a lease agreement with the state. view SAVE THE DATE - Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level RiseThe Florida Sea Grant College Program, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will present a full-day workshop Adaptive Planning for Sea-Level RisexLegal Issues for Local Government on April 19, 2013 in Broward County, Florida.view MORE SNAKE NEWS - Environmentalists to File Suit over Rattlesnake Protection According to published reports, environmental activists will file a lawsuit seeking to expedite federal action on its request to give endangered species protection to the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. This week, the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity and others filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. view 2013 NACo Achievement Award ProgramThe National Association of Counties is reaching out to let you know about the 2013 NACo Achievement Award Program. The Achievement Award program recognizes comprehensive and innovative projects in various categories that support NACo s 2013 legislative and policy priorities. view Legislative Day is April 4th - Register Today Join us at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, Thursday, April 4 for the Florida Association of Counties 2013 Legislative Day. As a participant, you will get up-to-date information on legislative actions affecting county government. view Legislative UpdateThis week, the Florida Legislature gathered in Tallahassee for its first Interim Committee Week of the new year. Committees in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate met to discuss priority issues for the upcoming year. view Florida Clean Indoor Air ActBills have been filed in both the House and Senate that would reinstate local control over smoking regulations. Specifically, HB 141 by Rep. Cummings and SB 258 by Sen. Bradley would remove the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act preemption that prohibits counties and cities from adopting ordinances to further restrict smoking on their property.view Week in the Legislature - Public SafetyThis week s meetings were filled with a lot of agency presentations but some substantive issues and bills were discussed. The House Criminal Justice subcommittee chaired by Rep. Matt Gaetz signaled its desire to pass legislation this session dealing with the issue of synthetic drugs. view This Week in the Legislature - Environment and AgricultureSenate Agriculture Committee - This week the Committee heard presentations about the problems facing the oyster industry in Apalachicola Bay. The committee was briefed by Professor Karl Havens with the University of Florida Oyster Recovery Team. This team has been organized to determine the status of the bay and reasons for its decline, provide suggestions about future oyster fishing and management, and foster the sustainable use of the resource.view House Select Committee on Claims BillsThis committee met for the first time under the leadership of Chair James Grant (R - Hillsborough, Pinellas) and Co-Chair Gwyn Clarke-Reed (D -Broward). Chairman Grant stated that the committee will determine first if the claims bill process is broken, and then what is needed to make the process better and less political. view This Week in the Legislature - TransportationAs is customary during the interim committee weeks, various state agencies have been making presentations before House and Senate Committees. Among those presenting new and revised initiatives was the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Of interest to counties is a proposal that authorizes the creation of regional toll authorities. The concept would allow any county, or two or more contiguous counties with legislative approval, to form a regional toll-way authority for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and operating transportation projects in a region of the state. view Pretrial Services Roundtable FAC co-sponsored a roundtable on Pretrial Services at the FSU College of Law on January 10, 2013. Stakeholders from around the state representing every segment of the criminal justice system met to discuss the current status of pretrial services in Florida, including ways we can improve upon the system. view DJJ Secure Detention WorkgroupThe second meeting of the secure detention workgroup will be in Tallahassee on Friday, January 25, 2013. The purpose of the meeting is to continue discussing the ideas and concepts developed by the group at the December 7, 2012 meeting. view Growth ManagementThe Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) made a presentation to the Senate Community Affairs Committee on its Proportionate Share Calculation Report. The department was directed to develop the report following legislation passed in 2011 that altered the calculation of proportionate share fees. view Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics SeminarThe Florida Bar s CLE Committee and the City, County and Local Government Law Section will be presenting a seminar on Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics at the University Center Club in Leon County on Friday, February 8, 2013. The seminar will also be webcast live online.view Leadership Governance Work GroupAs a part of the year and a half long work of the most recent Bylaws Committee, that committee recommended an alteration to the Bylaws that would eliminate the office of President-Elect. There were several rationales for this recommendation. view FACTOR: New Commissioner WorkshopOn January 9-10 in Alachua County, FAC held its biennial New Commissioner Workshop. Over 50% of our newly elected Commissioners participated in this day and a half, in depth course. The course focused on a wide range of topics that are important for Commissioners to do their job including the nature of county organization, legal and ethical requirements, media training, finance and budget, and additional strategies for success. All FACTOR programs are sponsored by University of Florida/IFAS Extension.view FACTOR: ACC 2012-13 ProgramIn addition to the New Commissioner Orientation, FAC also held the second class of the 2012-13 ACC Program. Commissioners discussed, Leading Your Communities during Turbulent Times which focused on leadership qualities, shared vision, effective working partnerships and more. Our presenters were David Rabiner, Rabiner Resources; Dr. Rod Clouser, UF/IFAS Extension; and Dr. Alan Hodges, Extension Scientist, UF/IFAS Extension.view NACo Prescription Drug Card ProgramNeed help creating buzz and a new marketing strategy for the NACO Prescription Drug Card Program in your County? Look No further, NACo has done the ground work! The key to encouraging residents to participate is making them aware of the program and its benefits. NACo can provide your county with useful tools to help market the card county wide. view FAC Enterprise ProgramsFAC has a number of enterprise efforts that provide goods and services to county governments. Most of these programs are designed by counties, for counties, and have been so successful that they have been made available to other local governments. These programs use the collective purchasing power of counties to reduce the cost of products and services, providing significant savings and superior quality to Florida counties.view FPL Announces Plan for Natural Gas PipelineIn a presentation to the Public Service Commission, Florida Power and Light (FPL) announced a plan to add a major natural gas pipeline that would stretch from western Alabama across hundreds of miles of Florida to its plant in Martin County. FPL is expected to issue requests for proposals later this month to companies interested in building the pipeline, slated to begin operating in 2017. view Florida Lawmakers Reintroduce Everglades CaucusWith a new congressional class coming in, two South Florida representatives x Miami Republican Mario Diaz-Balart and Miramar Democrat Alcee Hastings x announced they are reintroducing the Everglades Caucus in the U.S. House.view Local Government Representative Needed: Department of Health Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems - Technical Review and Advisory PanelThe Technical Review and Advisory Panel assists the DOH on rulemaking matters related to Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems. Pursuant to Florida Statute, this panel must include a representative from local government who is knowledgeable about domestic wastewater treatment and who is recommended by the Florida Association of CountiesA view Cabinet Revives a Limited Florida Forever Program Governor Scott and the Florida Cabinet approved a list of conservation projects proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) using the $8.4 million that was budgeted by the Legislature last session. While this is far less than the $300 million spent annually prior to the economic recession, it does indicate that this administration hasn t abandoned environmental conservation altogether. view Ground Water Protection Council ConferenceGround Water Protection Council (GWPC), the national association of State Groundwater agencies. GWPC is holding an important event related to many important issues related to the protection of groundwater, January 22-24 in Sarasota, FL. GWPC is offering event scholarships (free registration) for local government folks and for students. view Attorney General Pam Bondi Reminds Affected Floridians to Timely Present Their Oil Pollution Act ClaimsTALLAHASSEE, Fla.x As the three-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill approaches, Attorney General Pam Bondi reminds affected Floridians to timely present their Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ( OPA ) claims. Although there is a class action settlement, not all Floridians are eligible to make a settlement claim.view Coca-Cola Takes Aim at ObesityThis week our Company launches an unprecedented campaign to help America beat one of the most serious, complex issues of this generation - obesity. In a series of new advertisements, we re using our marketing power and scale to educate people about the importance of making informed choices and balancing calories in with calories out. view Our New Year s Resolution for this year and the past 83 years: Home Rule!For more than 83 years, FAC has worked to preserve and protect home rule. Our mission is not based on politics, population or even policy - but simply that your commission should have the authority to make the decisions best for your community. However, it can be challenging to manage the diverse interests of 67 counties without ever appearing to be caught up in politics, population or specific policies.view NEW COMMISSIONER WORKSHOP - January 9-10, 2013It s not too late to register! Register today for the upcoming CCC class, the New Commissioner Workshop which will be held January 9-10, 2013 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Alachua County. This is an in-depth, day and a half workshop, which will cover a wide range of topics. It is one of the core classes in the CCC program and Commissioners will receive 6 credit hours for attending the entire workshop. view Pretrial Services RoundtableOn Thursday, January 10, 2013, from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., FAC, along with the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida State University Project for Accountable Justice and the FSU College of Law, as well as, the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association, will be hosting a roundtable discussion on Pretrial Services in Florida. view AHCA Releases Final DRG Conversion Implementation PlanOn January 2, AHCA released the final Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) Conversion Implementation Plan. Pursuant to s. 409.905. F.S., AHCA was required to develop a plan to convert Medicaid inpatient hospital rates from the existing cost-based per diem based system to a DRG model. The DRG model is a prospective payment system that classifies inpatient hospital stays and rates based on a patient s diagnosis and other relevant factors. Payment rates are assigned based on the average amount of resources required to treat patients in a particular DRG. view Florida Health Kids Corporation Board OpeningThe Florida Healthy Kids Corporation (FHKC) has an opening for a FAC representative on its Board of Directors. FHKC administers the Florida Healthy Kids Program, which offers affordable health insurance coverage for children ages 5 to 18 in families not eligible for Medicaid. The Board of Directors generally meets five times each year the Board committees meet between three and six times per year. view 2012 Florida County Government Guide - Now availableOur Members asked for it, and we are pleased to present the second edition of the comprehensive guide on all aspects of Florida county government, including Florida s history, county government structure, leadership and management, budgeting methods and strategies, economic development and growth management, human resources, purchasing and contracting, health and safety, and infrastructure. view NACo Brief: Impact to counties of Nfiscal cliff dealOn New Year s Day, Congress approved legislation (H.R. 8) to address the year-end tax hikes and spending cuts known as the fiscal cliff. The measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives late on January 1 after the U.S. Senate had approved it overwhelmingly earlier that same day. The measure will now go to the White House to be signed by President Obama.view Annual Editorial Board VisitsNext week, FAC will start its annual visit to newspaper editorial boards across the state. This is an opportunity to share with local media the issues facing counties this legislative session and ask them to weigh in on behalf of home rule. FAC s 2013 Legislative Priorities are keeping the Communications Services Tax (CST) revenue neutral, and developing a solution to Medicaid billing as well as juvenile justice. All told these three issues impact counties to the tune of $700 million annually. view Gulf Consortium MeetingOn January 18th, the Gulf Consortium will meet to elect its officers and plan its meetings for 2013.The meeting details are as follows:Weedon Island PreserveCultural and NaturalHistory Center1800 Weedon Drive NESt. Petersburg, FL 33702The Consortium agenda will be published in the coming weeks and can be found online at www.FACRestore.com.For more information please contact Doug Darling the Consortium Director.view DJJ - Secure DetentionOn December 7, 2012, FAC, along with the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Department of Juvenile Justice convened a workgroup in Tallahassee to discuss the challenges of the current shared detention model and possible ways to improve it. In addition to DJJ staff, subject matter experts from eleven counties were in attendance, as well as, representatives from the Governor s office, the House and the Senate. view Advocate for counties finalizes its legislative prioritiesGainesville SunThe Florida Association of Counties has established its game plan for the state Legislature s 2013 session as the new year nears.FAC, which represents the interests of the state s 67 counties, finalized its policy priorities at a legislative conference it held in Sarasota last week.It will focus on three primary issues in the upcoming session: Medicaid billing, juvenile detention billing and the communications services tax.view There is an app for that! FAC Smartphone AppFAC has launched its first smartphone App! Attendees at our legislative conference were able to test the app - which includes links to conference documents, a calendar of events, FAC News Clips and event FAC News amp; Notes! view This Week in the Florida LegislatureThis week, the Florida Legislature met for its first Interim Committee Week of the 2013 Session. Committees in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate gathered to review the charges for each committee and discuss issues for the upcoming year. view County Manager Group FormedOver 30 County Managers, Administrators, Assistant Managers and others gathered November 29th for a full day workshop in Sarasota. Held in conjunction with the FAC Legislative Conference, the workshop provided attendees with a unique opportunity to share information and discuss the challenges facing county leaders. view New Commissioner Workshop - January 9-10, 2013Register today for the next CCC class, the New Commissioner Workshop which will be held January 9-10, 2013 at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Alachua County. view Legislative Conference: HHS Policy CommitteeThe Health and Human Services Policy Committee met to finalize its legislative package in preparation for the 2013 legislative session. Medicaid dominated the discussion, including the potential impacts that the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and statewide Medicaid managed care could have on the existing county-state Medicaid relationship.view Legislative Conference: FT A Policy CommitteeThe FTA Policy Committee addressed a broad range of finance and tax issues affecting counties. One of the primary issues that garnered significant discussion was the future of the communications services tax. The committee adopted a position that would allow county participants on the CST Working Group / Task Force to participate in statewide discussions about modernizing current tax law to keep pace with developments in telecommunications technology.view Legislative Conference: GEPA Policy CommitteeThe Growth, Environmental Planning and Agriculture (GEPA) Policy Committee met last week during the FAC Legislative Conference and took-up several policy issues important to counties. While growth management has historically been a core focus of this group, the Committee concluded that the growth reforms of 2011 are still being evaluated and, as such, no immediate changes are warranted.view Legislative Conference: Urban CaucusThe Urban Caucus committee met at FAC s Legislative Conference to discuss issues that were of particular importance to our larger counties. The hot issues were the Department of Corrections proposal to shift inmates from the state prison system to county jails and recent developments in litigation surrounding the State/County shared juvenile detention system. view Leg Conference: Rural CaucusThe Rural Caucus was convened by Chair Scarlet Frisina from Columbia County. The Caucus introduced a large number of newly elected commissioners in attendance and welcomed them to the FAC family. The Caucus then heard a presentation from the Small County Coalition on their 2013 Legislative Program.view NEW COMMISSIONER ORIENTATION - November 28, 2012During Legislative Conference, a New Commissioner Orientation was held for newly elected commissioners. During this orientation, FAC s newest members introduced themselves, met FAC staff and the Executive Board, and learned about the various FAC programs as well as an overview of what they need to know the first few months on the job. view Senate Discusses the Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActThe Senate Select Committee on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) held its first meeting on Monday, as the Legislature begins to examine if and how Florida will implement certain provisions of the federal health care law. view EPA Releases New Beach Water StandardsIn an effort to provide states with stronger guidance, the Environmental Protection Agency this week issued its first new recreational water quality standards since 1986. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) currently tests water at beaches around the state. The tests detect concentrations of certain bacteria that indicate the presence of human or animal waste, which could carry a variety of harmful pathogens.view Federal Snake Ban Stymied in CongressBurmese Pythons and other large snakes that have invaded the Everglades and are feasting on its endangered wildlife are Florida s problem and not cause for a nationwide ban, declared some Republicans in Congress last week. Although environmentalists believe these snakes will ultimately undermine efforts to restore wildlife as part of a multi-billion-dollar restoration of the Everglades, some congressmen believe that fears of an increase habitat range attributed to global warming are simply overblown. view 2012 Florida County Government Guide - Now availableOur members asked for it, and we are pleased to present the second edition of the comprehensive guide on all aspects of Florida county government, including Florida s history, county government structure, leadership and management, budgeting methods and strategies, economic development and growth management, human resources, purchasing and contracting, health and safety, and infrastructure. view Save the Date: 2013 NACo Legislative ConferenceThe NACo Legislative Conference is being held March 2-6, 2013 in Washington, DC. This meeting brings together county officials from across the country to focus on legislative issues facing county government. Attendees from Florida will be staying at the host hotel (Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009). view Nassau County Commissioner Barry Holloway Installed as FAC 2nd Vice PresidentSARASOTA COUNTY, FL - Last week at the Florida Association of Counties 2013 Legislative Conference Nassau County Commissioner Barry Holloway was elected by fellow commissioners and installed as 2nd Vice President of the Association. Holloway was sworn in at a special ceremony held on the closing day of the conference.view Legislative Conference: Public Safety Policy CommitteeThe Public Safety committee engaged in very lively debates on several issues of concern facing our counties. One issue was the Department of Corrections (DOC) proposal to shift thousands of prison inmates back to county jails. Seen as a cost savings measure to the State, DOC is proposing that all inmates with one year or less on their sentence at the time of sentencing remain in county jails instead of entering the prison system. view Leg Conf: Medicaid WorkgroupThe Medicaid Workgroup held its second in-person meeting during the FAC Legislative Conference in Sarasota County. With several newly elected commissioners in attendance, the Workgroup first received some background information on the existing county-state Medicaid cost sharing relationship as well as a recap of the Workgroup s initial meeting at the Policy Conference in September.view EPA Issues NNCOn November 30, 2012, EPA notified the federal court that it had met its deadlines consistent with the requirements of the Court Order and Consent Decree. EPA s actions have been called by some a split decision. On one hand, EPA approved Florida s nutrient criteria rule in its entirety and without any conditions. view National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and CRS WebinarThe Southeast and Caribbean Climate Community of Practice announces a webinar for Monday, November 26, 2012, 3-4 pm Eastern. The webinar will include information on how your community can use the FEMA Community Rating System to lower your flood insurance premiums and prepare for future flooding.view Florida Stormwater Association s Winter ConferenceFlorida Stormwater Association s Winter Conference will be held this year December 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency, 211 North Tampa Street, Tampa, Florida. The Conference is expected to provide something for everyone with sessions including a preview of the 2013 Legislative Session, the bi-annual DEP Day and workshops on topics such as Numeric Nutrient Criteria and other water quality policies. view DEP to Hold Water Resource Implementation Rule WorkshopsFlorida s Department of Environmental Protection is holding rule development workshops November 14-16 to discuss proposed changes to its Water Resource Implementation Rule (Chapter 62-40, Florida Administrative Code). The agency is considering criteria for reuse offsets and credits, reclaimed water policy recommendations and Consumptive Use Permitting ( CUP ) consistency recommendations. view Primary Care Initiatives Receive Grant Funding from StateThe Agency for Health Care Administration announced on October 23 the recipients of $35 million in grant awards, available through the Low Income Pool program and appropriated by the Legislature last session, for new and existing primary care programs. view State Proposes Monthly Fee for Medically Needy ProgramAs part of the transition to Medicaid managed care, AHCA is in the process of requesting a new waiver from the federal government to charge Medically Needy patients a monthly fee for services. Currently, the Medically Needy program provides short-term coverage for individuals who have high health care costs, but do not otherwise qualify for Medicaid because of their income levels. view DEP Seeks to Sell State Land in Order to Buy Land of Higher ValueIn its proposed budget for 2013-14, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says it wants to sell up to $50 million worth of state land in the coming fiscal year to buy more conservation land. DEP requested no new revenue for the Florida Forever land acquisition program but intends to generate funds by selling land. view South Florida Water Management District Seeks Flood Mitigation ProjectsThe SFWMD recently held a Regional Flood Mitigation Workshop, at which information was provided regarding loan and grant programs available to help local governments to implement mitigation projects. view Water standards draw another legal challengeIn the latest move in years of legal battling, environmental groups have challenged a Florida Department of Environmental Protection s plan for carrying out controversial water-quality standards. The Florida Wildlife Federation, the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, St. Johns Riverkeeper Inc., and the Sierra Club filed a case last week in the state Division of Administrative Hearings, contending that DEP did not properly go through a formal rule-making process.view Medicaid WorkgroupThe Medicaid Workgroup held a conference call on Tuesday, October 30, in which Workgroup members were updated on progress that has been made since the Workgroup s previous meeting at the Policy Conference in September. view 2012 Pre-Justice Summit Meeting - Juvenile JusticeOn Wednesday, November 14, the Smart Justice Alliance (http://smartjusticealliance.org/) is hosting a meeting to discuss current issues in the juvenile justice system, including, diversion, detention, transition and access to services. view Juvenile Justice Town Hall MeetingsBeginning, November 15, 2012, the Department of Juvenile Justice will begin hosting a series of town hall meetings across the State to roll out its Roadmap for System Excellence. The plan is designed to transform Florida s system into a national model for juvenile justice.view Fertilizer Preemption Likely to ReturnWhile the Association of Counties has played an important role in protecting home rule authority over the past several years, it is very likely that similar legislation will be introduced again this coming session. At the 2012 Water Forum, Chairman Crisafulli (R - Merritt Island) stated that he expects a fertilizer bill to be filed this session, and legislative staff members with the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources have already contacted both FAC and the League of Cities seeking information related to fertilizer regulation. view Communications Services Tax (CST) Workgroup Meetings The Communications Services Tax Workgroup convened on Tuesday, October 16 and again on Wednesday, October 31 at the Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) offices to continue scheduled meetings. nbsp; The workgroup was created during the 2...view Leg Conf: Growth Management, Environmental Planning and AdministrationThe 2012-2013 FAC Legislative Conference will be held November 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, Florida. This event is the final opportunity for the membership and Legislative Policy Committees to meet and voice their opinion on the policies that FAC will lobby during the 2013 legislative session. On the final day, commissioners will vote and adopt the final FAC policies.view Important Finance and Tax Issues to be discussed at FAC Legislative ConferenceThe Florida Association of Counties will convene its annual Legislative Conference during November 28th through November 30th, 2012 in Sarasota County at the Sarasota Hyatt. As a part of this conference, on Thursday, November 29th, 2012 the Finance, Transportation, and Administration policy meeting will be held and staff will present three very important finance and tax issues for discussion.view Health Human Services Policy CommitteeThe Health amp; Human Services Policy Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, November 28 at the Legislative Conference in Sarasota. Major topics of discussion for the committee include: changes to the current Medicaid billing system and overall state-county cost sharing relationship; and potential changes to the structure of the state s public health system and the coordinated county health departments. view Important Public Safety Issues to be discussed at FAC Legislative ConferenceThe FAC Public Policy Committee will meet Thursday, November 29, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in the Sarasota GH Room of the Hyatt Regency. Staff will present on the pressing issues of the DJJ State/County Detention Cost Share Model, the regulation of Pain Management Clinics, the Synthetic Drug epidemic and the DOC proposal to shift prison inmates to county jails. view FAC Ambassador ProgramWe have 97 new commissioners who will take office in November. Our goal is to pair a veteran commissioner with each new commissioner. Can FAC count on you? FAC s Ambassador Program was created to help newly elected Commissioners by linking them with tenured Commissioners who can share their experiences.view Welcome Florida s 98 new county commissioners!The New Commissioners Orientation Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 28 from 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota in Sarasota County.This program is designed to provide an overview of the responsibilities of a county commissioner.view Legislative Conference - HOTEL ALERTLegislative Conference is just around the corner (November 28-30). All commissioners and county staff are encouraged to attend. If you haven t registered yet, do so today! The hotel room block is now closed, but many attendees still need rooms. If you booked a hotel room at the Hyatt Sarasota or Indigo Hotel and no longer need it - please DO NOT CANCEL! Contact Kelli Williams, FAC Events Manager, at kwilliams@fl-counties.com or (850) 922-4300. Thank you.view Amendment 4 Defeated!Celebration for Florida s 67 counties, 410 cities and year round residents were in order on Tuesday night when Amendment 4 was soundly defeated. The Amendment which had many changes to Florida s property tax system, did not reach the required 60% threshold, in fact it only received 43% of the vote.view EPA s Brownfields Area-wide Pilot ProgramRegister for the NALGEP Brownfield Communities Network webinar today and gain valuable information about the recently announced grant guidelines and Request for Proposals for the FY2013 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Program. According to EPA, these grants may be used by communities to facilitate community involvement in developing an area-wide plan for brownfields assessment, cleanup and subsequent reuse on a catalyst site and other high-priority brownfield sites. Grants will be funded up to $200,000 for two years. The application deadline is November 30, 2012.view Florida Forever Conservation advocates led by former Florida governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham announced a citizens petition drive Thursday for a constitutional amendment to dedicate state funding annually for the acquisition and management of critical environmental land. view Sanibel to host fertilizer legislation workshopOn October 29th at 1:00 p.m. and October 30th at 5:00 p.m., the City of Sanibel will be conducting training workshops at Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road. In response to reports indicating that the legislature will again seek to preempt local government regulation of fertilizer, this goal of this workshop is to train Area Captains who will be responsible for coordinating with individuals willing to write to their legislators in opposition of harmful fertilizer legislation.view National Association of State Departments of Agriculture asks EPA to Approve Florida s NNC RuleCiting the unilateral decision to impose numeric nutrient criteria in Florida and the federal lawsuit seeking similar action in the Mississippi River Basin, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) recently sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson asking for EPA s prompt approval of Florida s standards and the withdrawal of the EPA s controversial federal standards.view Long Range Program Plan for the State Courts System: FY13-14-FY17-18The Florida Supreme Court released its strategic plan establishing the long-term focus of the Judicial Branch States Court System and outlining strategies to address issues evolving from past events and trends. The Long Range Program Plan provides context for how the branch will organize, provide services, and fund activities for FY13-14 through FY17-18.view Communications Services Tax (CST) Workgroup - Upcoming Meeting (October 16, 2012)On Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 the Communications Services Tax (CST) Workgroup will continue its series of meetings. The working group will meet in Tallahassee at the Department of Revenue.view SAVE THE DATE - New Commissioner Orientation - November 28thBe sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming New Commissioner Orientation being offered to all new Commissioners from 12:30-5:00pm on Wednesday, November 28 during our Legislative Conference. view Let FAC Talk to Your Community on Amendment 4This week, FAC s Communication Director Cragin Mosteller traveled to around Florida to speak against Amendment 4. Ms. Mosteller presented to the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte Sun editorial editor, Palm Beach community meetings and the Punta Gorda, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Citrus County Chambers of Commerce. On Saturday, Mosteller travels to Orlando to speak at the AFSCME conference.view Watching TaxWatch: 2010 TaxWatch Report Contradicts 2012 TaxWatch ReportWhich TaxWatch report do you believe? That s the question being asked by the opponents of Amendment 4, who point to a 2010 report in Florida TaxWatch concluding that Amendment 4-style assessment caps result in fewer jobs and are an impediment to a vibrant economy. This may come as a surprise to some, since Amendment 4 backers often tout a 2012 report from the very same Florida TaxWatch as reason to support Amendment 4.view Legislative Conference - Register Today!FAC s Legislative Conference will be held November 28-30 in Sarasota County. All commissioners and county staff are encouraged to join us as we finalize our policy process for the 2013 Legislative Session. This is your chance to determine what we fight for in Tallahassee.view @flcounties Thank you @LtGovNunez for providing our members with an update on the #2020Census! #FACHelpsCount https://t.co/amIFyfslop 1 day 18 hours ago @flcounties ❗❗ACTION ALERT❗❗ Tmrw., the U.S. Sen. Cmte. on Homeland Security amp; Governmental Affairs is hosting a hearing on H.R… https://t.co/X4OpQjDFjr 3 days 18 hours ago @flcounties Congratulations to all Florida county commissioners and staff who were appointed leadership roles in @NACoTweets co… https://t.co/UCHom3YvmV 3 days 21 hours ago

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The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration. For more than 85 years, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has represented the diverse interests of Florida's counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that impact their community.

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