Government Digest: Jan. 14 - Jan. 20

Tax exemption on March 1 ballot

TAMPA — The Tampa City Council has voted to put an economic development tax exemption on the city's March 1 ballot. The exemption, which applies to new equipment and new and expanded buildings used by businesses, may be for up to 100% of the value of the improvements and for up to 10 years. State law requires voter approval. In November, Hillsborough County voters approved the exemption for the unincorporated area, and Plant City approved it for within its municipal boundaries. Charlotte County, Sarasota County and three of its cities also approved the exemption in 2010.

County rejects union proposal

SARASOTA COUNTY — Negotiators for Sarasota County rejected a firefighters' union proposal that could have required a tax increase in 2013.

Deputy County Administrator David Bullock said in a press release, “What the union is asking for exceeds what we can support with our current tax base.” The offer by International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2546 would have required the county to raise the emergency medical services property tax by 2013 to accommodate three years of step increases beyond the current contract of about $1 million per year. In addition to step increases, employees with 10 years or more receive longevity pay between $1,500 and $3,000 per year.

“We appreciate the offer to forgo a cost of living increase,” says Bullock, “but with other increases in the contract, it still would commit the county taxpayers to a tax increase in 2013.” Firefighters received a minimum 3% increase in January 2010 and will receive an additional 3% increase this month under the current contract. Formal negotiations on a new contract will begin this spring.

Sen. Rod Smith to lead Democrats

ORLANDO — The Florida Democratic Party elected former state Sen. Rod Smith Jan. 8 to lead the party as it prepares for the 2012 elections. Smith, 61, represented the Gainesville area from 2000-2006. A lawyer, he was the minority caucus policy committee co-chair in the Senate from 2002-2006. Last year, Smith was Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink's running mate. In 2006, he lost in the gubernatorial primary to U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, D-Tampa.

Local chairman resigns party seat

COLLIER COUNTY — The chairman of the Collier County Democratic Executive Committee, Steven Hemping, resigned his post Jan. 7. Hemping succeeded the former chairman, Chuck Mohlke, in June 2008. Under the committee's bylaws, a special election for a new chairman must be held within 45 days.

Governor quickly issues orders

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott issued four executive orders after being inaugurated Jan. 4. Two could have an immediate impact on the state government's day-to-day operations, while the others appear to be more focused on the future. Perhaps the most impactful of the four will be the one that puts a freeze on all new rules and regulations. It also creates a new governmental body, the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform, which will review all new rules, agency practices, and contracts before they go into effect. The next order requires state agencies to verify the employment eligibility of all state employees and contractors using E-Verify, a federal system operated by the Department of Homeland Security. Anyone employed under a state contract must also have his employment verified, the order says. The third order calls for a review of both ethics practices and transparency within the governor's office, while the fourth “reaffirms” Scott's policies on non-discrimination.

MEETINGS

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

The Industrial Development Authority will meet at noon Wednesday, Jan.19, at the SunTrust Bank building, 18501 Murdock Circle, suite 502, Port Charlotte. For more information, call Kathy Knee at (941) 627-3023.

PINELLAS COUNTY

The Pinellas Planning Council will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Pinellas County Courthouse, 5th Floor Assembly Room, 315 Court St., Clearwater. For more information, call (727) 464-8250.

MANATEE COUNTY

The Manatee County legislative delegation will meet at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the first floor commission chambers at the Manatee County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. For more information, call Cheryl at (941) 727-6349.

The South County Community Redevelopment Agency will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Harllee Full Service Family Center, 6423 9th St. E., Bradenton.

The Manatee County Port Authority will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at the Port Intermodal Center, 1905 Intermodal Circle, Palmetto. For more information, call Teresa Daugherty at (941) 722-6621.