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Fulton County Voters to Decide on Extension of Transportation Sales Tax

Fulton County Voters to Decide on Extension of Transportation Sales Tax

Fulton County voters will have the opportunity to vote on extending the current transportation sales tax in the upcoming November elections. The proposed extension involves a 0.75% Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) that has been in place since 2017. This tax funds transportation projects in 14 cities within Fulton County, excluding the City of Atlanta. The Fulton County Commission has approved an intergovernmental agreement detailing how the estimated $650 million in revenue will be distributed among the cities. The projects funded by this tax include improvements to local roads, sidewalks, and trails, aimed at enhancing transportation infrastructure and reducing congestion.

Florida Sheriffs Express Concerns Over Proposed Property Tax Amendment

Florida Sheriffs Express Concerns Over Proposed Property Tax Amendment

The Florida Sheriff's Association has voiced significant concerns regarding a proposed amendment to roll back property taxes, which will appear on the November ballot. The association, representing the state's 66 elected sheriffs, warns that the measure could lead to longer law enforcement response times and limit local governments' ability to fund essential services like road repairs and stormwater management. The proposal, backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, aims to eliminate property taxes on primary homes over time, offering substantial savings to homeowners. However, it faces opposition from various law enforcement and first responder organizations due to potential service cuts.

Long Beach Plans Job Cuts to Address $58 Million Budget Shortfall

Long Beach Plans Job Cuts to Address $58 Million Budget Shortfall

Long Beach City Manager Tom Modica has proposed a budget plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year that includes significant job cuts to address a $58 million budget deficit. The plan suggests laying off more than 260 city employees and eliminating over 200 vacant positions across various departments, including fire, police, and homeless services. The proposed $4 billion budget also includes new spending initiatives, such as a High Crime Focus Team and investments in the police crime lab. However, the cuts are necessary due to rising personnel costs, legal payouts, and a slowdown in the local economy affecting tax revenue. The city has already exhausted its operating reserves and taken funds from its emergency reserve to close the current fiscal year's budget gap.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Sarasota rolls back controversial paid parking plan

Sarasota rolls back controversial paid parking plan

Sarasota city commissioners unanimously approved major changes to downtown and St. Armands Circle paid parking after weeks of public criticism.

Utah Crowned America's No. 1 State in 2026 U.S. News Ranking

Utah Crowned America's No. 1 State in 2026 U.S. News Ranking

Utah has been named the best state in the United States for the fourth consecutive year according to the 2026 U.S. News Best States Ranking. The state is recognized for its high-growth tech startups, strong economic diversity, robust infrastructure, and elite education system. Despite not topping any specific category, Utah's overall performance in areas such as economy and fiscal stability secured its top position. The ranking assesses states based on education, healthcare, economy, opportunity, infrastructure, fiscal stability, natural environment, and crime.

Fannin County Commissioners Court to Discuss Budget and Tax Rate Proposals

Fannin County Commissioners Court to Discuss Budget and Tax Rate Proposals

The Fannin County Commissioners Court is scheduled to hold a regular meeting on August 4, 2026, at the Fannin County Courthouse. The agenda includes discussions on the 2026-2027 proposed budget and tax rate, with public hearings set for August 18, 2026. The court will also consider various administrative actions, such as renewing optional fees for the Texas DMV, approving positions and salaries for the upcoming fiscal year, and issuing requests for proposals for services like Justice Center security and animal control.

New York State Investigates Alleged Illegal Surveillance During Elections

New York State Investigates Alleged Illegal Surveillance During Elections

The New York State Board of Elections' Division of Election Law Enforcement is investigating allegations of illegal surveillance during the June 23 primary election in Broadalbin, Fulton County. Reports suggest that security cameras, installed through a state security grant, were left on for over 10 hours, potentially violating state and federal election laws that prohibit recording inside courthouses. The cameras reportedly captured voters casting ballots, prompting complaints to the state Commission on Judicial Conduct and the U.S. Department of Justice. The investigation follows concerns raised by Broadalbin Town Justice Jan Bohne, who noticed the cameras were operational during voting hours and reported the issue to local officials.

Clearwater Faces Potential Revenue Loss with Proposed Amendment 3

Clearwater Faces Potential Revenue Loss with Proposed Amendment 3

Clearwater residents recently attended a budget workshop to discuss the implications of Florida's proposed Amendment 3, which could significantly impact city services and funding. The amendment aims to increase homestead exemptions for homeowners, potentially phasing out property taxes over the next few years. This change would apply to properties that serve as a person's primary residence in Florida. City Manager Jennifer Poirrier highlighted that if the amendment passes, Clearwater could face a reduction of approximately $12 million in its general fund in the first year, with an additional $8 million loss in the second year. This represents about 10% of the city's general fund. The city plans to hold a special budget work session on August 11 to explore options for the 2027 budget, should the amendment be approved.

Fife Lake Residents Consider Historic Village Disincorporation Vote

Fife Lake Residents Consider Historic Village Disincorporation Vote

Residents of the Village of Fife Lake in Northern Michigan are set to vote on a proposal to disincorporate their village on August 4. If passed, this initiative would dissolve the village as a legal government entity, transferring its assets and responsibilities to other local government units. The proposal, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass, was initiated by a petition signed by at least 15% of the village's registered voters. This move is unprecedented in Michigan, as no village has disincorporated through a citizen-led ballot initiative with the required supermajority. The disincorporation would eliminate village property taxes, dissolve local boards and offices, and transfer the management of village assets, including roads and parks, to the township.

Sioux City Implements 300% Increase in Stormwater Fees Affecting Residents and Farmland Owners

Sioux City Implements 300% Increase in Stormwater Fees Affecting Residents and Farmland Owners

Sioux City has significantly increased its stormwater collection fees, with the new rates taking effect on July 1. The average monthly user rate has risen from $2.27 to $9.08, while the minimum annual charge for any parcel has increased from $15 to $60. Farmland owners with properties exceeding 10 acres will see their rates jump from $648 to $2,592. The city has stated that the fee increase is intended to fund necessary repairs and upgrades to aging stormwater infrastructure, including major projects like the Bacon Creek Culvert Project. This one-time increase is designed to quickly generate funds for critical repairs, avoiding smaller, recurring annual rate hikes.

Brittney Griner Files for Divorce, Citing Irretrievable Breakdown

Brittney Griner Files for Divorce, Citing Irretrievable Breakdown

WNBA star Brittney Griner has filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle Griner, in Fulton County, Georgia. The filing describes the marriage as 'irretrievably broken' with no hope of reconciliation. The couple, who married in 2018 after meeting at Baylor University, has been separated since July 24. Brittney Griner is seeking an equitable division of their marital assets and joint custody of their son. The divorce follows a high-profile period in which Cherelle Griner advocated for Brittney during her detention in Russia, which ended in a 2022 prisoner swap.

Cincinnati Enquirer

Hamilton County commissioners vote today on increased tax for children

Hamilton County commissioners vote today on increased tax for children

After some heated discussion, the Hamilton County commissioners will decide how much to increase a levy to support children's services.