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   Post 2025 Florida Legislative Session Update Presentation by The Southern Group

   discussed

   Mike Moore of The Southern Group, the city's lobbyist, presented a post-2025 Florida Legislative Session update covering session statistics, the $115.1B state budget, the city's $1.13M resiliency improvement appropriation, and key legislation including SB 180 (post-storm restrictions), HB 1080/SB 784 (land development), TDT funding bills, sovereign immunity changes, and CRA restriction bills. Most adverse bills failed but are expected to return next session.

   🏢Florida Sports Coast🏢Hacienda🏢The Southern Group🏢Visit Florida👤Adam👤Butler👤Hooper👤Manns👤Mike Moore👤Yeager#CRA sunset/restriction bills#Cotee River Run#Drinking Water Facility Construction Loan Program#FRA conference#HB 1080#Job Growth Grant Fund#Ready-to-Work Credential Program#Resiliency Improvement Project ($1,130,000 appropriation)#Resilient Florida Planning Grant Program#SB 180#SB 784#SHIP - State Housing Initiative Partnership#TDT (Tourist Development Tax) funding legislation#Tort claims / sovereign immunity legislation#Wastewater Treatment and Stormwater Revolving Loan Program

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   [00:00:30] I didn't hear anything the purpose of this work session is to provide you [00:00:45] with a legislative update so to speak we have mr. Mike Moore who serves as our [00:00:51] lobbyist from the southern group this evening who has prepared a PowerPoint [00:00:56] for you this evening and would like to be able to present that to you and [00:01:01] respond to specific questions that you may have of him great well thank you [00:01:07] miss man's mr. mayor council and and New Port Richey team team is your city [00:01:16] attorney here as well no no okay okay great well it's great to be here in the [00:01:21] wonderful city of New Port Richey I will say I was here for the rap river [00:01:27] run recently we stayed at the beautiful Hacienda brought in some tourism dollars [00:01:32] for you from the from the east side of the county so I will tell you it's funny [00:01:37] because we were leaving thing was Saturday morning Saturday or Sunday I [00:01:41] could keep up must have been Sunday because the run was on Saturday and I [00:01:46] was my wife and I walked down to the water by the park and and then she went [00:01:50] in to kind of pack up and I was walking reporting some stuff in the car and I [00:01:54] saw miss man's walking down the street and as usual she's on the phone and I [00:02:00] went over said hi and she's like I'm on the phone taking care of something with [00:02:05] the citizen I'm like she's always working she's non-stop here it is Sunday [00:02:09] morning the day of rest and she's not resting every time I say she says she's [00:02:14] talking to her mom no she wouldn't talk to her mom she was taking something tear [00:02:18] or something for a citizen but it's always working but second session I was [00:02:24] happy to represent the city of New Port Richey councilman Butler good to see [00:02:27] you represent the city once again on this past legislative session so this [00:02:33] would be year two for us so what I like to do is just kind of go over some [00:02:38] highlights of this session and some stats and I think it's so I just go [00:02:43] ahead hit play and it erases everybody okay all right beautiful thank you let's [00:02:58] move it one more time okay so we're gonna go over some session stats in the [00:03:01] beginning here so this year one thousand nine hundred and fifty one bills were [00:03:04] filed two hundred and sixty nine bills passed both chambers and 246 bills were [00:03:10] signed into the law and we're getting to this little more later but 1.3 [00:03:15] billion dollars in tax savings from families and businesses within that tax [00:03:19] package but as you can see that's a lot of bills filed actually I should say [00:03:23] it's not as many bills in the past that were filed this year but still quite a [00:03:27] few bills that were filed and as you see only 269 bills passed both chambers and [00:03:35] 246 were signed into law you know this year was a little bit different than [00:03:42] some prior years recent prior years as there was a lot going on there were some [00:03:47] special sessions going on with the legislature so a lot of the committee [00:03:51] meetings were pushed back a little bit further into regular sessions so not as [00:03:56] not as much time to file bills and get them over the finish line this past year [00:04:03] so we talked about the budget a little bit it was the legislators initiative as [00:04:09] well the both the House and the Senate as well as the governor to have a lower [00:04:13] budget you know that our per funding and things all that's going away so [00:04:18] negotiators this year between the House and Senate they actually yielded a [00:04:21] hundred and fifteen point one billion dollar budget for 2526 and they [00:04:27] continue to add money into the reserves which I think we all probably figure [00:04:31] it's important to have money in reserves for for the future especially [00:04:34] when it comes to things like storms and hurricanes and natural natural [00:04:37] disasters we want to have funds in there for for things like that it's kind of [00:04:42] gives you a breakdown of where the money goes or money money with this past [00:04:46] session so majority falls within health care second most education kind of [00:04:51] expected right and then you go down the line a little bit transportation for [00:04:55] structure and economic development 15.5 and then you have going down there if [00:04:59] you have public safety and then natural resources ag and natural resources in [00:05:03] general government gives you the breakdown so let's go about let's go [00:05:10] through your funding initiative that we passed in the did not get vetoed that's [00:05:15] always very important right so I think we've all most of us have had [00:05:20] conversations about how this process works but let's just back up just a [00:05:23] little bit excuse me prior to session you know you miss [00:05:28] man's and you're in your team here in New Port Richey as long as in with your [00:05:33] blessing brings forward some initiatives you'd like to see move forward I have [00:05:37] conversations with miss man's about it we kind of go through the list I meet [00:05:40] with the legislators your actual delegation especially which is senator [00:05:44] Hooper I should say chair Hooper and also chair Yeager this year talk to him [00:05:50] about some of these projects they decide okay we think these can move forward we [00:05:54] like to move these forward so thankfully you did get money in the budget again [00:05:58] this year so two years in a row so congratulations to you that's always [00:06:01] strong so you have a 1.1 hundred one million one hundred thirty thousand [00:06:06] dollars for your resiliency improvement project and if I'm not correct they've [00:06:12] already reached out the state's already reached out in reference to this [00:06:16] appropriation which is great they really move fast they move fast this this year [00:06:21] there was some hold backs on the last last year especially where things got [00:06:27] pushed back a little bit they weren't responding as quickly and for whatever [00:06:31] reason that's okay but this year they really got right on it so things are [00:06:35] moving forward so again that's a congratulations on you know over a [00:06:39] million dollars for two years in a row and you obviously have a big event [00:06:45] coming up with your whatever that date was we talked about right right okay [00:06:53] we'll talk about that later okay understood I'm jumping ahead a little [00:06:57] bit okay so let's go over some more some budget highlights some of these you know [00:07:02] affect you maybe some of the things you see may not but I like to go over them [00:07:05] all you know that 115 billion dollar budget I was to mention the 15 almost 16 [00:07:12] billion dollars in reserves affordable housing so the state housing initiative [00:07:17] partnership which is the ship program they put another hundred and six [00:07:22] hundred and sixty three point eight million dollars now some of these [00:07:25] programs and grants are things that you can't go after some of them you may not [00:07:28] be able to go after they may be for different counties that are rural [00:07:32] counties and cities and things but there's some there's some in here that [00:07:35] you may already go after or you maybe you could small county outreach program [00:07:41] something you wouldn't go after there's the ready-to-work credential program [00:07:45] they put more funding into that cybersecurity was was big as well this [00:07:50] past year for this for the legislature environment there's a resilient Florida [00:07:57] planning grant program drinker water facility construction loan programs [00:08:01] which gives the low-interest loans for those facilities wastewater treatment [00:08:06] and stormwater revolving loan program obviously a lot of people utilize that [00:08:10] and take advantage of that program as well the small county wastewater doesn't [00:08:15] affect you tourism economic development we'll get into more of tourism and [00:08:20] economic development down the road but I think that's important for a city like [00:08:24] you that continues to you know revitalize the area doing great things [00:08:28] bringing tourists to this area you know a lot of cities and counties want to see [00:08:32] visit Florida move forward because they are the marketing arm for the entire [00:08:35] state of Florida whereas locally you have for a sports coast which is your [00:08:41] DM DMO your destination management organization that works on the local [00:08:45] level but visit Florida their objective is to bring tourists into the entire [00:08:49] state obviously during their programming throughout the years they're marking [00:08:53] they highlight different areas of the state as well to help draw those [00:08:56] tourists here job growth grant fund to if that's something you can take [00:09:01] advantage of you can take advantage those 50 million dollars any questions [00:09:07] on any of those things yet I know I'm going pretty fast for you so let's talk [00:09:12] about some key legislation that will have impacts on the city and I'm sure [00:09:17] you've already started looking into some of these things and some of your team [00:09:20] members have reviewed these bills that will have an effect on you so a big one [00:09:27] that obviously a lot of cities and counties across the state we're [00:09:30] following was was SB 180 in a CSCS means committee substitute committee [00:09:38] substitute in the overall bill is the SB 180 it made a variety of changes relating [00:09:46] to local and state emergency preparedness and response and it [00:09:48] includes restrictions on county or municipal regulations after certain [00:09:53] certain natural emergencies have you guys had many conversations about this [00:09:56] yet or any conversations okay so I don't want to steal your thunder you [00:10:02] know when you're going through this with no councilman's man's but there are you [00:10:09] know certain things you're gonna have to be aware of moving forward you know [00:10:14] something that stands out is there are some cities and counties across the [00:10:18] state that have put moratoriums on building for example well under this [00:10:23] legislation if you had a storm hit within a hundred miles which you did or [00:10:28] make landfall with a hundred miles hurricane you can't do that all right [00:10:33] you cannot make any changes to your to your code or your land your land [00:10:40] development code or your comp plan that would be more restrictive when it comes [00:10:46] to building regulations or permitting you can't increase fees on permitting [00:10:51] under this legislation until I think it was 27 and I'll find that in a second so [00:10:57] those are things you're going to need to be made aware of impact fees if you if [00:11:01] you had as a city you had any type of impact fees you're not going to if you [00:11:06] had that storm land within a hundred miles again what you did you can't [00:11:10] increase your impact fees until that day I think it's October 27 again I'll [00:11:15] double-check that in a second there are things let me see here let me put some [00:11:25] things I'm thinking that would affect the city itself on this as well under [00:11:31] 180 give me one second here because I don't want to talk about the county side [00:11:34] of things with you so here's here's something obviously for the city [00:11:48] requires that as soon as a it's practical following a hurricane or [00:11:52] tropical storm a county or municipality within the area for which the state of [00:11:56] emergency such as a hurricane or tropical storm is declared must publish [00:11:59] specific updates on its website which are specific to such storm including any [00:12:04] permitting fee waivers or reductions so for example if you decided to waive [00:12:09] permit fees or reduce permit fees after that storm hit you need to publish those [00:12:14] on your website those are required the mindset is hey we don't need we don't [00:12:19] want the citizens to have to constantly call you know councilmembers or staff or [00:12:24] or the city itself to try to get these updates put them on the website that way [00:12:29] they can be viewed I mentioned may not be requires that for 180 days after the [00:12:37] state of emergency is declared you cannot raise any permit fees or [00:12:43] inspection fees as well after that after that has happened requires that on [00:12:49] before May 1st of this path this this year or by the next year I should say [00:12:55] each county municipality must provide an online option for receiving reviewing [00:12:59] and assessing substantial damage and substantial improvement letters the [00:13:06] county municipality must allow homeowners provided email address where [00:13:10] they can receive digital copies of such letters itself so you must be able to [00:13:13] send those electronically versus them having to come to City Hall to pick [00:13:18] those items up something else that could affect you provides that as soon as a [00:13:23] reasonably practical following the landfall and passage of a hurricane or [00:13:27] tropical storm each municipality that has experienced a direct impact from a [00:13:31] natural emergency must use its best efforts to open a permitting office for [00:13:35] at least 40 hours a week so if a municipality doesn't have a permitting [00:13:39] office that's open at least 40 hours a week after that storm you're gonna have [00:13:42] you're gonna have to do that moving forward this bill is so long we could [00:13:47] talk about it for about five or six hours but miss man's in the city [00:13:51] attorney knows if you have any questions you need me to pull anything [00:13:53] up I'm able to do that but the big thing to remember is you know 180 basically [00:13:59] states that again you can't do anything that we could have increasing any type [00:14:03] of fees or change your comp plans that could have a that would actually [00:14:07] increase the burden on the citizen or a homeowner or the business that's trying [00:14:13] to obviously rebuild or moving construction it could be a new [00:14:19] construction too it doesn't have to be a rebuild it could be somebody you know [00:14:21] a development wants to come in you can't do that to them either okay okay 1080 [00:14:29] kind of similar in ways to 180 so basically that bill provides several [00:14:38] modifications to local government land development regulations so one of the [00:14:44] things that stands out to me is plats for example if you have if you have [00:14:49] plats that you typically that comes in front of City Council right moving [00:14:55] forward that will be administrative at all times it's required to be [00:14:58] administrative [00:15:00] If so, Ms. Manns, either her or her designee, would be the one to review and OK Plots and [00:15:06] will not go in front of this Council anymore. [00:15:09] And I know some of the, I mean, this does affect you, but I know some cities that are [00:15:13] huge in development, that's really going to have an impact on them, right? [00:15:18] This is, back to impact fees too, modifies the threshold vote required to approve an [00:15:25] impact fee from two-thirds to a unanimous vote. [00:15:28] So if you decide to increase your impact fees ever, forget the storm side now, right? [00:15:32] There's no storm, you're still able to increase impact fees. [00:15:36] You would have to have a unanimous vote to increase those impact fees moving forward. [00:15:41] It also specifies if certain comprehensive plan amendments are not adopted at a second [00:15:45] public hearing, the amendments must be formally adopted within 180 days of the second public [00:15:51] hearing where the amendments are deemed withdrawn. [00:15:54] So basically what they're stating is, you've got to move up the process of development. [00:16:00] That's what that bill basically states. [00:16:01] A couple of other things that could impact you as well, or will impact you, when it comes [00:16:08] to applications for development too, within 30 days of receiving an application for approval [00:16:15] of development or permit, the local government must review the application for completeness. [00:16:20] So within 30 days, it doesn't matter how busy a city is, you know, how busy your departments [00:16:26] are, you're going to have to have that thing reviewed within 30 days and actually issue [00:16:32] a notification to the applicant stating that, hey, they gave you all the required information [00:16:37] or they didn't, and if they didn't, you've got to specify in particularity what those [00:16:43] issues are in what areas are deficient moving forward. [00:16:49] So those are some important notes. [00:16:50] So again, that bill, basically what they're stating is like, hey, you as a city, you as [00:16:54] a county, no matter where you are, you have to speed things up. [00:16:58] Not saying you guys have any issues whatsoever, but, you know, every bill, these bills are [00:17:04] triggered by something, right? [00:17:06] So they're triggered by maybe a city or maybe a county somewhere in the state of Florida. [00:17:12] People felt, or legislators felt that they weren't moving fast enough, possibly maybe [00:17:16] there was a lot of complaints. [00:17:18] I have an idea of where the source of a lot of this legislation was. [00:17:24] It wasn't you guys, by any means, but I have an idea of probably where a lot of these things [00:17:28] come from. [00:17:31] I talked about the Platt one too, that's another bill, so that's SB 784 as well. [00:17:40] It's exciting stuff, right? [00:17:43] So let's talk about TDT funding, because again, tourism is important to you. [00:17:49] Tourism is important to the city. [00:17:52] So this failed. [00:17:54] There was a lot of talk over this. [00:17:55] I know when you were up there, you remember these things going on, guys, when you were [00:17:59] up there. [00:18:00] There was a lot of talk on the TDT funding changes. [00:18:05] So the impact is, I say it's directly, it indirectly and directly obviously impacts [00:18:12] you. [00:18:13] The county collects the TDT, they have the DMO, but the cities benefit from that as well. [00:18:18] You receive some funding, obviously, through the DMO for certain types of events, but it's [00:18:25] also the marketing aspect too, so you don't just look at what funding events, what marking [00:18:30] takes place during that process as well. [00:18:33] So there was a few bills out there, as you can see, that would have either changed how [00:18:40] that funding could be used, there were bills out there that actually eventually sunsetted [00:18:45] that. [00:18:46] There was a bill out there that would take away your tourist development organization [00:18:51] that you have within the county that you as a city are a part of, and who's on that council [00:18:58] now? [00:19:00] So there was a bill out there that basically would have, I know Adam talked to you about [00:19:04] this, he wants me to come talk to you guys next month about it actually, so I'll be there [00:19:08] talking to your council as well about that. [00:19:13] So we worked hard explaining the benefits of the DMOs and how important the TDT dollars [00:19:20] are to cities and counties across the state, and eventually those bills failed, I will [00:19:25] tell you, I guarantee you they're going to come back next year, guarantee, in some way [00:19:29] some form. [00:19:30] It doesn't mean they'll pass, but I guarantee you there's going to be talks about it again. [00:19:35] Suits against the government, I know that's something that Ms. Manns is very aware of [00:19:39] as well, that would increase the statutory limits on liability for tort claims against [00:19:45] the state and its agencies and subdivisions, you are a subdivision of the state of Florida, [00:19:50] so basically those limits that are currently in place, there are bills out there to raise [00:19:54] those limits, so if you got sued, you could actually end up having to spend more money [00:19:59] in those suits. [00:20:00] It failed again. [00:20:01] That's been attempted the last couple of years, and it's failed both times. [00:20:04] Now here's a big one that we worked really hard on. [00:20:07] Cities of our size can't afford what they want to raise the suits to. [00:20:17] Cities of our size can't afford the raising. [00:20:19] Correct, right, right. [00:20:22] That was a lot of the conversation up there as well. [00:20:25] So it didn't matter if you were in City or County, it would raise you all. [00:20:29] CRAs, so that was a big discussion. [00:20:33] As a firm, we worked on this one extensively throughout the process and throughout session, [00:20:43] this past session, so those two bills you're looking at, they would have significantly [00:20:48] restricted the authority and long-term viability of CRAs, and one of the bills that would have [00:20:53] required all CRAs to sunset by their charter expiration on or before September 20th, or [00:20:59] September 30th of 2045. [00:21:02] So basically what that means is by 2045, CRAs would have been gone, but if your CRA, which [00:21:10] I'm sure some of you have been here when you had to extend or what's the word I'm looking [00:21:17] for, expand, re-up it, right, right, your CRA, you would not have been able to do that. [00:21:25] So if your CRA expired, say in 2028, it would have been gone, could not have renewed it [00:21:33] I should have said. [00:21:34] You could not have renewed your CRA. [00:21:36] So it would have been gone. [00:21:39] It also would have barred CRAs from initiating new projects or issuing new debt after October [00:21:46] 1st of 2025. [00:21:48] So let's say you've been talking about a project within one of your CRAs for the last five [00:21:51] years, basically what would have happened is that after October 1st of 2025, you would [00:21:57] not have been able to start or initiate any new projects within that CRA. [00:22:01] You would not have been allowed to. [00:22:03] Even though it stated that it had been expired 2045, no new projects. [00:22:08] So essentially, what would the CRA have been worth, right? [00:22:15] Expand would have prohibited the creation of new CRAs. [00:22:17] So if you decided as a city to create a new CRA, or there's a city that doesn't have CRAs [00:22:22] across the state and they wanted to create one, they would have been prohibited from [00:22:25] doing that. [00:22:26] So, any questions on that? [00:22:27] Just to the point, I guess, we've had our- [00:22:30] And you're very familiar with CRAs, aren't you? [00:22:31] We've had our second extension, so we're going, what, to 49? [00:22:32] 2049. [00:22:33] 2049. [00:22:34] Yeah. [00:22:35] So we're in pretty good shape, except for the, you know, the disallowance of doing any [00:22:47] bonds or payments. [00:22:48] Right. [00:22:49] And it says debt, so that wouldn't have been just bonds, but even debt that we currently [00:22:56] get in a secondary way from the general fund, but it certainly was a lot to be talked about [00:23:05] and then the FRA conference coming up, there's going to be a lot of discussion what to do [00:23:09] afterwards. [00:23:10] But for cities that haven't done their second one yet, there's a strong incentive for them [00:23:16] to do it because it does say by their charter expiration or by September 30th, it doesn't [00:23:22] say whichever is sooner, so if somebody does expand it now, they still have that 30-year [00:23:28] additional timeframe. [00:23:29] But again, these all failed, so they all failed. [00:23:34] They may or may not come back. [00:23:37] You said that the tourism development one will, I guess. [00:23:40] I have a strong belief that it will, the discussion will happen again. [00:23:46] Not saying it'll pass, but I have, yeah, I believe it will come back. [00:23:52] The re-nourishment and these major stadium projects that could be a new race stadium [00:24:00] or whatever else is being funded, it seems once there's a bond issue on an entity and [00:24:08] it has a lifetime, it's hard for the legislation to, it was hard for them to eliminate the [00:24:14] CRAs with the exception of allowing the bonds to still be valid. [00:24:20] Correct, because you'd have to pay the debt down. [00:24:22] It encourages taking the debt, knowing that those threats are against it because, you [00:24:32] know. [00:24:33] And I'm not saying this won't come back, yeah, this won't come back, I mean the CRA may come [00:24:38] back again. [00:24:39] We've got some really big projects, and so the point being, if the legislature takes [00:24:44] away our right to bond anything, or to go out for debt, we'd better have it in place [00:24:54] before we, before they do that. [00:24:56] It's ahead of time, yes, get it all in before the day. [00:25:07] Taxation, tax package, each session the legislator passes a comprehensive tax relief package. [00:25:16] As a state, it contains the provisions for tax relief and changing any type of tax policy. [00:25:22] So one thing that may or may not have an impact on you, I mean it actually will have an impact [00:25:29] I would assume a little bit, repeals the business rent tax beginning October 1st, 2025. [00:25:35] So that is gone after October 1st, 2025. [00:25:38] I think Pasco County stated itself it was probably a little over $7 million for the [00:25:44] county, which is if a budget their size isn't a lot of money, right? [00:25:51] Some things obviously that benefit your citizens here in the city is this back to school sales [00:25:55] tax each year, now it's for the entire month of August, creates a permanent sales tax the [00:26:01] entire month of August. [00:26:02] You know, kids going back to school obviously is a benefit for all your citizens here. [00:26:08] For anybody that likes to hunt or fish or camp, there's a long sales tax holiday for [00:26:14] that goes from September 8th, 2025 all the way through December 31st of 2025. [00:26:21] So if you have any retailers within the city that focus on hunting, fishing, camping and [00:26:24] things like that, this could be a little boon for them during that time period. [00:26:32] This is one thing. [00:26:33] So let's talk about, you know, one of the things we heard a lot about this past session, [00:26:36] you know, was tax relief, tax relief, tax relief, and what will happen with property [00:26:42] taxes. [00:26:44] There was no final decision made, there was no legislation passed that would have that [00:26:48] direct impact this time on property taxes itself. [00:26:54] But there was part of the tax package that directed the Office of Economic and Development [00:27:00] Research, which is EDR, to study the state's property tax system and submit a report that [00:27:07] provides policy options to the legislature by November 1st of 2025. [00:27:12] That's coming up very quickly. [00:27:15] It does state that the bill appropriates $1 million of non-recurring funds from the General [00:27:20] Revenue to provide the study. [00:27:22] Actually the governor vetoed that $1 million from this bill. [00:27:26] He stated that we have enough staff internally that can do this. [00:27:29] We don't need to hire an outside consultant for $1 million to do it. [00:27:32] So he vetoed that $1 million. [00:27:35] There's going the state legislature, as in I should say the House, also formed a special [00:27:41] committee that is looking at a number of ways to lower property taxes as well. [00:27:49] They're meeting throughout the summer and will meet through as well through committee [00:27:53] weeks. [00:27:55] I am confident that you will see some bills out there when it comes to some ways or forms [00:28:02] of lowering property taxes. [00:28:07] If there is a bill to do away with property taxes as a whole, actually that has to go [00:28:12] to the voters. [00:28:13] It would have to go to referendum. [00:28:14] I think you all know that. [00:28:15] I'm not saying that's going to happen, but those discussions obviously have been ongoing. [00:28:20] So this session there will be a lot of that talk. [00:28:23] When you get your report, this man gets the reports, they go out to all of you. [00:28:26] I'm sure there will be lots of reporting on the discussions on any type of property tax [00:28:31] reform. [00:28:32] What would be the state's authority to tell cities or counties how they could, they already [00:28:39] have a millage cap. [00:28:40] I don't know how that came to be, but would that be a millage cap? [00:28:44] It would have to go to referendum. [00:28:46] It would be the voters that make that decision. [00:28:49] Not just to eliminate it, but I mean... [00:28:50] To eliminate it, to eliminate property taxes. [00:28:52] That's what I'm talking about, these adjustments and these... [00:28:55] You mean additional homestead exemptions? [00:28:59] So one of the things that was talked about too is, hey, could you raise the homestead [00:29:01] exemption to $500,000? [00:29:02] Could you raise it to a million dollars? [00:29:05] The legislature can do that. [00:29:06] They do it all the time. [00:29:07] Right. [00:29:08] So that's my question. [00:29:09] Yeah. [00:29:10] So it would be a homestead exemption thing. [00:29:11] I was talking about exemption of homesteaded properties. [00:29:16] So maybe that's what that really is, is an increase in the homestead exemption to eliminate [00:29:21] their tax or whatever, which was what they were talking about. [00:29:25] Again, many different things. [00:29:28] Higher homestead exemptions, again, $500,000, a million, whatever it may be. [00:29:31] But if you decide to do away with property, eliminate property taxes, that has to go to [00:29:36] referendum, the voters. [00:29:37] Right. [00:29:38] So that explains how they're doing it for homestead, because it could affect the viability [00:29:44] of the rental market if the tax rates had to go to the maximum to make up for the difference [00:29:49] to the loss of the homestead in order for cities to survive and pay for their police [00:29:54] and fire departments or whatever they're spending their money on, then rents go up. [00:30:00] So the more you increase the homestead, the harder you are on the tax rate to commercial and non-homestead. [00:30:11] So that'll be the argument, I'll bet. [00:30:14] There'll be, again, a lot of discussion. [00:30:17] There was also the talk of sales tax, lowering sales tax as well. [00:30:22] Those were discussions. [00:30:24] That was more of the Senate stance at one time, and they pulled back from that as well. [00:30:28] That's also something they'll be looking at, this committee, this House committee will be looking at as well. [00:30:33] And there's also, again, the EDR is doing that study, and they'll bring something back to the legislature as well. [00:30:40] So we'll see what happens. [00:30:41] But, yeah, I'm more than confident those conversations will happen, and you'll see some bills flying around. [00:30:48] We'll just see what moves forward and what doesn't. [00:30:51] Creates and expands new exemptions for affordable housing, which apply beginning on the 2026 tax rolls. [00:31:03] So this exemptions for land-leased properties by non-profit for affordable housing. [00:31:09] Don't know if you have any situations possibly like that, but that's there. [00:31:15] Multifamily affordable housing requires land-use restriction agreement lasting at least 99 years. [00:31:20] Expanded to include property leased from a local housing finance authority. [00:31:25] More on the multifamily. [00:31:26] An exemption created for recently constructed multi-affordable housing units with at least 70 units, which is on government property. [00:31:33] This is interesting, that it's leased for at least 30 years. [00:31:37] So there's exemptions. [00:31:39] So basically what that means is that it's a government property, and you construct multifamily affordable housing on it. [00:31:46] It's government-leased property. [00:31:50] There could be that exemption for the owner of that affordable housing units as long as they lease it for at least 30 years. [00:32:00] Again, another exemption for multifamily housing with at least 70 units in at least 60 years, which would increase that exemption as well. [00:32:17] Another one in reference to multifamily affordable housing. [00:32:20] Construct or rehabilitate it within five years from the date of the first application. [00:32:24] Expand to allow successive owners to apply for the same exemption. [00:32:28] It's not null and void. [00:32:31] I'm not sure how much of that you may have within the city, but there's a possibility you could be approached. [00:32:37] So before we get into any other questions, say what's next? [00:32:40] Well, as you know, I spent a little more time in Tallahassee this year, an extra 30 or so days. [00:32:48] So lease on my house ran out, so I did a lot of hoteling for a while. [00:32:55] So committee weeks come fast, and then it's October 6th. [00:32:58] So we'll be back up there for committee weeks this year. [00:33:01] They'll continue through December, and then we'll be back for session on January 13th, which means I need stuff soon. [00:33:16] We don't have a lot of time. [00:33:20] So let me go backwards a little bit. [00:33:22] We're so very grateful, again, to obviously Chair Hooper and Chair Yeager for being very supportive of the city. [00:33:28] They love the city of New Port Richey. [00:33:31] And, you know, during that process, when we're working appropriations, you know, we find sponsors. [00:33:38] And now, eventually, we need to go to the committee approach chairs, work that through the process, leadership, [00:33:48] and then make sure that you stay in through the veto period as well. [00:33:52] So, you know, we work very closely with agencies to talk about your projects, especially the water projects, [00:33:59] you know, conversations with the approach chair over all the water projects. [00:34:05] And then, you know, you work with the agencies. [00:34:07] You want to have those projects be favorable, so when they're having conversations with the governor's office, [00:34:12] that they understand these are viable projects that obviously benefit the citizenry, you know, within that municipality. [00:34:21] So that's kind of that process. [00:34:24] It's a daily, as you've been up there, it's a daily process for us. [00:34:28] It's not a one time and done. [00:34:30] It's constantly, you know, having meetings and having these conversations. [00:34:35] So, again, you know, through this process, you and your Ms. Manns and all of you and your team here will have these conversations on some projects. [00:34:45] And you'll bring them to me. [00:34:48] I'll have those conversations with our delegation here. [00:34:51] And then we'll start working them. [00:34:56] Do they have a date yet for the rookies to come up there? [00:35:01] As in the rookies? [00:35:03] So that's going to be something you all want to talk about. [00:35:06] I mean, they usually have a session. [00:35:09] Legislative action day? [00:35:10] Yes. [00:35:11] So, again, as I've talked about previously, I'm not as great when you come during that time, [00:35:17] but I prefer those conversations happen at a different time than the FLC, Florida League of City days. [00:35:24] There's just so many people running around. [00:35:26] You don't get as much time. [00:35:28] It's more of a, lots of times it's in and out. [00:35:30] We always do a good job when you guys come up and get those meetings and stuff, but, you know, [00:35:34] I just prefer times when there aren't every city in the state of Florida is out there at one time, [00:35:42] especially when we want to meet with more people in the, you know, approach chairs and people like that. [00:35:48] Let's have, you know, it's better to have those conversations. [00:35:50] They're going to remember, right, that, oh, geez, I've met with 20 cities today already. [00:35:55] Well, maybe I only met with one now. [00:35:57] It's just Newport, Michigan. [00:35:59] They'll remember you more. [00:36:01] So let's have those conversations on some times that work when it's not one of those crazy weeks [00:36:08] where all the counties are there or all the cities are there or, you know, [00:36:13] some of the other large groups that will be knocking on doors and trying to get in there. [00:36:21] Question on the southern group's lobbying efforts for us. [00:36:26] I think it was summer and Congressman Bill Rackus is one of his aides, assistants, [00:36:35] who commented that the congressman also looks for projects that he can put on the federal agenda, [00:36:43] whether it's for the elderly or whatever his favorite topic is. [00:36:49] Do you have? [00:36:52] We do federal. [00:36:53] We have a D.C. office. [00:36:54] Yeah, and so is that potentially part of any coordination between the efforts [00:37:00] and the needs of the city to say, you know, [00:37:04] I was told that we get asked and we don't always submit or we take our turn, [00:37:11] but they've given money to Brooksville, to other places within his district, [00:37:19] and I think there was a suggestion that we should reach out when we're having this discussion [00:37:25] of what kind of federal support that we should be asking for or project support. [00:37:32] And then the other question would be related to those things that are not special inclusions [00:37:43] in our state representative's asks, but rather going through the process of getting the grants [00:37:50] like we have done in the past, getting grants that are already on the books or resiliency grants [00:37:55] and some of those things that don't necessarily have to have a sponsor [00:38:01] because there are programs that we competitively go for. [00:38:05] Specifically, Senator Simpson, our agriculture commissioner Simpson, [00:38:13] who had suggested to me six months ago that he wished that he could get Cody River some of the kind of money [00:38:21] that the Crystal River used in terms of helping to clean up the dead zones on the bottom of the river. [00:38:28] And I know our scalloping is a big tourism thing, so on that environmental front, [00:38:35] without getting into too much of anything that's controversial, [00:38:43] cleaning up the river and improving it is a popular issue. [00:38:50] So I'm curious to see what opportunities we have to submit through regular channels [00:38:55] or what budgets our commissioners have some authority over that we should be making sure that we shoot for. [00:39:04] So I'll talk federal with you a little bit. [00:39:07] I mean, listen, you want to have a conversation with Congressman Bill Arrakis. [00:39:10] I'll help you out with a conversation with Congressman Bill Arrakis. [00:39:13] That's no problem. [00:39:15] Now when it comes to doing D.C. work and working the hallways, you've got to have a federal lobbying contract. [00:39:22] I mean, that's a whole separate world. [00:39:25] You know, those federal lobbying contracts are a lot more than Mike Moore's city contract with New Port Richey. [00:39:33] It's a different world, you know, having a full-time D.C. lobby lobbyist or lobbying firm up there. [00:39:40] But you want to have a conversation with Congressman Bill Arrakis. [00:39:43] We're happy to arrange that. [00:39:45] I think we get notes, and I know you're with Karen. [00:39:50] Yeah, yeah, and grants, yeah. [00:39:52] I know you get them, and I just go bring them up. [00:39:54] I said that I know we're doing that because I'm on those, you know. [00:39:59] The chain as well. [00:40:01] Yeah, well, the notes we get from Karen, so. [00:40:03] Oh. [00:40:05] So when it comes to certain things that, you know, we get through, you know, Ms. Mann gets them. [00:40:09] We get notices on different types of grants, all the, you know, stuff, and I forward them. [00:40:14] I mean, you guys have your grant writers that work that process, obviously, and fill that out. [00:40:19] So anything I think that's pertinent that you can go after that I see, I forward on. [00:40:24] And then, obviously, she makes decisions if something's viable for the city. [00:40:29] I'm trying to think of anything you talked about. [00:40:33] I don't know. [00:40:34] What else? [00:40:35] On the state level. [00:40:36] Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, that when they see those, you know, whatever I see, I pass on. [00:40:44] Because there's no, the only, there's no, quote, working it with staff. [00:40:50] You follow the process. [00:40:52] Your grant writer, whoever does your grants. [00:40:55] We have several on staff. [00:40:56] Yeah, exactly, follows that process. [00:40:58] They do the grading. [00:40:59] You can't lobby agency staff on when it comes to. [00:41:04] Right, okay. [00:41:05] You meet the criteria. [00:41:06] Right. [00:41:07] Right. [00:41:08] I hear you. [00:41:09] Yeah. [00:41:10] So that's a good answer. [00:41:11] Thank you. [00:41:12] Yeah, no, you got it. [00:41:13] And if we did more, you might find yourself in trouble. [00:41:15] That's right. [00:41:16] Let's stay away from, just follow that process. [00:41:18] Yeah. [00:41:19] But anything else? [00:41:20] I mean, it sounds like you're already doing some stuff with Congressman's office. [00:41:23] But if you wanted a meeting with him, just let me know. [00:41:25] Happy to arrange that, just like we did with Wilton and stuff, right? [00:41:30] Back to the sales tax. [00:41:33] Did it pass to eliminate the tax on large items, large ticket items? [00:41:38] No. [00:41:40] That was a, I don't know where I heard that. [00:41:44] No, that was talked about. [00:41:45] Yeah. [00:41:46] There was a lot of things talked about, obviously. [00:41:48] Those tax packages changed quite a bit from the initial form. [00:41:53] I mean, they basically wiped them, right? [00:41:56] I mean, they actually, when they came in, when they came back in during the extended session, [00:42:03] when they brought the bills up, they were blank. [00:42:08] So they started from scratch. [00:42:09] So the amendment wiped the bill clean. [00:42:13] And then they had a new tax package that was worked. [00:42:16] And then once it came out, it was like the same day as the last day of session.

   This text was generated automatically from the meeting video. It is not a verbatim or official record. For exact wording, consult the video or the city clerk.

3. 4Adjournment▶ 42:18
4. 3Communications