Fiscal Rangers

Is Eustis Greedy or Smart to Annex Resistant Retirement Communities?

Eustis, FL May 16, 2017 Staff leaders from Eustis, Mount Dora and Lake County met in Eustis on May 15, 2017 to discuss a Eustis ISBA (Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement) proposal to greatly expand their city by annexing several retirement communities east of Mount Dora that don't want to be annexed (or pay higher Eustis property taxes). A full video of this two hour meeting is HERE. There was standing room only with sparks flying when County residents gave public input. The County and Mount Dora got the revised proposal late from Eustis, so would not make any decisions because their attorneys did not have time to analyze it. As it was, the apparent direction from the County Board to the County Manager David Heath is they did not think it appropriate. The Eustis City Manager Ron Neibert was the proponent of the expansion to annex communities about 8 miles outside of Eustis. The Mount Dora Manager mostly watched the County and Eustis Managers verbally exchange comments. No decision was made, and the proposal will go to a joint meeting of all three Boards in a public meeting to discuss further. It was interesting, however, that a number of the... Read more →

Reputable Watchdog Group Report says "Florida Finances Slide Further into the Red" with a "C" Grade and shows Deceitful Practice of not funding $9-billion in Retiree Health Insurance Benefits.

The credible watchdog group Truth in Accounting just published their ratings of different state fiscal management ratings and Florida got a C. One deceitful practice used by Florida is to promise government employees big health insurance benefits, currently totaling over $9-billion, but NOT FUNDING it at all. Thus future taxpayers will inherit the bill for these unfunded benefits. Read more →

Tavares, FL City Council Meeting Video and Overview - May 3, 2017

The May 3, 2017 Tavares, FL City Council meeting had several interesting segments, so THIS is a GOOD VIDEO to watch to understand Tavares City Council activities. Click "SHOW MORE" to read more details below. You can also get the agenda and attachments at this link: http://www.tavares.org/archive.aspx The agenda topics included these topics: Tab 3: Report by the owner of Jones Brothers Seaplanes about how business has expanded in the Seaplane City. Tab 4: A presentation about how the franchise chain "Firehouse Subs" funded $30,000 of safety equipment for the Tavares, FL Fire Dept. Specifically, they provided three high tech pieces of gear for removing crushed parts of auto accidents to get at passengers who are trapped. The gear is from Hurst, the make of performance automotive equipment, who is widely known for Hurst transmission shifters. Representatives from the national headquarters as well as the local franchise presented the equipment, which is the latest electric technology, compared to older versions that used external generators and more complex tech. Tab 6: The city is using Federal "CDBG" grant funds to build restrooms at the Tavares Nature Park. Tab 7 - A first hearing on an Amendment to the City land development... Read more →