The Highlands County School Board has now approved a $9 million short-term loan to help cover payroll and other expenses until property tax revenue comes in. The district had been considering the loan in recent weeks. The Tax Anticipation Note carries a 3.9% interest rate and is due February 1st, with about $124,000 in interest expected.
Highlands County’s Tourist Development Tax is changing hands October 1st. The five-percent tax paid by visitors staying in short-term lodging will now be administered by the Highlands County Tax Collector instead of the Florida Department of Revenue. The tax rate is not changing, and September collections will still go through the state. Local lodging providers will begin filing with the Tax Collector in November.
Drivers in downtown Sebring should expect road closures October 4th for the Children’s Museum of the Highlands’ Children’s Business and Fair. North Ridgewood Drive will close from North Pine Street to Circle Park Drive starting at 10 a.m., along with sections of North Wall Street. Detours will be posted, and all closures are expected to reopen by 5 p.m. Circle Park Drive will remain open.
Four people were arrested Tuesday night after Polk County deputies responded to reports of screaming and loud banging at a Lake Wales home. Deputies found blood on a car and the front door before forcing their way inside and locating four residents, including one hiding in a locked bathroom. No serious injuries were found, and all four were charged with resisting an officer without violence.