Highlands County commissioners will hold a special session today to consider a couple of taxing issues. First on the agenda will be a discussion on whether or not to add another percent onto the Tourist Tax.
Reportedly, that money would be used to build, or add on to a tourist facility here in Highlands County. Apparently, if commissioners don’t take action on it today, the matter would go to the voters in a referendum.
Also on the agenda is a public hearing to consider extending the moratorium on impact fees. Such fees would be leveled on developers to pay for various impacts new construction would have on the county.
That session will be held at the commissioners’ board room starting at 2:00 this afternoon.
An item on the consent agenda sparked controversy at last night’s special school board meeting. Resident Jesse Sapp brought up the issue, after spotting an item having to do with a "comprehensive school health program."
Both Sapp and school board member Nicole Radonski questioned items regarding the so-called "Youth Risk Behavior" survey.
The board moved to have staff re-negotiate their contract with the Florida Department of Health, and remove the item from their pact.
Avon Park city council members are getting ready to revise the fire assessment for homes and businesses in the City of Charm. At their regular meeting, council members voted to ink an agreement with the consulting firm Stantec.
The firm then will do another survey of the city and the fire department, to determine the amounts of money that could be assessed for fire protection in Avon Park.
The survey will cost some $42,000 to complete.
The celebration of our nation’s birthday will get an early start, as Hardee County stages their "Red White & Boom" festivities tomorrow. Set at Pioneer Park in Zolfo Springs, it’ll run from noon until 10:00 tomorrow night, topped with a fireworks display.
The event itself is free, however, there will be a Kids’ Zone area with an all-day-play wristband charge of $10.
Other events locally will start next week, with Independence celebrations set at Sun ‘N Lake and in Frostproof this coming Monday.
Apparently, there was shooting incident in Frostproof overnight involving a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy.
According to reports, it involved a hostage situation in the area of the Scenic Highway and TS Wilson Road. The suspect is deceased.