Highlands County commissioners held a rare night meeting yesterday in order to hold a workshop on the budget. They worked on trimming back their expenditures by just over $330,000.
However, they say, their’s is just 20 percent of the budget. The other 80-percent falls under other constitutional offices such as the Highlands County Sheriff, clerk of courts, property appraiser, tax collector and supervisor of elections.
With property values rising – the rollback rate should drop from 8.55 to 8.3261. However, commissioners say if they cannot get the necessisary cuts, the millage could jump to 9.25.
Motorists in the Sebring area need to be aware of their surroundings when it comes to crossing the railroad tracks. Officials of the South Central Florida Express Railroad have advised that the railroad crossings located at Sebring Parkway, S. Commerce Ave., Kenilworth Blvd., and S. Highlands Ave. are currently out of service.
They say SCFRR crews will put out flags when trains are running at these crossings.
Please use caution and always stop, look, and listen when crossing these tracks.
A Lake Wales man reportedly was killed yesterday while riding his bicycle in Lakeland. Polk County Sheriff’s officials say 35-year-old Michael Johnson was struck by two vehicles as he pedaled on Galloway Road.
Deputies say he was hit from behind and was thrown from the bike. He then was hit by a second vehicle. Johnson was taken to Lakeland Regional where he passed away.
Charges in the incident are pending.