Former City Manager Bob Hoffman continues to work for the city on a lease/consultant agreement until the end of the month, but the city council wants him to stay another year. ...more

September 6, 2008

Expect to pay more for wastewater and trash pickup services within the next few years. ...more

June 11, 2008

TAMPA - Expect to pay more for wastewater and trash pickup services within the next few years. City officials have hinted at the possibility of rate increases before, and on Tuesday a top city administrator bluntly told the council he planned to propose a five-year rate plan by this time next year. ...more

June 10, 2008

SEBRING — The City Pier Beach remains closed today following the drowning Saturday afternoon of a 23-year-old man. Bobby Clark swam beyond the marked swimming area at the park and experienced a cramp before going under, police said. His body was recovered around 3 p.m. by emergency personnel divers. "It was a tragic event that happened this weekend," City Administrator Bob Hoffman said Monday. "We are still learning more about it and our hearts and prayers go out for the victim and the victim's family." ...more

June 9, 2008

SEBRING — City councilors decided 5-0 to proceed with funding the fire department with an assessment on real property. A motion was passed Tuesday which instructs Government Services Group of Tallahassee to draft an ordinance. A schedule shows the new proposal will be presented to the council on July 1. After two public hearings, the council can adopt it on second reading on Aug. 19, and the tax collector can be notified on Sept. 15. "I think we need to go ahead and do it," said Councilor Margie Rhoades. But, she added, people want fairness, so she would not consider a fire assessment without a reduction in millage. That means some of the poorest citizens, who will pay the fire assessment could pay more in overall taxes. ...more

June 4, 2008

Severe thunderstorms packing large hail and possible tornadoes rumbled across the northern Midwest on Sunday, killing at least one person and damaging dozens of homes in this St. Paul suburb. ...more

May 26, 2008

SEBRING — His official title is still assistant city administrator, but for all practical purposes Scott Noethlich has taken over operations of the City of Sebring. In preparation for Bob Hoffman's retirement at end of June after almost 18 years as city administrator, Noethlich has been transitioning slowly into the job. ...more

May 9, 2008

SEBRING — Sebring residents and businesses will likely be paying a fire assessment with their next tax bill to help fund the fire department's $2.3 million annual budget. ...more

May 8, 2008

SEBRING — Leadership is changing hands as the men who have run Highlands County, Sebring and Avon Park for more than 10 years step down. C.B. Shirey, who served as Avon Park city manager for 11 years, moved to the role of manager of Avon Park Executive Airport in January. Carl Cool, county administrator, will retire May 31 after 17 years. Bob Hoffman, city administrator of Sebring, will retire June 30 after almost 18 years in the position. They swear they didn't plan it like that. "It's just happenstance," Cool said. "We might have joked about it, but it just turned out that way." ...more

February 10, 2008

SEBRING — Veterans Beach will remain closed until at least the end of February after failing a water quality test two months in a row, making it unsafe for swimming. ...more

February 8, 2008