TAMPA - A man once known as one of Tampa's most notorious landlords has been given an extension to make restitution payments, according to an order signed by U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew. ...more

June 3, 2008

TAMPA - The Tampa City Council voted unanimously today to take steps to crack down on some of the most egregious and frequent code violators. ...more

February 21, 2008

There is no doubt that Florida's property tax system needs to be reformed. This current inequitable system, coupled with rapidly increasing local government spending, has produced tremendous tax increases for many taxpayers. Unfortunately, these are not the taxpayers that Amendment One would help. The Legislature's need to pass something "people will vote for," coupled with a sincere desire to help Floridians who cannot afford to move because of higher taxes, resulted in a proposal that is not only unsatisfactory but also likely to be detrimental. Not to mention that one of the provisions may be unconstitutional. ...more

January 27, 2008

TAMPA A 37-year-old man posing as a landlord pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing more than $40,000 in grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ...more

January 17, 2008

AVON PARK — The city's code enforcement office sent out 75 warnings to landlords for not holding rental permits since its enforcement began in December. The grace period ended last month, following the city council's passing of a minimum maintenance ordinance that gave code enforcement officers the right to annually inspect homes while also requiring landlords to get an annual $37.50-per-unit permit to lease within the city. Capt. Donald Simmons, Avon Park's head code enforcement officer, said he was going by "word of mouth" to find other landlords and rental properties in the city, since his office doesn't have an active list of residential rental properties in the city yet. His fellow officers sent the warnings so that landlords are aware of the requirement. "This is the first year this has been done in Avon Park," Simmons said. "This is brand new. A lot of people aren't aware of it." ...more

January 8, 2008

Mom and pop business owners in the Shoppes at Lithia say they will be hard-pressed to stay afloat if their latest landlord insists on collecting thousands of dollars in back fees for property maintenance. ...more

December 26, 2007

SEBRING — One big question was raised Tuesday as Highlands County commissioners began discussions on a proposal to provide financial aid to the county's military personnel serving in combat zones in the war on terrorism. That question: Should this proposed county grant — up to a maximum $900 per year — be awarded only to homesteaded home owners, or to all service personnel from the county in harm's way overseas? Two of the five commissioners, Don Bates and Edgar Stokes, supported making the grant available to all men and women from the county serving in combat zones, whether they own or rent. "Their exposure to harm really doesn't depend on whether or not they own property," Bates said. He added, "Who serves right now? Mostly it's the young people, 21- 22-, 23-years old, who are the ones out on the front line." Few people at that age own a home, he said. If the intent is to support troops fighting the war on terrorism, he said, the aid should not depend on a person's status as a homeowner or renter. "They're both taking the same chances when they're out there," Bates said. ...more

November 14, 2007

The Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist have approved a tax cut bill, which will saving homeowners an average of $240 each. Businesses will get a $25,000 exemption. There will be no cut for landlords, and therefore no cut for renters. ...more

October 30, 2007

There's no doubt that Avon Park's city elections next month are crucial to the town. All the more reason for voters to scrutinize the candidates –– even though there are quite a bushful of them –– and come out and vote. A proposed ordinance that would have fined businesses and landlords who catered to illegal immigrants may have set the tone for some candidates to seek office, but growth remains the overarching issue for the city. Voters should look for candidates who can help Avon Park navigate some of these growth problems, at a time when the rest of the county seems to be growing at a faster rate and tougher challenges coming from Tallahassee lie ahead. ...more

October 15, 2007

SEBRING — The state Legislature's new plan for property tax relief — doubling the homestead exemption — would cost Highlands County government more in lost revenue than the lawmakers' original super exemption plan. ...more

October 10, 2007