Hillsborough County appeared to be heading toward embracing the idea of purchasing and protecting undeveloped land, overwhelmingly approving an extension of a 21-year-old land preservation program. ...more

November 5, 2008

Hillsborough County has again embraced the idea of purchasing and protecting undeveloped land, overwhelmingly approving an extension of a 21-year-old land preservation program. ...more

November 4, 2008

Barring a last-minute ruling from the Florida Supreme Court, the Hillsborough County mayor question won't be on the ballot. That doesn't mean voters won't be asked about at least part of the issue. ...more

October 19, 2008

The county mayor question won't be on the ballot next month, but Hillsborough County voters still will have a opportunity to define the scope and authority of that position. ...more

October 14, 2008

Hernando County has discussed two major capital improvement projects – a new judicial center and an expansion to the crowded jail. ...more

September 7, 2008

SEBRING —Voters in Highlands County are almost certain to see a 2/10ths of one mill bond issue on the November ballot to raise funds for the purchase of conservation lands. If voters approve the measure, the $1 million which the bond issue would raise per year would draw matching dollars from the state's Florida Forever program to buy important conversation land before it can be developed. Highlands County Commissioner Don Bates said he will vote to put the proposed bond issue to bring in matching state conservation funds on the ballot in November. Bates also said it appears very likely that there will be enough votes on the five-member county commission to submit the issue to the voters. ...more

June 14, 2008

SEBRING — Michael Wright, the heir apparent to retiring Highlands County Administrator Carl Cool, will be offered a salary of $150,000 per year to become the county's new chief executive officer. The five county commissioners unanimously decided on Tuesday to offer Wright that salary, which would be about $14,000 above the salary of Cool, a county employee for more than 30 years, the past 17 as administrator. ...more

May 6, 2008

Regulators characterized it as the potential loss of a "nominal amount" of wetlands, but environmental advocates said allowing farmers to dredge or fill small ponds or marshes without replacing them whittles away at Hillsborough County's long-standing wetlands protections. ...more

January 21, 2008

SEBRING — The Highlands County commissioners appear likely to appoint a citizens advisory committee that will advise them on whether to raise or lower impact fees. Commissioner Don Bates brought the idea up for discussion for the first time at the commissioners' Tuesday meeting. No action was taken, but the five county commissioners agreed to discuss it again at their next meeting, Jan. 22. ...more

January 16, 2008

SEBRING — Don Bates, the Highlands County commissioner who chaired the special Lake Denton Citizens Advisory Committee, admits there still are unanswered questions about the county's closing of public access to the county's most popular lake. ...more

January 2, 2008