{"id":681363,"date":"2026-03-25T19:02:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T19:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/681363\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T19:02:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T19:02:31","slug":"jacksonville-bold-for-3-25-26-tax-tiff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/681363\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville Bold for 3.25.26: Tax tiff"},"content":{"rendered":"

House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison<\/strong><\/a> is on record as being against what could be part of a proposal by Gov. Ron DeSantis<\/strong><\/a> to pay the way for the state\u2019s poorest counties in the event voters decide to eliminate property taxes in November.<\/p>\n

Garrison also suggested that even Republicans who recognize the burden of millage may disagree on how to alleviate it.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, he told members of the Jacksonville Bar Association<\/strong><\/a> that he is \u201cvery concerned that whatever we do be done uniformly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to get in the business, especially on a constitutional referendum, of having different rules for different counties,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Garrison noted that Clay County, the northern part of which is a functional suburb of Jacksonville, is in a \u201cdoughnut hole\u201d between urban areas like Duval and 32 of Florida\u2019s 67 counties designated as fiscally constrained.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sam Garrison discusses property tax concerns and legislative challenges during remarks in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n

Typically lower in population and property value, they include Baker, Bradford, Calhoun, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okeechobee, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla and Washington counties.<\/p>\n

DeSantis has called the amount of money needed to make up for uncollected property tax revenue \u201cbudget dust<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garrison also discussed the unique challenges of leading a \u201ctop-down\u201d legislative branch made up of 120 people with \u201cno shortage of egos,\u201d working to \u201cmanage the personalities and the basic needs of 119 of your closest friends who you can\u2019t hire or fire. And all of whom, you know, think they should have your job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re in charge of everything, from what bills are heard to what coffee is served,\u201d he noted, joking that the job is a \u201cpiece of cake.\u201d<\/p>\n

And given that voters pick the members, there\u2019s a lot of variance in the Legislature.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I got to choose who the members would be, there\u2019s probably a very different membership, right? But they represent their districts. And so, there are things you can do within any sort of political organization that we have a big structure like that to try to reward positive behavior, and not reward, you know, behavior that\u2019s less positive. It\u2019s called politics,\u201d Garrison said.<\/p>\n

Garrison also acknowledges that the last couple of Sessions in Tallahassee, where Speaker Daniel Perez<\/strong> has jousted with Senate President Ben Albritton<\/strong>, \u201chaven\u2019t actually been the smoothest couple of years,\u201d given the \u201creal personality conflicts\u201d that have surfaced between the two leaders.<\/p>\n

He sees an opportunity to work with the new Governor and believes the first two years of an incoming administration offer the chance to tackle \u201cbig issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drone deliveryman<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 36-year-old man was sentenced to 81 years in prison for being convicted of using drones to drop and deliver contraband to inmates in Florida detention facilities.<\/p>\n

Attorney General James Uthmeier<\/strong><\/a> announced Monday that Mario Brian Crawford<\/strong> was ordered to spend the next eight decades behind bars in a Florida prison for delivering illegal goods to prisoners. He was sentenced in the 1st Judicial Circuit of Florida in Escambia County.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Mario Brian Crawford sentenced to 81 years for using drones to deliver contraband to Florida inmates.<\/p>\n

Officials say Crawford used drones to drop contraband such as drugs, cellphones, SIM data cards, charging cords, tobacco and razors to inmates serving time in correctional facilities. Those included the Liberty Correctional Institute and the Okaloosa Correctional Institute. He was arrested at his home by the Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office in March 2023<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur investigation is revealing he probably dropped drugs into dozens of other institutions,\u201d Uthmeier said during a news conference<\/strong><\/a> Monday in Milton.<\/p>\n

Crawford\u2019s been convicted of introduction or possession of contraband at a state facility, conspiracy to introduce or possess contraband at a state facility, trafficking in more than 10 grams of the stimulant drug Cathinone, illegal use of a drone and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Firestarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Jacksonville Association of Fire\u00a0 Fighters (JAFF<\/strong><\/a>) is getting behind a Democrat looking to flip Florida\u2019s 4th Congressional District<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cJacksonville\u2019s firefighters know what it means to answer the call, and they also know what it means to fight for what\u2019s right,\u201d said JAFF President Kelly Dobson<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur members want leaders who will stand with firefighters and working families, protect the benefits we have earned, and push back when Washington threatens the retirement security our people counted on. Michael Kirwan<\/strong><\/a> understands that fight, and our members know he\u2019ll stand with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Democratic<\/a>Michael Kirwan secures Jacksonville firefighters\u2019 endorsement in bid to unseat Aaron Bean in Northeast Florida district.<\/p>\n

Kirwan said he values the endorsement from one of Jacksonville\u2019s most high-profile and politically potent public sector labor unions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud to have the support of the Jacksonville firefighters,\u201d Kirwan said. \u201cThese are the people who show up for our community on its hardest days, and they deserve leaders who will show up for them. That means protecting retirement security, defending the benefits they\u2019ve earned, supporting public safety, and making sure the people who risk their lives for us are never treated like an afterthought in Washington.\u201d<\/p>\n

The JAFF endorsement continues momentum for Kirwan, a Jacksonville native and longtime securities lawyer who has served as Chair of the Jacksonville Ethics Commission and President of Scenic Jacksonville. Kirwan is seeking to unseat second-term incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The firefighters\u2019 support could be meaningful, given Republicans\u2019 registration advantage. The district, which includes Nassau County, Clay County and some of Duval County, is 41% Republican and 34% Democrat.<\/p>\n

Tweet, tweet\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Too late?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jacksonville\u2019s public utility, JEA<\/strong><\/a>, is looking within for answers about whether employees are happy and whether business is being done correctly, saying the effort is independent of an ongoing City Council probe<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The push is framed as \u201cproactive and deliberate steps to ensure a safe, respectful, and productive work environment for all employees.\u201d But City Council members see them as too little, too late, and say investigations into the utility will continue.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>JEA launches workplace review amid questions about timing from Kevin Carrico and Rory Diamond amid a City Council probe.<\/p>\n

The utility has commissioned its outside employment law firm, Jackson Lewis<\/strong><\/a>, for an \u201cindependent, third-party review\u201d of \u201crecent allegations regarding workplace culture.\u201d Lawyer Cherie Silberman<\/strong><\/a> of Tampa will conduct the review, which will begin next month.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs part of her work, Silberman will evaluate JEA\u2019s employment policies, conduct interviews with leadership and employees, and take any additional steps necessary to provide a thorough and objective assessment,\u201d the utility says.<\/p>\n

Management will not steer the process.<\/p>\n

Energage will also conduct an employee\u00a0engagement survey<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0next month.<\/p>\n

The moves come after the City Council held its first meeting of the JEA Special Investigative Committee amid questions about the utility\u2019s activities, including unpaid capacity fees<\/strong><\/a> and concerns about its culture<\/strong><\/a> that led City Council President Kevin Carrico<\/strong><\/a> to say he\u2019d heard from employees regarding alleged \u201cracism\u201d in the utility.<\/p>\n

Carrico is skeptical of the timing and vows that the Special Investigative Committee will proceed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJEA\u2019s sudden decision to launch its own \u2018independent\u2019 review comes far too late \u2014 and only after months of unanswered questions, mounting concerns about workplace culture, missing funds, and skyrocketing utility costs for ratepayers. Quite frankly, this feels like a Johnny-come-lately response prompted not by accountability, but by the City Council asking tough questions,\u201d he told Florida Politics on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Rory Diamond<\/strong>, a prominent voice in favor of changes at the utility, echoes Carrico\u2019s consternation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would have been great if their Board Chair had initiated such a review before he ignored all the allegations and bullied a vote of confidence. Day late and a dollar short,\u201d the Republican from the Beaches said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Civic-minded schools<\/strong><\/p>\n

Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland<\/strong> is singling out some schools for standing out in terms of citizenship.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the months of January, February, and March, our office visited 28 schools who responded to our invitation to pre-register and register students to vote. In Florida, one can pre-register to vote if they are at least 16 years old and meet all other eligibility requirements. The pre-registration will become an active registration when the applicant turns 18,\u201d Holland\u2019s office notes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Jerry Holland recognizes Duval County schools for leading student voter registration efforts.<\/p>\n

More than 3,200 students registered during the drive. Here are the winners.<\/p>\n

Duval County Public Schools:<\/p>\n

Large School \u2013 First Coast High School<\/p>\n

Medium School \u2013 Terry Parker High School<\/p>\n

Small School \u2014 Bridge to Success Academy<\/p>\n

Private Schools:<\/p>\n

Large School \u2014 Bishop Kenny High School<\/p>\n

Medium School \u2014 The Bolles School<\/p>\n

Small School \u2014 Pace Center for Girls Jacksonville<\/p>\n

College\/University:<\/p>\n

Edward Waters University<\/p>\n

Dear DeerCreek<\/strong><\/p>\n

The North Florida Land Trust (NFLT<\/strong><\/a>) has acquired a sizable parcel of property in St. Johns County that will be designated as a conservation area.<\/p>\n

Ring Power<\/strong><\/a>, a Cat heavy equipment dealer in Florida, donated more than 1,700 acres to the NFLT through a conservation easement. The property is in western St. Johns County near the Shands Bridge that crosses the St. Johns River into Clay County.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>North Florida Land Trust secures 1,732-acre DeerCreek Plantation conservation easement in St. Johns County.<\/p>\n

The donation totals 1,732 acres and encompasses an area known as DeerCreek Plantation. It\u2019s adjacent to some areas of another preserved stretch of land, the Jack Wright Island Conservation Area<\/strong><\/a>. The DeerCreek tract of land more than triples the mass of property at the Wright preserve.<\/p>\n

The Ring Power owners, Randy<\/strong> and Paula Ringhaver<\/strong> and David <\/strong>and Bree Alban<\/strong>, facilitated the donation. The DeerCreek property lies within the NFLT springs, aquifer recharge and water quality improvement preservation priority area. It\u2019s also within the St. Johns River Blueway Florida Forever<\/strong><\/a> area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis generous donation is a major win for conservation in St. Johns County, which just continues to grow,\u201d said Allison DeFoor<\/strong>, President and CEO of NFLT. \u201cWe are grateful to the Ringhaver family for recognizing the importance of saving this natural space because it is now or never.\u201d<\/p>\n

The DeerCreek tract was donated as preservation property because St. Johns County is one of Florida\u2019s fastest-growing counties. Multiple housing developments have been erected in that area of St. Johns County in the past two decades.<\/p>\n

Municipal fleet management<\/strong><\/p>\n

St. Johns County<\/strong><\/a> is employing a digital application to help manage hundreds of government vehicles serving the Northeast Florida municipality.<\/p>\n

The \u201cFleet Manager\u201d scheduling application enables county staff to schedule vehicle maintenance assignments and repairs more easily. The platform allows county workers to choose their vehicle and available service times, document issues and problems, and include notes and photos.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>St. Johns County deploys fleet management app to improve vehicle maintenance and operational efficiency.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis application streamlines how we manage fleet maintenance and improves communication between departments,\u201d said Rocky S. Agbunag<\/strong>, Information Systems Officer for St. Johns County Public Works. \u201cBy integrating scheduling, notifications, and data tracking into one system, we are enhancing efficiency and helping our teams stay focused on serving residents.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Public Works Information Systems Division produces the Fleet Manager platform to help connect fleet operations with different county divisions that rely on heavy equipment for duties, according to a county news release<\/strong><\/a>. Some of the St. Johns County divisions using the platform include the Utilities Department, Traffic Operations, and the Road and Bridge Division, as well as others that incorporate data integration and mapping technology.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Health fair<\/strong><\/p>\n

HCLG Revival Center Church will host its Annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1700 Francis Ave. in Atlantic Beach.<\/p>\n

The free event, sponsored by Bishop Percy J. Golden<\/strong> and the church, aims to raise public health awareness and connect residents with essential services.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Attendees will have access to free health screenings, including HIV testing, vision exams, women\u2019s health services, blood pressure and glucose checks.<\/p>\n

The fair will also offer nutritional education, health insurance information, hands-only CPR training and literacy resources.<\/p>\n

Organizers say the event is designed to help community members learn how to live and healthy, safe life, with vendors and a KidzZone hosted by Sarge Hall.<\/p>\n

Sultry St. Augustine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Southern Living<\/strong><\/a> magazine came out with its list of the best small towns in the South, and Florida snagged five spots on that ledger with St. Augustine topping the rankings.<\/p>\n

The magazine dedicated to all things Southern in the United States published its findings<\/strong><\/a> from a survey of readers on the best towns outside of metropolitan areas, and Florida had more towns on that list than any other state. Georgia was the closest state to the Sunshine State, with three small towns from the Peach State making the ranking.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>St. Augustine tops Southern Living\u2019s list of best small towns, with Fernandina Beach also making the cut.<\/p>\n

St. Augustine was ranked first in the best small towns in the South. Southern Living writers chalked that up to the bounty of historic and scenic attractions in the Nation\u2019s Oldest City.<\/p>\n

Another First Coast favorite, Fernandina Beach, finished 20th on the small-town list.<\/p>\n

Jaguars in the trade market?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For a team that has been rather measured in its offseason moves, the Jacksonville Jaguars are still a team mentioned in trade rumors.<\/p>\n

Specifically, supposed trades involving wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thomas starred as a rookie in 2024, catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers represent the seventh most catches and fifth most receiving yards in Jaguars history. Only Allen Robinson\u2019s <\/strong>14 touchdowns in 2015 are more than Thomas\u2019s rookie season total.<\/p>\n

But last season, Thomas was hit by the sophomore slump. He missed three games with injuries, caught only 48 passes for 707 yards, and scored only two touchdowns. For most of the season, he looked like a different player. He shied away from contact, short-armed catches, and dropped balls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Brian Thomas Jr. trade rumors swirl as Jacksonville weighs value of young receiver amid roster depth.<\/p>\n

Since the start of free agency, various online reports have had the Jaguars in talks with the New York Jets, New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns about a potential trade. General manager James Gladstone<\/strong> called any reports of advanced trade talks \u201cfraudulent.\u201d<\/p>\n

So why all the speculation? In some measure, it\u2019s based on the success of Jaguars\u2019 receivers Jakobi Meyers<\/strong>, who was acquired in a trade last season and earned a new contract with the team by his play, and Parker Washington<\/strong>, who emerged as a go-to receiver during the 2025 season. With Travis Hunter<\/strong> also on the roster and available to be a contributor in the passing game, observers around the league might look at Jacksonville\u2019s situation and think they have too many accomplished receivers and not enough passes to keep them happy.<\/p>\n

But the reality is that Thomas is entering a pivotal season in his career. If he can put the poor play of last season behind him and play more as he did as a rookie, the Jaguars\u2019 offense will reap the benefits. And because there are questions about Thomas, the team would not likely get the kind of value in a trade that would make it worth giving up on a young talent. Thomas won\u2019t turn 24 until October. He is still a young player with a lot of upside potential.<\/p>\n

The other factor is that the Jaguars don\u2019t have a gaping need at any specific position. The roster build and a few key additions have enabled Gladstone to be surgical in adding players between now and the start of training camp.<\/p>\n

And with the Jaguars holding 11 picks in next month\u2019s draft, they can maneuver to select players to fill future needs, not just the immediate needs of the roster.<\/p>\n

This may not be an exciting offseason for Jaguars fans, but it should provide confidence that the team could make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time this century.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"House Speaker-designate Sam Garrison is on record as being against what could be part of a proposal by…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":615950,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5136],"tags":[14617,137917,286402,5229,31136,82133,35950,246757,64223,286403,14619,286404,286405,286406,286407,15015,1544,82134,275630,286408,286409,8999,106683,286410,8314,56179,89336,62063,184855,286411,3188,723,9524,286412,286413,106685,286414,106686,106687,286415,106688,106689,286416,286417,22259,286418,7310,275634,286419,14625,286420,8017,16047,114536,20155,14521,14626,27995,77006,14630,286421,286422,286423,159449,95226,286424,246784,7834,4716,5287,73180,286425,106694,286426,28980,286427,286428,32140,286429,286430,286431,14516,10177,286432,286433,286434,182702,130316,25530,14638,14639,286435,9073,286436,286437,286438,8016,82135,67,586,132,5230,68,2969,106698,8838],"class_list":["post-681363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-jacksonville","tag-aaron-bean","tag-allen-robinson","tag-allison-defoor","tag-america","tag-atlantic-beach","tag-baker-county","tag-ben-albritton","tag-bishop-kenny-high-school","tag-bradford-county","tag-bree-alban","tag-brian-thomas-jr","tag-bridge-to-success-academy","tag-calhoun-county","tag-catholicinone","tag-cherie-silberman","tag-clay-county","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-columbia-county","tag-daniel-perez","tag-david-alban","tag-deercreek-plantation","tag-denver-broncos","tag-desoto-county","tag-dixie-county","tag-duval-county","tag-duval-county-public-schools","tag-edward-waters-university","tag-escambia-county","tag-fernandina-beach","tag-first-coast-high-school","tag-fl","tag-florida","tag-franklin-county","tag-gadsden-county","tag-gilchrist-county","tag-glades-county","tag-gulf-county","tag-hamilton-county","tag-hardee-county","tag-hclg-revival-center-church","tag-hendry-county","tag-highlands-county","tag-holmes-county","tag-jack-wright-island-conservation-area","tag-jackson-county","tag-jackson-lewis","tag-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville-association-of-fire-fighters","tag-jacksonville-bar-association","tag-jacksonville-bold","tag-jacksonville-ethics-commission","tag-jacksonville-jaguars","tag-jacksonville-sheriffs-office","tag-jakobi-meyers","tag-james-gladstone","tag-james-uthmeier","tag-jea","tag-jefferson-county","tag-kelly-dobson","tag-kevin-carrico","tag-lafayette-county","tag-levy-county","tag-liberty-correctional-institute","tag-liberty-county","tag-madison-county","tag-mario-brian-crawford","tag-michael-kirwan","tag-nassau-county","tag-new-york-giants","tag-new-york-jets","tag-north-florida-land-trust","tag-okaloosa-correctional-institute","tag-okeechobee-county","tag-pace-center-for-girls-jacksonville","tag-parker-washington","tag-paula-ringhaver","tag-percy-j-golden","tag-putnam-county","tag-randy-ringhaver","tag-ring-power","tag-rocky-s-agbunag","tag-ron-desantis","tag-rory-diamond","tag-sam-garrison","tag-sarge-hall","tag-scenic-jacksonville","tag-shands-bridge","tag-southern-living","tag-st-augustine","tag-st-johns-county","tag-st-johns-river","tag-suwannee-county","tag-tampa","tag-taylor-county","tag-terry-parker-high-school","tag-the-bolles-school","tag-travis-hunter","tag-union-county","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa","tag-wakulla-county","tag-washington-county"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=681363"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681363\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/615950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=681363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=681363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=681363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}