[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6118310,"mediaKeyId","2724588-47a8bea84b77c86cdeb3840ff5d58a9d","parentId",2724588,"title","Leon County splits over federal land proposal for affordable housing; motion to task local committees fails","audioSeconds",2735,"startMs",1750271,"endMs",4485551,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2724588-47a8bea84b77c86cdeb3840ff5d58a9d&start=1750&end=4485","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2724588-47a8bea84b77c86cdeb3840ff5d58a9d/thumbnail_1750271.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6118310/Leon-County/Florida/Leon-County-splits-over-federal-land-proposal-for-affordable-housing-motion-to-task-local-committees-fails","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118310-7cb42773bbd139ccbeec28aa62c6045c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153622&Signature=A2YZuZq8yLVt3iNK69Cca4iyzt3qREhi80bevpXvvUXrHEYSUL2CrQOBml7Nst3f0K0LyxtPlQnY36cAGgkqsw5Nkn99RL8pVZ1GNN9UMfupa8s0PKTOmm24jtjhIfHbBnkmIGA3mec2z7Rits9Wk96dNy-tPpGZWK8kJsK534OZz3VNyUfYgVqIjPLu70AxBed91OzgB8CJZ~XnVM5JPHw6rQeJMWW772RZXttjH2ipbXxhzjuu3YldCBDTm~T-TWhnDgKhqsn9SE1mfkbfqQTq4cpT~qEbzlYpzjlcrsKYa~D9p7Zj3wPeRbz-VHBHcjciCgX0Ty2FV4g-9WcGCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leon County, FL","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioners debated whether Leon County should actively pursue a federal proposal, announced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of the Interior, to inventory underused federal properties for potential affordable housing use. The board split 4–3 on a motion that would have directed the county’s Housing Finance Authority (HFA) and Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to evaluate the federal initiative and report back.

Commissioner Proctor urged aggressive pursuit of the opportunity, citing a federal statement that agencies would “inventory underused federal properties, transfer or lease them to states or localities to address housing needs and support the infrastructure required to make the development viable.” Proctor said he had written to the president and called the federal offer “the only clear thing that this administration has offered that that I have seen constructive,” and asked the board to form a task force to act quickly.

County Administrator and staff cautioned that the federal proposal was evolving and that the county's existing direction was to monitor surplus federal lands; they recommended using standing advisory committees rather than creating a new task force. Commissioner Maddox moved that the HFA and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee evaluate any federal proposals and return recommendations; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Cummings.

Opponents said the federal announcement appeared to focus on large federal holdings such as national forests and parks rather than urban parcels. Commissioner Max said he would not support any posture that could be read as approving development of national forests and argued the county should concentrate on urban infill. Commissioners Caban and Minor also warned about infrastructure costs if federal lands were outside the county’s urban services area and said such proposals could conflict with the county comprehensive plan’s emphasis on infill.

Supporters said the county should be prepared and organized if the federal task force identifies property within Leon County. Commissioner Cummings and others argued the HFA and advisory committee could serve as an early review “first line of defense” so the board would be informed if the federal government identifies land in the county.

The board voted; the motion to ask HFA and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to evaluate federal proposals failed on a 4–3 vote (four opposed, three in favor). Commissioners who voted in opposition said they feared the county would be seen as opening the door to development on national forests or other protected federal lands; supporters said evaluation by local housing experts would provide data for future decisions.

No county action was taken to commit to any particular federal land use, and staff were instructed to continue monitoring federal developments and to rely on existing committees for any preliminary review the board directs.

Speakers identified in the debate included Commissioner Proctor, Commissioner Maddox, Commissioner Cummings, Commissioner O'Keefe, Commissioner Caban, Commissioner Minor, and County Administrator (unnamed in the transcript).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing - March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Leon County commissioners split 4–3 after a heated debate over whether to direct local housing bodies to evaluate a federal initiative to transfer or lease underused federal properties for affordable housing.","taxTitle","Leon County, Florida","taxId",2870,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118315,"Leon County holds first public hearing on state CDBG round; task force recommends Fort Braden Community Center",488,59841,548521,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2724588-47a8bea84b77c86cdeb3840ff5d58a9d&start=59&end=548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2724588-47a8bea84b77c86cdeb3840ff5d58a9d/thumbnail_59841.jpg","/articles/6118315/Leon-County/Florida/Leon-County-holds-first-public-hearing-on-state-CDBG-round-task-force-recommends-Fort-Braden-Community-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118315-44eebb3b7f2d2ec752b326b1b00a7999/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153622&Signature=hoxEWbUROEJBaCzItq-rfMczX19atj2beXcxrIwFkkEpUGdwV-mcwZBLnme~kqHIryx60fad8KdCBrg~VBSeJhODxJAaaQFIavLOFQk64U~FzWBPtnwPmN3yag8Zzt-P1n3ZpKc6Vnb99bBMyOyKBytmpleupWbf0-7yUbUgEBsRlizbc5-UsZ0Lbov6K~CLy7~jRYTbg7N7I~NruypssFBn6Zce43pYlT88zZUEYgdzn8vnCHHdkGf6tcYv7i2XJafYJdY6vv-NWZu1ebOTFSe2rRdi~9~t8Dqh5XDFQkvY49lLb3mO~wOqDIdkA3bOnq2vt35A~yTE19khCCi9Hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leon County commissioners held the first of two required public hearings on a Florida Small City Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) opportunity, with staff reporting a task force recommended the Fort Braden Community Center as the county's most competitive project.

County Administrator (unnamed in the transcript) said the hearing is “the first public hearing” and that the board may not take action at this meeting; staff will return at a second public hearing with a draft application and a recommendation for formal consideration.

Shinkton Lamy, who led the staff presentation, explained the CDBG program and the state's competitive Small City process: “Community Development Block Grant or CDBG is administered by HUD to invest in projects that improve the quality of life and economic opportunities for low to moderate income households.” Lamy told commissioners the application window opened March 5 and closes May 2, and that Florida Commerce recently announced $40,000,000 in available CDBG funds.

Lamy noted Leon County is a “non‑entitlement” community for CDBG purposes (counties with fewer than 200,000 people are non‑entitlement) and said the county can apply to the state for grants in four categories that must benefit low‑ and moderate‑income households: housing rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization, commercial revitalization and economic development. He said the county was recently awarded $750,000 for a housing rehabilitation program and that the county previously received $3,600,000 in the neighborhood revitalization category for improvements to the Miccosukee community center.

According to Lamy, Florida Commerce is allowing non‑entitlement governments to apply in this round even if they were recent awardees, and — unlike some past rounds — there is “no maximum funding cap this round,” which staff said could allow the county to request more than prior awards. Lamy also explained the scoring process and said the county's CDBG citizen advisory task force met before the first public hearing to maximize competitive points; the task force recommended Fort Braden Community Center improvements.

Because this was the first of two required hearings, Lamy told the board it could not take action tonight on the task force recommendation. He said the second public hearing — when the board can consider the task force recommendation and a draft application — was recommended for April 8 at 6 p.m.

Commissioners used the public Q&A time to raise local needs related to roads and utilities. Commissioner Proctor asked whether CDBG could support fire hydrants along Crawfordville Road; staff replied that the county may only submit one application under the state program and that the task force had recommended Fort Braden as the single competitive project for this round. No formal county action on the grant application was taken at the hearing.

The county's presentation referenced federal and state programs and rules: HUD administers the national CDBG program, and the hearing addressed state requirements under the Florida administrative code and related guidance from Florida Commerce.

Next steps: staff will collect citizen input gathered during this hearing, prepare the draft application and bring the matter back for a second public hearing and formal board consideration on April 8.","At a first public hearing required by the state, county staff outlined a competitive Florida Small City CDBG opportunity and said a local task force recommended applying for funds to renovate the Fort Braden Community Center. A second hearing and formal consideration will be scheduled for April 8.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118302,"Board backs staff review of dedicated sheriff host deputy for homeless women, asks staff to return with options",964,5113451,6078221,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2724588-47a8bea84b77c86cdeb3840ff5d58a9d&start=5113&end=6078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2724588-47a8bea84b77c86cdeb3840ff5d58a9d/thumbnail_5113451.jpg","/articles/6118302/Leon-County/Florida/Board-backs-staff-review-of-dedicated-sheriff-host-deputy-for-homeless-women-asks-staff-to-return-with-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118302-9a2bd9f46c3497695b25f1ee1f693c1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153622&Signature=H0FbTrqNP4vKDeYa8uyfIurlmRFgUwLFSemEBVatzVFs5UqgSrOLKw54qMBQCkUqO3TJBztGGdRAqKxUMYFT4Is~hNel-v5bEh~aRnYrSCBC7DAiB3pso9JylVQq60U-2-Ypi-vvM9z5L1~c6OFsuQH1OQZq0jokc4ls18qigwqNspCeY7ABvCosnqGPDXnP6u6uis5JrzQS56ATp6DP5plRnqIAgaiWPWDol6RZ2XsHs5SvfND2JzNU7HqS7R6sQVQvE3fYHFTasmr3vZi1krLGS0Zgj8UtQDzXUN22QzIyEAd4Ey65jZlhn25X9iHOWZ9zql2DrSQNo~CqqRmDCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leon County Commission unanimously supported a motion to ask staff to analyze whether designating a deputy sheriff (a “host deputy”) to focus on unhoused women would improve service and reduce recidivism.

Commissioner Cummings, speaking during commissioner items, said data from a past county‑funded host deputy program identified roughly 200 homeless individuals, “but close to a hundred of those were women,” and argued homelessness increases vulnerability to human trafficking and other crimes. He asked staff to bring back an agenda item evaluating the variables involved in creating a host deputy role focused on women.

County Administrator and staff said they would analyze the proposal and return recommendations. Staff cautioned the board that existing community programs (for example, refuge house shelter providers and other nonprofits) may already provide services and that staff would present program options in addition to any proposed sheriff staffing.

Commissioners discussed prior funding: the board authorized two host deputies in 2022 to work with homeless populations and received interim reports. Commissioner Cummings said the prior effort identified dozens of individuals and that a focused approach might reduce arrests for low‑level crimes tied to survival needs.

The board approved the motion unanimously. Staff will study how a women‑focused host deputy would operate, potential coordination with existing shelters and nonprofits (Survive and Thrive, Refuge House and others mentioned in discussion), and cost implications, and will return the analysis for board consideration.","Commissioners unanimously supported a motion to task staff with analyzing whether a dedicated host deputy focused on homeless women would improve outcomes; staff said they would evaluate the idea and identify existing local programs and potential costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6118307,"Commissioners direct staff to work with Tallahassee on Lake Henrietta drainage, flooding concerns in Jay Gaither area",255,4486091,4741741,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2724588-47a8bea84b77c86cdeb3840ff5d58a9d&start=4486&end=4741","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2724588-47a8bea84b77c86cdeb3840ff5d58a9d/thumbnail_4486091.jpg","/articles/6118307/Leon-County/Florida/Commissioners-direct-staff-to-work-with-Tallahassee-on-Lake-Henrietta-drainage-flooding-concerns-in-Jay-Gaither-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118307-9952984fc659fb852f01bbb14841850b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153622&Signature=lKfoZ8QOUszbAZ3cWd0xu0GTXpRaelJBlEjQB~son9fGHUX3Yic6blTH5unTIn15kyHnRj-aU~sxonBCrF~yBD3b83tpgDwWMV5JCwPxfi7UuRfssrQNHwF6xglVoTwu4RfDtMUVUPHapgWOThmVAR3NBX1kJZMPJjqGFd0wsWDOVe2~V-w63jtjVPUQ5hsZwYzNPYlyW9vEv-kafx02JUaJRYNt~8YaQEE6mFGBe2m3cgH3LHSiwYfq5l-sJtMRpAfsUNffUT8Oms243ZpTCAwUzeI7xyr5bgMZuEeQ~InYO6zzrFgHrpi3v74ZELTfr3~Gt0yGa1T8mRWdl~3rbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners directed county staff to work with the City of Tallahassee to identify and recommend solutions for recurring flooding that affects the Jay Gaither community, including the West Side of North Ridge Road and Lake Henrietta.

Commissioner Proctor said residents and a neighborhood leadership board raised multiple concerns: overflow from runoff passing through the golf course, water backing under the North Ridge Road bridge, and reduced capacity at Lake Henrietta. He asked staff to coordinate with city counterparts to identify problem locations and potential remedies. “I'm merely asking that the scope of our inquiry as well as relief to make that water flow is the Lake Henrietta and the West Side Of Ridge Road,” Proctor said.

County staff confirmed the request was consistent with ongoing work on Lake Henrietta and said they would support the city's efforts to address swales and ditches so flow reaches the lake. The board voted on a motion to direct staff to work with the city; the motion passed unanimously.

Action directs county staff to collaborate with municipal officials to identify obstructions, coordinate potential dredging or grading, and recommend measures to alleviate flooding in the specified area. The motion explicitly noted the city's jurisdiction for some drainage features (east side) and the county's responsibility on the west side of Ridge Road.

Staff said they will return with recommendations and any needed follow-up steps for board consideration.","After residents and homeowners raised flooding concerns around Lake Henrietta, the board instructed county staff to coordinate with the city to identify causes and recommend fixes for recurrent flooding west of North Ridge Road; the motion passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Leon County splits over federal land proposal for affordable housing; motion to task local committees fails

Leon County holds first public hearing on state CDBG round; task force recommends Fort Braden Community Center

Board backs staff review of dedicated sheriff host deputy for homeless women, asks staff to return with options

Commissioners direct staff to work with Tallahassee on Lake Henrietta drainage, flooding concerns in Jay Gaither area