[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6211361,"mediaKeyId","3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff","parentId",3696484,"title","Regional economic partnership LEAD presents growth activities to Eustis commission; city praised volunteers in America in Bloom visit","audioSeconds",186,"startMs",474000,"endMs",660000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff&start=474&end=660","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff/thumbnail_474000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211361/Florida/Regional-economic-partnership-LEAD-presents-growth-activities-to-Eustis-commission-city-praised-volunteers-in-America-in-Bloom-visit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211361-dc8e73e442269ebbbd74c7b0cfc04cf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450845&Signature=NPKHLMWB7FOvynUmtguJak2vffsGt2GvR3hJTG5dArv82ekv3gL4kKSZ9HgJos4LYbQMQvFa8x26VSfVc481P1HhYPbYFsJLsJa1e2m-8X4jSCH0EcsMiixMJWZSxuDOjGCAnzSUOpOCq2-yaHVCfxzML5CNUorLpF6qRX-xvjghuai8Lh2U6m0~8IUtO3MC8UG2VoDxJDidWuVvR6BBUULwuQOualNl1odjHHt3y6j0P10ogz7FzVhEyx1rnxK5KTORY2qy6oPV8LFPEp4pHCCZsQtA2hafdLoV~71R8I0ISRX66FlFMh634JkdaOzlb2LL4zNbMbVViaqcOgDZiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Eustis, FL","date","2025-06-06T11:53:52Z","article","Representatives of the Lake Economic Area Development Partnership (LEAD) briefed the City Commission on June 5 about regional economic-development activities and local partnerships to attract and retain jobs.

Heather Schuberg, LEAD’s chief growth officer, outlined three pillars—business creation, business retention and business attraction—and highlighted recent programs including a manufacturing-focused event, entrepreneurial programming tied to the 1 Million Cups chapter, a Duke Energy–funded site-readiness visit and participation at the SelectUSA conference. “We are built on three pillars: business creation, business retention and business attraction,” Schuberg said.

Al Latimer, the city’s economic development director, introduced the LEAD team and emphasized regional collaboration. Ray Villegas and Mike Kelly, LEAD staff identified in the presentation, were acknowledged for entrepreneurial and retention work; Schuberg said LEAD has private- and public-sector investors and is conducting outreach to site selectors to promote industrial and agribusiness opportunities in Lake County.

Commissioners thanked LEAD for local partnerships, and Commissioner Lee introduced volunteers and advisors from America in Bloom, who visited Eustis and praised local beautification projects. Christina Whitney, an AIB advisor, said she was “very much looking forward to seeing the changes” and complimented community improvements. Michael Thompson, another AIB advisor who attended later, said he hopes to provide recommendations on horticulture and environmental initiatives to support economic and community development.

No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational and commissioners encouraged continued collaboration between the city and regional economic partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Commission Meeting - 5 June, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives from the Lake Economic Area Development Partnership (LEAD) updated the City Commission on recent business‑creation, retention and attraction work, site‑readiness visits and local entrepreneurship programs. Commissioners thanked volunteers from America in Bloom for downtown beautification work.","taxTitle","City of Eustis, Lake County, Florida","taxId",71128,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6211365,"Downtown DOT project draws complaints from business owners over curbside access, landscaping and timeline",348,1682000,2030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff&start=1682&end=2030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff/thumbnail_1682000.jpg","/articles/6211365/Florida/Downtown-DOT-project-draws-complaints-from-business-owners-over-curbside-access-landscaping-and-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211365-7ec7bd6ade7bd813cb316d71b96e4b78/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450845&Signature=D1VdLLNA1MFtTOWGzGucNd9wWbPKF-eM2KMPseQ-gbXYe1xalJeva4GFhHDWXAktlOxtpvGzNohLcejeBxUlun7HcbYMzDXe8i6Dt9KnX9PF--2-Wwj3QM0nNbdc3irqcKIUmbrMoSHRpfO0wTJfW0PFIlEgIjXyfqdxtBHGHLl~HL59Eegu3vQ775SNzIfdivW8b8xlt3PHHqaF4gskH4rCvXs79AKUIXnKetjeJDRAlQJvJTrbuzOOVM-r~TE4YRDWQryNiNisp~yJtkOsXGSGuR64MPJiJeJ8ZsglOl7HfwbSL7fs2~ij0XmfCjygA9fFZqOkAptj7bx5Fzslkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business owners and residents raised concerns about a Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) downtown renovation project during public comment at the June 5 City Commission meeting.

Daniel Olavani, who identified himself as a local business owner, asked the commission to “make some accommodation with regard to his curbside pickup” for a downtown pharmacy, saying the pullover lane is important for an anchor tenant and multigenerational businesses. “It is valuable to us as a community to have a drugstore downtown,” Olavani said.

Pharmacist George Warren of Bay Pharmacy also addressed the commission. He said he had asked for adjustments to preserve a pullover lane for curbside pickup but that those requests were not granted. “I would like to ask you to make the DOT stand up and be responsible for their sloppy work,” Warren said, describing incomplete bulb-outs, unfinished planting and stretches of work left open.

Warren and Olavani also complained about the new flashing yellow caution lights at a crosswalk and about a recent excavation at the corner of Orange Avenue and Grove Street that had sat unfinished for more than a week.

City staff and commissioners responded: Commissioner Holland noted she sits on the transportation board and said the project is not complete, that plantings are scheduled for the end of the project and that staff expects the project timeline to continue through the fall. “They still have to finish the one bulb outs, and then they’re gonna do the plantings at the end from what I’ve been told with the timeline,” she said; a timeline referenced in the meeting ranged to the fall.

The complaints were made during the meeting’s public‑comment period; no formal action by the commission was taken at that time.","Downtown business owners and residents used the public-comment period to urge the commission to press the Florida Department of Transportation and the city to protect a downtown pharmacy’s curbside pickup lane, improve crosswalk signals and finish plantings and cleanup on Orange Avenue.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6211370,"Eustis OKs 2.5% water, wastewater and reclaimed‑water rate increase; consultants to present full rate study",203,4349000,4552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff&start=4349&end=4552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff/thumbnail_4349000.jpg","/articles/6211370/Florida/Eustis-OKs-25-water-wastewater-and-reclaimedwater-rate-increase-consultants-to-present-full-rate-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211370-e21c7c7ddc5daba27d201089fb50584f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450845&Signature=FPia6PRcQlssX3P~je2A2yDGySN0L08zleCiEMkwIArm03qG4ctcQVT4DAqDfFPf7VMG2x6n9D317fUxGvcT5WsJiABI75GKexjq3avL37gPIbcfy6g44Wkq3zz5sCoOtG2JTzX-0mmavEpLc74YvZbDgA5pETfCVoo38cL-gvPO8rbztQG1gOPI0acARAzRw7wLSi-oqOeNOhKwZRMpemFKxqKR~K3UHbprlMuSh44VYXMoCxiZLuIh~M2fIEJjQ5GZEU7WOSVxdQMEWICRriWG8p~q24K5KnsBanI5nUbvrwgW3r5SAIA8pSURhKgr9beG8PASk46y4xBErGUt7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission on June 5 approved a 2.5% increase to water, wastewater and reclaimed-water rates, effective June 1 and reflected on bills issued in July.

Mary Lisonbee of the finance department told commissioners the increase is needed to maintain operations, preserve facilities and meet regulatory obligations. The packet and staff presentation note the increase is part of the city’s multi-year rate approach; the commission previously authorized a city-conducted review and staff said it has engaged outside consultants for a full rate and impact-fee study.

Lisonbee said the city procured a rate study by Raftelis (a utility‑rate consultant) and that the study’s results will return to the commission; depending on its recommendations the city may seek a midyear adjustment in addition to the annual increase. “We’ll be coming back to you with data from Raftelis,” she said.

Commissioners asked about timing and whether the increase is already included in the budget; staff said the city had budgeted for pavement and utility work and that the 2.5% increase has been the internal annual adjustment used for the past several years. The roll-call vote recorded all present commissioners voting aye on Resolution 25-44.

Staff said a future presentation will include stormwater and impact fees as part of the comprehensive utility‑rate review.","The commission adopted Resolution 25-44 raising water, wastewater and reclaimed-water rates by 2.5% (effective June 1, billed in July), while staff said an outside rate study from Raftelis is underway and could prompt a midyear or future change to rates or impact fees.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6211374,"Eustis police chief seeks COPS grant to fund three officer positions; commission gives go‑ahead",232,4814000,5046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff&start=4814&end=5046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff/thumbnail_4814000.jpg","/articles/6211374/Florida/Eustis-police-chief-seeks-COPS-grant-to-fund-three-officer-positions-commission-gives-goahead","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211374-5da5c71665524a1de2bbe5e5d99a67e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450845&Signature=CmW4snGSKpIxwwCU-EsoK7S~kbBiiw2Mu0QuzorDWPBB54aOIwzm0FPerLzJXse9JKnHVdBnR6Fl2-GCVSUtWMaPdEfvTNAMozREnesbP9q1L4ttZSoFnpz4hfjPVnsARJKAeju3RNh-xfHWroIiQiOLKgH~iSIfs6B906~gfZHZWqt2GqI7yA0tnC95X3skQzikJWIfba0zM8SuWltAQOxeqcCt4UlBJzG3Eng0pgj5vLXtV9zzKrWgeYIaM5uKDWXi1Hq~9Ja2LxylweKY0FWNaquq8wnHnENwDLeWIuGfu~TZQZDpQvethDdHiZxfxJig0foyYIuWF2McnXu8yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Craig Capri asked the City Commission on June 5 for permission to apply for the federal COPS Hiring Program, which would fund sworn officer positions for up to three years.

Capri told the commission the grant window closes June 20 and that COPS funds would pay full salary and benefits for awarded positions for the grant period. “We would be able to get positions funded, fully funded for up to three years,” Capri said, adding that the department would need to absorb the positions into the city budget after the grant period ends.

Capri proposed applying for three positions to help grow the department’s staffing toward a longer-term target he described as about 50 sworn officers plus the chief. He said the city’s call volume on the north end of Lake County is high compared with other municipalities and that the additional officers would support public safety and response times.

Commissioners and staff discussed timing and retention: several members said the city has historically used similar grants but has been cautious about bringing on staff the city might not be able to retain after grant funding ends. Capri and other commissioners noted the city has been investing in pay and recruiting to improve retention.

There was no formal roll-call motion recorded in the transcript; commissioners gave unanimous verbal support and directed staff to submit the application before the June 20 deadline.","Police Chief Craig Capri asked the commission to approve applying for the Department of Justice COPS grant to fund up to three sworn positions for three years; commissioners signaled support to proceed with the application.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6211379,"Eustis commission approves $298K pavement-management study to guide road work",1204,2395000,3599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff&start=2395&end=3599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3696484-a31bf6c860a8b3ef5cbbf2b352e190ff/thumbnail_2395000.jpg","/articles/6211379/Florida/Eustis-commission-approves-298K-pavement-management-study-to-guide-road-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211379-5153d0f753f55f5cfddeccb6682afe5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450845&Signature=WAOkAjqQHkzSo3gsAVu30VCH0FIecWzdKUtk0-K7Ypq2b9r6RCBKaxu7cD1f9HX4nhpKtEqB1YceELxk7ei9vNMAjN327Tua~5fK3NmLr-mjCDPj39TDnmkNHg0moDhFj1U1cuQ9Ke3JV8yY6sZgZgsprYhIkMdfbeCsDHjaAOzu9iHWi~XAfQuZ6-OB4ceFSh9KgKLS1j0xFBJK~s70MTSmyTH5cw7QJuo0xy4KVkeU5423Xv08zoxYt3ZRUhZUfJkaEMlDoSFwNVE-aCwsn53rO8cMhkaj0eC1dHKvTiRFQ5jGJC72yM1m0ejs73ivrhiXiNV4sSpqs7iT8XKveA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of the City of Eustis on June 5 approved Resolution 25-40 to contract for a pavement-management study and software, continuing a long-term road-maintenance program.

The vote authorizes a professional services agreement with a pavement-management firm for $298,198. Rick Derrick, the city’s director of engineering, told commissioners the update will replace a 2012 study and provide block-by-block condition, base testing and striping reflectivity data to schedule preventive work rather than wait for expensive base failures.

Derrick said the work will include automated collection and boots-on-the-ground verification, drill coring to assess base strength and integration of results into the city’s GIS. “It’s about a million dollars worth of equipment and 1,500 man hours,” Derrick said, arguing the city does not have the in-house tools or staff to produce the same data.

Commission discussion centered on cost and on whether the city already has sufficient data. One commissioner questioned spending nearly $300,000 for a study when staff and past reports already identify many problem streets. “It’s a lot of money for a study for, I think, on a lot of stuff that we already know,” the commissioner said.

Vice Mayor Ashcraft and others pressed for a longer-term view: staff said the study will guide decision-making for roughly 10–12 years and help prioritize $5 million in anticipated resurfacing investments so the city can “catch issues before they become bigger issues.” The city manager and Derrick told the commission the contract is within the capital-improvement plan and that $350,000 had been budgeted for pavement-related work this fiscal year.

Derrick explained procurement and scope: the last study had been piggybacked off the metropolitan planning organization’s contract; the proposed consultant would be engaged through the city’s continuing-services contracts and would deliver maps and a prioritized work plan. The work excludes state and county roads.

After discussion the commission voted to approve the resolution. Roll call recorded the motion as approved with all present commissioners voting aye.

Commissioners and staff said they expect the study to improve the efficiency of future resurfacing dollars and reduce lifecycle costs by identifying problems before they require full reconstruction.","The City of Eustis approved a resolution to hire a pavement-management consultant to update a 2012 pavement study and produce predictive data to guide up to $5 million in future road work; the $298,198 contract will be paid from the capital plan and is budgeted this year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Regional economic partnership LEAD presents growth activities to Eustis commission; city praised volunteers in America in Bloom visit

Downtown DOT project draws complaints from business owners over curbside access, landscaping and timeline

Eustis OKs 2.5% water, wastewater and reclaimed‑water rate increase; consultants to present full rate study

Eustis police chief seeks COPS grant to fund three officer positions; commission gives go‑ahead

Eustis commission approves $298K pavement-management study to guide road work