Tavares City Council on Oct. 1 voted to (1) renew an opt‑out of the Live Local Act property‑tax exemption for the 2026 tax year, (2) accept a federal Fire Prevention and Safety grant to buy a customizable fire safety trailer, and (3) approve a one‑year contract with Continental Strategies for state and federal government relations services.

The council adopted Resolution 2025‑17 to opt out of the Live Local Act property tax exemption program for the 2026 tax roll. City staff told the council that the decision follows the 2024 Shimberg Center housing report showing the number of eligible affordable units in the Orlando‑Kissimmee MSA exceeds the number of renter households in the statute’s 80–120% AMI category, which makes Tavares eligible to opt out. The resolution continues an annual review process; the council first adopted an opt‑out resolution for the 2025 tax year last year and was asked to renew the opt‑out for 2026.

Why it matters: the Live Local Act (described in the meeting as section 196.19783 of the Florida Statutes and related 2023–2024 legislative changes) creates a property‑tax exemption intended to incentivize multifamily development with units reserved for households in an 80–120% AMI band. By opting out, the council retains local taxing authority and removes the local tax exemption option for developers for the 2026 roll, pending annual review and subsequent council action.

On fiscal and public‑safety business, the council approved Resolution 2025‑18 authorizing acceptance of a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant to purchase a fire safety trailer. City staff reported FEMA awarded a grant totaling $270,000 (award documentation listed agreement number EMW‑2024‑FP‑00441), with FEMA covering 95% of the trailer cost ($257,142.85 reported) and the city responsible for a 5% match ($12,857.15). Staff described the trailer as a customizable, ADA‑accessible simulator for scenario‑based outreach and extinguisher training usable in schools, retirement communities and city events. Chris Ganz, a representative of JHB Group (vendor), described the unit as “designed for all ages” and noted ADA accessibility and software updates included as part of the system; Division Chief Michael Willis and Fire Inspector Lee Chaney joined the presentation to explain local use and outreach plans.

Council members asked where the unit would be housed (staff suggested the secure downtown public safety complex as one option), how the city would publicize availability (city communications and community risk‑reduction outreach), and whether warranty and software updates were included (staff and the vendor said yes). Staff recommended using infrastructure sales tax reserves to cover the city match. The council voted to accept the grant and authorized the city administrator to execute grant documents.

Also on the agenda, the council authorized a contract with Continental Strategies for combined state and federal governmental relations services. Staff said negotiations produced a contract at $9,000 per month plus travel and expenses, for an initial one‑year term with up to three one‑year renewals and a 30‑day cancellation clause. Council discussion focused on fiscal treatment: one councilmember said the contract funding plan relied on $75,000 in restricted reserves appropriated previously for the project plus $60,000 budgeted in the upcoming fiscal year, producing a fiscal impact the speaker described as $135,000; the city administrator explained the $75,000 had been appropriated earlier for this purpose and that staff planned to use the restricted funds plus the budgeted amount to cover the contract and travel.

That funding explanation prompted at least one council member to record a dissent based on process and prior funding discussions; other council members said they supported the hire because the firm can assist with anticipated state and federal grant work (the council discussed a trail grant and other economic development priorities). The council approved the contract as negotiated; one member voted no over concerns about how reserve funds were handled.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025‑17 (opt out of Live Local Act property tax exemption for tax year 2026): adopted (motion seconded; no roll‑call tally specified in the record)
- Resolution 2025‑18 (accept FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant for fire safety trailer; authorize city match and execution of grant documents): adopted (motion seconded; no roll‑call tally specified)
- Contract award to Continental Strategies for state and federal government relations (one‑year term at $9,000/month plus travel; option to renew): approved (motion seconded; at least one council member recorded a no vote citing fiscal process)

Public comment and other items

During audience comments resident April Cook raised a neighborhood complaint about a privately installed fence near Carolina Court that she said was placed off the developer’s property line, removed a drainage ditch, and has caused localized flooding and unauthorized parking and pedestrian access. Staff asked Cook to provide contact information and said they would investigate and follow up.

The meeting also included noncontroversial items and informational reports: staff announced a free youth fishing event Oct. 11 (city partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) and several council members and staff reported on American‑in‑Bloom attendance and awards.

Next steps: staff are to execute the FEMA grant documents and arrange acquisition and deployment of the fire safety trailer; the city administrator and procurement staff will finalize and sign the Continental Strategies contract per the council’s authorization; the opt‑out resolution will be reflected in the city’s tax‑roll decisions for 2026 unless the council revisits the matter.

(Quotes and attributions are drawn from council meeting remarks and staff presentations recorded Oct. 1, 2025.)