Sandy Parker does an "above & beyond" news update on Collier County activities. It keeps me current with a minimum time investment on my part. —–Ben Tiley

Collier County Government News

1. News from County Commissioner Daniel Kowal

At the July 8th Board meeting, the Board voted to begin the formal process of advertising an ordinance to impose the sixth percent of the Tourist Development Tax. It’s important to clarify that this is not a tax on Collier County residents. (District 4 Newsletter, July 30, 2025)

2. News from Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Crystal Kinzel

From the recently approved millage rates that impact local property taxes to key deadlines for the Value Adjustment Board process, there’s plenty to keep in mind. Plus, we’re excited to highlight the progress of the new state veterans’ home, a major development for our community. (The Clerk's Report, August 2025)

3. News from Supervisor of Elections Melissa Blazier

Did you know that elections were designated as a critical infrastructure in 2017? In this month’s edition of News & Views, we discuss the many layers of election security that allow us to continue conducting safe, transparent and accurate elections. (News & Views, July 2025)

Collier County Public School District News

4. Collier County School Board Adopts Tentative Budget Amid State Funding Delays

The total tentative budget sits just above $1.6 billion, with $1.1 billion allocated directly for students. This represents $22,118 per student. The final budget will be approved in September, but the tentative version allows the district to operate despite any potential changes from the state or federal government. (FOX4Now, 7/31/25)

5. Florida Students Face New School Year Without Phones Under New Law

The law does not say that students may not carry phones, only that they may not use them. Individual school districts may have more restrictive codes; parents and guardians should check with their local districts for more information. (USA Today Network-Florida via Naples Daily News, 7/30/25)($)

6. First New Naples Area Elementary School in Years Set to Welcome 1,000 Students

When classes begin Aug. 11, Bear Creek Elementary will welcome nearly 1,000 students, including 80 pre-kindergarten students and 919 K-5 students. The new school is expected to ease overcrowding at Laurel Oak Elementary and Corkscrew Elementary, both of which have faced enrollment capacity issues in recent years. (Naples Daily News, 8/2/25)($)

7. Collier County Schools Expand to Meet Growing Community Needs

At a recent school board meeting, the district provided an important update for students and parents of the upcoming Ave Maria Elementary School. In June, the school broke ground on more than 46 acres of land, featuring new designs and space for approximately 900 stdents. (WINK News, 7/31/25)

8. News from School Board Chairman Kelly Mason

Last Thursday, the School Board resumed meetings after a short hiatus, which included a tentative budget hearing. Also, staff presented changes for a first read on the 2025-2026 Student Progression Plan. In case you missed the new legislation on cell phones, a change was made to the Student Code of Conduct. (Update, August 2025)

Florida Government News: Immigration

9. Judge Orders Florida, Federal Officials to Produce ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Agreements

Federal and state officials in Florida must produce agreements showing which government agency or private contractor has legal authority to detain people or perform immigration officer roles at “Alligator Alcatraz,” the immigration detention facility in the Everglades, a federal judge said Monday. (Associated Press via News4Jax, 8/4/25)

10. DeSantis Promotes Flights Home for Migrants, Won’t Share Who’s Paying

It's not the first time DeSantis has spoken of this self-deportation option, but the state has not disclosed whether taxpayer dollars are being used to buy the tickets, how many tickets have been bought so far this year and to which countries these flights were headed. (USA Today Network-Florida via Naples Daily News, 8/2/25)($)

11. Fact Check: DeSantis Says All Alligator Alcatraz Detainees Have Removal Orders

“Everybody in this facility is on a final removal order,” Kevin Guthrie, the head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which oversees operations at the detention center, told reporters on Friday. But attorneys representing immigrants detained at the center say that’s not true. (Miami Herald, 7/30/25)

12. Florida Has No Formal Hurricane Plan for Alligator Alcatraz

Two weeks ago, the Miami Herald requested “the completed hurricane/disaster plan for Alligator Alcatraz” from the Florida Department of Emergency Management. On Monday, department spokesperson Stephanie Hartman confirmed that no such record exists. (Miami Herald, 7/29/25)

13. Heavily Redacted Alligator Alcatraz Evacuation Plan Sheds Little Light on Hurricane Response

Because details of the plan remain secret, emergency managers, law enforcement, medical personnel and local officials cannot take it into account when they make their own hurricane plans should an evacuation be necessary, nor can they coordinate their efforts with those of authorities, either state or federal, at Alligator Alcatraz. This is particularly acute for officials and law enforcement officers in Collier and Miami-Dade counties, where Alligator Alcatraz sits astride their mutual borders. (The Paradise Progressive, 8/4/25) (Note: This blog leans left, but the post raises important questions.)

Florida Government News: Other

14. Florida Calls for Ruling Blocking a Key Part in Ballot Initiatives Law to Be Put on Hold

Legal wrangling over a judge’s decision blocking a key part of a new law that added restrictions to Florida’s ballot-initiative process has continued to escalate at a federal appeals court, as the state calls for the ruling to be put on hold “as soon as possible.” (News Service of Florida via WUSF, 7/30/25)

15. Florida Attorney General Vows to Cut Off Law Firms Over Diversity Initiatives

AG James Uthmeier’s push to root out any state connection with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies now is hitting law firms. He sent a policy memo to some throughout the state, alerting them he wouldn’t hire outside counsel that participate in DEI or ESG policies and programs. (USA Today Network-Florida via Tallahassee Democrat, 7/30/25)

16. Florida Nuclear Plant Workers Were Too Afraid to Report Safety Concerns, Records Show

The number of anonymous reports of wrongdoing at Florida Power & Light’s St. Lucie Plant skyrocketed in 2024, according to data from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which processes the complaints. On-site workers filed far more reports there than at any other of the nation’s 54 nuclear power plants, according to a federal database. (The Tributary, 7/31/25)

17. Florida Falls Behind in 2025 Early Education Ranking

To find the states with the best early childhood education systems, personal finance company WalletHub compared each state across 12 metrics that fell into three categories: access, quality and resources, and economic support. The Sunshine State ranked in 41st place, meaning it placed as the 11th-worst state for early education. (USA Today Network via Yahoo! News, 7/29/25)

18. DeSantis Set a Florida Record for Executions. It’s Driving a National Increase

Florida has executed nine people in 2025, more than any other state, and set a new state record, with DeSantis overseeing more executions in a single year than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Florida’s increase is helping put the U.S. on track to surpass 2015’s total of 28 executions. (AP News, 8/2/25)

19. Gov. DeSantis Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Hulk Hogan

Florida’s Governor is honoring the ultimate Florida Man and the biggest star in the history of professional wrestling. Hogan marketed a beer brand earlier this year and appeared at last year’s Republican National Convention on behalf of Donald Trump. DeSantis is ordering flags at half-staff on Friday, August 1, a date that will be known as “Hulk Hogan Day in Florida” from now on. (Florida Politics, 7/31/25)

2026 Election News: In the Governor Race

20. David Jolly Rolls Out Trove of Endorsements from 60 Current and Former Democratic Elected Officials

As David Jolly faces a potential primary challenge from former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, who has essentially argued Jolly is not a real Democrat, the former Republican U.S. Representative is rolling out 60 endorsements from 60 current and former Democratic officials in his bid for Governor in 2026. (Florida Politics, 8/5/25)

21. Florida GOP Fight Over Gun Rights Reveals Deep Second Amendment Divide

Florida gubernatorial candidates Byron Donalds (R) and David Jolly (D) are clashing over gun control, highlighting the complexities of the issue in the state. The debate underscores the ongoing tension between Second Amendment advocates and those seeking stricter gun control measures in Florida. (USA Today Network-Florida via Tallahassee Democrat, 8/5/25)($)

2026 Election News: In the U.S. Senate Race

22. Josh Weil Drops Out of U.S. Senate Race Against Ashley Moody

At the moment, no other Democrat with the same fundraising record has filed for the seat, and Florida Democrats have struggled somewhat to find a candidate. (Florida Politics, 7/31/25)