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Florida-Only Business Rent Tax Reducing from 5.5% to 4.5% on December 1, 2023
The sales tax rate levied on Florida businesses renting or leasing commercial property, also known as the business rent tax (BRT), is set to be reduced from 5.5 to 4.5 percent this Friday, December 1. For more information on how the tax cut could impact your business, click here.
Florida Chamber of Commerce
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St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Urges City Commission to Pause Efforts on New Nightlife Ordinance
Chamber President/CEO Isabelle Renault is calling on the St. Augustine City Commission to pause efforts to create a new nightlife ordinance until an economic impact study recommended by its own consultant, the Responsible Hospitality Institute (“RHI”), is undertaken. “Without a complete understanding of the potential negative effects that could result for St. Augustine’s hospitality and tourism businesses, we urge the City Commission to take a step back and conduct the study that was recommended by both its
Jamie Johnson
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MasterCraft Builders Group Works With Partners To Give Back
MasterCraft Builder Group prides itself on being a local company that knows the community’s needs. As they like to say, they’re in this business to help shape the community they live in. With an extensive portfolio of philanthropic work, MasterCraft is the driving force behind events like Clays for a Cause and Hometown Heroes, and is heavily involved in the non-profit Builders Care. They are also active St. Johns Builders Council (SJBC) members. SJBC aims to support the building industry through education,
Kara Pound
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Conrad Resigns; Andrews Named Interim Administrator
St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) accepted the written resignation from former County Administrator Hunter Conrad and a separation agreement effective June 29, and appointed Deputy County Administrator Joy Andrews the Interim County Administrator as they begin a national search for a new County Administrator.
St. Johns County Government
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A Win for Essential Workers: Essential Worker Housing Update
On June 20, the SJC Board of County Commissioners approved a heavily modified version of the new Workforce Housing Ordinance, which is designed to encourage builders to build and sell nearly 300 new homes at no more than $260,000 in the next few years. The Chamber has been actively involved with the County Commission and the NE Florida Builders Association (the original sponsors) helping to modify the original proposed ordinance so that more of our essential workers (public safety, first responders, nurses,
Bob Porter
City Manager announces Todd Grant as Public Works Director
On Tuesday, June 20, City Manager David Birchim announced Todd Grant, formerly the Utilities Director, as the Public Works Director, effective immediately, replacing Reuben Franklin who became Assistant City Manager.
City of St. Augustine
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St. Johns County Receives $59 Million from State of Florida
St. Johns County announced it received $59 million in appropriations from the State of Florida after Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget into law. It is the largest amount of state appropriations the St. Johns County government has ever received and surpasses the $12.4 million appropriated last year.
St. Johns County Government
Legislative Update #3
The Legislature is heading into its final weeks of the 2023 Session which is scheduled to end on May 5. All attention has now turned to finalizing the 2023-2024 budget which must be signed into law no later than June 30. In this update, we explore the major affordable housing initiative signed into law by the Governor last month; the potential for an additional cut in the sales tax on commercial rents; Visit Florida/Enterprise Florida attacks, and finally, the state of play on Florida’s 2023-2024 budget.
Bob Porter
Legislative Update - Live Local, Civil Tort, and more
The Legislature has been in Session for less than one month and they are moving through their agenda at record speed. In this update, we explore the major affordable housing initiative signed into law by the Governor last week; a significant civil Tort Reform overhaul; Visit Florida/local Tourism Development attacks, and finally, the state of Florida’s 2023-2024 budget, which interestingly is the only Constitutionally mandated action by the Legislature each year.
Bob Porter
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ACT NOW: Protect St. Johns County Tourism Industry
The St. Johns County Chamber has been an ardent defender of both VISIT FLORIDA and the County’s tourism marketing efforts for many years. Consistent and sufficient funding for Visit Florida has been a St. Johns County Chamber priority in recent years. Visit Florida stepped in time and time again to help promote our tourism sector and show tourists the “Welcome Back, We’re Open” signals which provided untold millions of dollars in advertising that many have said saved our tourism sector from ruin. We need
Bob Porter
