Category: Government

In a show of party unity, St. Johns County Republican leaders, voters and other dignitaries converged on the St. Augustine Shrine Club yesterday afternoon to rally support for next year’s election season — which, for many races, campaigning has already started.

Historic City News will report to our readers on a total of six potential new ordinances that come before the St. Augustine City Commission Monday night during their regular business meeting.

Lawmakers learned yesterday that the state’s budget gap might reach nearly $2 billion, according to updated revenue estimates; however, some legislators remain leery of betting on casinos to bankroll the budget — while others are eyeing the gambling halls for scarce new revenue.

St. Augustine and St. Johns County will be watching for a ruling in a lawsuit scheduled for trial next month between Orange County and the online travel website, Orbitz — however, yesterday, their Internet competitor, Expedia, reached a voluntary settlement with the county for an undisclosed amount.

St. Johns County Tax Collector Dennis W. Hollingsworth announced to Historic City News that his office has distributed $4,238,420.88 to the local government and taxing authorities, from unused earned revenue collected during FY2010-2011.

St. Augustine and St. Johns County Congressman John L. Mica told Historic City News today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Sunshine Bus Company a $527,780 grant to assist in the purchase of new transit service vehicles.