From a challenge to the new sprinkler ordinance by a nationwide homebuilder to an investigation of payroll discrepancies in the police department, the cost of safeguarding this city from legal action has nearly doubled in the past year. ...more

August 28, 2008

Tuesday's primary election ballot contained the names of several city council aides who found themselves running for a position they know little about. ...more

August 27, 2008

The Avon Park City Council decided it would take more money from churches and non-profit groups to support the fire department, but the extra revenue wouldn't make up for a $74,000 budget deficit the city has just discovered. ...more

August 27, 2008

AVON PARK - Churches and non-profit groups in the City of Charm will have to fork over more money for their fire protection after the council voted 4-1 to charge them 75 percent of the institutional rate for the city's fire assessment. This means that churches will have to pay 50 percent more to the city's fire department through the annual assessment than it did last year, when they were charged 50 percent of the institutional rate. Homeowners will still pay $165, while commercial and nursing home rates were unchanged. ...more

August 25, 2008

Not every city controversy makes its way to YouTube. This one did, though: Should firefighters get the pay raise they say they deserve, or should Mayor Pam Iorio prevail in her attempt to try to hold down personnel costs? ...more

August 21, 2008

TAMPA - Not every city controversy makes its way to YouTube. ...more

August 20, 2008

Three challengers have stepped forward to fill the vacancy left by former Councilman Danny Burgess, who resigned last month. ...more

August 20, 2008

Mayor Tom Katsanis got a luke-warm response from town council when he pitched plans to construct a new municipal building. ...more

August 17, 2008

Municipal budget meetings are often dry and detail oriented, but at Tuesday's special budget meeting, the sparks flew. ...more

August 14, 2008

Steve Bastardi wondered whether the competitive bidding process should have been used when fellow council members outvoted him to spend $25,000 for grass surfacing at Lake June ball fields. ...more

August 13, 2008