City lobbyists brief commission: property-tax measure passed the House, local requests partially funded
February 27, 2026 | Palatka, Putnam County, Florida
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City lobbyists with Beckman Poliakoff gave the Palatka City Commission a legislative briefing on Feb. 26, reporting on multiple bills that could affect municipal funding and operations.
Latoya Shields, senior government relations consultant (speaker S13), told commissioners the property-tax measure passed the Florida House floor by an 802 margin and is now in the Senate appropriations process; she cautioned the measure may require additional steps before it becomes final. Shields said many bills have moved in the House but are still pending in the Senate, noting that session was entering week eight with adjournment scheduled for March 13.
Shields and colleagues identified three city appropriation requests submitted to the state: a master sanitary lift station (requested $500,000), a fire department ladder truck (requested $375,000) and a runway extension at the airport (requested $900,000). Staff reported the House provided partial funding in its bills: the airport runway received $450,000 in the House version and the fire-truck request was included at a partially funded level; the lift-station request had not been approved by the House at the time of the briefing and remained pending in the Senate.
"We're following the process closely and continuing conversations with Representative Sapp and Senator Leake," Shields said. "Some items have been placed on calendars for hearings, and we remain engaged to secure full funding through conference if possible." (speaker S13)
Why it matters: Partial House funding leaves the city dependent on the Senate and conference negotiations to secure full appropriation amounts. Staff said they are continuing outreach with legislators and the governor's staff to protect funding from potential vetoes.
Next steps: Lobbyists will keep the commission updated as the bills progress; staff said they will continue to press for full funding in the Senate and during conference negotiations.
Latoya Shields, senior government relations consultant (speaker S13), told commissioners the property-tax measure passed the Florida House floor by an 802 margin and is now in the Senate appropriations process; she cautioned the measure may require additional steps before it becomes final. Shields said many bills have moved in the House but are still pending in the Senate, noting that session was entering week eight with adjournment scheduled for March 13.
Shields and colleagues identified three city appropriation requests submitted to the state: a master sanitary lift station (requested $500,000), a fire department ladder truck (requested $375,000) and a runway extension at the airport (requested $900,000). Staff reported the House provided partial funding in its bills: the airport runway received $450,000 in the House version and the fire-truck request was included at a partially funded level; the lift-station request had not been approved by the House at the time of the briefing and remained pending in the Senate.
"We're following the process closely and continuing conversations with Representative Sapp and Senator Leake," Shields said. "Some items have been placed on calendars for hearings, and we remain engaged to secure full funding through conference if possible." (speaker S13)
Why it matters: Partial House funding leaves the city dependent on the Senate and conference negotiations to secure full appropriation amounts. Staff said they are continuing outreach with legislators and the governor's staff to protect funding from potential vetoes.
Next steps: Lobbyists will keep the commission updated as the bills progress; staff said they will continue to press for full funding in the Senate and during conference negotiations.
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