Leon County Board of County Commissioners Agenda Item#14   May 12, 2026

To:	Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board
From:	Vincent S. Long, County Administrator
Title:	Leon County Efforts to Address Historic Harmful Public Policy Decisions

 

 

Review and Approval:	Vincent S. Long, County Administrator
Department/Division Review and Approval:	Ken Morris, Assistant County Administrator Shington Lamy, Assistant County Administrator Nawfal Ezzagaghi, Assistant County Administrator
Lead Staff/ Project Team:	Nicki Hatch, Assistant to the County Administrator for Legislative and Strategic Initiatives Abigail Thomas, Director, Office of Human Services and Community Partnerships

 

 

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Statement of Issue:

At its April 14, 2026 meeting, the Board requested a framework to address historic harmful public policy decisions that could be provided to the Citizen Charter Review Committee for further consideration as a charter amendment based on geographic areas rather than race, gender, ethnicity, or any other protected class; consistent with state and federal laws; and does not jeopardize state and federal funding.  This item provides important context by demonstrating the County’s comprehensive and ongoing efforts to do just that by addressing the needs in geographic areas through investment and engagement in underserved areas and vulnerable populations that align with best practices; are consistent with state and federal laws; and do not jeopardize state and federal funding awarded to the County.  Notwithstanding, as requested, the item provides options on a proposed charter amendment should the Board still wish to consider a Board-initiated amendment or request further evaluation by the Citizen Charter Review Committee.

 

Fiscal Impact:

This item has no fiscal impact.  However, the item details the County’s significant commitment of resources to address the needs of historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations in the community through economic development, infrastructure improvements, environmental projects, as well as human services, housing, and healthcare programs.

 

Staff Recommendation:

Option #1:       Accept the report on Leon County’s comprehensive and ongoing efforts to address historic harmful public policies in geographic areas utilizing best practices to adopt policies, implement programs, strengthen partnerships, enhance community engagement, and make significant investment in historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.

 

Report and Discussion

Background:

At its April 14, 2026 meeting, the Board requested a framework to address historic harmful public policy decisions that could be provided to the Citizen Charter Review Committee (Committee) for further consideration as a charter amendment based on geographic areas rather than race, gender, ethnicity, or any other protected class; consistent with state and federal laws; and does not jeopardize state and federal funding.  This item provides important context by demonstrating the County’s comprehensive and ongoing efforts to do just that by addressing the needs in geographic areas through investment and engagement in underserved areas and vulnerable populations that align with best practices; are consistent with state and federal laws; and do not jeopardize state and federal funding awarded to the County.  Notwithstanding, as requested, the item provides options on a proposed charter amendment should the Board still wish to consider a Board-initiated amendment or request further evaluation by the Committee.

 

The Committee held nine meetings over a five-month period to consider proposed amendments to the County Charter.  Consistent with the timeline adopted by the Board, on March 10, 2026, the Board accepted a status report on the Committee’s recommended policies and charter amendments.  At that time, the Board requested an agenda item on the proposed charter amendment related to persistent disparities resulting from historic public policy decisions based on certain occurrences, including slavery and segregation which was not recommended by the Committee.  Due to recent and ongoing state and federal actions to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related activities as well as the County’s ongoing efforts to address poverty and inequities in the community within the Board’s existing authority, the Committee did not advance the proposed charter amendment.  Throughout the process, the Committee expressed strong support for the County’s ongoing efforts to address poverty and inequities in historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations in the community.

 

In response to the Board’s direction on March 10th, staff brought back the item on the proposed charter amendment that was not recommended by the Committee on April 14, 2026 (Attachment #1).  The item provided a comprehensive analysis on the amendment as well as the recent state and federal actions that prohibit local governments from adopting and implementing DEI-related activities such as those proposed in the charter amendment.  The analysis also included information regarding Senate Bill 1134 (2026), which prohibits the County from funding, promoting, or taking any official action related to DEI and also provides that a member of a county commission acting in his or her official capacity who violates the prohibitions commits misfeasance or malfeasance and is subject to removal from office.  On April 22, 2026, the Governor signed SB 1134 into law which goes into effect January 1, 2027.

 

Additionally, the item detailed the Presidential Executive Orders (EOs) issued in 2025 and 2026 that target and prohibit the federal government and entities that receive federal funding from engaging in DEI activities and preferences, as defined in the EOs.  Federal agencies have started implementing the EOs, including initiating the process to adopt federal rules to enforce compliance.  As a result, the proposed charter amendment would have jeopardized millions of dollars in federal grant funding including the $16.8 million grant recently awarded to the County for safety improvements on North Monroe Street as well as pending and future Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding.

Following considerable discussion, the Board directed staff to provide a framework to address historic harmful public policies that could be considered by the Committee as a charter amendment that examines the following:

• Public policy decisions enacted by the Board;
• Focuses on geographic areas and does not consider race, gender, ethnicity or any other protected class (i.e., sexual orientation, etc.);
• Complies with state and federal laws; and
• Does not jeopardize state and federal funding requirements.

 

As detailed in the item, the County comprehensively addresses the long-standing and evolving needs of historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations (i.e., homeless, low-income, etc.) through countless policies, innovative programs, ongoing partnerships, and active engagement.  Consistent with best practices, the County utilizes data driven analysis, strategic planning, and deep community engagement to address the common challenges of historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.

 

The numerous policies, programs, initiatives and investments detailed later in this item are addressing the challenges by reducing economic inequities, expanding infrastructure, protecting the environment, and delivering critical social services.  These targeted efforts are strategically planned, annually funded by the Board, and carried out on a day-to-day basis by staff, community partners, and key stakeholders.  Therefore, because of the broad existing authority of the Board to address such challenges through policy, charter language is not necessary and could be limiting.

 

For this reason, there are no charter counties in Florida that include language related to harmful public policy decisions.  County charters are generally reserved for broad issues of governmental authority, structure, and powers.  Operational detail or program-specific policy, such as establishment of programs or targeted resource allocation, is more appropriately implemented through the Board’s strategic planning process, budgetary priorities, or policy and ordinance adoption.  Therefore, it is recommended that the Board accept the report on the County’s long history and ongoing efforts to address historic harmful public policies in geographic areas utilizing best practices to adopt policies, strengthen partnerships, enhance community engagement, and make significant investment in historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.

 

Should the Board still wish to consider a proposed charter amendment, an option for the Board’s consideration is to amend the Preamble of the County Charter to County’s commitment to addressing the needs of historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations in our community.  As described further in the Analysis, the Board recently advanced a Board-initiated amendment to revise the Preamble to reflect the esteemed humanity of all residents of Leon County.  Similarly, the Board could further revise the Preamble and advance this issue as a Board-initiated amendment which would not require the Committee to reconvene.

 

 

 

Alternatively, should the Board wish to have the Committee evaluate a proposed charter amendment, any recommendation advanced by the Committee would be brought to the Board for public hearing in August 2026.  During the public hearing, the Board would only be able to accept or reject any amendment forwarded by the Committee and could not make any changes.

 

Analysis:

Leon County comprehensively addresses the long-standing and evolving needs of historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations (i.e., homeless, low-income, etc.) through countless policies, innovative programs, ongoing partnerships, and active engagement.  Consistent with best practices, the County utilizes data driven analysis, strategic planning, and deep community engagement.  With this approach and focus, the County regularly addresses the highest and most challenging needs that historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations often experience.

 

Based on empirical data such as U.S. Census and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the common challenges of historically underserved areas include economic inequities that are often highlighted by persistent and disproportionate high poverty and unemployment rates; the lack of public infrastructure that prevents access to basic and essential services; the degradation of natural and environmental resources that adversely affect health and welfare; and limited access to social services that are critical to enhancing quality of life.

 

The following section details the numerous policies, programs, partnerships, and investments the County is actively implementing in historically underserved areas to:

• Reduce Economic Inequities;
• Expand Infrastructure for Access to Basic and Essential Services;
• Protect the Environment for Health, Safety, and Welfare; and
• Deliver Critical Social Services to Enhance Quality of Life.

 

Consistent with the Board’s direction, these efforts align with best practices that address historic harmful policy decisions, comply with state and federal laws, and do not jeopardize state and federal funding.  Additionally, these efforts have been implemented within the Board’s existing authority and without any change to the County Charter.

Reduce Economic Inequities

The County has actively spearheaded efforts to reduce economic inequities and private sector disinvestment in historically underserved areas.  Aligned with best practices, the County utilizes empirical data developed by the U.S. Census and Florida Office of Economic & Demographic Research to identify neighborhoods and communities with persistent and disproportionate levels of high poverty and unemployment rates.  Subsequently, programs, partnerships, initiatives, and investments are adopted and implemented in collaboration and coordination with residents and stakeholders to increase economic prosperity and private sector investment.  Although not exhaustive, significant examples of the County efforts include:

 

 

• Establishment of the Downtown and Greater Frenchtown-Southside Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) in partnership with the City of Tallahassee (City) to increase economic growth in areas that for years experienced slum, blight, and private sector disinvestment.  Through the CRAs, the County has invested more than $56 million in property tax revenue that has improved public infrastructures (roads, sidewalks, stormwater, etc.); constructed new affordable housing including Goodbread Hills, Columbia Gardens, and Magnolia Oaks; and invested in local businesses to spur private sector investment in housing, retail, and restaurants.
• Adoption of the Southside Action Plan (SAP) within the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan to promote balanced and equitable growth in southern Leon County neighborhoods, including Bond, Providence, and South City.  This has resulted in more than $1.13 billion in public and private investment within the SAP boundaries including more than $125 million in direct County funding.
• Development of Sense of Place Plans that intentionally engage residents to strengthen the unique identity of local neighborhoods and rural communities while enhancing public investment.  Sense of Place plans developed by the County include:
  • Miccosukee Community Sense of Place – led to $5.9 million in County and federal investment for the redevelopment of the Old Concord School into the new Miccosukee Community Center.
  • Lake Jackson Town Center Huntington Sense of Place – transformed a traditional shopping center into a cohesive public gathering spot that resulted in the expansion of the Lake Jackson Branch Library, a new community center, and enhanced retail space for greater private sector investment.
  • Woodville Community Sense of Place – adopted as a County Strategic Initiative by the Board, this plan focuses on activating and enhancing the rural town center through placemaking and infrastructure investment.  It prioritizes the revitalization of Woodville and Robinson Road Parks alongside the development of a new trail hub on the St. Marks Trail, all supported by landscaping and gateway signage to strengthen community identity.  These aesthetic improvements are paired with critical infrastructure projects, including streetscaping, expanded pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, roadway safety enhancements, and the ongoing septic-to-sewer conversion program.  Ultimately, the plan drives economic vitality by promoting trail-oriented development and updating zoning to foster compatible, small-scale business opportunities.

• Adoption of land use and zoning tools under the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan — including the Land Use and Mobility Element adopted in December 2025 — to protect existing neighborhoods from incompatible development and guide growth in a manner that preserves neighborhood character.  These tools include low-density residential zoning classifications that prevent the conversion of single-family neighborhoods to high-density multifamily or large-format retail, and the Neighborhood Boundary land use category developed in partnership with the Bond Neighborhood to allow small-scale mixed uses — such as corner stores, daycares, and small cafes — while prohibiting strip malls, apartments, and big box retail that would alter the neighborhood's scale and character.
• Administration of the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program through the Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) to provide business support to qualifying small businesses based on size and revenue, ensuring local enterprises in underserved areas can compete for and benefit from public investment opportunities.
• Partnership with the Small Business Development Center at FAMU to provide technical assistance to new and existing small business owners at every phase of the business lifecycle, preparing them to take advantage of economic opportunities generated by new public and private development in their communities.
• Implementation of robust public engagement on all public projects — including stakeholder meetings, online and in-person surveys, and public open houses — to ensure residents in historically underserved areas are informed of and have meaningful input into investments being made in their communities.  For private development proposals, public engagement includes direct mailed notifications, legal advertisements, on-site signage, citizen committee review, and public hearings, ensuring that residents have a voice in the development occurring in their neighborhoods.
• Availability of urban area opportunity incentives to attract jobs and private investment to the urban core, directly benefiting residents of historically underserved neighborhoods.

Expand Infrastructure for Access to Basic and Essential Services

The County has been steadfast in its commitment to infrastructure improvements in historically underserved areas that expand access to basic and essential services.  These improvements include paved roads, sidewalks, and traffic lights that connect underserved neighborhoods to the broader community.  Through a combination of data evaluation, extensive planning, active community engagement, and strategic investments, the County’s efforts have included:

• The establishment of the Livable Infrastructure for Everyone (L.I.F.E.) funding through the one-cent infrastructure surtax — a dedicated mechanism designed to direct resources toward communities that have long been overlooked.  Through this initiative, Leon County has been able to translate policy commitments into tangible, on-the-ground improvements, including:
  • Rural Road Safety Stabilization Program – addressing road conditions in rural corridors to improve safety and accessibility for all residents.
  • Rural Broadband – expanding high-speed internet access to underserved rural communities, bridging the digital divide and connecting residents to economic and educational opportunities.
  • Fire Hydrants – extending fire suppression infrastructure into rural areas that previously lacked adequate protection, improving public safety for residents historically outside the reach of essential services.
  • Intersection Street Lighting – illuminating key intersections in underserved areas to enhance safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
  • School Bus Lighting – improving visibility and safety at school bus stops, protecting children in rural communities who were previously without adequate lighting infrastructure.

• Dedication of $319 million through the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency (Blueprint) on infrastructure investments in high poverty neighborhoods that equates to approximately 62% of Blueprint funding including:
  • More than $1.5 million for the development of the South City Transit Center and improvements in the South City neighborhood.
  • Approximately $9 million in Blueprint funding for the Orange-Meridian Placemaking project for construction of a new park and investment in the South City Transit Center.
  • Planned construction of Segment 4 of the Capital Cascades Trail in the amount of $20 million for stormwater improvements, multi-use trail, and community gathering spaces connecting the Bond, Callen, Liberty Park, Lee Manor, and Providence neighborhoods.
  • Construction of the Magnolia Drive Trail, including underground electric utilities adjacent to the South City neighborhood in the amount of $23.6 million.
• Adoption of the Family Heir Policy to support intergenerational land use and help families in underserved areas retain and utilize property that might otherwise remain undevelopable under standard regulations.
• Investment in multimodal transportation infrastructure, including new sidewalks and trail connections to the St. Marks Trail, to expand access to affordable non-motorized transportation — including walking, bicycling, and micro-mobility — for residents in historically underserved areas, reducing transportation costs and improving connectivity to employment, services, and recreation.
• Adoption of two Neighborhood First Plans — for the Greater Bond Neighborhood and the Providence Neighborhood — containing infrastructure investment components that expand mobility options, improve public spaces, and strengthen connectivity within and between neighborhoods in historically underserved areas of the incorporated community.

 

Protect the Environment for Health, Safety, and Welfare

For much of the twentieth century, a combination of public policies and private sector activities prioritized development and economic growth that adversely impacted the environment.  This included the direct discharge of effluent and untreated wastewater into surface waters, development within designated flood hazard areas, and the systematic filling of floodplains and wetlands.  According to the Environmental Law Institute, a research-based organization in Washington, D.C. that focuses on environmental policies, local governments address public policies and private activities that have adversely impacted the environment in their communities through integrated strategies of regular testing and observation, remedial projects, and community engagement.  Through rigorous evaluation and monitoring of scientific data, the County has incorporated similar strategies with the adoption policies, plans, and programs aimed at reversing decades of environmental degradation while improving health, safety, and welfare in historically underserved areas.  These efforts have resulted in the following:

• Adoption of the Leon County Environmental Management Act (EMA) to establish rigorous local standards for the protection of property and the natural environment that takes into consideration the unique ecology of natural resources within geographic areas.  In underserved areas, the County’s EMA standards is mitigating flooding, protecting waterbodies, and reducing pollution.
• Adoption of the Primary Spring Zone Protection to safeguard groundwater quality within neighborhoods in Southern Leon County where the Florida Aquifer is most vulnerable while to protecting the water quality and biological health of Wakulla Springs.
• Establishment of Woodville Septic to Sewer Program to convert septic tanks to central sewer system, eliminating decades of groundwater and surface water contamination.  The program provides homeowners in the Woodville area up to $12,000 in grant funding.  Thus far, the County has invested $63 million and expanded sewer services to 709 properties.
• Adoption of the Lake Munson Action Plan to restore Lake Munson to address the legacy of pollution and nutrient loading that degraded the lake over generations with algal blooms, fish kills, and invasive plant growth.  The plan includes:
  • Advancement of the $1.6 million Munson Slough Embankment Repair Project to stabilize eroded banks, reestablish native vegetation, and reduce sediment transport into Lake Munson;
  • An initial drawdown to facilitate sediment drying and nutrient reduction;
  • Periodic routine drawdowns to sustain long-term water quality improvements;
  • Post-Drawdown Water Quality Study from May 2024 through April 2026, including monthly water quality and flow data collection at four monitoring locations;
  • Enhanced water quality monitoring;
  • Aerial topographic surveys of the lake bottom; and
  • Expanded invasive exotic vegetation and algal bloom management programs.
• Investment in the Lake Henrietta stormwater management facility project to address decades of polluted stormwater runoff that has contributed to the degradation of Lake Munson.  This Lake Henrietta Project includes:
  • Construction of Lake Henrietta as a regional stormwater management facility to intercept polluted stormwater runoff upstream of Lake Munson, capturing sediment, floating debris, and nutrient-rich material before it can enter the lake.
  • Investment of over $1 million in the Lake Henrietta facility, which has captured over 53,000 cubic yards of sediment and debris from flowing downstream into Lake Munson since construction in the early 2000s.
  • Receipt of a $2 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant for the Lake Henrietta Sediment Removal Project to remove the accumulated sediment the facility was designed to capture, restoring the facility's stormwater treatment capacity and reducing nutrient loading into Lake Munson, with design anticipated in Summer 2026 and construction to follow in 2027.
  • Development of the Anita Davis Preserve at Lake Henrietta, which serves the surrounding community as a public park featuring a walking trail and outdoor recreational amenities, providing dual environmental and quality-of-life benefits to residents in the area.

Deliver Critical Social Services to Enhance Quality of Life

In order to deliver critical social services, the County has adopted and implemented numerous programs consistent with best practices that are data driven, strategically implemented, and community-focused to improve the quality of life for the residents in historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.  The County’s recent and ongoing efforts include:

• Hosted the 32304 Summit in March 2026 to highlight the efforts of the County and community partners to reduce poverty in 32304 neighborhoods including Frenchtown and Griffin Heights which has resulted in an 8% decrease in the 32304 poverty rate since 2019 (more than the 2% Countywide reduction during the same period).
• Establishment of the Community Human Services Partnership (CHSP) Promise Zone in partnership with the City which invests $1.1 million each funding cycle to provide direct services such as food, legal aid, and healthcare to high poverty neighborhoods.
• Hosted nine (9) Breaking Bread Dinner series in the neighborhoods with the highest food insecurity rates to identify barriers to food access with more than 200 participants.
• Establishment of the Trusted People Neighborhood Engagement Committee (Trusted People Committee) comprised of leaders of the neighborhoods with high food insecurity rates that meet bi-monthly to work with the County and partners to engage and connect residents to available resources in the community.
• Installation of temperature-controlled food lockers available 24/7 in Frenchtown, South City, and Providence neighborhoods that have distributed over 17,000 meals to more than 3,200 residents.
• Strengthened partnership this year (2026) with Farm Share to increase fresh produce distribution capacity in neighborhoods with the highest food insecurity rates which will serve over 1,000 households annually.
• Partnership with the City to implement the City’s Neighborhood First Plans to improve the quality of life and spur economic growth in high poverty neighborhoods which has resulted in more than $1.1 million in County funding for the construction of 16 homes in Bond, Griffin Heights, and Providence.
• Implementation of the Home Rehabilitation and Replacement Program to perform emergency home repairs, rehabilitate projects, and/or replace the homes of low-income families in rural and underserved regions of the County.
• Partnership with the City and Tallahassee Housing Authority to create and provide seed funding for the establishment of the South City Foundation to revitalize the neighborhood through engagement, economic development, healthcare, and affordable housing.

 

 

• Establishment of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program in partnership with Tallahassee State College and Leon County Schools to create a career path at the Leon County Emergency Medical Services for students at Godby High School which is the primary high school for the 32304-zip code and neighborhoods with the highest poverty rate in the County.

In addition to neighborhood specific programs, initiatives, and investments, the County’s communitywide efforts to deliver resources to the most vulnerable populations include:

• Investment of $1.4 million annually to prevent and reduce homelessness in the community through dedicated funding to the five (5) emergency homeless shelters, street outreach initiatives, and Leon County Sheriff HOST deputies.
• Investment of more than $1.75 million annually through the Healthcare Services Program (i.e., CareNet) to provide primary care, dental care, mental health services, assistance with prescription medications, and specialty care to low-income, uninsured residents.
• More than $500,000 annually in County funding to support food pantries, mobile food distributions, senior nutrition services, and child meal programs.
• Distribution of over 4,000 summer meals through the Summer BreakSpot program at the Leon County Main Library and branch locations for kids during summer 2025.
• Expanded partnership with 2-1-1 Big Bend to invest more than $100,000 annually in the 2-1-1 Lyft program that provides County residents free transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, and employment interviews.
• Investment of $5.8 million in direct funding and more than $198 million in bonding for affordable housing rental projects that have or will build more than 1,200 units within the next 12 to 18 months for low-income households.
• Investment of $500,000 annually in affordable rental development for very-low and extremely-low income households.
• Secured $100 million in bonds through the Housing Finance Authority of Leon County (HFA) for the development of future affordable rental housing projects for low-income renters.
• Adoption of the local option property tax exemption to incentivize market rate rental development projects to dedicate units for low-income households at affordable rates.
• Establishment of the Tallahassee-Leon County Community Land Trust (CLT) in partnership with the City and Tallahassee Lenders’ Consortium to construct new homes for low-income households that will remain affordable in perpetuity.  The County donates properties to the CLT to construct new homes (eight homes completed thus far).
• Partnership with Legal Services of North Florida to provide legal assistance to help low-income families clear title and resolve heirs’ property issues.

 

 

• Partnership with FAMU Federal Credit Union to establish the SmartSteps Microloan Program to provide financial capital to historically marginalized entrepreneurs to build their businesses.  The County allocated $2.5 million, and to-date SmartSteps has distributed over $1 million in microloans to 51 small local businesses.
• Partnership with the Capital City Chamber of Commerce (Capital City Chamber) to support the Bank On Tallahassee Initiative which improves access to banks and credit unions for low-income households and helps reduce barriers for households with previous credit issues.

As extensively detailed, the County is actively addressing historic harmful public policy decisions in geographic areas utilizing best practices to adopt policies, implement programs, strengthen partnerships, enhance community engagement, and make significant investment in historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.  The County’s efforts are reducing economic inequities; providing public infrastructures essential to health, safety, and welfare; protecting the environment; and delivering critical social services to enhance the quality of life of historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.

Consistent with the Board’s direction, the County’s approach addresses historic harmful public policy decisions in geographic areas, complies with state and federal laws and does not jeopardize any state and federal funding requirements.  Most importantly, the County’s efforts have been successfully implemented within the Board’s existing authority and without the need for an amendment to the County Charter.

County Charter Amendment

Potential Amendment to Revise the Preamble of the County Charter

Should the Board still wish to consider a proposed charter amendment, an option for the Board’s consideration is to amend the Preamble of the County Charter to affirm the County’s commitment to addressing the needs of historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations in our community.  The Preamble sets forth broad community values which emphasize the importance of home rule, local decision making, and the role of residents in shaping their local government.  As an introduction to what the Charter seeks to achieve, the Preamble does not delineate specific structures, authorities, policies, or provision of services for County government.  Rather, it is intentionally broad to allow the County to adapt and respond to emerging challenges as determined by the elected County Commission.

 

On March 10, 2026, the Board considered the Committee’s recommendation to revise the Preamble to reflect the esteemed humanity of all residents of Leon County, as shown in Table #1.  Although this proposal originated as a Committee recommendation, it was advanced by the Board as a Board-initiated charter amendment for consideration at the first and only public hearing scheduled for June 9, 2026.  This provides the Board maximum flexibility on determining the final amendment and ballot language for placement on the November General Election ballot.

 

 

Table #1.  Current Proposed Amendment to the Charter Preamble (proposed language underlined)

PREAMBLE We, the citizens of Leon County, Florida, united in the belief that governmental decisions affecting local interests should be made locally, rather than by the State, and that County government should be reflective of the people of the County and should serve them in achieving a more responsive and efficient form of government, hereby affirm the esteemed humanity of all residents of Leon County.  We recognize in every person a shared dignity, not granted by government, but inherent and deserving of consideration in our public affairs.  In order to empower the people of this County to make changes in their own government, we do ordain and establish this Home Rule Charter for Leon County, Florida.

 

Consistent with that approach, the Board may wish to consider additional revisions to the Preamble that would reflect the County’s long and ongoing efforts to invest and engage in historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.  As shown in Table #2, this language would affirm the County’s commitment to addressing the needs of underserved areas and vulnerable populations in our community.  Ballot language and the revised proposed changes to the Preamble would be presented during the first and only public hearing scheduled for June 9, 2026.  As a result, the Committee would not be required to reconvene.

 

Table #2.  Proposed Alternative Amendment to the Charter Preamble (additional language highlighted in yellow)

PREAMBLE We, the citizens of Leon County, Florida, united in the belief that governmental decisions affecting local interests should be made locally, rather than by the State, and that County government should be reflective of the people of the County and should serve them in achieving a more responsive and efficient form of government, hereby affirm the esteemed humanity of all residents of Leon County.  We recognize in every person a shared dignity, not granted by government, but inherent and deserving of consideration in our public affairs.  We further affirm Leon County’s commitment to addressing the needs of historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations in our community.  In order to empower the people of this County to make changes in their own government, we do ordain and establish this Home Rule Charter for Leon County, Florida.

 

Further Consideration by the Citizen Charter Review Committee

However, should the Board wish for the Committee to evaluate a charter amendment as an alternative to additional revisions suggested for the Preamble, the Committee would have a condensed timeline to evaluate and finalize a recommendation in order to comply with the public hearing requirements in the County Charter and the Supervisor of Elections’ deadline for ballot language.  Therefore, should the Committee advance a charter amendment, a public hearing would be scheduled for August 17, 2026 for Board consideration.  At that time, a simple majority of the Board can accept or reject the Committee’s proposed charter amendments, but the Board could not make any changes to the proposed amendment.

 

 

 

Conclusion

Consistent with the Board’s direction, the County’s efforts to respond to the needs of historically underserved areas and the most vulnerable populations address historic harmful public policy decisions in geographic areas, comply with state and federal laws, and do not jeopardize any state and federal funding requirements.

 

These reflect best practices that include data driven analysis, strategic planning, and deep community engagement.  As detailed, the County has applied this approach across countless policies, plans, programs, and initiatives that have been successful in reducing economic inequities; expanding infrastructure; protecting the environment; and delivering critical social services to enhance the quality of life of historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.

 

These targeted efforts are strategically planned, annually funded by the Board, and carried out on a day-to-day basis by staff, community partners, and key stakeholders.  Therefore, because of the broad existing authority of the Board to address such challenges through policy, charter language is not necessary and could be limiting.   For this reason, there are no charter counties in Florida that include language related to harmful public policy decisions.  County charters are generally reserved for broad issues of governmental authority, structure, and powers.  Operational detail or program-specific policy, such as establishment of programs or targeted resource allocation, is more appropriately implemented through the Board’s strategic planning process, budgetary priorities, or policy and ordinance adoption.

 

Therefore, it is recommended that the Board approve Option #1: Accept the report that provides an exhaustive analysis of the County’s comprehensive and ongoing efforts to address historic harmful public policies in geographic areas utilizing best practices to adopt policies, implement programs, strengthen partnerships, enhance community engagement, and make significant investment in historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.

 

Options:

1. Accept the report on Leon County’s comprehensive and ongoing efforts to address historic harmful public policies in geographic areas utilizing best practices to adopt policies, implement programs, strengthen partnerships, enhance community engagement, and make significant investment in historically underserved areas and vulnerable populations.
2. Direct staff to prepare a Board-initiated Charter Amendment revising the Charter Preamble to affirm Leon County’s commitment to addressing the needs of underserved areas and vulnerable populations in our community, and schedule the Board’s first and only public hearing on June 9, 2026.
3. Direct the Citizen Charter Review Committee to consider a proposed charter amendment addressing historic harmful public policy decisions based on geographical areas in the community rather than race, gender, ethnicity, or any other protected class; compliant with state and federal laws; and does not jeopardize state and federal funding.
4. Board direction.

 

Recommendation:

Option #1

Attachment:

1. April 14, 2026 status report to the Board on a proposal considered by the Citizen Charter Review Committee to address disparities resulting from historic public policy decisions.