Seminole

A Winter Springs, Florida man, Bruce Gittleman, faces a felony assault charge after police said he tried to run over a neighbor with a golf cart in the Hacienda Village neighborhood in June. Body camera video obtained from the Winter Springs Police Department shows Gittleman's arrest following a 911 call in which the neighbor said Gittleman had been harassing him for about a decade and had come close to hitting him with the cart, though contact was not made. Gittleman told officers the incident followed a roadside argument and denied trying to hurt anyone.

Police also said Gittleman should not have been driving the golf cart at all, since his driver's license had been cancelled and the area required a valid license to operate one. Officers noted Gittleman has a history of disturbances in the neighborhood, including prior arrests for battery and trespassing. The case is now headed to trial, with a scheduling appearance expected later this week.

Florida State Rep. Berny Jacques has sent a letter to Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters demanding the city remove a "City Alert" that campaigned against Amendment 3, the November ballot measure that would raise Florida's homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028. The July 15 alert included documents on the measure's projected fiscal impact on Pinellas County and statements opposing it from groups including the Florida Professional Firefighters and Florida Library Association.

Jacques argues the city violated Florida law barring local governments from using public funds for political communications on ballot issues, and asked for written confirmation of compliance. Supporters of Amendment 3 say it would deliver meaningful property tax relief to homeowners, while opponents, including many local governments, warn the resulting revenue loss could force cuts to services like fire protection, libraries, and parks. The dispute highlights growing tension between state officials and municipalities over public messaging ahead of the vote.

Seminole County, Florida officials are warning that Amendment 3, a homestead exemption measure on the Nov. 3 ballot, could cut property tax revenue by roughly 20%, straining budgets for services including animal control. County emergency management director Alan Harris said tighter budgets could force staffing cuts and end the county's no-kill animal shelter status, with roughly $200,000 in reductions potentially eliminating funding for food, vaccinations, and veterinary care for shelter animals.

Local resident Sabrena Oldakowski, who fosters cats and shelter dogs, said she supports tax relief for homeowners but not at the expense of animal welfare and public health, citing risks like rabies spread and feral cat overpopulation if vaccination programs are cut. Supporters of the amendment argue it lets homeowners keep more of their own money. The measure's ultimate fiscal impact depends on the outcome of the statewide vote.

Seminole County officials say a proposed Florida constitutional amendment raising the homestead exemption could severely reduce public safety funding. Amendment 3 would raise the exemption for primary residences from about $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and requires 60% voter approval in November.

County leaders told commissioners that property taxes currently generate about $562 million, with roughly 72% funding public safety. Officials estimate the amendment could cause a $119 million revenue loss. Sheriff Dennis Lemma said his agency could see a 20% funding cut, about $41 million, potentially triggering a hiring freeze, the loss of up to 300 patrol positions, delayed equipment repairs and fewer salary adjustments. Fire Chief Matt Kinley said his department could face a 23% reduction, more than $33 million, forcing use of reserve funds, delayed capital projects and a multi-year hiring freeze losing 20-24 positions annually through attrition.

Supporters argue the measure delivers meaningful tax relief to homeowners. County officials say they will keep assessing impacts before the vote.

Seminole County, Florida, is considering an ordinance that would prohibit elective cat declawing, allowing the procedure only when medically necessary to treat an injury or condition. The county's Animal Control Board took up the proposal at a meeting Thursday and has backed the changes; a recommendation now moves to the County Commission, which holds final authority.

Declawing, or onychectomy, removes the end bone of a cat's toes rather than just the claw, and advocates say it can cause lasting pain and balance problems. Jenna Delgado of T.E.A.R.S. of Seminole County, a rescue group that handles roughly a quarter of adoptions from Seminole County Animal Services, said declawed cats are often harder to place in homes. If adopted, Seminole would become the second Florida county, after Volusia, to ban the elective procedure.