Center for Local Government Studies

The Center for Local Government Studies has been created to conduct research on Florida′s city and county governments including: budgeting and taxation, prioritization of services and service delivery options, auditing and performance measurements in order to recommend improved effectiveness, efficiency and accountability to benefit taxpayers.

Core objectives are to promote improvement of local government operations, modernization of local government structure, competition for delivery for local government services, identify and promote local government best practices and recognize and reward performance results above and beyond the call of duty via an employee recognition program.

Florida TaxWatch does not receive support for its research from Florida′s state and local government.

Center Research

• Improving Accountability and Transparency in Escambia County Government Phase II, July 2009
• Enhancing Efficiencies in the City of Jacksonville, August 2008
• Improving Transparency and Accountability in Escambia County Government, June 2008
• Review of Approval Processes in Hillsborough County for Construction Projects Affecting Wetlands, August 2007
• Controlling Escalating Property Taxation and Local Government Spending and Reven ue, December 2006
• Florida TaxWatch Palm Beach Budget Study with Addendum, July 2006
• Improved Efficiency = $22 Million for Hillsborough County; Florida TaxWatch and Blue Ribbon Committee Recommendations Prompt Service Delivery Improvements; Much Remains to be Done, May 2002
• How Florida Counties Compare, November 2001
• Florida TaxWatch Study of Leon County’s One-Cent Local Option Infrastructure Sales Tax, July 2000
• Hillsborough County Study: Volumes One and Two, Deliverables One through Six, January 1999 (not available electronically)