Misplaced Pages

#293706

95-507: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection ( FDEP ) is the Florida government agency responsible for environmental protection . By the mid-1960s, when the federal government was becoming increasingly involved in initiatives designed to protect the country's environmental interests, Florida had four agencies involved with environmental protection : the Florida Board of Trustees of

190-533: A conceptual plan for the expansion of its Capitol Center. Hisham Ashkouri , working for The Architects' Collaborative , led the urban planning and design effort. Estimating growth and related development for approximately the next 25 years, the program projected the need for 2.3 million square feet (214,000 m ) of new government facilities in the city core, with 3,500 dwelling units, 100 acres (40 ha) of new public open space, retail and private office space, and other ancillary spaces. Community participation

285-463: A county and the county jurisdiction overlays the municipal jurisdiction. Usually, if there is a conflict between a county ordinance and a municipal ordinance, the municipal ordinance has precedence within the municipality's borders; however, the overlaying county's ordinances have precedence if the overlaying county has been designated a charter county by the Florida Legislature. In some cases,

380-527: A crude log building serving as the capitol. From 1821 through 1845, during Florida's territorial period, the rough-hewn frontier capital gradually developed as a town. The Marquis de Lafayette , French hero of the American Revolution, returned to the United States in 1824 for a tour. The U.S. Congress voted to give him $ 200,000 (the same amount he had given the colonies in 1778), US citizenship, and

475-537: A direct hit by Hurricane Hermine , which caused about 80% of the city proper to lose power, including Florida State University ; Hurricane Michael in 2018; and two EF2 tornadoes in 2024. The approximate coordinates for the City of Tallhassee is located at 30°27′18″N 84°15′12″W  /  30.45500°N 84.25333°W  / 30.45500; -84.25333 . Tallahassee has an area of 98.2 square miles (254.3 km ), of which 95.7 square miles (247.9 km )

570-695: A few very small accumulating snowfalls over the last 100 years; the greatest amount was 2.8 inches (7 cm) on February 13, 1958. Tallahassee's other recorded measurable snowfalls were 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) on February 12–13, 1899, and December 22–23, 1989 ; 0.4 inches (1.0 cm) on March 28, 1955, and February 10, 1973; 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) on February 2, 1951; and 0.1 inches (0.3 cm) on January 3, 2018 . Although several hurricanes have brushed Tallahassee with their outer rain and wind bands, in recent years only Hurricane Kate , in 1985, and Hurricane Hermine , in 2016, have struck Tallahassee directly. Hurricane Michael passed 50 miles (80 km) to

665-408: A founder of Jacksonville, John Bellamy, wanted the capital in what is now Lake County but their efforts failed. From the beginning of Tallahassee's history there were multiple attempts to move the state capital. A July 1957 Florida Historical Quarterly article stated that this was because of Tallahassee's distance from other settlements. As Florida's size and population grew and spread south,

760-446: A legislative branch (commissions or councils) and executive branch (mayor or manager) and local police, but violations are brought before a county court. Counties and municipalities are authorized to pass laws (ordinances), levy taxes, and provide public services within their jurisdictions. All areas of Florida are located within a county, but only some areas have been incorporated into municipalities. All municipalities are located within

855-565: A maximum of eight years. There are also state auditors led by the Florida auditor general who is appointed by the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee, the utility-regulating Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC), and the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA). The legislature's session is part-time, meeting for 60-day regular sessions annually. The regular session of

950-465: A small Southern town with virtually the entire population living within one mile (1.6 km) of the Capitol. The main economic drivers were the colleges and state government, where politicians met to discuss spending money on grand public improvement projects to accommodate growth in places such as Miami and Tampa Bay, hundreds of miles away from the capital. Tallahassee was also active in protest during

1045-510: A staff of about 3,600 employees and its annual budget averaged $ 1.9 billion ($ 1,899,731,705). In 2011, DEP suspended its wetlands director "after she refused to approve a permit to a failed effort to sell off surplus park land" and Everglades scientists. Leading positions have been filled by prior consultants for developers and polluting industries in revolving door (politics) . The regulatory climate has changed from "prosecuting violations to helping industry avoid fines". Until July 1, 2012,

SECTION 10

#1732851512294

1140-787: A team of interagency marine resource professionals of all levels of US government, of scientists and other stakeholders. From May to November 2003, the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative Team (SEFCRI Team) developed a local action strategy. In 2009, the FDEP's Coral Reef Conservation Program prepared a climate change action plan for the Florida Reef System 2010–2015, which was in sync with the federal NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Goals & Objectives 2010-2015. After Governor Scott took office in 2011, DEP employees were informed by regional administrators not to use

1235-544: Is 155 positions less than the prior year. As of 2006, the department divided itself into the following 13 offices based on function, all operating primarily out of Tallahassee: Administrative Services, Air resource management, Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, General counsel , Greenways and Trails, Law Enforcement, Office of the Secretary, Parks and Recreation, Resource Assessment Management, Siting, State Lands, Waste management , Water resource management . The FDEP divides

1330-507: Is 22 °F (−6 °C), set on the same day as the all-time record low. More recently, a 28 °F (−2 °C) daily maximum was recorded in 1985. Conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 81 °F (27 °C) on July 15, 1980. However, the city itself is considerably warmer than the airport where the National Weather Service records its data from, even though the National Weather Service does not record data from it. This

1425-600: Is a college town , home to Florida State University , Florida A&M University , and Tallahassee State College (a large state college that serves mainly as a feeder school to FSU and FAMU). As the capital, Tallahassee is the site of the Florida State Capitol , Supreme Court of Florida , Florida Governor's Mansion , and nearly 30 state agency headquarters. The city is also known for its large number of law firms, lobbying organizations, trade associations and professional associations, including The Florida Bar and

1520-646: Is also home to some gated communities , including Golden Eagle, Ox Bottom, Lafayette Oaks and The Preserve at San Luis; the Tallahassee Ranch Club is to the southeast of the city. The first plan for the Capitol Center was the 1947 Taylor Plan, which consolidated several government buildings in one downtown area. In 1974, the Capitol Center Planning Commission for the City of Tallahassee, Florida responded to growth of its urban center with

1615-480: Is due to an urban heat island , which creates an average disparity of 5.8 °F (3.2 °C) and is especially pronounced during winter. Snow and ice are rare in Tallahassee, not occurring during most winters. Historically, snow flurries are recorded every three to four years, but measurable snowfall of 0.1 inches (0.3 cm) or more has only happened once in the 1991–2020 time period. Tallahassee has recorded

1710-515: Is in USDA zone 9a by a small margin, the coldest temperature of the year usually being about 20.2 °F (−6.6 °C). Temperature readings below 15 °F (−9 °C) are very rare, having last occurred on January 11, 2010. During the Great Blizzard of 1899 the city reached −2 °F (−19 °C) on February 13, which remains Florida's only recorded subzero reading. The record cold daily maximum

1805-542: Is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km ), or 2.59%, is water. Tallahassee's terrain is hilly by Florida standards, being at the southern end of the Red Hills Region , just above the Cody Scarp . The elevation varies from near sea level to just over 200 feet (61 m), with the state capitol on one of the highest hills in the city. The city includes two large lake basins, Lake Jackson and Lake Lafayette , and borders

1900-656: Is no longer an appropriate location for the capital, and he cited an American Economic Review article that stated that state capitals far from their populations are more prone to corruption than those that are not. There are four types of local governments in Florida: counties, municipalities, school districts, and special districts. Florida consists of 67 counties . Each county has officers considered "state" officers: these officials are elected locally, and their salaries and office expenses are also paid locally, but they cannot be removed from office or replaced locally, but only by

1995-537: Is one of the few cities in the state to occasionally record temperatures above 100 °F (37.8 °C); there are an average of 11.2 days per year that have temperatures at least that high. The record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was set on June 15, 2011. Summer is characterized by brief intense showers and thunderstorms that form along the afternoon sea breeze from the Gulf of Mexico . The daily mean temperature in July,

SECTION 20

#1732851512294

2090-576: Is one school district for each county; the Florida Constitution allows adjoining counties to merge their districts upon voter approval. The superintendent is by default an elected official; however, the Florida Constitution allows county voters to make the position an appointed one. Municipalities in Florida may be called towns, cities, or villages, but there is no legal distinction between

2185-452: Is spent on engineering staff. Critics are trying to dismantle these districts, as being obsolete. Tallahassee, Florida Tallahassee ( / ˌ t æ l ə ˈ h æ s i / TAL -ə- HASS -ee ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Florida . It is the county seat of and the only incorporated municipality in Leon County . Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then

2280-910: Is the final arbiter of Florida law, and its decisions are binding authority for all other state courts. The five Florida District Courts of Appeal are the intermediate appellate courts . The 20 Florida circuit courts are trial courts of original jurisdiction for most controversies. The circuit courts primarily handle civil cases where the amount in controversy is greater than $ 15,000, and felony criminal cases, as well as appeals from county courts. Circuit courts also have jurisdiction over domestic relations , juvenile dependency , juvenile delinquency , and probate matters. The 67 Florida county courts have original jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, including violations of county and municipal ordinances, and in civil cases whose value in controversy does not exceed $ 15,000. Each civil entity has its budget: state, county, and municipal. In June 2015,

2375-477: Is to promulgate rules to implement legislation. In April 2014, there were 25,362 administrative rules, and eight agencies have over 1,000 rules each, of which the most heavily regulated agencies are the Department of Financial Services and Department of Health. The Florida Administrative Register (FAR) is the daily publication containing proposed rules and notices of state agencies. The regulations are codified in

2470-758: The Florida Administrative Code (FAC). There are also numerous decisions, opinions and rulings of state agencies. The state had about 122,000 employees in 2010. The Florida Constitution mandates a bicameral state legislature, consisting of a Florida Senate of 40 members and a Florida House of Representatives of 120 members. The two bodies meet in the Florida State Capitol. The Florida House of Representative members serve for two-year terms, while Florida Senate members serve staggered four-year terms, with 20 senators up for election every two years. Members of both houses are term limited to serve

2565-503: The Laws of Florida , and the Florida Statutes are the codified statutory laws of the state which have general applicability. The Florida State Courts System is the unified state court system. The Florida State Courts System consists of the: The Supreme Court of Florida is the highest court of Florida and consists of seven judges: the chief justice and six justices. The Court

2660-746: The Apalachee tribe. (The Creek and later refugees who joined them developed as the Seminole Indians of Florida. The Talimali Band of Apalachee Indians in Louisiana identify as present-day descendants of the Apalachee Indians.) During the First Seminole War , General Andrew Jackson fought two separate skirmishes in and around Tallahassee, which was then Spanish territory. The first battle took place on November 12, 1817. After Chief Neamathla, of

2755-778: The Florida Chamber of Commerce . It is a recognized regional center for scientific research, and home to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory . In 2015, Tallahassee was awarded the All-America City Award by the National Civic League for the second time. Indigenous peoples occupied this area for thousands of years before European encounter. Around 1200 CE, the large and complex Mississippian culture had built earthwork mounds near Lake Jackson which survive today; they are preserved in

2850-612: The Florida Territory , in 1824. In 2022, the estimated population was 201,731, making it the eighth-most populous city in the state of Florida . It is the principal city of the Tallahassee, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area , which had an estimated population of 390,992 as of 2022 . Tallahassee is the largest city in the Florida Big Bend and Florida Panhandle regions. With a student population exceeding 70,000, Tallahassee

2945-462: The Lafayette Land Grant , 36 square miles (93 km ) of land that today includes large portions of Tallahassee. In 1845, a Greek revival masonry structure was erected as the Capitol building in time for statehood. Now known as the "old Capitol", it stands in front of the high-rise Capitol building built in the 1970s. Tallahassee was in the heart of Florida's Cotton Belt —Leon County led

Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Misplaced Pages Continue

3040-506: The Lake Jackson Archaeological State Park . The Spanish Empire established their first colonial settlement at St. Augustine . During the 17th century they established several missions in Apalachee territory to procure food and labor to support their settlement, as well as to convert the natives to Roman Catholicism . The largest, Mission San Luis de Apalachee in Tallahassee, has been partially reconstructed by

3135-574: The NAACP , and Rev. C. K. Steele began talks with city authorities while the local African-American community started boycotting the city's buses. The Inter-Civic Council ended the boycott on December 22, 1956. On January 7, 1957, the City Commission repealed the bus-franchise segregation clause because of the United States Supreme Court ruling Browder v. Gayle (1956). In the 1960s, there

3230-545: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and enforcement of constitutional rights for African Americans, voters in Tallahassee have elected black mayors and black state representatives. It has become a city in the Southern U.S. that is known for progressive activism. This is likely due to the large student population that attends Florida State University , Florida A&M University , and Tallahassee State College . In addition, in

3325-402: The attorney general , commissioner of agriculture and chief financial officer ), and several executive departments. Each office term is limited to two four-year terms. The governor of Florida is the chief executive of the government of Florida and the chief administrative officer of the state responsible for the planning and budgeting for the state and serves as chair when the governor and

3420-504: The civil rights era . The Tallahassee bus boycott was a citywide boycott in Tallahassee, Florida that sought to end racial segregation in the employment and seating arrangements of city buses. On May 26, 1956, Wilhelmina Jakes and Carrie Patterson, two Florida A&M University students, were arrested by the Tallahassee Police Department for "placing themselves in a position to incite a riot". Robert Saunders, representing

3515-640: The 19th century, the institutions that would develop into what is now Florida State University were established in Tallahassee; it became a university town. These included the Tallahassee Female Academy (founded 1843) and the Florida Institute (founded 1854). In 1851, the Florida legislature decreed two seminaries to be built on either side of the Suwannee River , East Florida Seminary and West Florida Seminary . In 1855, West Florida Seminary

3610-909: The Bureau of Park Police, was merged into the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the sworn officers, as well as reserve officers and support staff, were transferred to FWC. The Bureau of Emergency Response was not part of the merger and remained with DEP as the Office of Emergency Response. As part of the Great Outdoors Initiative program, FDEP in August ;2024 proposed several changes impacting nine state parks: Anastasia , Camp Helen , Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson , Grayton Beach , Jonathan Dickinson , Hillsborough River , Honeymoon Island , Oleta River , and Topsail Hill Preserve . Among

3705-460: The Florida Cabinet sit as a decision-making body in various constitutional roles. The governor has the power to execute Florida's laws and to call out the state militia to preserve the public peace, being commander-in-chief of the state's military forces that are not in active service of the United States. At least once every legislative session, the governor is required to deliver the "State of

3800-460: The Florida Constitution, the attorney general appoints a statewide prosecutor who may prosecute violations of criminal law occurring in or affecting two or more judicial circuits. The attorney general is responsible for the Department of Legal Affairs. The attorney general is head of the Florida Department of Legal Affairs . The Florida chief financial officer 's duties include monitoring

3895-519: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) had a law enforcement contingent, referred to as the Division of Law Enforcement (DLE), which included sworn state law enforcement officers and special agents as well as emergency responders to hazardous materials incidents. The patrol bureau was divided into 4 districts: NE, NW, SE & SW. The approximately 90 sworn state officers assigned to

Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Misplaced Pages Continue

3990-484: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection would purchase 20,000 acres of Everglades wetlands, ultimately with the intent of preventing oil drilling on that land. A 1998 presidential executive order created the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. In 2002, Florida determined how to implement this at the state and county levels. After a meeting in 2002, the FDEP and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission formed

4085-647: The Florida Legislature commences on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March with the governor's State of the State speech before a joint session and ends on the last Friday in April or the first Friday in May. The Florida Legislature often meets in special sessions, sometimes as many as a half dozen in a year, that are called for particular purposes, such as budget reduction or reforming property insurance. A special session may be called by

4180-525: The Internal Improvement Trust Fund (state land, including shores, beaches, wetlands, and bodies of water), the Department of Health (sewage treatment, drinking water quality), Florida Department of Natural Resources (state parks and recreation areas), and Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (hunting and fishing). In the late 1960s, the Florida Department of Air and Water Pollution Control

4275-436: The Internal Improvement Trust Fund and the Florida Department of Natural Resources. This revised agency was entrusted with the quality of the state's air and water, and with making major land management decisions, primarily related to shorelines and wetlands. The FDER began supervising five water management districts that had been established in 1972 under Chapter 373 of Florida Statutes to control all freshwater located in

4370-491: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas building in Tallahassee, Florida . Officers of the patrol bureau were fully constituted law enforcement officers of the state and possessed statewide authority. Although dedicated primarily to the protection and conservation of state lands, parks, properties and bodies of water, officers took law enforcement action statewide. On July 1, 2012, the Bureau, which by that time had been renamed

4465-580: The State Address" to the Florida Legislature regarding the condition and operation of the state government and to suggest new legislation. Florida is unique among U.S. states in having a strong cabinet-style government. Members of the Florida Cabinet are independently elected, and have equal footing with the governor on issues under the Cabinet's jurisdiction. The Cabinet consists of the attorney general,

4560-533: The Tallahassee area were purchased by wealthy northerners for use as winter hunting preserves. This included the hunting preserve of Henry L. Beadel, who bequeathed his land for the study of the effects of fire on wildlife habitat. Today the preserve is known as the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy , nationally recognized for its research into fire ecology and the use of prescribed burning . Until World War II , Tallahassee remained

4655-585: The Urban Service Area is to "have Tallahassee and Leon County grow in a responsible manner, with infrastructure provided economically and efficiently, and surrounding forest and agricultural lands protected from unwarranted and premature conversion to urban land use." The result of compact growth policies has been a significant overall reduction in the Sprawl Index for Tallahassee between 2000 and 2010. CityLab reported on this finding, stating "Tallahassee laps

4750-419: The age of 25 holding a Bachelor's, Master's, professional or doctorate degree. The Florida average is 37.4% and the national average is 33.4%. Tallahassee has traditionally been a Democratic city, but the party has been supported by different ethnic groups over time, with a major shift in the late 20th century. Leon County has voted Democratic in 24 of the past 29 presidential elections since 1904. But until

4845-498: The ancestor of today's FAMU , opened its doors. The legislature decided Tallahassee was the best location in Florida for a college serving African-American students; the state had segregated schools. Four years later, its name was changed to State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students , to teach teachers for elementary school children and students in industrial skills. After the Civil War much of Florida's industry moved to

SECTION 50

#1732851512294

4940-477: The capital to Orlando , a more centrally-located city, in the late 1960s. The City of Orlando, in 1967, passed a referendum stating that it would accept becoming the capital. These proposals stopped after the new Florida Capitol opened in Tallahassee in 1977. Politicians from North Florida had opposed the idea of moving the state capital. Adam C. Smith of the Tampa Bay Times argued in 2016 that Tallahassee

5035-469: The center of the state's population and the geographic center of the state changed. Using data from the 2010 U.S. Census , according to the Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research , the state's center of population was southern Polk County . The geographic center of the state is Brooksville . Because Tallahassee became increasingly far from many Floridians, there were additional proposals to move

5130-495: The city elected James R. Ford to the 5-member City Commission, and he became the city's first African-American mayor in 1972 (commissioners rotated into the position serving a one-year term). Bobby Bowden became the head coach of Florida State Seminoles football in 1976, and turned Tallahassee into a city dominated by college football, Bowden became very successful very quickly at Florida State. By his second year, Bowden had to deny many rumors that he would leave for another job;

5225-403: The city. In the 2010 census, 16.7% of which had children under 18 living in them. 27.7% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband, and 53.7% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals living alone and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size

5320-496: The city. Tallahassee has many neighborhoods inside the city limits. Some of the most known and defined include All Saints, Apalachee Ridge, Betton Hills, Buck Lake, Callen, Frenchtown (the oldest historically black neighborhood in the state), Killearn Estates, Killearn Lakes Plantation, Lafayette Park, Levy Park, Los Robles , Midtown, Holly Hills, Jake Gaither/University Park, Indian Head Acres, Myers Park, Smokey Hollow , SouthWood , Seminole Manor and Woodland Drives. Tallahassee

5415-425: The commissioner of agriculture and the chief financial officer. Along with the governor, each member carries one vote in the decision-making process. In the event of a tie, the side of the governor is the prevailing side. Cabinet elections are held every four years, on even numbered years not divisible by four (such as 2010, 2014, etc.). The Florida attorney general is the state's chief legal officer . As defined in

5510-496: The different terms. Municipalities often have police departments, and fire departments, and provide essential services such as water, waste collection, etc. In unincorporated areas of a county, the county itself can provide some of these services. Municipalities may also enter agreements with the county to have the county provide certain services. Each county has a sheriff who also tends to have concurrent jurisdiction with municipal police departments. Both counties and cities may have

5605-638: The enemy were made prisoner." Florida became an American territory in September 1821, in accordance with the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819. The first session of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida met on July 22, 1822, at Pensacola, the former capital of West Florida . Members from St. Augustine, the former capital of East Florida , traveled 59 days by water to attend. The second session

5700-467: The field, at least as far as the Sprawl Index is concerned." Tallahassee has a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen : Cfa ), with long, tropical summers and short, mild winters, as well as warm to hot, drier springs and autumns. Tallahassee falls in USDA hardiness zones 8b (15 to 20 °F; −9 to −7 °C). Summer maximum temperatures are hotter than locations to the south on the Florida peninsula and it

5795-464: The governor, by joint proclamation of the speaker of the House and senate president or by three-fifths vote of the members of both houses. Outside of these regular and special sessions, the members of both houses participate in county delegation meetings and interim committee meetings throughout the year, mostly from November to February in advance of the regular session. Its session laws are compiled into

SECTION 60

#1732851512294

5890-457: The governor. The state officers subject to this requirement are the sheriff , state's attorney , public defender , tax collector , supervisor of elections, clerk of the circuit court (though styled as such, each circuit having multiple counties within its jurisdiction has a separate elected clerk within each county, and the office also handles official county records not pertaining to judicial matters), property appraiser , and judges . There

5985-432: The hottest month, is 82.9 °F (28.3 °C). Conversely, the winter is markedly cooler, with a January daily average temperature of 51.0 °F (10.6 °C). There is an average of 34.6 nights with a minimum at or below freezing, and on average, the window for freezing temperatures is from November 22 thru March 16, allowing a growing season of 250 days. With the data from the 1991–2020 normals, Tallahassee

6080-552: The late 1960s, most African Americans were disenfranchised from the political system, dating from a new constitution and other laws passed by Democrats in Florida (and in all other Southern states) at the turn of the century. At that time, most African Americans were affiliated with the Republican Party , and their disenfranchisement resulted in that party being non-competitive in the region for decades. Subsequently, these demographic groups traded party alignments. Since passage of

6175-455: The municipal and county governments have merged into a consolidated government. However, smaller municipal governments can be created inside of a consolidated municipality/county. In Jacksonville , the municipal government has taken over the responsibilities normally given to the county government, Duval County , and smaller municipalities that exist within it. Among special districts are "community development districts" which have virtually all

6270-607: The new Capitol, was scheduled for demolition, but state officials decided to keep it as a museum. In 1986, Jack McLean served as mayor, the second African-American to hold the position. Tallahassee was the center of world attention for six weeks during the 2000 United States Presidential election recount , which involved numerous rulings by the Florida Secretary of State and the Florida Supreme Court . Tallahassee has been impacted by many natural disasters, including

6365-412: The north side. The most recent tornadoes to hit the city were EF2s on May 10, 2024. One of them hit downtown Tallahassee, being 1,400 yards (1,300 m) wide. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 196,169 people, 78,283 households, and 34,639 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 181,376 people, 73,289 households, and 34,516 families residing in

6460-523: The northern end of the Apalachicola National Forest . The flora and fauna are similar to those found in the mid-south and low country regions of South Carolina and Georgia . The palm trees are the more cold-hardy varieties like the state tree, the Sabal palmetto . Pines, magnolias, hickories, and a variety of oaks are the dominant trees. The Southern Live Oak is perhaps the most emblematic of

6555-501: The patrol bureau patrolled primarily state parks, state lands, state trails, wildlife management areas (WMAs), rivers, coastline and both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Officers utilized traditional patrol cars, 4x4 sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, ATVs, boats, airboats, personal watercraft (PWC's), dirt-bikes, and bicycles. The headquarters occupied the fifth floor of the DEP main offices in

6650-417: The poverty level was estimated at 30.2%. As of 2000 , 92.0% of residents spoke English as their first language , while 4.1% spoke Spanish, 0.6% spoke French, and 0.6% spoke German as their mother tongue . In total, 8.0% of the total population spoke languages other than English. Educationally, the population of Leon County is the most highly educated population in Florida with 54.4% of the residents over

6745-613: The power of a city or county (except, notably, they do not have police power). Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes governs these districts. Notable CDD's include the Reedy Creek Improvement District (the location of Walt Disney World ) and substantially all of The Villages (the giant Central Florida retirement community). Many counties have a "Soil and Water Conservation District," a residue of Dust Bowl politics. Elected officials are unpaid. Much of their budget

6840-596: The present Florida State Capitol . The De Soto encampment is believed to be the first place that Christmas was celebrated in the continental United States. The name Tallahassee is a Muskogean language word often translated as "old fields" or "old town". It was likely an expression of the Creek people who migrated from Georgia and Alabama to this region in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, under pressure from European-American encroachment on their territory. They found large areas of cleared land previously occupied by

6935-469: The proposed additions to state parks include cabins, hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts. However, these plans generated significant controversy due to their potential environmental impacts, including opposition from U.S. senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott ; congressional representatives Kathy Castor , Matt Gaetz , Brian Mast , and Darren Soto ; Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo ; and many local officials. In its responsibilities for

7030-472: The realignment of party politics since the late 20th century, most of the African-American population in the city now support Democratic Party candidates. As of December 2, 2018, there were 112,572 Democrats, 58,083 Republicans, and 44,007 voters who were independent or had other affiliations among the 214,662 voters in Leon County . Leon County's voter turnout percentage has consistently ranked among

7125-430: The south and east, a trend that continues today. The end of slavery and the rise of free labor reduced the profitability of the cotton and tobacco trade, at a time when world markets were also changing. The state's major industries shifted to citrus, lumber, naval stores , cattle ranching, and tourism. The latter was increasingly important by the late 19th century. In the post-Civil War period, many former plantations in

7220-568: The state in cotton production—and was the center of the slave trade in Florida. During the American Civil War , Tallahassee was the only Confederate state capital east of the Mississippi River not captured by Union forces, and the only one not burned. A small engagement, the Battle of Natural Bridge , was fought south of the city on March 6, 1865, just a month before the war ended. During

7315-441: The state into six districts with the following six district offices: Central District ( Orlando ), Northeast District ( Jacksonville ), Northwest District ( Pensacola ), South District ( Fort Myers ), Southeast District ( West Palm Beach ) and Southwest District ( Tampa ). Florida government The executive branch of the government of Florida consists of the governor , lieutenant governor , Florida Cabinet (which includes

7410-471: The state of Florida. The expedition of Pánfilo de Narváez encountered the Apalachee people, although it did not reach the site of Tallahassee. Hernando de Soto and his mid-16th-century expedition occupied the Apalachee town of Anhaica (at what is now Tallahassee) in the winter of 1538–39. Based on archaeological excavations, this Anhaica site is now known to have been about 0.5 miles (800 m) east of

7505-644: The state's natural environment , the department divides its function into three areas: The Florida DEP office responsible for FDEP's overseeing of Everglades restoration—including the Everglades Forever Act and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan —is the Office of Ecosystem Projects . In its largest wetland acquisition in a decade, in January 2020, the Florida governor announced

7600-574: The state's debt was $ 25.7 billion. The commissioners charged by the government of the unified Florida to select a permanent capital selected Tallahassee , then between the two major cities of Florida, Pensacola and Saint Augustine , as the state capital, in 1823. The White people expelled the Native Americans, who were opposed to leaving their land, before settling Tallahassee. The commissioners were Dr. W.H. Simmons, from St. Augustine, and John Lee Williams, from Pensacola. Richard Keith Call and

7695-448: The state's finances and fiscal well-being, auditing and assuring that state programs are properly spending money and overseeing the proper management of the revenue and spending of the state. The chief financial officer is the head of the Florida Department of Financial Services (FDFS). The Florida commissioner of agriculture is the head of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The purpose of agencies

7790-454: The state: The Suwannee River Water Management District , St. Johns River Water Management District , Southwest Florida Water Management District , South Florida Water Management District , and Northwest Florida Water Management District . By 1992, it was the nation's third-largest such state agency, with 1,500 employees and a budget of some $ 650 million. In 1993, the state merged the DER with

7885-429: The substantially larger Department of Natural Resources, creating the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Virginia Bass Wetherell was named Secretary of the new agency. In 2004, it started the 'Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative', 6 years after a presidential order had instructed 7 states with reefs to develop roadmaps of conservation. During the period from 2000 to 2005, the department functioned with

7980-468: The team went 9–2, compared to the four wins total in the three seasons before Bowden. During 34 years as head coach he had only one losing season–his first, in 1976. In 1977, the 22-story high-rise Capitol building , designed by architect Edward Durell Stone , was completed. Since 2021, it has been the third-tallest state capitol building in the United States. In 1978, the Old Capitol, directly in front of

8075-522: The term sea-level rise was not permitted and had to be replaced with the term nuisance flooding . Per the department's the Office of Inspector General annual report from fiscal year 2011–2012, the DEP had more than 4,176 employees. Florida Governor Rick Scott recommended to decrease DEP's FY 2015-16 budget by about $ 29 million to $ 1,535,984,614 compared to actual (not the Governor recommended) FY 2014-15 budget. His plan funded 2,939.5 positions, which

8170-407: The terms climate change , global warming or sustainability in publications or educational materials, because the DEP was the governor's agency. The Florida Oceans and Coastal Council's Annual Research Plan 2014-15 avoided the term climate change and used 'climate drivers' and 'climate-driven changes' instead. Some critical employees were terminated or gave their notice during that time. Until 2015,

8265-462: The village of Fowltown just west of present-day Tallahassee, refused Jackson's orders to relocate, Jackson entered the village, burnt it to the ground, and drove off its occupants. The Indians retaliated, killing 50 soldiers and civilians. Jackson reentered Florida in March 1818. According to Jackson's adjutant, Colonel Robert Butler, they "advanced on the Indian village called Tallahasse (sic) [where] two of

8360-450: The west after making landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida in October 2018 as a Category 5 storm, resulting in 95% of Leon County being without power. The Big Bend area of North Florida sees several tornadoes each year during the season, but they are generally weak, cause little structural damage, and rarely hit the city. On April 19, 2015, a tornado touched down in Tallahassee. The tornado

8455-421: Was 2.33. Children under the age of 5 were 4.9% of the population, persons under 18 were 16.7% and persons 65 years or older were 10.3%. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males. For 2009–2013, the estimated median household income was $ 39,524, and the per capita income was $ 23,778. In 2010, the percentage of persons below

8550-468: Was a movement to transfer the capital to Orlando , closer to the state's growing population centers. That movement was defeated; the 1970s saw a long-term commitment by the state to the capital city, with the construction of the new capitol complex and preservation of the old Florida State Capitol building. In 1970, the Census Bureau reported the city's population as 74.0% white and 25.4% black. In 1971,

8645-414: Was an integral part of the design review, welcoming Tallahassee residents to provide input as well as citizens' groups and government agencies, resulting in the creation of six separate design alternatives. The Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department implements policies aimed at promoting compact growth and development, including the establishment and maintenance of an Urban Service Area. The intent of

8740-469: Was created under Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. Most staff were being taken from the Bureau of Sanitary Engineering of the state Department of Health . The name of the new agency was simplified to the Florida Department of Pollution Control . In the mid-1970s, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER) was created from the Department of Pollution Control and portions of the Board of Trustees of

8835-486: Was in St. Augustine, and western delegates needed 28 days to travel perilously around the peninsula to reach St. Augustine. During this session, delegates decided to hold future meetings at a halfway point. Two appointed commissioners selected Tallahassee, at that point an Apalachee settlement ( Anhaica ) virtually abandoned after Andrew Jackson burned it in 1818 , as a halfway point. In 1824, the third legislative session met there in

8930-534: Was rated EF1 , and created a path as wide as 350 yards (320 m) for almost 5 miles (8 km) near Maclay Gardens. Damage included numerous downed tree limbs and a car crushed by a falling tree. During extremely heavy rains, some low-lying parts of Tallahassee may flood, notably the Franklin Boulevard area adjacent to the downtown and the Killearn Lakes subdivision, outside the Tallahassee city limits, on

9025-618: Was transferred to the Florida Institute building (which had been established as an inducement for the state to place the seminary in Tallahassee). In 1858, the seminary absorbed the Tallahassee Female Academy and became coeducational. Its main building was near the northwest corner of South Copeland and West Jefferson streets, approximately where FSU's Westcott Building is today. In 1887, the Normal College for Colored Students,

#293706