Salzman Reports $27 Million In Local Funding Secured In Proposed State Budget
May 29, 2026
Florida lawmakers have reached an agreement on state budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, including $27 million in funding for local projects secured by Rep. Michelle Salzman and several Senate partners.
Those projects include nearly $1.2 million for Century water and sewer projects, funds for an Escambia River Electric Cooperative water project, ECUA, and Escambia County public safety needs.
Among the projects included are funding initiatives supporting the University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, ECUA infrastructure improvements, Escambia County Fire Rescue emergency vehicles, veterans’ mental health services, Town o of Century water management improvements, Escambia River Electric Cooperative water system repairs and improvements, and the Northwest Florida Community Resilience & Long-Term Recovery Support Initiative.
“As lawmakers, one of our most important responsibilities is ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested back into our communities in meaningful ways,” said Salzman. “This budget prioritizes infrastructure, education, healthcare, public safety, and critical services that directly impact families across Northwest Florida. I’m proud to work alongside our delegation to secure investments that strengthen our communities while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”
The budget has not yet been signed by Gov. DeSantis, who has the power to veto line items.
Local items currently in the budget include:
Town of Century
Century Inflow and Infiltration Study — $315,000
- The study is aimed at problem areas in the system to reduce wastewater flow at the town’s treatment plant.
Century Lift Station Rehabilitation — $830,339
- Rehabilitate two sewage life stations that were installed more than 30 years ago, a requirement of a consent order with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative
- Water System Repairs and Improvements — $117,244
- Rehabilitate water well located on Highway 97A in Enon, which as declined from 350 gallons per minute to 200 due to wear and reduced capacity.
ECUA
- West Ensley Septic to Sewer — $500,000
The project will convert a lower income area with poor drainage from septic tanks to sewer.
Escambia County
Hazardous materials regional emergency response vehicle — $900,000
- Intended as a regional response vehicle across multiple counties. The full ask was $1.8 million.
Technical rescue regional emergency vehicle — $800,000
- Intended as a regional response vehicle across multiple counties. The full ask was $1.6 million.
Station management system — $600,000
- Advanced station management system in all staffed fire stations. The full ask was $1.2 million
Escambia 911 communications improvements $350,000 HF 1187
- Replacement of outdated 911 dispatch consoles. The full ask was $700,000.
Sunset Wildlife Connection Brings Animal Encounters To Century, Molino Libraries
May 29, 2026
Kids had a chance to get up close and personal with nature on Thursday morning, during Sunset Wildlife Connection’s Animal Encounters at the Century Library.
They learned each animal’s story, how to make a difference to wild animals, and more.
Sunset Wildlife Connection of Molino also presented the program on Tuesday at the Molino Library.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bluff Springs Recreation Area Closed By Flooding
May 29, 2026
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has closed the Bluff Springs Recreation Area on the Escambia River due to flooding,
The District said access roads are flooded, prompting the temporary closure.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Warm, Humid, And Rainy Weather Continues
May 29, 2026
A wet and humid pattern is settling into the region as a daily dose of afternoon showers and thunderstorms tracks across the area through most of next week. High temperatures will push into the upper 80s over the weekend before a slight cooling trend arrives by mid-week, though daily rain chances will remain locked in around 40% to 60%.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday: A chance of showers before 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Blue Wahoos Walked off By Barons In Birmingham
May 29, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 7-4 in 10 innings to the Birmingham Barons on Thursday night, failing to hold a pair of leads and surrendering a three-run walk-off homer to Anthony DePino.
A Connor Caskenette sacrifice fly and Dylan Jasso two-run double gave the Blue Wahoos a 3-0 lead in the second against Barons starter Dylan Cumming. The next three Pensacola innings would be snuffed out by ground ball double plays turned by the Birmingham infield.
Eliazar Dishmey started for the Blue Wahoos in his Double-A debut, flashing swing-and-miss stuff before running into trouble his second time through the order. He allowed a solo homer to Drake Logan in the third, and issued a pair of walks in the fourth that came in to score on a Wilfred Veras groundout and Jorge Corona RBI single to tie the game 3-3. Dishmey allowed three runs in 4.0 innings while striking out six and walking four.
Fenwick Trimble singled, took second on an error, and scored on a passed ball in the sixth inning to put Pensacola ahead once more 4-3. Kade Bragg worked 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, but Jack Sellinger surrendered doubles to DePino and Jeral Perez in the eighth to tie the game 4-4.
The Blue Wahoos were unable to bring home their placed runner in the top of the 10th against Jonathan Clark (W, 1-0), and Colby Martin (L, 1-2) was placed in a tough spot when entering in the bottom half of the frame. After a stolen base and an intentional walk, DePino launched a walk-off blast for a 7-4 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Friday evening.
written by Erik Bremer
Martha Lee Henderson
May 29, 2026
Martha Lee Henderson of Dothan, AL passed away at her home on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. She was 86. Martha was born in Dadeville, Alabama to Juanita Warren and William Rich. She was a longstanding member of Liberty Church in Pensacola.
Services will be held at 11:30 am, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory in Pensacola. Interment to follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, Florida.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Walter Henderson; her parents, and a brother Frank Rich.
Survivors include her son Dan Henderson (Rhonda), daughter Christy Henderson, granddaughters Brittany Foster (William) and Courtney Bolling (Nicholas) and great granddaughters Elizabeth Rose and Olivia Marie Foster and Sarah Frances Bolling; sisters Marie Powell and Monica Bettencourt and brother Morris Jinks (Diane) and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity in Martha’s memory.
Tate Class Of 1971 Presents Two $5,000 Scholarships
May 29, 2026
The Tate High School Class of 1971 presented two scholarships at Tate’s senior honors ceremony.
Winners of the $5,000 scholarships were Princess Frierson (pictured left) and Brennen Williams, as selected by Tate administration and the guidance department.
This was the fifth consecutive year that the Class of 1971 has presented scholarships, now totaling over $35,000. The Tate Class of 1971 is the only class currently awarding scholarships and has challenged other graduating classes to do the same.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mosquito Control To Spray Tonight In Portions of Century, Byrneville And Scenic Hills
May 28, 2026
Escambia County’s Mosquito Control Division will conduct fogging missions in Commission District 5 on Thursday, May 28, including Century and portions of Byrneville and Barth east of Highway 29, and Scenic Hills, as part of an ongoing effort to reduce mosquito populations in Escambia County.
Fogging will begin at sunset and will continue during the evening as weather conditions allow. The timing helps target mosquitoes when they are active while reducing impacts on other insects.
Click maps to enlarge.
To request mosquito control service, call (850) 937-2198 or email mosquitocontrol@myescambia.com.
Over $23 Million in Major Public Works Projects Underway In Century
May 28, 2026
The Town of Century has more more than $23 million in public works projects currently underway, mostly at no out-of-pocket cost to the town.
Consulting engineer Dale Long recently provided a comprehensive update on the town’s progress, detailing extensive upgrades to Century’s water, wastewater, and transportation systems. Funded heavily by state grants, legislative appropriations, and State Revolving Fund (SRF) agreements featuring principal forgiveness, the projects aim to modernize the town’s utility backbone.
A complete detailed breakdown of the active projects across Century outlines the scope and status of each initiative:
Well Rehabilitation Building and Site Renovations
- Cost: $201,576 funded by the State Legislature via the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
- Key Points & Status: This project covers building and site improvements for Wells 1, 2, and 3. Construction is currently underway and is approximately 60% complete. Work is temporarily paused on final installation while Evans Contracting awaits the delivery of new lime equipment. The grant expiration date is September 30, 2026.
Miscellaneous Wastewater Improvements – Phase II: Lift Station Rehabilitation
- Cost: $3,365,175 funded by an FDEP State Revolving Fund agreement featuring 90% principal forgiveness and a 10% loan.
- Key Points & Status: Managed by Talcon Group LLC, this massive overhaul targets major infrastructure across the system, including the Prison Lift Station, Century Woods (#5), Highway 29 West (#8), Jefferson Avenue (#16), and the Pond/Jefferson lift station. The scope features bar screens, generators, and rehab work. The project is nearing completion at 95% total progress. All lift stations are complete and in service except for the prison site (Lift Station No. 1), which is being finalized. Total construction may extend an extra 30 days while waiting on Florida Power & Light to install the correct power service.
Miscellaneous Wastewater Improvements – Phase III: Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements
- Cost: $5,500,161 funded by an FDEP State Revolving Fund agreement featuring 90% principal forgiveness and a 10% loan.
- Key Points & Status: This project includes widespread upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, such as a new sludge screw press, filter repairs, a new motor control center, a grit removal system, and tankage coating and crack repairs. Contracted to Talcon Group, LLC, construction is 70% complete. Concrete tank work is fully finished, and crews are finalizing filter repairs while awaiting electrical components. Due to a projected September 2026 equipment delivery date, the sludge press installation will extend into early 2027.
Well Rehabilitation Electrical Work
- Cost: $264,877 funded by the State Legislature via FDEP.
- Key Points & Status: Dunaway Electrical Services, Inc. is handling the total replacement of the electrical systems for the well sites. Construction is 70% complete. Finalizing the electrical infrastructure is dependent on the delivery and installation of the new lime feed equipment from the associated site renovation project.
Well No. 2 Lime Feed System
- Cost: $40,000 funded by the FDEP Northwest Florida Water Supply Pilot Grant.
- Key Points & Status: This project replaces the existing lime feed system at Well No. 2. To maximize efficiency, the new machinery was incorporated into the active Well No. 2 building rehabilitation project handled by Evans Contracting. It is moving forward on the exact same construction schedule.
Well No. 3 Replacement and Well Building Rehabilitation
- Cost: $1,360,500 funded by the FDEP Northwest Florida Water Supply Pilot Grant.
- Key Points & Status: Plans call for installing a new production well and rehabilitating the existing water treatment plant at the prison. Engineering design, surveying, and permitting are entirely complete. This grant will be leveraged jointly with other allocations and a future SRF grant to fund the complete scope of work once formal funding approval clears.
Well #3 Replacement
- Cost: $628,500 funded by the State Legislature via FDEP.
- Key Points & Status: This legislative appropriation is designated specifically for the construction of the new well at the prison. Like the pilot grant above, all preliminary survey, design, and permitting work is complete. The town is awaiting final State Revolving Fund loan/grant approval to formally bid and award the construction contract.
Water Meter and Service Replacement
- Cost: $1,301,892 funded by the State Legislature via FDEP.
- Key Points & Status: Under contract with L&K Contracting Company, Inc., this project replaces aging water service lines and utility meters town-wide. Construction is in its final stages. The contractor is currently knocking out final punch-list items, relocating a handful of additional meters at the request of town staff, and setting up hardware delivery and staff training.
Freedom Road Bridge Replacement
- Cost: $1,297,000 funded by the State Legislature via the Florida Department of Transportation.
- Key Points & Status: The contract to replace the Freedom Road Bridge has been awarded to JW&C Construction Company, Inc. Surveying, design, permitting, and bidding are fully complete. Construction is slated to begin as soon as the Town or Escambia County hires a Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) consultant to oversee the site.
Miscellaneous Water System Improvements
- Cost: $9,100,000 funded via FDEP State Revolving Fund.
- Key Points & Status: This wide-ranging initiative bundles several critical town needs: the Tedder Road Booster Pump Station water service line replacement, Well No. 1 rehabilitation, Well No. 2 SCADA tracking systems, the complete Well No. 3 replacement, and a utility billing software upgrade. The town is currently completing the final loan application steps so FDEP can finalize the agreement, allowing the town to authorize the work and open it for bids.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
DeSantis Calls Special Session Hoping To End Homestead Property Taxes; Gaetz Will Support
May 28, 2026
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a special session that would lead to a constitutional amendment to overhaul Florida’s property tax structure.
The proposal, titled “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes,” provides for the immediate increase in the homestead exemption and calls for a schedule for full elimination through general law.
Northwest Florida Sen. Don Gaetz says he will vote for the governor’s tax reform plan.
“I believe that property taxes amount to renting your property from the government. If you don’t pay what the government charges, you lose your property. Property taxes are especially hard on families with fixed incomes. The soaring increase in assessed property values and, consequently, increased property taxes isn’t keeping up with pensions and Social Security, for example. While I believe that Northwest Florida local governments have been good stewards of tax dollars, the substantial increases in many local government budgets is far outpacing population growth and inflation.,” Gaetz said.
“I will vote for Governor DeSantis’ plan when it is presented to the Senate next week,” Gaetz said in a statement released on Wednesday night.
“Property tax revenue collected by local governments has nearly doubled in the past seven years and is expected to reach an astounding $83 billion by 2032. Florida homeowners need relief. Now is the time to stand up for taxpayers, enact a historic reform, and save the home of every Floridian,” DeSantis said.
As proposed by Governor DeSantis, the Save Our Homes proposal includes five major components to provide immediate and permanent relief:
- Exempt Homestead Properties From Taxation.
Exempts the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value from taxation and requiring, through law, a schedule for full elimination.
- Ensure Funding For Core Services.
Requires local governments to use remaining property taxes solely for core public needs including public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, and natural resources.
- Protect Small Businesses.
Limits future property tax assessments on businesses and creates a more stable tax environment for local businesses.
- Ensure Fairness For Florida Residents.
Requires any person who establishes Florida residency after January 1, 2027, to maintain Florida residency for up to five years prior to receiving the increased homestead exemption.
- Create A State Trust Fund To Assist With Core Local Services.
Establishes a trust fund to provide grants to local governments to assist with the continuation of core local services.
The governor’s proposal will be considered during the upcoming special session beginning June 1, with the goal of placing the constitutional amendment on the ballot for Florida voters this fall.