NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – The New Smyrna Beach tag and title office will be closed through the weekend after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The office will reopen Monday for walk-ins and those with previously scheduled appointments. [TRENDING: 3 children, 2 adults killed in ‘horrific’ crash | Motorcyclist killed in crash -- with bear | $1,400 payments by this weekend?] “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience to our citizens who planned to conduct business in the New Smyrna Beach location today. However we are following the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”AdOfficials said in a news release that the office was cleaned and disinfected overnight after the employee tested positive.

Will Roberts is swore in as Volusia County's first elected tax collector in 50 years. (Back Porch Communications)DeLAND, Fla. – History was made Tuesday as Volusia County swore in its first elected tax collector in 50 years. Will Roberts took his oath at the top of the county’s historic courthouse, finalizing the transition from a county-appointed to a community-elected tax collector. “Today marks a major change for the way the tax collector has operated within county government – but we are still working very closely with the county,” Roberts said in a news release. Currently, tax collector services include collecting property tax payments, vehicle tag and title services, hunting and fishing licenses and tax certificate sales.

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis City Council unanimously approved a budget early Thursday that will shift about $8 million from the police department toward violence prevention and other programs — but will keep the mayor's targeted staffing levels for sworn officers intact, averting a possible veto. City Council members had initially approved a proposal to cut the city's authorized police force to 750 officers, down from the current 888, beginning in 2022. “Tonight the City Council passed a budget that represents a compromise, and also a big step forward into a more compassionate and effective public safety future,” said City Council member Steve Fletcher, co-author of the proposal to lower the cap on staffing. Those against the plan said the City Council was acting irresponsibly and has bungled its attempts to bring change. The city was paying $4,500 a day at one point for private security for three council members who reported getting threats after supporting defunding.