Seven divided local government votes, and the members who voted no

Orange County, FL: board approves budget discussion item, 4–2

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted 4–2 on Jul 16, 2026 to approve a report/update captioned 'Board Budget Discussion,' clerk action recorded as 'Approved.'

Why it matters: Why it matters: the margin was two votes — the tightest in this issue — with both dissenting votes cast by named commissioners against a four-member majority that included Mayor Jerry L. Demings.

• No: Commissioner Mayra Uribe, Commissioner Michael Scott
• Yes: Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad, Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero, Commissioner Nicole Wilson, Mayor Jerry L. Demings

Key West, FL: Bight Management District Board passes lease, 4–1

The Key West Bight Management District Board voted 4–1 on Jul 15, 2026 to pass a measure recommending a ten-year lease with two five-year renewal options and an expansion option with David Bernsen dba Shrimp Boat Sound Key West, LLC for a former recording studio on Lazy Way at the Historic Seaport, clerk action recorded as 'Passed'; two members were absent.

Why it matters: Why it matters: the vote came from the Key West Bight Management District Board — a subordinate body — and the caption frames it as a recommendation to the Caroline Street Corridor and Community Redevelopment Agency, not a final approval.

• No: William Malone
• Yes: Arnaud Girard, Jimmy Weekley, Michael Knowles, Steve Henson
• Absent: Jermy Ashby, Bill Lay

Fulton County, GA: commissioners approve Tax Allocation District resolution, 4–1

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 on Jul 15, 2026 to approve a resolution establishing board policy regarding participation in Tax Allocation Districts and declaring opposition to a proposed extension of existing City of Atlanta Tax Allocation Districts, clerk action recorded as 'approve'; one member abstained.

Why it matters: Why it matters: a Tax Allocation District — a financing mechanism that diverts future property-tax increment to fund development within a defined zone — involves the county's own tax revenue, and the resolution places the board's opposition on the record.

• No: Marvin S. Arrington, Jr.
• Yes: Bob Ellis, Bridget Thorne, Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, Robert L. Pitts
• Abstain: Dana Barrett

Kansas City, MO: council passes Westport Overlay District ordinance, 8–3

The Kansas City Council voted 8–3 on Jul 16, 2026 to pass an ordinance amending Chapter 88, the Zoning and Development Code, by repealing and replacing Section 88-285, Westport Overlay District, to amend allowed uses and create standards for drive-through facilities, clerk action recorded as 'Passed'; two members were recorded as out.

Why it matters: Why it matters: the three no votes came from Darrell Curls, Quinton Lucas, and Ryana Parks-Shaw, while two additional members — Nathan Willett and Melissa Robinson — were recorded as out and did not vote.

• No: Darrell Curls, Quinton Lucas, Ryana Parks-Shaw
• Yes: Andrea Bough, Crispin Rea, Eric Bunch, Johnathan Duncan, Kevin O'Neill, Lindsay French, Melissa Patterson Hazley, Wes Rogers
• Out: Nathan Willett, Melissa Robinson

Newark, NJ: Municipal Council adopts Community Benefits Agreement resolution, 7–2

The Newark Municipal Council voted 7–2 on Jul 15, 2026 to adopt a resolution authorizing execution of a Community Benefits Agreement with SWPN 479 Clinton Avenue LLC, C/O South Ward Alliance, related to Aspire Program Act tax credit incentives for a four-story building at 479–481 Clinton Avenue to house community health and wellness programs, clerk action recorded as 'Adopt.'

Why it matters: Why it matters: Anibal Ramos, Jr. and Michael J. Silva voted no here but were on opposite sides of a separate Newark ordinance vote the same day — Ramos, Jr. voted yes on the 20-year tax abatement for 452 South Orange Ave, while Donna Jackson voted no on that item after voting yes on this one.

• No: Anibal Ramos, Jr., Michael J. Silva
• Yes: Amina Bey, C. Lawrence Crump, Donna Jackson, Dupré L. Kelly, Louise Scott-Rountree, Luis A. Quintana, Patrick O. Council

Newark, NJ: Municipal Council adopts 20-year tax abatement ordinance, 8–1

The Newark Municipal Council voted 8–1 on Jul 15, 2026 to close the public hearing and adopt an ordinance granting a 20-year long-term tax abatement to 452 South Orange Ave Urban Renewal, LLC for a five-story mixed-use building with 34 residential units and commercial retail space at 448–452 South Orange Avenue in the West Ward, clerk action recorded as 'Close on Public Hearing and Adopt.'

Why it matters: Why it matters: Donna Jackson was the sole no vote — the same member who voted yes on the Community Benefits Agreement resolution earlier the same day, while Anibal Ramos, Jr. and Michael J. Silva, who voted no on that resolution, voted yes here.

• No: Donna Jackson
• Yes: Amina Bey, Anibal Ramos, Jr., C. Lawrence Crump, Dupré L. Kelly, Louise Scott-Rountree, Luis A. Quintana, Michael J. Silva, Patrick O. Council

Cook County, IL: board approves contract amendment for construction management services, 11–1

The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted 11–1 on Jul 16, 2026 to approve an amendment renewing and increasing a contract with Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. for professional construction management services covering the Capital Improvement Plan's Health and Hospitals Portfolio — including Stroger Hospital, Provident Hospital, 14 clinics, and the Oak Forest Campus — by $12,548,751.00 for the period August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, clerk action recorded as 'approve'; one member voted present and four were absent.

Why it matters: Why it matters: the increase of $12,548,751.00 brings the total contract authority to $40,376,711.00; the original contract ran from 2022 and carried no prior board renewals or increases before this amendment.

• No: Bridget Degnen
• Yes: Bill Lowry, Donna Miller, Dr. Kisha E. McCaskill, Frank J. Aguilar, Jessica Vásquez, John P. Daley, Josina Morita, Kevin B. Morrison, Maggie Trevor, Michael Scott Jr., Tara S. Stamps
• Present (not voting): Alma E. Anaya
• Absent: Scott R. Britton, Bridget Gainer, Stanley Moore, Sean M. Morrison

Sources

Official clerk records from the public Legistar meeting systems used to verify the issue.

• 26-0869 — Orange County · 2026-07-16
• 26-5626 — Key West · 2026-07-15
• 26-0417 — Fulton County · 2026-07-15
• 260376 — Kansas City · 2026-07-16
• 26-1009 — Newark · 2026-07-15
• 26-0737 — Appleton · 2026-07-15
• 26-0867 — Appleton · 2026-07-15
• RES 26-230 — Blount County · 2026-07-16
• 26-0310 — Newark · 2026-07-15
• 26-1325 — Cook County