Major Infrastructure Projects:

• March 4, 1989: A groundbreaking is held for a new $8.5 million permanent library facility with 88,000 feet of space.
• 1988: Leon County implements the first year of a 10-year transportation improvement plan. Part of the plan includes implementing SAFE, Stabilization with Asphalt for Everyone, a program designed to resurface local unincorporated area roads. SAFE will provide 156 miles of hard surface on local and arterial dirt roads over 7.5 years.
• 1988: Leon County completes the widening of Centerville Road and Springhill Road.
• 1988: Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department begins planning for major corridor studies for what is called the “Capital Parkway” from Bradfordville Road to I-10 West.
• 1988: Leon County develops Master Water and Sewer Services Plan to address the location and provision of services throughout the unincorporated area.
• 1988: Leon County acquires 54-acre tract of land located on northeast corner of Tram Road and W.W. Kelley Road to be used as a sand borrow pit.
• January 1988: Leon County expands the Health Department on Municipal Way, adding 4,000 square feet to improve customer access and services.
• 1987: County, City, and Northwest Florida Water Management District begin plans to convene and develop a Joint County-City Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan for the four major urban basins in the County, which include Fred George Sink, Lake Jackson, Lake Munson, and Lake Lafayette.
• 1987: Following several years of Capital Improvement Planning, County begins to expand the Leon County Sanitary Landfill.
• 1987: Leon County begins the first phase of what will later become the present-day County Detention Facility.
• 1987: Leon County completes construction of Faulk Drive, Megginis Arm, and Crowder Boat Landings.
• 1987: Leon County constructs Magnolia Drive Extension, a 375-foot, three-lane minor arterial project including sidewalks.
• 1986: Leon County constructs new helicopter pad for Leon County Sheriff's Office because weight of vehicle was causing it to sink into asphalt.
• 1985: County opens J. Lewis Hall Park.
• 1985: County purchases Crown Building, a downtown, six-story office building with 36,000 square feet of space.
• 1984: County opens new minimum-security facility, operated by Leon County Sheriff Eddie Boone.

Significant Achievements:

• 1989: Leon County Government and the City of Tallahassee agree to place a 1% Local Government Infrastructure Surtax (referred to as the one-cent sales tax) on the Fall ballot. On September 19, 1989, the voters of Leon County approved the sales tax for a period of fifteen years.
• 1989: Leon County establishes the Public Information Office to provide timely and accurate information to the public.
• 1989: County adopts a canopy road improvement and management plan to maintain canopy roadways and preserve their natural beauty.
• 1989: Leon County establishes the Parks and Recreation department to focus on passive recreation and existing park facilities.

• 1988: County establishes Tourist Development Council, a division responsible for increasing awareness of and promoting Leon County as a visitor destination.
• 1988: County Health Department significantly expands its AIDS division to better address the AIDS crisis.
• 1988: Leon County establishes Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) to support minority businesses when seeking or participating in contracts funded fully or in part by the County.
• 1988: Leon County establishes countywide Geographic Information System tasked with data acquisition and technical mapping.
• 1987: Leon County prepares for major litigation following a Department of Corrections suit addressing jail overcrowding.
• June 1986: The Board composition changes from five at-large commissioners to seven commissioners, with five representing districts and two elected to serve at-large.
• January 1984: Board adopts revised Affirmative Action targets on the basis of 1980 Census Data with the goal of employing more diverse workers.
• 1981: Leon County and the City of Tallahassee jointly develop their first comprehensive plan.

Key Community Initiatives:

• June 1989: Leon County launches its Used Oil Recycling Program with a $25,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Regulation to make it easier for residents to properly dispose of old motor oil.
• 1986: A group of citizen volunteers establishes Project B.U.I.L.D. to build a permanent home for the Main Library.
• July 1984: Leon County begins offering the Job Training Partnership Act program to serve youth 14-21 years old and adults who are unemployed with barriers to employment. Participants received employment skills training in in-demand occupations.