Major Infrastructure Projects:

• 2009: County constructs an 11,700-linear-foot sidewalk along Pimlico Drive between Whirlaway Trail and Centerville Road. This project provides a safe walking environment for students in the Killearn Acres area who walk to Roberts Elementary School and Montford Middle School along Pimlico Road.
• 2009: County opens the new Martha Wellman Park near the intersection of Capital Circle SW and Highway 90. This park provides a lighted 7/10-mile, paved loop around a beautiful pond.
• 2009: County expands Dr. BL Perry, Jr. Branch Library and the then-Northeast Branch Library to meet increased demand for space.
• 2008: County opens the new Woodville Community Center located on Old Woodville Road.
• May 21, 2008: County and Blueprint hold ribbon-cutting ceremony for Capital Circle SE project from Connie Drive to Tram Road. The roadway includes bike lanes, a 10-foot-wide meandering sidewalk, and considerable median and border landscaping. Incorporating the same features.
• 2007: County completes the Capital Circle Northwest widening project from I-10 to south of US 90. The project included a 15.3-acre pond providing significant stormwater retrofit capacity.
• 2007: County widens the section of Buck Lake Road between Mahan and Davis drives to four lanes. Other improvements include landscaped medians, bike lanes, sidewalks, curbs and gutters with piped drainage systems, and enhanced landscaping of the right-of-way.
• 2007: Construction is completed on the $35 million Orange Avenue Improvements from South Monroe Street to Blair Stone Road, which includes new sidewalks, road widening, a stormwater management facility, and other improvements.
• October 15, 2007: The new Woodville Community Center opens.
• 2006: County completes the $1.75 million Okeeheepkee Basin Stormwater and Roadway Improvements Project, a critical enhancement to protect Lake Jackson.
• 2005: Leon County constructs a new boat ramp at then-Lake Munson Park.
• 2005: County secures $16.1 million in federal funding for the expansion of Capital Circle NW/SW from the then-Tallahassee Regional Airport to I-10.
• 2005: County begins the Beechridge Trail Extension, which extends Beechridge Trail from Kinhega Drive to Bannerman Road.
• Fall 2005: Construction begins on the Killearn Lakes sewer system to address septic tank failures in the area.

• May 7, 2005: Apalachee Regional Park opens with multi-purpose fields and spaces for picnicking and walking.
• April 2005: County breaks ground on Orange Avenue Construction Project. The project extends from South Monroe Street to Blair Stone Road and includes the following: roadway expansion from two to four lanes, landscaping, and the installation of sidewalks, bike lanes, curbs and gutters, and a stormwater drainage system.

• February 25, 2004: The Fort Braden Branch Library opens in a unique 5,600-square-foot building on Blountstown Highway. The building design incorporated 2,200 square feet of a house into the library's structure.
• May 1, 2003: The new Leon County Transfer Station on Gum Road becomes fully operational.
• November 5, 2002: The citizens of Leon County vote to adopt a home rule charter, making Leon County the 19th charter county in Florida.
• 2001: The $8 million Lake Jackson Restoration Project is completed with two million cubic yards of sediment removed to improve the health of the lake and surrounding area.
• July 21, 2001: The Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library opens in a new 10,000-square-foot building on South Adams Street.

• June 29, 2000: The Northeast Branch Library hosts a grand opening in its new 14,000-square-foot building on Thomasville Road.

Significant Achievements:

• 2009: Leon County launches the Emergency Information Portal to provide a one-stop shop for citizens to reach emergency and preparedness information.
• 2009: Leon County establishes Office of Sustainability to spearhead sustainable efforts both in the organization and the community.
• 2009: County Tourism is fully aligned with County Government to best grow and promote the local tourism economy.

• 2008: Leon County hosts the inaugural Sustainable Communities Summit, fostering community engagement through conversations and educational initiatives centered around sustainability.
• 2006: Leon County implements the wireline enhanced 9-1-1 service, “E911,” to obtain the 9-1-1 caller’s telephone number and address, better serving citizens during emergencies.
• 2006: County, City, and County Sheriff's Office commit to creating a joint dispatch center to coordinate all public safety services.
• 2005: The Capital Area Flood Warning Network system is completed and operational.
• 2005: Leon County implements the Private Dirt Road Repair Program, allowing citizens to pay the County to make repairs on their private roads, saving citizens money and generating revenue.
• 2005: Leon County adopts the Conservation Subdivision Ordinance and Greenways Master Plan that preserve environmental resources and open space in the County.
• May 19, 2005: Leon County and the City of Tallahassee jointly pen the groundbreaking Interlocal Agreement. This historic document outlines the roles and responsibilities of Leon County and the City in providing parks and recreation services, fire services, and water and sewer services.
• December 31, 2003: Leon County Government successfully transitions emergency medical services from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare to match the increased demand and provide improved response times and patient care to the community.
• September 6, 2000: The Leon County Board of County Commissioners and City Commission, during the joint County/City Commission meeting, opt to present the extension of the one-cent sales tax to Leon County voters on the General Election ballot on November 7, 2000. The voter-approved extension, in November 2000, prolonged the sales tax from December 1, 2004, to December 31, 2019, establishing the Blueprint 2000 program.

Key Community Initiatives:

• October 13, 2009: County establishes the first Citizen Charter Review Committee, which is charged with reviewing the County Charter and proposing any changes for the 2010 General Election.
• February 2009: Leon County welcomes ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to makeover a home for a family in need.
• 2008: The library purchases a new bookmobile and a book hauler for outreach services to seniors.
• 2008: County creates the Leon County Catastrophe Fund to provide residents assistance for damages caused as a result of a local declared state of emergency.
• 2008: County creates and implements the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) under the umbrella of VolunteerLEON. Organizations that participate in all phases of a disaster situation: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation will work together to streamline service delivery which will help to avoid volunteer groups self-deploying, and unnecessary duplication of relief efforts.
• August 2008: Tropical Storm Fay brings more than 20 inches of rain over several days to Leon County, Florida. The County Emergency Operations Center activates to coordinate response and recovery.
• 2007: Leon County adds free wireless internet at all County libraries for anyone from the public to access.
• 2006: Leon County launches first Have a Hurricane Plan disaster preparedness outreach campaign after witnessing Hurricane Katrina's devastation.
• 2005: County launches online job applications for job seekers.

• September 2005: County shelters 2,000 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. County also sends Leon County EMS personnel and Leon County Sheriff’s deputies to assist with recovery efforts.

Leon County Awards & Recognition:

• 2009: City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) – Silver Circle Award for 2008 Annual Report and Savvy Award for “Fruit of the Loop” public outreach campaign
• 2009: Florida Public Relations Association – Image Award for Best Public Relations Program in Public Service; Award of Distinction for “Fruit of the Loop” project; Grand All Image Award in conjunction with City of Tallahassee; Award of Distinction for 2008 Annual Report
• 2009: Rough Boys Garden Club – Bike Saint Award for advocating bicycle safety in the community
• 2009: Florida Planning & Zoning Association - Florida Planning & Zoning Association Award for Environmental Planning Excellence for new Comprehensive Plan policies for Wakulla Springs protection; Florida Planning and Zoning Association’s Outstanding Design Award for the Gaines Street Urban Design Guideline
• 2009: Government Finance Officers Association - Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
• 2009: Council of Neighborhood Associations’ Energy Challenge - Florida Sustainability Award
• 2009: Florida Animal Control Association - Outstanding Agency of the Year
• 2009: National Weather Service - StormReady Certification
• 2008: American Heart Association - Heart Ready Community Designation
• 2008: EMS Magazine - 2008 Gold Award for industry leadership and excellence in Emergency Medical Services
• 2008: Government Finance Officers Association - Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
• 2008: International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) - Award of Merit for the repairs and strengthening of the Leon County Courthouse Parking Garage
• 2008: Digital Counties Survey - Digital Counties Survey Award for technology use within the government highlighting operational efficiencies, transparency, and citizen engagement
• 2008: National Association of Counties - Achievement Award for The North Florida Pawn Network (NFPN)
• 2008: Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) - Special Achievement in GIS
• 2007: City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) - Award of Excellence for the HaveAHurricanePlan.com campaign.
• 2007: Florida Department of State - Exemplary Grant Program Designation for the “Let’s Read Together” literacy program
• 2007: American Heart Association - Heart Ready Community Designation
• 2007: Lake County Government - First Service Award for Volunteer Services’ role in establishing Volunteer Lake.
• 2007: National Policy Research Council - Grade “A” Web site for Counties in the 50,001 – 250,000 population range.
• 2007: National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials - Outstanding Accomplishments on the County’s Greenways and Environmental Lands.
• 2007: U.S Department of the Interior - National Recreation Trails Designation for the Miccosukee Canopy Road and J.R. Alford Greenway
• 2007: U.S. Amateur Softball Association - James Farrell ASA Award of Excellence
• 2006: American Heart Association - Heart Ready Community Designation; 2006 “Crown Community” for the Heart Ready project
• 2006: The Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects - Award of Merit in the category of Planning and Analysis for the Tharpe Street Corridor Study
• 2006: Government Finance Officers Association - Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
• 2006: Governor's Points of Light Award - Governor's Points of Light Award to VolunteerLEON's Youth Corps for their dedication to their community and civic engagement
• 2006: City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) - Savvy Awards for The Courier, employee newsletter, and the 2005 Annual Report
• 2006: Florida Public Relations Association - Grand Image Award for The Courier; Image Award for Internal Communications Plan, the 2005 Annual Report, and The Courier; Judge’s Award for Internal Communications Plan
• 2005: Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International - Convention and Visitors Bureau/Destinations Best Overall Website
• 2005: American Heart Association - Heart Ready Community Designation
• 2005: Animal Bite Prevention Program – Outstanding Agency
• 2005: Florida Forest Stewardship Program - Stewardship Forest Certification Award for work on the Miccosukee and Alfred Arms Greenway