If something isn’t broken, don’t fix it — especially not behind closed doors.

That’s the message coming through in a new poll by The Tyson Group gauging public sentiment on a proposed shared services agreement between the North and South Broward Hospital districts.

The survey asked likely Broward County voters whether they approve or disapprove of the health care services currently available in the county. Nearly two-thirds (65%) say they approve, including 30% who strongly approve. Just 22% say they disapprove of Broward’s health services.

When asked whether the North and South Broward Hospital Districts should be allowed to change how they operate “without triggering the legal requirements, transparency, or voter approval normally required for a full merger,” nearly three-quarters of respondents (73%) said no, including 62% who said “definitely no.”  Only 16% say the Districts should be allowed.

The polling comes after Sarasota Republican Sen. Joe Gruters and Dania Beach Republican Rep. Hillary Cassel filed bills that would authorize two or more special hospital districts to jointly form, participate in, or control a wide range of collaborative health care ventures — including public or private, for-profit or nonprofit entities — anywhere within their combined boundaries.

Notably, the legislation would explicitly give the Districts and their partners immunity from state action, allowing them to collaborate regardless of anticompetitive effects or potential conflicts with state or federal antitrust laws.

When similar bills were filed last Session, critics warned that it amounted to a backdoor merger that would bypass public scrutiny, regulatory review and possibly a countywide referendum otherwise required under state law. Memorial Healthcare System employees, physicians and community advocates raised alarms about transparency, governance and the potential shifting of financial burdens from North Broward’s struggling Broward Health system onto South Broward taxpayers.

“Once voters understood that the shared services agreement would go into effect without public review or voter approval, it was impossible to generate support. Each message we tested reinforced the negative perception that the shared services agreement was a shady deal designed to circumvent quality control,” the polling memo reads.

Messaging tests in the survey included transparency, lack of a taxpayer vote, financial mismanagement, and consolidation of power — on each front, more than 60% of those polled express concern while no more than 10% are unbothered.

By the end of the poll, just 21% said they supported a shared services agreement, with 63% in opposition, including 47% who say they “strongly oppose” the deal.

The survey was conducted Dec. 8-10. The sample includes 500 likely voters in Broward County and carries a margin of error of 4.38 percentage points.

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Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics contributed to this report.

A third candidate has joined the race in Jacksonville City Council at-large Group 4 to replace term-limited Matt Carlucci.

“After thoughtful discussions and with the support of my family, I am excited to officially announce my candidacy,” Matt McCullough said in a statement announcing his bid.

McCullough, a former Navy pilot who flew during the global war on terror in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Active Endeavor, and has received two Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medals, a Meritorious Service Medal, and recognition as both Combat Aircrew of the Year and Pilot of the Year.

He currently is North Florida’s Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, and believes that his military background is a unique value-add as he enters politics.

“As a veteran, I know what leadership and delivering results looks like. Jacksonville deserves a city government that works to put our residents first, keeps our neighborhoods safe, and invests responsibly in our future,” McCullough said. “I’ve had the honor of wearing our nation’s uniform and lead under pressure. I am ready to bring that leadership to City Hall on day one and continue my service on the Jacksonville City Council.”

Carlucci has yet to endorse in this race between three Republicans, in which a real front-runner has yet to emerge.

April Ethridge, an Army vet with an MBA, has raised just $1,550 after being in the race for the better part of 2025.

Andrew McCann, who made his career in medical services before he “made the pivotal decision to step away from corporate life to focus on his family, personal growth, and the betterment of Jacksonville,” raised and self-funded $13,100 since entering the race at the end of October.

Qualifying runs from noon on Jan. 11, 2027, to noon on Jan. 15, 2027. The First Election is March 9, 2027, while the General Election, which sees the top two finishers square off regardless of party label unless someone gets a majority in March, is May 18.

Two weeks after announcing its first round of 2026 promotions, LSN Partners is following up with a couple more as it continues expanding its local, state and federal practices.

Round 2 includes the elevation of Nicole Gomez Goldmeier to Chief Growth Officer and Jackie Arboleda to Chief Marketing and Community Relations Officer.

Gomez Goldmeier previously held the COO title at LSN Partners. In her new role, she will drive revenue growth and business development for the firm with a focus on strengthening long-standing client relationships, advancing expansion into key markets driven by client demand, and supporting strategic engagement.

She will remain actively involved in the firm’s Republican Governors and Mayors practice, reinforcing LSN’s position as a trusted bipartisan adviser.

“Nicole understands our clients and the public-sector landscape in a way that few people do,” said Alex Heckler, founder and Managing Partner of LSN Partners. “She has played a central role in how we build relationships, identify opportunities, and position the firm for long-term success. This role formalizes the work she has already been leading.”

Arboleda, meanwhile, will oversee the firm’s marketing, communications, brand positioning and community engagement, ensuring that LSN’s messaging, events and external presence reflect the firm’s strategic priorities and client-focused initiatives.

LSN said she will continue serving as a leader within the firm’s health care practice while working directly with clients as a project manager, adding that her dual focus on marketing leadership and project management strengthens the firm’s ability to deliver results to clients across markets nationwide.

“Jackie has helped shape how clients experience and engage with LSN and how the firm is perceived in the market,” Heckler said. “Her understanding of our clients, our culture, and our mission allows her to deliver results at the highest level, whether in our healthcare practice or driving the firm’s communications strategy.”