Who Finances A Better South Walton?

A Better South Walton has a 2016 Budget of $102,000 for its project to incorporate South Walton. They decline to release the names donors of $500.00 or more to the project. They should not hide their supporters ! The voters of South Walton should know who's driving this movement.

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Agreed

Hopefully, they will be inspired to disclose this information given the WCTA's focus on this issue.

I thought sunshine laws applied to goverenment not private groups.

Has the WCTA taken a stance on the incorporation issue? If so, what is the stance and why?

I thought sunshine laws applied to goverenment not private groups.

I believe you are correct, but since they are proposing an additional layer of government, it would be nice to know who the significant supporters are. Transparency is a good thing IMO.

Has the WCTA taken a stance on the incorporation issue? If so, what is the stance and why?

Not at this time Bob. Two key pieces of the feasibility study have not been released.

We have written our analysis of their released data and hopefully they will release the balance soon.

We will release our analysis at the appropriate time.

I believe you are correct, but since they are proposing an additional layer of government, it would be nice to know who the significant supporters are. Transparency is a good thing IMO.

Are they required to do that ????

No but from the beginning they stated they would be totally transparent.

They are a 501c4 and must submit a 990 for their 2016 fiscal year.

We feel its VERY Important to know who is funding the 102,000 budget.

Sounds like you believe a conspiracy is afoot.

Never said that their was a conspiracy of any kind.

We believe in transparency !

Not at this time Bob. Two key pieces of the feasibility study have not been released.

We have written our analysis of their released data and hopefully they will release the balance soon.

We will release our analysis at the appropriate time.

Thank you

Let me say this as loud and clear as I can. The area they are attempting to incorporate is too large and not in many's interest including mine. As I have said on many occasions, let Seaside, Aly' Beach and Rosemary Beach incorporate if they wish, but leave Blue Mountain Beach out of it!!!

But then you will have a fubar mess like Destin where portions of the peninsula are unincorporated but share services with incorporated parts.

But then you will have a fubar mess like Destin where portions of the peninsula are unincorporated but share services with incorporated parts.

Such as?

Such as?

Such as? What parts are unincorporated?

I believe incorporating the entire area is best for the entire area. We are all in this South Walton town together. It really isn't what I want or prefer though. It's what makes sense for a growing town with each neighborhood community connected to the other.

I've given time but not money to A Better South Walton. Ready to help with dollars as well. Thanks for the reminder. I believe our town deserves excellent leadership and oversight. It's past time.

I believe incorporating the entire area is best for the entire area. We are all in this South Walton town together. It really isn't what I want or prefer though. It's what makes sense for a growing town with each neighborhood community connected to the other.

I've given time but not money to A Better South Walton. Ready to help with dollars as well. Thanks for the reminder. I believe our town deserves excellent leadership and oversight. It's past time.

I'm not one for more government...but it makes geographical sense. Especially considering the political and economic divide in Walton County.

Such as? What parts are unincorporated?

Such as, what services do they share that seems to concern you?

Such as, what services do they share that seems to concern you?

It's not a concern of mine as I'm no longer a property owner in Destin or Okaloosa County. I was just making the point.
Police, fire, and EMS are a few. Trash removal may also be included.
I believe the unincorperated areas also are serviced by Destin Water Users. They also share the post office.

Fire Department is an independent taxing district, although the sheriff dept is a service provided by the county, the City of Destin pays a contracted price to have more deputies located there. Trash is provided by a private company that charges the residents whether they live in the county or city. Destin Water Users is a private water company providing water and sewer for both the city and unincorporated areas. Just so you are aware SoWal has 3 private water companies that operate, the fire protection is also an independent taxing district, and EMS is also provided by SWFD. Garbage service is paid for by a 1 penny sales tax for the entire county with some caveats that I am not completely familar with. As for the post office, well not sure what that has to do with incorporated or unincorporated areas. Really not a whole lot of differences except we have a mosquito control district.

Thank you for the post Bob.
How about schools? And school board taxes?

Also a question?..,
If one lives in Kelly Plantation or Regatta Bay and calls for emergency service (sheriff or EMS or fire) do they not respond from Destin precincts? Or come from Ft Walton or Niceville?
[Not trying to begin a debate or controversy, just clarification]

Also a question?..,
If one lives in Kelly Plantation or Regatta Bay and calls for emergency service (sheriff or EMS or fire) do they not respond from Destin precincts? Or come from Ft Walton or Niceville?
[Not trying to begin a debate or controversy, just clarification]

I venture to guess from Destin. Incorporation will not change who runs the schools in SoWal. Okaloosa EMS responds the closest unit wherever they happen to be from. The unincorporated areas of Destin are serviced by the Destin Fire Control District which has 2 station one on Airport Rd and the other is located near Best Buy. Deputies will respond the closest unit no matter where they are.

I venture to guess from Destin. Incorporation will not change who runs the schools in SoWal. Okaloosa EMS responds the closest unit wherever they happen to be from. The unincorporated areas of Destin are serviced by the Destin Fire Control District which has 2 station one on Airport Rd and the other is located near Best Buy. Deputies will respond the closest unit no matter where they are.

Indeed.
Yet owners in the noted subdivisions don't pay the same level of property tax as those in the incorporated areas. And that's my point.
This also includes the Destin Commons and Paradise Key centers, the Mid Bay Marina. And portions of Emerald Bay.
That's a lot of tax base not staying in the incorporated City.

Big mistake IMO to carve out that portion of the peninsula from incorporation. And the same would apply to Blue Mountain Beach or other communities within the S. Walton geographic peninsula. Again IMO.

Indeed.
Yet owners in the noted subdivisions don't pay the same level of property tax as those in the incorporated areas. And that's my point.
This also includes the Destin Commons and Paradise Key centers, the Mid Bay Marina. And portions of Emerald Bay.
That's a lot of tax base not staying in the incorporated City.

Big mistake IMO to carve out that portion of the peninsula from incorporation. And the same would apply to Blue Mountain Beach or other communities within the S. Walton geographic peninsula. Again IMO.

That is incorrect. Those folks are not paying for city services but are paying for the services they receive, whether it is Fire, independent taxing district, EMS which is a county provided service, Sheriff office may be a little mixed up because of location, water and garbage is private as in electrical. If i wanted city services I could ask to be annexed. I live in the unincorporated area of freeport and the city really doesn't provide alot of service for the tax they pay. No fire, no ems, no police, no garbage. Water and Sewer is provided to me at a cost from the city. They provided city planning but I think county provides building inspections.

Does the incorporated area of Destin not start at the Okaloosa/Walton County line? That's what the sign says.