Telephone Poll about sales tax, 331 toll bridge
Just recieved a call about taxes and toll for 331. It implied a $5 toll to pay for it and what a .01 cent sales tax would be used to pay for it amongst other things. Be prepared.
Replies
252
Beach FanaticAuthor
Also according to the news last night, Gov Scott has a bill on his desk that would make it easier to toll roads and bridges. He has in the past made statements about toll roads and private sector, it is also related due to the drop in taxes because of more fuel efficient cars according to the report.
Beach Fanatic
From WZEP Am1460
2[SUP]nd[/SUP] 331 Meeting
Those gas saving cars and higher gas prices resulting in less driving are one cause for the lack of money to build new roads. And design and building practices taking longer than they can do it in China could be another problem as far as one resident is concerned. These were two issues as the Walton Commissioners held their second public meeting on the 331 widening. Like the meeting in DeFuniak Springs, this one in southern Walton only had about 30 in attendance.
Commissioners were told by an FDOT representative that gas revenue is down. This is cited as one reason for the state requiring local participation on new projects. They were also told a toll and revenue analysis is being done. They are beginning the traffic study to determine what the toll amount would need to be to pay back the $75 million plus charges needed as Walton’s share of the 331 bridge project. The exact amount of a toll is not yet available, but they anticipate the numbers for the fall of this year. They will look at the traffic and its composition.
Commissioner Cecilia Jones said she would like to look at a reduced rate for the working people who travel south. She also talked about all residents. A frequency analysis could be done to provide a discount.
The commitment is, once the toll debt is collected, then it would be taken off. It will take about 4 years to build the bridge from design to completion. The state will be looking at the finance structure. They would match the revenues coming from the project to the financing. Commissioner Sara Commander asked if the County can ask to be able to pay off the bond earlier. This could be worked in. It was noted that tolling is not the answer for everything, but is one mechanism to pay for projects.
A resident, Mary Nelson, asked about our area having high tourist traffic and people who do not have Sunpasses. She asked, if they use the toll-by-plate program where a picture is taken of the vehicle and a bill sent, what is the collection rate. For all, including in state and out of state, the collection rate is about 6 out of 10. Soon the state will start using a collection agency and expects this rate to improve.
Walt Campbell, pastor South Walton First Baptist Church, said a toll will impact the faith community. He said people will not be able to attend if they pay all week to go to work. Campbell also pointed out they have no options if a toll can not be paid. He said they are at their mercy.
Kirby Rushing said he would rather a toll than a tax because he has never seen a government do away with a tax. At least one other talked about his preference to a tax, saying .50 on $100 in not much. He noted there is a $5000 cap on the tax and food and pharmacy is not taxed. Another resident said he was a retired engineer and asked why not widen the road and simply add a lane to the bridge that is there. He said the time to design and build is long and could be a problem with raising costs. He told commissioners China built a large airport from design to build in a few months and suggested we could do the same.
A vote will be held May 8[SUP]th[/SUP] to decide if residents want a half cent sales tax added. This would go to pay off the debt and would go away after the debt is settled. It would be the fastest way to pay the debt off. If the sales tax method is not used, then the commissioners can decide to use a toll on the new bridge only or find some other way to fund the needed $75 million. If they decide to do nothing, then the money will go to another bridge project in the state.
2[SUP]nd[/SUP] 331 Meeting
Those gas saving cars and higher gas prices resulting in less driving are one cause for the lack of money to build new roads. And design and building practices taking longer than they can do it in China could be another problem as far as one resident is concerned. These were two issues as the Walton Commissioners held their second public meeting on the 331 widening. Like the meeting in DeFuniak Springs, this one in southern Walton only had about 30 in attendance.
Commissioners were told by an FDOT representative that gas revenue is down. This is cited as one reason for the state requiring local participation on new projects. They were also told a toll and revenue analysis is being done. They are beginning the traffic study to determine what the toll amount would need to be to pay back the $75 million plus charges needed as Walton’s share of the 331 bridge project. The exact amount of a toll is not yet available, but they anticipate the numbers for the fall of this year. They will look at the traffic and its composition.
Commissioner Cecilia Jones said she would like to look at a reduced rate for the working people who travel south. She also talked about all residents. A frequency analysis could be done to provide a discount.
The commitment is, once the toll debt is collected, then it would be taken off. It will take about 4 years to build the bridge from design to completion. The state will be looking at the finance structure. They would match the revenues coming from the project to the financing. Commissioner Sara Commander asked if the County can ask to be able to pay off the bond earlier. This could be worked in. It was noted that tolling is not the answer for everything, but is one mechanism to pay for projects.
A resident, Mary Nelson, asked about our area having high tourist traffic and people who do not have Sunpasses. She asked, if they use the toll-by-plate program where a picture is taken of the vehicle and a bill sent, what is the collection rate. For all, including in state and out of state, the collection rate is about 6 out of 10. Soon the state will start using a collection agency and expects this rate to improve.
Walt Campbell, pastor South Walton First Baptist Church, said a toll will impact the faith community. He said people will not be able to attend if they pay all week to go to work. Campbell also pointed out they have no options if a toll can not be paid. He said they are at their mercy.
Kirby Rushing said he would rather a toll than a tax because he has never seen a government do away with a tax. At least one other talked about his preference to a tax, saying .50 on $100 in not much. He noted there is a $5000 cap on the tax and food and pharmacy is not taxed. Another resident said he was a retired engineer and asked why not widen the road and simply add a lane to the bridge that is there. He said the time to design and build is long and could be a problem with raising costs. He told commissioners China built a large airport from design to build in a few months and suggested we could do the same.
A vote will be held May 8[SUP]th[/SUP] to decide if residents want a half cent sales tax added. This would go to pay off the debt and would go away after the debt is settled. It would be the fastest way to pay the debt off. If the sales tax method is not used, then the commissioners can decide to use a toll on the new bridge only or find some other way to fund the needed $75 million. If they decide to do nothing, then the money will go to another bridge project in the state.
Beach Comber
i believe us walton county voters are in the classic catch-22. we turn down a sales tax for a new 331 bridge in the may 8th vote. with the tdc and sheriff supporting the measure, the county commission then approves a toll for its construction. pick your poison boys' and girls'.
Beach Fanatic
Andy A, I believe we may have another choice if we do not pass the tax. A choice that will take true grit from our community leaders and a very good attorney. This county has jumped through enough hoops to get the four lane road. The four lane road is needed for all of our safety. I want a new bridge as much as anyone but we just can not put it on the back of our service industry. The money for the road is there. I believe that a good attorney will find sufficient legal grounds to prevent FDOT from pulling money from this county to widen the road because we can not afford the bridge at this time. FDOT already owns most of the land needed if not all. WTHeck is stopping them from widening this road? Answer: A bridge with the Governor's name or one of his sponsers name on it.
Listen a toll method that collects tolls at 60% capacity is ridiculous. How much money will we spend trying to collect the other 40%? A toll booth will completely disrupt traffic and driving patterns. The toll is such a bad idea that I can not believe that anyone living and working in this county could support it. I am not sure my business and others North of the bridge would survive but that is not what is motivating my opinion. I believe FDOT is abusing their power to decide what roads get built and which ones don't and why. This abuse of power will increase and eventually (maybe us) people will start giving some heat to the seat.
I am not offended by your gamesmanship but I think it is unneccesary. I would rather find a way to pass the tax rather than score a goal for the toll...
Listen a toll method that collects tolls at 60% capacity is ridiculous. How much money will we spend trying to collect the other 40%? A toll booth will completely disrupt traffic and driving patterns. The toll is such a bad idea that I can not believe that anyone living and working in this county could support it. I am not sure my business and others North of the bridge would survive but that is not what is motivating my opinion. I believe FDOT is abusing their power to decide what roads get built and which ones don't and why. This abuse of power will increase and eventually (maybe us) people will start giving some heat to the seat.
I am not offended by your gamesmanship but I think it is unneccesary. I would rather find a way to pass the tax rather than score a goal for the toll...
Beach Fanatic
i believe us walton county voters are in the classic catch-22. we turn down a sales tax for a new 331 bridge in the may 8th vote. with the tdc and sheriff supporting the measure, the county commission then approves a toll for its construction. pick your poison boys' and girls'.You're exaactly right but the BCC, Chamber, and most every biz owner in Walco want the bridge. A lot of ordinary people also. So catch 22 it is.
Beach Fanatic
A choice that will take true grit from our community leaders and a very good attorney.Some of us live in Walton and some of us live in fantasy land. Bats will fly out of my ass first. lol
Beach FanaticAuthor
You know, I have yet to see a poll about the tax or toll issue, WCTA says that a majority of their members oppose the tax, ok. The final determination will be done May 8th when the ballot is cast and counted. I will be voting yes to the tax.
Beach Fanatic
I will agree with you about fantasy land but maybe a little differently. If we do not pass the tax and BCC gives the go ahead on the toll and you believe that there will not be a negative economic impact on people and businesses in Walton County then yes we are both living in fantasy land. In the mean time I am going to try to get that image out of my mind. LOL
The bridge will not bring more people to South Walton County so I see no positive economic impact except for maybe a few years of bridge builders buying food, drink and rentals. I have never heard of a tourist planning a trip dependent on a bridge. Around the summer holidays when everyone is entering or exiting Walton County at the same time there is going to be traffic jams no matter how many lanes you have.
How many more people do we need in South Walton? 1000. 10,000. 100,000. 1,000,000. 30-A, 98 and scenic hwy 98 is already clogged with people. I think we are all living in some fantasy land so why don't we put a sign on the new bridge that reads, "Welcome to Fantasy Island"...
The bridge will not bring more people to South Walton County so I see no positive economic impact except for maybe a few years of bridge builders buying food, drink and rentals. I have never heard of a tourist planning a trip dependent on a bridge. Around the summer holidays when everyone is entering or exiting Walton County at the same time there is going to be traffic jams no matter how many lanes you have.
How many more people do we need in South Walton? 1000. 10,000. 100,000. 1,000,000. 30-A, 98 and scenic hwy 98 is already clogged with people. I think we are all living in some fantasy land so why don't we put a sign on the new bridge that reads, "Welcome to Fantasy Island"...
Beach Fanatic
Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to determine whether to approve a half-cent increase to Walton County’s sales tax to fund a second two-lane bridge on Highway 331 over the Choctawhatchee Bay.
If the referendum is not approved, county commissioners could decide to use a toll to pay for a second two-lane bridge on Highway 331 over the Choctawhatchee Bay.
The tax increase would cease once the bridge was paid off.
The Florida Department of Transportation has asked the county to provide $75 million, as partial payment to build the bridge.
In exchange, the state has offered $102 million for the bridge and agreed to complete within five years the project to widen 331 from U.S. Highway 98 to Interstate 10, a high priority for the county for decades.
If the county doesn’t provide the funds through the tax or toll, DOT officials said the funds will go to another part of the state.
U.S. 331 is the only north-south route through Walton County. Some portions have already been widened, but sections remain unfinished.
County Administrator Greg Kisela estimated the total value of the project between $400 and $450 million, including the local contribution.
However, the state has not released its own estimates of the costs of widening the rest of the road, said DOT spokesperson Ian Satter.
“There’s no way to know that at this point until we can actually determine the rest of the areas that need to be widened and figure out the costs, that includes construction, right of way, engineering and design,” he said. “I don’t think we have a number for that yet.”
Satter said regardless of the cost, DOT Secretary Ananth Prasad did promise to complete the widening project if the county provides the $75 million.
“If the county does come to some sort of agreement whether it’s a tax or toll for the bridge, the Secretary will honor that commitment,” Satter said.
1,328 votes had been cast through early voting and absentee ballots by Saturday night, the final day to vote before Tuesday’s election.
517 people voted in the north part of the county and 811 in the south.
Walton County Supervisor of Elections Bobby Beasley said turnout was low, but that special elections don’t typically draw a big crowd in early voting or absentee ballots. He expects more voters to show up on election day.
Beasley said he thinks voters are having a tough time making a decision on the referendum.
“You wonder if it doesn’t pass whether they will toll the bridge or they won’t toll the bridge, it’s not clear, so it’s kind of confusing to the voters I think,” he said.
He said voters may be holding off until Tuesday to learn more about the issue.
“That might be why, but it’s hard to say,” he said. “There might not be that much interest in it. We’ll find out Tuesday about 7:30 how the people felt about it.”
Residents have been weighing the tax and toll options for months.
The tax keeps control locally, while the toll hands it over to the state.
The tax affects everyone who purchases taxable goods in the county. (Groceries, some toiletries and medical items are exempt.) The toll would be paid by only drivers who use the bridge.
The half-cent sales tax increase would cost $100 for someone who spends $20,000 on taxable goods in a year, according to an informational report by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. It would raise Walton County’s sales tax rate to 7.5 cents, the highest rate in the state. Neighboring Okaloosa is at 6 cents and Bay at 6.5.
DOT has estimated a $2 toll for the road, although officials said they won’t have exact toll amounts or any possible discounts for locals until long after Tuesday’s vote. At $2, daily commuters could spend about $500 a year crossing the bridge.
Kisela and some county commissioners have said the project is an opportunity the county can’t pass up.
Kisela said the bridge will be a boon for economic development, both by drawing new businesses to the area and by having the hundreds of millions of state dollars spent in the county while construction is taking place.
Commissioner Cecilia Jones said the widened road will improve safety on U.S. 331. At least 34 people have died in traffic crashes along the road over the last ten years.
Other people, such as members of the Walton County Taxpayers Association, have said they don’t think the project is a good idea at all and that Walton County shouldn’t go into debt in tough economic times.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
If the referendum is not approved, county commissioners could decide to use a toll to pay for a second two-lane bridge on Highway 331 over the Choctawhatchee Bay.
The tax increase would cease once the bridge was paid off.
The Florida Department of Transportation has asked the county to provide $75 million, as partial payment to build the bridge.
In exchange, the state has offered $102 million for the bridge and agreed to complete within five years the project to widen 331 from U.S. Highway 98 to Interstate 10, a high priority for the county for decades.
If the county doesn’t provide the funds through the tax or toll, DOT officials said the funds will go to another part of the state.
U.S. 331 is the only north-south route through Walton County. Some portions have already been widened, but sections remain unfinished.
County Administrator Greg Kisela estimated the total value of the project between $400 and $450 million, including the local contribution.
However, the state has not released its own estimates of the costs of widening the rest of the road, said DOT spokesperson Ian Satter.
“There’s no way to know that at this point until we can actually determine the rest of the areas that need to be widened and figure out the costs, that includes construction, right of way, engineering and design,” he said. “I don’t think we have a number for that yet.”
Satter said regardless of the cost, DOT Secretary Ananth Prasad did promise to complete the widening project if the county provides the $75 million.
“If the county does come to some sort of agreement whether it’s a tax or toll for the bridge, the Secretary will honor that commitment,” Satter said.
1,328 votes had been cast through early voting and absentee ballots by Saturday night, the final day to vote before Tuesday’s election.
517 people voted in the north part of the county and 811 in the south.
Walton County Supervisor of Elections Bobby Beasley said turnout was low, but that special elections don’t typically draw a big crowd in early voting or absentee ballots. He expects more voters to show up on election day.
Beasley said he thinks voters are having a tough time making a decision on the referendum.
“You wonder if it doesn’t pass whether they will toll the bridge or they won’t toll the bridge, it’s not clear, so it’s kind of confusing to the voters I think,” he said.
He said voters may be holding off until Tuesday to learn more about the issue.
“That might be why, but it’s hard to say,” he said. “There might not be that much interest in it. We’ll find out Tuesday about 7:30 how the people felt about it.”
Residents have been weighing the tax and toll options for months.
The tax keeps control locally, while the toll hands it over to the state.
The tax affects everyone who purchases taxable goods in the county. (Groceries, some toiletries and medical items are exempt.) The toll would be paid by only drivers who use the bridge.
The half-cent sales tax increase would cost $100 for someone who spends $20,000 on taxable goods in a year, according to an informational report by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. It would raise Walton County’s sales tax rate to 7.5 cents, the highest rate in the state. Neighboring Okaloosa is at 6 cents and Bay at 6.5.
DOT has estimated a $2 toll for the road, although officials said they won’t have exact toll amounts or any possible discounts for locals until long after Tuesday’s vote. At $2, daily commuters could spend about $500 a year crossing the bridge.
Kisela and some county commissioners have said the project is an opportunity the county can’t pass up.
Kisela said the bridge will be a boon for economic development, both by drawing new businesses to the area and by having the hundreds of millions of state dollars spent in the county while construction is taking place.
Commissioner Cecilia Jones said the widened road will improve safety on U.S. 331. At least 34 people have died in traffic crashes along the road over the last ten years.
Other people, such as members of the Walton County Taxpayers Association, have said they don’t think the project is a good idea at all and that Walton County shouldn’t go into debt in tough economic times.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Beach FanaticAuthor
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[TD="class: RightGraphTextColor, bgcolor: #EFF3FB, align: right"]3,586[/TD]
[TD="class: RightGraphTextColor, bgcolor: #EFF3FB, align: right"](58.61%)[/TD]
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[TD="class: GraphText"]AGAINST[/TD]
[TD="class: RightGraphText, align: right"]2,532[/TD]
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20 of 21 with absentee and early voting counted
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[TD="class: RightGraphText, align: right"]2,532[/TD]
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20 of 21 with absentee and early voting counted
Beach Fanatic
Thank you for this update. This is a big day for Walton County!
Beach FanaticAuthor
It was definitely a surprise. it appears it won by 1078 votes if I did the math right. Poor voter turnout though.
Beach Fanatic
Your results chart lowered my blood pressure by 15 points 
Beach Fanatic
In what was a surprise to some, the voters decided to add the half cent sales tax to Walton County to help pay for the U.S. 331 second bridge. The vote was for the tax or against adding the tax. If the tax did not pass, the Walton Commissioners could have agreed to let the FDOT toll the new bridge. The tax will go away once the loan is paid off.
As all 21 precincts came in, 58.64% voted for adding the half cent sales tax. A little over 6000 voted in the special referendum. There was some advertising, usually by private citizens asking voters to vote against the tax and not support a toll. A group was formed to help promote the tax and paid for advertisement, including a billboard along 331.
Now that the tax is approved, the expected revenue can be used to finance a loan to pay Walton share of the $75 million request by the Florida Department of Transportation. The FDOT says a commitment from Walton to build the second bridge would also bring money to widen U.S. 331 all the way to I-10 with a promise to have it done by 2017.
Walton has been seeking help for 50 years and has watched surrounding counties get roads widened with no local financial support. A toll was questioned by some due to concerns about workers and students who must travel the only practical route to south of the bay. Others feel a second bridge is not needed, even with evacuation concerns, and questioned why Walton has to pay for needed road work the state does for others.
As all 21 precincts came in, 58.64% voted for adding the half cent sales tax. A little over 6000 voted in the special referendum. There was some advertising, usually by private citizens asking voters to vote against the tax and not support a toll. A group was formed to help promote the tax and paid for advertisement, including a billboard along 331.
Now that the tax is approved, the expected revenue can be used to finance a loan to pay Walton share of the $75 million request by the Florida Department of Transportation. The FDOT says a commitment from Walton to build the second bridge would also bring money to widen U.S. 331 all the way to I-10 with a promise to have it done by 2017.
Walton has been seeking help for 50 years and has watched surrounding counties get roads widened with no local financial support. A toll was questioned by some due to concerns about workers and students who must travel the only practical route to south of the bay. Others feel a second bridge is not needed, even with evacuation concerns, and questioned why Walton has to pay for needed road work the state does for others.
Admin
This is a major change to causeway design.
From WZEP:
331 Bridge, Walton Could See Refund
Walton County could see money returned and the loan for the county’s share of the 331 bridge project could be paid off quicker. This means the half cent sales tax could go away sooner. The design build second bridge should have the contract agreement announcement on June 25.
If the Florida Department of Transportation finds cost savings with the bid for the project, money should be returned. Ian Satter, Public Information Officer for the FDOT says District Three has always said they would look for cost savings and return any money not needed back to the county. This would be applied to the loan.
Walton was asked to contribute $75 million to the bridge project. The commissioners faced a choice of not providing the money, allowing a toll or finding a way to pay the amount. After a public vote, a half cent sales tax was added to pay the $75 million loan plus fees. The loan agreement allows for early payback. The exact time can not be set due to the unknown economic factors with sales and how much tax will be brought in each year. The expectation is the payback would be 8 to 15 years. If money is returned, the payback time would be shortened.
The FDOT has reduced the construction costs by using a causeway design. This means a shore to shore bridge is no longer required. The park and boat ramps will be rebuilt. The second bridge will go on the east side, the side where a previous bridge was. The design build allows for the project to move faster since some of the design aspects can be completed while construction starts.
From WZEP:
331 Bridge, Walton Could See Refund
Walton County could see money returned and the loan for the county’s share of the 331 bridge project could be paid off quicker. This means the half cent sales tax could go away sooner. The design build second bridge should have the contract agreement announcement on June 25.
If the Florida Department of Transportation finds cost savings with the bid for the project, money should be returned. Ian Satter, Public Information Officer for the FDOT says District Three has always said they would look for cost savings and return any money not needed back to the county. This would be applied to the loan.
Walton was asked to contribute $75 million to the bridge project. The commissioners faced a choice of not providing the money, allowing a toll or finding a way to pay the amount. After a public vote, a half cent sales tax was added to pay the $75 million loan plus fees. The loan agreement allows for early payback. The exact time can not be set due to the unknown economic factors with sales and how much tax will be brought in each year. The expectation is the payback would be 8 to 15 years. If money is returned, the payback time would be shortened.
The FDOT has reduced the construction costs by using a causeway design. This means a shore to shore bridge is no longer required. The park and boat ramps will be rebuilt. The second bridge will go on the east side, the side where a previous bridge was. The design build allows for the project to move faster since some of the design aspects can be completed while construction starts.
Beach Fanatic
That's good news - I guess since there is already a causeway there then they decided another wasn't going to matter.
Beach Fanatic
That's good news - I guess since there is already a causeway there then they decided another wasn't going to matter.
I believe they are going to use the existing causeway for the new bridge.
Beach Fanatic
I believe they are going to use the existing causeway for the new bridge.
Is there room? Seems like it would at least need to be expanded. Also elevated to prevent wash over.
Beach Fanatic
Is there room? Seems like it would at least need to be expanded. Also elevated to prevent wash over.
I know the discussion at some of the county commission meetings was that all or almost all of the existing causeway would be used with the new construction, so the park would have to go under the bridge, no longer room for it to the side. They are supposed to award a contract on June 25 to one of the bidders to design and build the project, so we should know more about the configuration then. Maybe someone else knows more, though.
Beach Fanatic
I know the discussion at some of the county commission meetings was that all or almost all of the existing causeway would be used with the new construction, so the park would have to go under the bridge, no longer room for it to the side. They are supposed to award a contract on June 25 to one of the bidders to design and build the project, so we should know more about the configuration then. Maybe someone else knows more, though.
Thanks so much! Any talk of increasing the height?
Beach Fanatic
Have not heard anything, but as I said we do not know the final design yet. More height sounds like a good idea to reduce the chance of flooding.
Admin
As reported by WZEP AM 1460:
Walton To Get $50 Million Back
Florida Department of Transportation District 3 Secretary Barfield came to Walton with some good news, money. With bids for the new second Clyde B. Wells bridge coming in lower than expected, the savings will be passed back to Walton and that means the recently added half cent sales tax will go away quicker.
Barfield told commissioners he was excited to present the results of the second bridge with a low bid of just under $119m. They expect to start proceeding in August. The hope is to have the bridge built by the end of summer 2016. Barfield said this depends on weather. The second bridge is a design build project. Barfield said they do not have a design yet and they expect changes to the project. Money is being held back for any unanticipated needs.
The amount of contribution from Walton changed from $75m to $25m. Barfield said his goal is to give all the bid savings to Walton County. He said they were very comfortable in releasing the $50m. Commissioner Comander thanked him, saying she had been involved in the project since 1975. Commissioner Imfeld also thanked the FDOT for following through with their promise to return any savings. The $50 million should come back within 30 days. He told the commissioner she might have it hand delivered. The cost the half cent sales tax is paying for is not just the money for the bridge, but also the fees and interest. The ordinance creating the additional half cent sales tax requires the money to only be used for the county’s share of the project and the tax has to be removed when the loan is paid off.
Walton To Get $50 Million Back
Florida Department of Transportation District 3 Secretary Barfield came to Walton with some good news, money. With bids for the new second Clyde B. Wells bridge coming in lower than expected, the savings will be passed back to Walton and that means the recently added half cent sales tax will go away quicker.
Barfield told commissioners he was excited to present the results of the second bridge with a low bid of just under $119m. They expect to start proceeding in August. The hope is to have the bridge built by the end of summer 2016. Barfield said this depends on weather. The second bridge is a design build project. Barfield said they do not have a design yet and they expect changes to the project. Money is being held back for any unanticipated needs.
The amount of contribution from Walton changed from $75m to $25m. Barfield said his goal is to give all the bid savings to Walton County. He said they were very comfortable in releasing the $50m. Commissioner Comander thanked him, saying she had been involved in the project since 1975. Commissioner Imfeld also thanked the FDOT for following through with their promise to return any savings. The $50 million should come back within 30 days. He told the commissioner she might have it hand delivered. The cost the half cent sales tax is paying for is not just the money for the bridge, but also the fees and interest. The ordinance creating the additional half cent sales tax requires the money to only be used for the county’s share of the project and the tax has to be removed when the loan is paid off.
Admin
Meanwhile - there is a public meeting coming up about the 4-laning of 331 between Defuniak Springs and the Alabama border.
Beach FanaticAuthor
They also said another $7 million may be returned after contracts are signed. As for building to the Alabama line, 1 I would hope that a funding source would be found before hand and a better cost estimate would be had before we end up doing this again. I think it would be great to widen it just not sure I would appreciate the way this one was done and I supported the bridge and tax over the toll.
beats on hood
Meanwhile - there is a public meeting coming up about the 4-laning of 331 between Defuniak Springs and the Alabama border.And then what happens after you cross into Alabama? Is there a plan to 4-lane 331 in Alabama to hit the new Montgomery bypass that is under construction? I guess that is Alabama's bidness.
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