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
252Beach Comber
If i had to pay a toll to cross the bridge, I'd probably never go to the south end again. I bet the Mid Bay bridge has already paid for itself at least two fold...I don't know.
Beach Fanatic
A Walton County committee concluded Thursday that voters should decide how, or if, they should come up with $75 million to help pay for a new southbound bridge over Choctawhatchee Bay.
“The largest public works project in the history of this county needs to go before the voters,” concluded Sheriff Mike Adkinson, a member of the U.S. Highway 331 Blue Ribbon Task Force.
The five-member task force voted unanimously to ask the County Commission to hold a referendum for voters to decide whether they support a bump in the local sales tax.
Revenue from the sales tax would be used to provide the $75 million the Florida Department of Transportation says the county must come up with before the DOT puts up $177 million of its own money.
All the money would be needed to pay for the second bridge.
A referendum must be held by May 31 because the DOT has said if the county hasn’t found matching funds by then the $177 million would be used for something else.
The state had offered to make the bridge a toll road and use the revenue to pay it off over 30 years. If voters reject the sales tax hike, the county still could opt for a toll.
No one who attended Thursday’s task force meeting favored a toll.
But Adkinson said he knew he would recommend a referendum 15 minutes before he even joined the committee.
“If you’re going to spend taxpayer money you don’t have, you’ve got to take your case to the boss,” he said.
“The largest public works project in the history of this county needs to go before the voters,” concluded Sheriff Mike Adkinson, a member of the U.S. Highway 331 Blue Ribbon Task Force.
The five-member task force voted unanimously to ask the County Commission to hold a referendum for voters to decide whether they support a bump in the local sales tax.
Revenue from the sales tax would be used to provide the $75 million the Florida Department of Transportation says the county must come up with before the DOT puts up $177 million of its own money.
All the money would be needed to pay for the second bridge.
A referendum must be held by May 31 because the DOT has said if the county hasn’t found matching funds by then the $177 million would be used for something else.
The state had offered to make the bridge a toll road and use the revenue to pay it off over 30 years. If voters reject the sales tax hike, the county still could opt for a toll.
No one who attended Thursday’s task force meeting favored a toll.
But Adkinson said he knew he would recommend a referendum 15 minutes before he even joined the committee.
“If you’re going to spend taxpayer money you don’t have, you’ve got to take your case to the boss,” he said.
Admin
http://defuniakherald.com/?p=4719
By DOTTY NIST
“I don’t really want a toll and I don’t want to be taxed, either,” one local resident told the Highway 331 Task Force at its Jan. 11 public workshop at the South Walton Courthouse Annex, which was attended by over 50 people.
This was a sentiment to which almost everyone could relate, including the members of this task force appointed to evaluate options for the $75 million local match that is being required from Walton County in order for the four-laning of the U.S. 331 bay bridge to become a reality. Those options include a 1-percent sales tax increase and the placement of a 30-year toll on the new bridge span to be constructed.
Like the majority of those in attendance, the resident, who crosses the bridge to work on the beach, was convinced of the need for expanding the bridge and was opposed to a toll.
“I am totally against tolls,” he said, adding that he did not favor any fee that would carry forward to his children. “I will pay the tax if I have to,” he concluded.
He was one of two dozen citizens to address the members of the county-commission-appointed task force at the two-hour public workshop in Santa Rosa Beach. The majority of the speakers stated either that they strongly supported or would favor the 1-percent sales tax option.
Just one speaker spoke favorably about the toll option, giving the reason that it would be unlikely for the sales tax increase to ever be discontinued once approved. He reasoned that the county could impose the toll and stop it when the $75 million in matching funds had been collected. A business owner, he further suggested that businesses could reimburse their employees for the tolls they had paid getting to work.
However, when advised that it would be the state and not the county imposing the toll, as the county has no tolling authority, the speaker changed his mind, saying, “Well, I guess we need a tax, then,”
Regarding a toll, it was also discussed that, with this option, there would be no toll booths and that all tolling would be electronic, with the use of a photographic technology. The technology would provide for people from out of the area to receive bills in the mail for their tolls as a result of their license tags having being photographed as they crossed the bridge. The toll fee has been estimated at $2 to $3, to be collected on the new southbound span only, not on the existing bridge section, which would remain in place to carry northbound traffic.
Of, those expressing support for a sales tax increase, some said they would favor a tax increase of less than a whole percent. Walton County Finance Director William Imfeld has estimated that it would be possible to pay off the $75 million in 10 years or less with a one-percent tax increase—and in approximately twice that time with a half-percent increase.
Some attendees expressed concern that a 1-percent sales tax increase would put Walton County’s sales tax at 8 percent, the highest in the state. However, several Florida counties currently have a tax rate as high as 7.50 percent.
An analysis by the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development revealed that approximately 43 percent of the tax increase would be paid by residents and approximately 57 percent by tourists—and that growth in the tourist industry would result in tourists paying an even greater percent of the sales tax.
A citizen referendum would be required to increase the sales tax, and a decision by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) would be required in order for the state to put a toll in place. With either method of funding for the $75 million match being approved, the state has agreed to bid out the $179 million project this year on a design-build basis, with design to start this year and take approximately 12 months. Construction is envisioned to take 18 months to complete….
Read the full story in the Jan. 19, 2012 edition of the Herald Breeze.
By DOTTY NIST
“I don’t really want a toll and I don’t want to be taxed, either,” one local resident told the Highway 331 Task Force at its Jan. 11 public workshop at the South Walton Courthouse Annex, which was attended by over 50 people.
This was a sentiment to which almost everyone could relate, including the members of this task force appointed to evaluate options for the $75 million local match that is being required from Walton County in order for the four-laning of the U.S. 331 bay bridge to become a reality. Those options include a 1-percent sales tax increase and the placement of a 30-year toll on the new bridge span to be constructed.
Like the majority of those in attendance, the resident, who crosses the bridge to work on the beach, was convinced of the need for expanding the bridge and was opposed to a toll.
“I am totally against tolls,” he said, adding that he did not favor any fee that would carry forward to his children. “I will pay the tax if I have to,” he concluded.
He was one of two dozen citizens to address the members of the county-commission-appointed task force at the two-hour public workshop in Santa Rosa Beach. The majority of the speakers stated either that they strongly supported or would favor the 1-percent sales tax option.
Just one speaker spoke favorably about the toll option, giving the reason that it would be unlikely for the sales tax increase to ever be discontinued once approved. He reasoned that the county could impose the toll and stop it when the $75 million in matching funds had been collected. A business owner, he further suggested that businesses could reimburse their employees for the tolls they had paid getting to work.
However, when advised that it would be the state and not the county imposing the toll, as the county has no tolling authority, the speaker changed his mind, saying, “Well, I guess we need a tax, then,”
Regarding a toll, it was also discussed that, with this option, there would be no toll booths and that all tolling would be electronic, with the use of a photographic technology. The technology would provide for people from out of the area to receive bills in the mail for their tolls as a result of their license tags having being photographed as they crossed the bridge. The toll fee has been estimated at $2 to $3, to be collected on the new southbound span only, not on the existing bridge section, which would remain in place to carry northbound traffic.
Of, those expressing support for a sales tax increase, some said they would favor a tax increase of less than a whole percent. Walton County Finance Director William Imfeld has estimated that it would be possible to pay off the $75 million in 10 years or less with a one-percent tax increase—and in approximately twice that time with a half-percent increase.
Some attendees expressed concern that a 1-percent sales tax increase would put Walton County’s sales tax at 8 percent, the highest in the state. However, several Florida counties currently have a tax rate as high as 7.50 percent.
An analysis by the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development revealed that approximately 43 percent of the tax increase would be paid by residents and approximately 57 percent by tourists—and that growth in the tourist industry would result in tourists paying an even greater percent of the sales tax.
A citizen referendum would be required to increase the sales tax, and a decision by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) would be required in order for the state to put a toll in place. With either method of funding for the $75 million match being approved, the state has agreed to bid out the $179 million project this year on a design-build basis, with design to start this year and take approximately 12 months. Construction is envisioned to take 18 months to complete….
Read the full story in the Jan. 19, 2012 edition of the Herald Breeze.
Beach Fanatic
Don't we lose money if we have to mail out something for every toll? Between envelopes, labor, buying and maintaining the equipment, and stamps, it sounds like we'd net 25 cents for every $2 toll.
Have also heard that a 1% sales tax would bring in twice as much as needed for the bridge ................. and that they already have plans for that money so the tax would never go away.
Have also heard that a 1% sales tax would bring in twice as much as needed for the bridge ................. and that they already have plans for that money so the tax would never go away.
Beach Fanatic
It would be nice to have a new bridge and it would help for evacuations. But it is obvious Walton County can't afford it and neither can the state if they are pushing it onto the citizens. I see a couple of alternatives. Make tourism pay, because if there are no tourists then there is no evacuation issue. Or come up with an evacuation plan that works with one bridge when the rentals are full. The only way to do that is mandatory evacuation for all very early. I doubt anyone wants that or it might not even be feasible.
So let's create a bed tax that is in addition to the current one that we can use to pay for a bridge, and maybe other infrastructure while we're at it. Separate TDC duties of marketing from things like walkover repair and beach maintenance. Repeal the current tax and create a new one to fix it and think long term.
We know a lot more now than we did then.
So let's create a bed tax that is in addition to the current one that we can use to pay for a bridge, and maybe other infrastructure while we're at it. Separate TDC duties of marketing from things like walkover repair and beach maintenance. Repeal the current tax and create a new one to fix it and think long term.
We know a lot more now than we did then.
Banned
It would be nice to have a new bridge and it would help for evacuations. But it is obvious Walton County can't afford it and neither can the state if they are pushing it onto the citizens. I see a couple of alternatives. Make tourism pay, because if there are no tourists then there is no evacuation issue. Or come up with an evacuation plan that works with one bridge when the rentals are full. The only way to do that is mandatory evacuation for all very early. I doubt anyone wants that or it might not even be feasible.
So let's create a bed tax that is in addition to the current one that we can use to pay for a bridge, and maybe other infrastructure while we're at it. Separate TDC duties of marketing from things like walkover repair and beach maintenance. Repeal the current tax and create a new one to fix it and think long term.
We know a lot more now than we did then.
Mandatory evacuations are a joke. You can NOT force someone out of their home.
Beach Fanatic
Mandatory evacuations are a joke. You can NOT force someone out of their home.
No need to force. If some idiots don't leave that's on their head. Most people in SoWal have sense and will leave. Most tourists want to get back home when bad weather is coming. Some idiots want to stay to see what a real storm is like and need a gentle push.
Beach Fanatic
Noone has ever forced me to evacuate. I have never regretted evacuating either.
Beach Comber
bobob
bobob:
You are the man or (woman) as the case may be. Your brief solution to the problem makes sense. Let the tourists pay their share of the cost of the new bridge or let's come up with an alternative plan of evacuation. It's not rocket science (play on words).
Rock on,
Rocketman
bobob:
You are the man or (woman) as the case may be. Your brief solution to the problem makes sense. Let the tourists pay their share of the cost of the new bridge or let's come up with an alternative plan of evacuation. It's not rocket science (play on words).
Rock on,
Rocketman
SoWal Insider
I cannot believe that, all of the sudden, there is this looming deadline that the state will take away its $175 M dollars, if we do not come up with $75M dollars. It seems like blackmail to me. Why in the world are we paying incredible sums of money, including BP money, for advertising, when studies have shown that 90% of the tourists visiting our beaches are return customers! The TDC needs to gets it's head out of the "clouds" and put forth a great deal of the money it seems to love to squander on advertisement into infrastructure. If you build it, they will come.
Beach Fanatic
#1121
WCTA Issues Position On 331 Bridge Issue
View attachment 26395
Taxpayer Group To Commissioners “No Tax and No Toll”
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, 1/24/2012 - The Walton County Taxpayers Board of Directors has carefully considered the funding proposal for the 331 Bridge Project that is being submitted to the County Commissioners. The WCTA cannot support either option- raising the sales tax or implementing a toll on the bridge.
The case has not been adequately made that the proposed burden to be placed on local taxpayers is offset by the value gained by the bridge, especially since our neighbors in Bay County have recently had a new state highway bridge fully funded by the State of Florida with no such request of those neighbors.
However,WCTA wholeheartedly supports the County Commissioners working at the State level on behalf of the local taxpayer. WCTA supports exhaustive efforts being made to ensure that the State is investing FULLY in the needs of Walton County.
WCTA represents 2789 property owners in Walton County and WCTA will actively educate its members and the voters of Walton County on this issue.
To reiterate, as it relates to The Bridge proposal, the WCTA position is clear "No Tax and No Toll".
View attachment 26395
Taxpayer Group To Commissioners “No Tax and No Toll”
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, 1/24/2012 - The Walton County Taxpayers Board of Directors has carefully considered the funding proposal for the 331 Bridge Project that is being submitted to the County Commissioners. The WCTA cannot support either option- raising the sales tax or implementing a toll on the bridge.
The case has not been adequately made that the proposed burden to be placed on local taxpayers is offset by the value gained by the bridge, especially since our neighbors in Bay County have recently had a new state highway bridge fully funded by the State of Florida with no such request of those neighbors.
However,WCTA wholeheartedly supports the County Commissioners working at the State level on behalf of the local taxpayer. WCTA supports exhaustive efforts being made to ensure that the State is investing FULLY in the needs of Walton County.
WCTA represents 2789 property owners in Walton County and WCTA will actively educate its members and the voters of Walton County on this issue.
To reiterate, as it relates to The Bridge proposal, the WCTA position is clear "No Tax and No Toll".
SoWal Expert
Bob, what did Bay County do differently to receive their funding? Are the commissioners not being as effective at the state level?
Beach Comber
Thank You!
For the record, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Why do the folks to our East receive infrastructure improvements without tolls/sales tax increases? Anyyywaaaaayyy, keep up the good work!
Rock on,
Rocketman
For the record, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Why do the folks to our East receive infrastructure improvements without tolls/sales tax increases? Anyyywaaaaayyy, keep up the good work!
Rock on,
Rocketman
Beach Fanatic
In my opinion that is true. It also has something to do with who our state representatives are and their relative stature in the grand scheme of things in Tally.
The TPO is dominated by reps from Okaloosa and Bay Counties and many times our reps have not even attend as funds were diverted from Walton County to Okaloosa and Bay.
It has also not helped as the Road Trust fund has been raided by the legislature as of late to the tune of 3.8 billion dollars in order to "balance the budget".
In order to not be tossed I will skip any discussion of our Walton County elected officials (past and present) and their effectiveness in impressing on the legislature the need for the bridge.
The TPO is dominated by reps from Okaloosa and Bay Counties and many times our reps have not even attend as funds were diverted from Walton County to Okaloosa and Bay.
It has also not helped as the Road Trust fund has been raided by the legislature as of late to the tune of 3.8 billion dollars in order to "balance the budget".
In order to not be tossed I will skip any discussion of our Walton County elected officials (past and present) and their effectiveness in impressing on the legislature the need for the bridge.
SoWal Expert
Bdarg was speculating that St. Joe had some sway with the Bay County bridge and good for the airport? And also that our districts are somewhat "striped" in that the districts basically cut through Walton Co.- the reps are from either side of us but not a one is from here?
Beach Comber
A Change
Perhaps, we need to entertain a change in local representation in Tally. Today, we received a recorded message from our representative regarding the presidential primary. My thoughts are that he/she needs to embrace the local issues more.
Rock on,
Rocketman
Perhaps, we need to entertain a change in local representation in Tally. Today, we received a recorded message from our representative regarding the presidential primary. My thoughts are that he/she needs to embrace the local issues more.
Rock on,
Rocketman
Beach Fanatic
Bdarg was speculating that St. Joe had some sway with the Bay County bridge and good for the airport? And also that our districts are somewhat "striped" in that the districts basically cut through Walton Co.- the reps are from either side of us but not a one is from here?
Well Rep Drake is a Walton County resident and is on the Transportation Committee. Rep Coley is also our (southern portion of Walton County) repesentative but her district (she lives in Matianna) is one of the strangest House districts in Florida.
They should have named the new airport St Joe Airport.
How effectively they represent Walton County I will leave to your evaluation and analysis.
SoWal Expert
Well Rep Drake is a Walton County resident and is on the Transportation Committee. Rep Coley is also our (southern portion of Walton County) but her district (she lives in Matianna) is one of the strangest House districts.
They should have named the new airport St Joe Airport.
How effectively they represent Walton County I will leave to your evaluation and analysis.
Oh nobody gives a fig about my analysis. And thanks- I guess I could have looked up those facts but I figured you would just know.;-)
Beach FanaticAuthor
2 or 3 years ago Dave Murzin from Pensacola had told me about a Walton County contingent who was trying to get a bridge and asked the group I was with what our views were on a toll bridge. This is something that has been in the works at least since then. I support the tax over the toll.
Beach Fanatic
The simple fact is that a tax will place our businesses at a disadvantage and a toll will place an undue burden on the people who work everyday to provide services to Sowal. Either option will hurt more than it will help. What about using 1/2 cent of the tax for garbage service and applying that income to cover a bond issue for the amount? Does the math add up to support both? Just asking.
Banned
#1221
Beach Fanatic
331 Bridge Public Meeting 2/14/12
Residents will have another chance to weigh in on a possible sales tax increase to fund a second two-lane bridge over Choctawhatchee Bay.
Walton County commissioners agreed Tuesday to host a public hearing Feb. 14 on whether or not to hold a sales tax referendum to pay for the U.S. 331 bridge.
Residents will have another chance to weigh in on a possible sales tax increase to fund a second two-lane bridge over Choctawhatchee Bay.
Walton County commissioners agreed Tuesday to host a public hearing Feb. 14 on whether or not to hold a sales tax referendum to pay for the U.S. 331 bridge.
Beach Fanatic
Residents will have another chance to weigh in on a possible sales tax increase to fund a second two-lane bridge over Choctawhatchee Bay.
Walton County commissioners agreed Tuesday to host a public hearing Feb. 14 on whether or not to hold a sales tax referendum to pay for the U.S. 331 bridge.
If approved, voters would be asked in May whether they want an increase in the local sales tax to help fund the span.
In December, state Department of Transportation officials told commissioners they have $102 million set aside for the bridge if the county would agree to contribute $75 million, either through a toll or another mechanism.
Without a commitment for the local contribution, the DOT said it would redirect the funds to another part of the state.
State officials said they needed an answer by the end of May in order to keep the project in their five-year work plan.
After two heated public hearings, a task force recommended Tuesday that commissioners ask voters to approve a sales tax increase, which it determined would be less burdensome to Walton County residents.
The task force recommended that the board consider sales tax increase of up to 1 cent.
“We hope the BCC will give serious weight and consideration to values below the 1 cent,” their recommendation read.
The panel also asked that commissioners include language in the referendum stating that the tax increase be eliminated as soon as the debt on the bridge is paid.
Bill Imfeld, the county‘s finance director, estimated that at current bond and tax collection rates, the county could pay off the bridge in nine years with a 1 cent sales tax increase.
In 2010, residents paid about 43 percent of Walton County’s sales tax revenue, with tourists responsible for the rest, according to a study by the HAAS Center at the University of West Florida.
If the sales tax was increased by 1 cent, the average Walton County household would pay an additional $217 annually, the study found.
In contrast, a toll on the bridge, estimated at $3 per southbound car, would cost the daily commuter $750 a year.
The county’s sales tax rate is 7 cents on the dollar now. Bay and Okaloosa counties collect 6.5 cents and 6 cents, respectively.
Six cents is the state sales tax. In Walton County, additional sales tax collections are used for garbage fees.
Seven counties in Florida have sales tax rates higher than Walton. But if the local sales tax rate was raised to 8 cents on the dollar, it would have the highest in the state.
Dawn Moliterno, executive director of the Walton County Tourist Development Council, has been tapped to oversee the U.S. 331 issue.
She noted at the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday that widening the highway has been an issue for four decades.
“Although this came fast as far as this opportunity, we have been diligently working on this for decades,” she said.
Moliterno said the bridge is needed to help with evacuation rates in the county, which are the second slowest in the state. The bridge would also boost economic development, ease traffic congestion and improve safety.
Moliterno said state officials have said that funding for widening the rest of U.S. 331 hinges on building the second bridge.
She told commissioners the task force that held two public hearings on the bridge funding did not come up with any other alternatives.
BP grant funds and bed tax dollars cannot be used, she said.
A state law passed in 2010 allows counties to levy a sales tax increase of up to 1 cent to fund transportation projects. It must be approved by voters.
If voters do not approve the tax increase, county commissioners will have to vote whether to place a toll on the bridge or have the state redirect its money.
“They (the DOT) will not put a toll facility in a community that doesn’t want it,” Moliterno said.
Read more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/set-46944-hearing-tax.html#ixzz1kenZXSFq
Walton County commissioners agreed Tuesday to host a public hearing Feb. 14 on whether or not to hold a sales tax referendum to pay for the U.S. 331 bridge.
If approved, voters would be asked in May whether they want an increase in the local sales tax to help fund the span.
In December, state Department of Transportation officials told commissioners they have $102 million set aside for the bridge if the county would agree to contribute $75 million, either through a toll or another mechanism.
Without a commitment for the local contribution, the DOT said it would redirect the funds to another part of the state.
State officials said they needed an answer by the end of May in order to keep the project in their five-year work plan.
After two heated public hearings, a task force recommended Tuesday that commissioners ask voters to approve a sales tax increase, which it determined would be less burdensome to Walton County residents.
The task force recommended that the board consider sales tax increase of up to 1 cent.
“We hope the BCC will give serious weight and consideration to values below the 1 cent,” their recommendation read.
The panel also asked that commissioners include language in the referendum stating that the tax increase be eliminated as soon as the debt on the bridge is paid.
Bill Imfeld, the county‘s finance director, estimated that at current bond and tax collection rates, the county could pay off the bridge in nine years with a 1 cent sales tax increase.
In 2010, residents paid about 43 percent of Walton County’s sales tax revenue, with tourists responsible for the rest, according to a study by the HAAS Center at the University of West Florida.
If the sales tax was increased by 1 cent, the average Walton County household would pay an additional $217 annually, the study found.
In contrast, a toll on the bridge, estimated at $3 per southbound car, would cost the daily commuter $750 a year.
The county’s sales tax rate is 7 cents on the dollar now. Bay and Okaloosa counties collect 6.5 cents and 6 cents, respectively.
Six cents is the state sales tax. In Walton County, additional sales tax collections are used for garbage fees.
Seven counties in Florida have sales tax rates higher than Walton. But if the local sales tax rate was raised to 8 cents on the dollar, it would have the highest in the state.
Dawn Moliterno, executive director of the Walton County Tourist Development Council, has been tapped to oversee the U.S. 331 issue.
She noted at the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday that widening the highway has been an issue for four decades.
“Although this came fast as far as this opportunity, we have been diligently working on this for decades,” she said.
Moliterno said the bridge is needed to help with evacuation rates in the county, which are the second slowest in the state. The bridge would also boost economic development, ease traffic congestion and improve safety.
Moliterno said state officials have said that funding for widening the rest of U.S. 331 hinges on building the second bridge.
She told commissioners the task force that held two public hearings on the bridge funding did not come up with any other alternatives.
BP grant funds and bed tax dollars cannot be used, she said.
A state law passed in 2010 allows counties to levy a sales tax increase of up to 1 cent to fund transportation projects. It must be approved by voters.
If voters do not approve the tax increase, county commissioners will have to vote whether to place a toll on the bridge or have the state redirect its money.
“They (the DOT) will not put a toll facility in a community that doesn’t want it,” Moliterno said.
Read more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/set-46944-hearing-tax.html#ixzz1kenZXSFq
Beach Fanatic
A letter to the editor recently suggested a toll or a tax with an exemption for locals - either by a sticker on their car or by showing ID.
Beach Fanatic
By REID TUCKERThe Highway 331 Blue Ribbon Task Force voted unanimously to recommend a voter referendum to for a local sales tax increase, needed to raise $75 million for the construction of a new bridge across Choctawhatchee Bay.As reported in last week’s edition of this newspaper and in others, the task force held off on its recommendation at the group’s previous meeting on Thursday, Jan. 12. However, after another session of public comment and discussion among the five committee members on Jan. 19, it was concluded that the public should vote to decide whether or not to support a sales tax increase of up to 1 percent.http://defuniakherald.com/?p=4741
The task force recommended that the referendum contain language limiting the use of sales tax revenues to paying for the bridge and also that the tax, if approved, will irrevocably expire when the debt is paid, never to be extended. Furthermore, the task force was in favor of advising the County Commission to strongly consider tax increases of less than 1 percent should the referendum pass.Much discussion at the last meeting was centered around whether or not it was possible to include multiple options – for example, toll, tax (or how much of one) or no bridge at all – on a proposed referendum. However, legal review showed that state statute stipulates the exact language of the referendum include only a vote for or against a tax.
The other options would require further referendums, an action considered cost-prohibitive as well as possibly being incompatible with the timeline laid out by the Florida Department of Transportation.FDOT is set to begin construction of the shore to shore bridge in 2013 if Walton County comes up its share of the money, if not, DOT will take its money elsewhere.
Should the referendum, which required 120 days’ notice, fail to pass when put to the vote come May, the County Commissioners can still vote to support a state-run toll on the new span of the bridge, though projections from the Florida Department of Transportation show that a $2 or $3 toll would have to be in place for at least 30 years to foot the $75 million bill.
By contrast, County Finance Director Bill Imfeld’s data shows that a 1-percent local tax option could raise $12 million per year, which means a tax would take approximately 10 years to pay for Walton County’s contribution to the $177 million project.
Data provided by the county shows that 56 percent of a burden for sales tax hike would be borne by tourists and the rest by county residents.Compared to the last meeting, when public opinion was fairly divided among those in favor of a toll, those for a tax referendum and those against the bridge altogether, none who spoke at the most recent meeting favored a toll. Colby Anderson, who owns a small insulation company, said a toll would impede his ability to compete with rival businesses in Okaloosa and Bay counties which would not have to pay a southbound toll on the new bridge.
Anderson, among others at the meeting, was not entirely convinced that new bridge was necessary or even prudent given the financial situation the county finds itself in but nevertheless contended that, should a bridge be built, the cost should be shared by every resident of the county.“If we are going to do it, I think the county should have to pay the tax, not just a certain group of people who access this bridge every single day,” Anderson said. “I think it needs to be distributed equally throughout the county.
”DeFuniak Springs resident J.B. Hillard said FDOT had not done sufficient research upon which to base the information it provided to the BCC, which in turn handed the responsibility of approaching the public over to the Blue Ribbon Task Force. He called the whole process “ill-prepared for public consumption,” while others agreed the county should carefully examine the future consequences of either option.
However, as task force member Leigh Grantham said, it was the panel’s responsibility to “choose the lesser of the evils.” Grantham said a referendum was the only way to gauge the public’s opinion since, even with three workshops held throughout the county, the task force had only heard from a small number of those to be potentially impacted by the panel’s recommendation and the BCC’s ultimate decision.
Task force member Bonnie McQuiston made a motion for a referendum, which was quickly seconded. After the proposed language of the referendum was hammered out, the recommendation passed unanimously and swiftly.
Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson said he had supported a voter referendum before he was ever asked to join the committee and that opinion had not wavered throughout the proceedings of the past meetings. He said that it was the responsibility of the BCC to take the issue of funding the bridge before the voters since it would amount to going “beyond what the taxpayers provided.”
Adkinson contended that a referendum was the most equitable way for the people of the county to have a say in the matter.“Whether you support [a tax], a toll or no bridge at all, that decision should not be, in [my] opinion, be made by a committee and/or the Board of County Commissioners,” Adkinson said. “That decision should be put before the voters.“If we, as a county, decide that we do not want to pay a sales tax, then let us be prepared to live with it.”The task force was set to make its recommendation for a referendum at the BCC’s meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
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