as reported on WZEP AM 1460
Bridge Committee South Walton
How about a half cent for 20 years? That was one sentiment of about 75 people attending the bridge funding meeting in southern Walton. The Task Force is looking at how to fund Walton’s $75 million match to the Florida Department of Transportation for a new southbound Clyde Wells bridge met.
Committee chair Dawn Moliterno said the government will not simply come in and pay for the total project. Walton County already has a one cent sales tax and this was used to determine the approximate payback time. She also explained that the bed tax can not be used for the bridge.
Walton Finance Director Bill Imfeld said, with the current finance conditions, a one cent sales tax could pay off the $75 million in 10 years or less. He said the tax would be sunset after the money is paid back. Imfeld said he is not advocating a tax or a toll and knows that either will effect someone. He noted the law allows up to one cent, but it could be less for a longer pay-off time.
Walton Sheriff Mike Adkinson says the model shows it would take 25 hours to evacuate south Walton. Walton is the second slowest time in the state and with changes in visitor numbers, then the county could even be slower now. Adkinson says he questions the priority when surrounding counties have done well on getting roads paved while Walton has not, even with a slow evacuation time.
Moliterno said, if they do not come up with the $75 million tax, then there will have to be a toll. She said the commissioners would have to vote to toll and if they do not agree, then the funds would go elsewhere. Three options are being looked at to fund the county’s match: to add a sales tax for the bridge use only, to use a toll on the southbound new bridge or let the funds from the FDOT pass for now.
Task Force member Bonnie McQuiston said she is opposed to a tax of any kind. Walton is currently the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] highest and if the additional one cent is added, then they will become the highest. She asked if some of the current sales tax for the garbage collection could be used for the bridge match. Imfeld said, since the tax is for garbage and was put into place by a majority vote of commissioners, it can not be used legally to go against a loan. He said there is not another income source that can be used to go against the $75 million debt.
Task Force member Sheriff Mike Adkinson said he does not believe the board or the Task Force should make a decision as to a tax or a toll. He said it should go before the voters. Adkinson said, if they do not give the voters a chance, then they can place a toll. He said they should spend the next three months educating the voters and then send it to a vote. He said everybody should be involved. Moliterno said the commissioners and the BCC did not set the time line, it was done by the FDOT who has to set their five year work plan and have it ready by June.
Task Force member Wayne Brody asked if Walton wants the state to have control over the bridge funding. Member Kitty Whitney said she understands the need, especially for the businesses the Chamber represents.
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Bridge Task Force Public Comments
The first resident asked about the sales tax and the time. Walton Finance Director Bill Imfeld said they can sell bonds or use some other method of getting the money and could take 10, 20 or 30 years to pay it back. The longer they take, the less of a penny would be needed.
Another resident said he is normally opposed to more taxes. He said the bridge is one thing we need and we have to pay for it. He said a toll never ends and puts a burden on people. He said there are no back roads and everybody pays. He said he supports the tax as a method of funding.
Another resident said he grew up in Opp Alabama, a county that went to an additional sales tax and now has very little businesses. He said there is a third option, to have the county commissioners go to Tallahassee and bring back the money. He said the county commissioners let money for U.S. 98 go to Okaloosa in the past. He said Bay County got the Hathaway Bridge reworked and there is no toll. He said the county officials need to do the hard job they were elected to do.
Another resident from Freeport said he and his wife travel to south Walton and would have to pay five days a week. He said the sales tax would effect him less. He also said he likes the idea of the tax being limited to the time it takes to pay it off. He said he supports the one cent sales tax and does so simply by looking at the toll on the Mid Bay Bridge.
Another resident said he is against tolls because they often will be in the future. He said he was here when the garbage tax was put into place and is glad the commissioners did so. He said the garbage tax allowed some of the people who was creating the garbage to help pay for it. He also suggested making both lanes northbound during an evacuation. The Sheriff said they do use contra lanes.
Another Freeport resident said, if he had to choose between the two evils, he would choose the sales tax. He suggested making it half a cent instead of the full penny. He said this might be better, keeping it at seven and a half cent.
Sheriff Adkinson said the Task Force can send wording that would make sure, if the sales tax is used, that it would sunset and would not be extended. He said many fear the sales tax because the do not trust that it will end. Adkinson continued to promote taking the decision to the public. He said he normally supports the elected officials making decisions and representing us, but in this case, he would like the vote.
A south Walton resident said she is in favor of the sales tax because everyone who uses the road will help pay for it. She said it is a sad commentary that people do not want the sales tax because they do not trust the government. She said most feel the one cent is palatable, as long at it has a limit. Wayne Brody said the word irrevocable sometimes means something different to politicians. He said he would want the strongest language.