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.
Bridge Addition for US HWY 331
- Thread starter Bob Wells
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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.
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
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.
The Walton BCC decided on January 24, 2012 to consider an ordinance calling for a referendum on an optional sales tax increase of up to 1%. The increase is to provide $75 million in matching funds for $102 million offered by FDOT.
The meeting is organized by a private citizen although it was originally considered for sponsorship by a political club and a newspaper announcement was published to that effect. Nonetheless, the meeting is non-partisan and all are invited to participate.
Purpose: Provide competent, correct information regarding bridge project details, financing options, potential economic impact and how the referendum will be conducted if an ordinance is adopted by the BOCC at their February 14th meeting.
On the Program:
Location: South Walton Utility Company Building (Grimaldi Room), 369 Miramar Beach Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Format: Mike Flynt, resident of Miramar Beach, will facilitate the meeting. The topics below will be named in order and the invited experts will briefly summarize the issues. Q&A will follow after each topic. The intent is to allow about 20 minutes for each topic in order to keep the meeting to an hour and a half.
The meeting is organized by a private citizen although it was originally considered for sponsorship by a political club and a newspaper announcement was published to that effect. Nonetheless, the meeting is non-partisan and all are invited to participate.
Purpose: Provide competent, correct information regarding bridge project details, financing options, potential economic impact and how the referendum will be conducted if an ordinance is adopted by the BOCC at their February 14th meeting.
On the Program:
- Bill Imfeld, Walton County Finance Director.
- Dawn Moliterno, Executive Director of Walton County Tourist Development Council.
- Kitty Whitney, Executive Director of Walton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Location: South Walton Utility Company Building (Grimaldi Room), 369 Miramar Beach Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Format: Mike Flynt, resident of Miramar Beach, will facilitate the meeting. The topics below will be named in order and the invited experts will briefly summarize the issues. Q&A will follow after each topic. The intent is to allow about 20 minutes for each topic in order to keep the meeting to an hour and a half.
- Bridge Project/Referendum Process. Dawn Moliterno.
- Financing options. Bill Imfeld
- Potential economic impact. Kitty Whitney.
Informational Meeting To Be Held For 331 Bridge Funding, Feb. 9
A local resident, Mike Flynt, has put together an informational meeting of county and business representatives to provide information to the residents of Walton County about the proposed 331 bridge project and how it should be funded, by a toll or by tax.
Date/Time: Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 PM.
Location: South Walton Utility Company Building (Grimaldi Room), 369 Miramar Beach Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Format: Mike Flynt, resident of Miramar Beach, will facilitate the meeting. The topics below will be named in order and the invited experts will briefly summarize the issues. Q&A will follow after each topic. The intent is to allow about 20 minutes for each topic in order to keep the meeting to an hour and a half.
Purpose: Provide competent, correct information regarding bridge project details, financing options, potential economic impact and how the referendum will be conducted if an ordinance is adopted by the BOCC at their February 14th meeting.
A local resident, Mike Flynt, has put together an informational meeting of county and business representatives to provide information to the residents of Walton County about the proposed 331 bridge project and how it should be funded, by a toll or by tax.
Date/Time: Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 PM.
Location: South Walton Utility Company Building (Grimaldi Room), 369 Miramar Beach Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Format: Mike Flynt, resident of Miramar Beach, will facilitate the meeting. The topics below will be named in order and the invited experts will briefly summarize the issues. Q&A will follow after each topic. The intent is to allow about 20 minutes for each topic in order to keep the meeting to an hour and a half.
- Bridge Project/Referendum Process. Dawn Moliterno,Executive Director of Walton County Tourist Development Council
- Financing options. Bill Imfeld, Walton County Finance Director
- Potential economic impact. Kitty Whitney, Executive Director of Walton Area Chamber of Commerce
Purpose: Provide competent, correct information regarding bridge project details, financing options, potential economic impact and how the referendum will be conducted if an ordinance is adopted by the BOCC at their February 14th meeting.
SWCC updtae:
This issue involves the building of a second bridge across the Bay and how to fund it. Public comment at the various meetings has suggested (1) do not fund the bridge with a sales tax or a toll-seek other funding sources, (2) fund via a toll or (3) fund with a dedicated sales tax up to 1% max. According to Dawn Moliterno, the current federal/state grant money is for a toll bridge. If the county doesn't want the toll it will have to come up with a 75 million dollar match. A toll bridge would be operated by the State and be under its authority.
At the county commission meeting on January, 24, 2011, the 331 Task Force made its recommendation. It recommended a referendum to increase the sales tax up to 1%. It was pointed out the increase would not pertain to certain items such as gas or groceries. It was indicated a .5 increase was the lowest sustainable option. The full cent increase would pay the debt in 10 years.
The county commissioners voted to hold a public hearing at its meeting on February 14, 2012 at 4 PM to consider an ordinance for a special election/referendum to be held on May 15, 2012.
There is also another public meeting on this issue this Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 PM at the South Walton Utility Company Building (Grimaldi Room), 369 Miramar Beach Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
which is being sponsored by a concerned resident. (See SWCC Member Email of 2/4/12 for details)
This issue involves the building of a second bridge across the Bay and how to fund it. Public comment at the various meetings has suggested (1) do not fund the bridge with a sales tax or a toll-seek other funding sources, (2) fund via a toll or (3) fund with a dedicated sales tax up to 1% max. According to Dawn Moliterno, the current federal/state grant money is for a toll bridge. If the county doesn't want the toll it will have to come up with a 75 million dollar match. A toll bridge would be operated by the State and be under its authority.
At the county commission meeting on January, 24, 2011, the 331 Task Force made its recommendation. It recommended a referendum to increase the sales tax up to 1%. It was pointed out the increase would not pertain to certain items such as gas or groceries. It was indicated a .5 increase was the lowest sustainable option. The full cent increase would pay the debt in 10 years.
The county commissioners voted to hold a public hearing at its meeting on February 14, 2012 at 4 PM to consider an ordinance for a special election/referendum to be held on May 15, 2012.
There is also another public meeting on this issue this Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 PM at the South Walton Utility Company Building (Grimaldi Room), 369 Miramar Beach Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
which is being sponsored by a concerned resident. (See SWCC Member Email of 2/4/12 for details)