Mosquito Control District Races

[Bob Hudson]

Seagrovegirl

The exceptions to your statement concerning "millage rate" reductions is true with two glaring examples:

The Walton County School Board has never lowered their "discreationary" millage rate ( the state sets the required rate) and the South Walton Fire District only lowered their millage rate 1 year since 1999. Last year they lowered their rate by .03 mills - that was a result of the state required rollback set by the passage of Amendment 1.

The clip that I included was from the cache on the WCTA webserver. That piece was never published in their newsletter. I did find the graphic that was also on the site.

View attachment 10059

Please note the gradges given to each taxing authority just prior to their final "public hearing"

 

[seagrovegirl]

Thank you for the graph, however, that is not the article I seem to remember...it was a written article on the web site. Anyhow...thank you for your research, it is interesting as well.

May I ask why the WCTA expects a cut and dry tax cut (millage reduction) for every office in the county? IMO...school board and fire district grow with the county. The mosquito district doesn't. Ie; they don't need stations every so many miles apart for the safety and welfare of the community and schools are mandated to have only so many children per classroom, and South Walton needs a Middle School.....therefore...we need funds to build a school.

I don't think it is unreasonable for certain county entities to hold their millage rate to keep up with the growth in our communities.

IMO....the WCTA should give more considerable weight to education, safety and welfare of Walton Co than to "across the board tax cuts". If you do this already, please educate me.

 

[Santiago]

Why would anyone want this job? Is it a springboard to higher political office? It seems to be at the same level as say a community organizer.

 

[full time]

Why would anyone want this job? Is it a springboard to higher political office? It seems to be at the same level as say a community organizer.

No responsibilities.

 

[seagrovegirl]

No responsibilities.

Care to explain how you would know this???

 

[Bob Wells]

Thank you for the graph, however, that is not the article I seem to remember...it was a written article on the web site. Anyhow...thank you for your research, it is interesting as well.

May I ask why the WCTA expects a cut and dry tax cut (millage reduction) for every office in the county? IMO...school board and fire district grow with the county. The mosquito district doesn't. Ie; they don't need stations every so many miles apart for the safety and welfare of the community and schools are mandated to have only so many children per classroom, and South Walton needs a Middle School.....therefore...we need funds to build a school.

I don't think it is unreasonable for certain county entities to hold their millage rate to keep up with the growth in our communities.

IMO....the WCTA should give more considerable weight to education, safety and welfare of Walton Co than to "across the board tax cuts". If you do this already, please educate me.

Its simple, the WCTA believe they represent me the Taxpayer. I personally think they represent themselves and I have never seen suggestions as to what services to cut, whether road paving should be a priorty or maybe books for the schools. Maybe we could cut a few UNNECCESSARY POSITIONS, sometimes even private industry need to grow their ranks to operate more effieciently.

 

[full time]

Care to explain how you would know this???

No, because I know nothing about mosquito control that involves anything more than me swatting it. It was a joke based upon the future VP's speech - damn omissions of smiley face icons.

 

[wrobert]

Its simple, the WCTA believe they represent me the Taxpayer. I personally think they represent themselves and I have never seen suggestions as to what services to cut, whether road paving should be a priorty or maybe books for the schools. Maybe we could cut a few UNNECCESSARY POSITIONS, sometimes even private industry need to grow their ranks to operate more effieciently.

Why would you say this? When I worked with the WCTA we never represented anyone other than the 700+ members we had. I never heard anyone act or say that they were representing anyone other than the interest of the members as work was done to try to get a handle on out of control local government spending.

 

[Bob Hudson]

FF2

The WCTA has never inferred, suggested or claimed to represent all taxpayers in Walton County.

We have always taken the position that we were representing our membership as we interfaced with taxing authorities.

Our organization is lead by a board of directors that come from all walks of life, all political parties ( we are a non-partisan 501(c)4 corporation) and from all geographic areas in Walton County (north/south/east/west). The organization has existed for over 28 years. People join our organization seeking representation at county taxing authority meetings where they may not be able to attend and support our operations through their monetary membership ($10.00 annually).

Our Board is elected at our Annual Business Meeting.

Our membership share common interests and goals just like your Union as you collectively seek a resolution to your grievances, health & safety concerns, and collectively bargain for wages and benefits. Unlike your organization we do not endorse political candidates. Our non-partisan nature is what guides our non involvement in the political process of choosing elected representatives.

We do speak on issues that directly affect our membership and gladly share with all taxpayers the fruits of our involvement in the process of interfacing with governing boards that have the power to reach into your and my pockets and extract cash.

We believe that the process of public involvement in the services funded through "taxes" is a sacred right that is born out through the law of the State of Florida. The process is and should be transparent to all. The public is afforded the "right" to be involved in the budgeting process and then has the opportunity to speak on two more occassions at the "Public Hearings" that are required by law.

Our Board and its executive committee directs those that invoked the name of WCTA in their involvement in public meetings and forums and no individual is empowered to unilaterly make decisions in the name of the WCTA without approval from its Board.

This process was begun once again today as our Executive Committe met to consider our involvement in each of Walton Counties taxing authority "Budget Hearings"
that begin on Monday afternoon of next week. Those that will speak are following the will and vote of the WCTA Board.

 

[Bob Hudson]

FF2

Your statements that the WCTA positions concerning how tax dollars should be allocated is drive by only afew is simply not true.

Your obviously are not aware of the organizations level of committment to see tax dollars allocated on the basis of community input.

The organization conducted a study with 1300 plus residents and taxpayers in Walton County to determine their view point on the allocation of tax dollars during a declining tax revenue period.

I invite you to review the link below and see what those people said about funding priorities.

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org/PDF%20Files/Newsletters/Octnewsletter4color.pdf