SoWal Incorporation

[Andy A]

Bob, I agree and started to make that point but got side tracked. To my thinking, an incorportation from the Bay County line to the Okaloosa County line and from the beach to the bay is really a stretch and non contiguous IMO. As I said earlier, as far as I'm concerned, you can leave Blue Mountain Beach out of it but, of course, that is only one man's opinion.

 

[Teresa]

I'm sure the South Walton County Mosquito Control District which is independent of Walton County Government and serves only South Walton County would disagree that SWFD is the ONLY taxing authority that serves ONLY South Walton.

True. Sorry, I just can't get past needing an entire taxing control for this. Not to even mention an elected board. Good Ole Walton County.

 

[Bob Hudson]

I'm sure that the creation of the SWCMCD through a local referendum was highly discussed at the time it was created over 50 years ago. ( similar to incorporation in the South)

They deliver excellent service at a very low cost. Their mileage rate is 1/4 of the "County Run" North Walton Mosquito which is a department of Walton County. Service in the South Far exceeds that provided in the North.

The SWCMCD is far from being the only area served by a "elected" board. Almost every coastal county in the State is served by a "independent" authority.

Looks like you pay about $ 30.00 per year for the service. Your paying about $ 2.00 for those 3 elected officials that provide one of the highest rated districts in Florida.

 

[Andy A]

Teresa, as Bob said, it is not unusual for local governments to operate with independent boards and services in many areas. I am not really sure there is a wide spread understanding of local government operations and functions in SoWal. For the citizenry to be able to intelligently vote on incorporation this is an absolute necessity. And, to be quite frank, most citizens don't give a damn about how they are governed. Those posting here on SoWal are the exception.

 

[Bob Hudson]

In both cases (SWFD and SWCMCD) those who lived here were not satisfied with the level of service provided by:

1. A all volunteer fire department as provided by Walton County
2. No mosquito control or source reduction programs provided by Walton County

Sound familiar ?

 

[Teresa]

I really think Mosquito Control could be provided for via normal city or county services. Fire and emergency services as well. but so thankful we didn't have to wait for incorporation to have a professional South Walton Fire District. We are very fortunate in this regard. Most County level governments, such as Walton County, would never provide such a high level professional service. The fire chief is a hired professional. Not elected.

 

[Bob Hudson]

And the Director of Mosquito Control is hired by the Elected Commissioners as prescribe in Florida Statutes just as the Elected Commissioners at SWFD hired Chief Tolbert.

Mosquito control has 3 Elected commissioners

SWFD has 7 elected Commissioners

 

[Bob Wells]

And the Director of Mosquito Control is hired by the Elected Commissioners as prescribe in Florida Statutes just as the Elected Commissioners at SWFD hired Chief Tolbert.

Mosquito control has 3 Elected commissioners

SWFD has 7 elected Commissioners

Chief Talbert

 

[Teresa]

And the Director of Mosquito Control is hired by the Elected Commissioners as prescribe in Florida Statutes just as the Elected Commissioners at SWFD hired Chief Tolbert.

Mosquito control has 3 Elected commissioners

SWFD has 7 elected Commissioners

Exactly. And I have always been impressed with the fact that we have a professional fire department in the south end of the County, where services are quite lacking in all other areas. Except Mosquito Control, as you've correctly pointed out.

 

[Danny Glidewell]

Teresa,

One reason for the professional fire service in South Walton is that there is a tax base large enough to support it. The second reason is that there is sufficient density and property value to require it. When these factors were not applicable South Walton was served by a volunteer department that served the citizens quite well. SWFD has accomplished a great deal during its existence as far as building infrastructure and acquiring quality professionals to use it. It has accomplished this at a reasonable cost to property owners.