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| There will be several topics of great interest discussed at next month's BCC/SRIA joint meeting.... |
I was asked today, by a member of the media, what sort of topics would be discussed at the joint BCC/SRIA meeting next month....
I replied that the agenda is not yet compiled, and I have no idea what topics my counterparts might bring--but that I will be bringing the following 4 items for discussion:
--Toll Booth (full automation and price reduction to ease congestion at toll plaza)
--Beach Parking (Addition of some paid, premium parking to make up revenue from toll reduction with the goal of achieving a revenue-neutral outcome from the adjustments)
--Lease Renewals (Working toward equity between and among lease holders)
--Roundabouts (Do residents believe these are necessary and do residents want these?)
I anticipate these topics will elicit some robust debate/discussion......
Chairman Bergosh,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay, but a few things struck me as wrong regarding the recent article in the PNJ (6/8/18) suggesting that beach residents are not paying their "fair share".
The courts have recently found that Chris Jones overcharged beach residents in property assessments (and taxes). Mr. Jones was quoted as putting the number at about $200 million in one of the articles in the PNJ before the Supreme Court decision. Only a portion of that amount might be returned to the residents who were part of the lawsuit. Where were the BCC members at the time that beach residents weren't paying their "fair share", they were paying more?
At the informational meeting held on the beach in 2016, Ed Fleming (according to my notes of the time) indicated that beach "owners" (taxpayers) paid about 8 times the amount that mainland county taxpayers paid for schools in Escambia County. If Flemings' numbers are correct, where were the BCC members at the time that beach residents weren't paying their "fair share", they were paying more?
I believe residents and owners living on Pensacola Beach pay MSBU to cover police and fire protection....not only for ourselves, but for every event held at the beach that county residents (and beyond county borders) enjoy without even an entrance fee, parking fee, or impact fee. Where are the BCC members at these times when beach residents aren't paying their "fair share", they are paying more?
As I have written before, there has been no movement by the BCC or SRIA to have an entrance fee or pass for the biggest park in Escambia County, or even have paid parking at Pensacola Beach for county residents or for out of town visitors. Where are the BCC members at the time that those people aren't paying their "fair share", they're paying nothing?
Perhaps the combined BCC and SRIA can discuss what is EVERYONE'S fair share?
As always, thanks for listening.
All the best,
William Ray