A HUGE part of the meeting was about the nascent effort to incorporate a large swath of the southwestern portion of Escambia County into a new city called "Perdido."
There were large crowds from both sides that spoke passionately for and against the proposal.
In the end, the delegation voted unanimously to move the draft legislation ("local bill") forward to Tallahassee where it will be finalized, filed, and WILL PASS.
Then, the question will come before the voters in the "study area"--as to whether or not such voting residents want to incorporate.
Such an incorporation will lead to higher taxes for those within the boundaries of this new city if the voters approve the measure. That reality was formally acknowledged last night by the folks from "We are Perdido" that are spearheading the effort.
Now the impetus is on every registered voter to educate him/herself on what this will cost, and what benefits it could bring. And the question needs to be, is the extra layer of government and additional taxes worth it?
I am neutral on the question--but I do represent the area so I will DEMAND complete and honest transparency so the voters I represent can make an informed decision at the ballot box next year.
But there are a LOT of details to be worked out between now and then.......much more to come on this, stay tuned.
PROPERTY INSURANCE:
I spoke on the impetus for action on our state's BROKEN and DYSFUNCTIONAL property insurance market, and the desperate need for state action to provide attainable premium relief for Floridians via utilizing the Florida Huricane Catastrophe Fund to subsidize some re-insurance which would provide IMMEDIATE relief to Florida insurance consumers. I hope the delegation will look at this at their upcoming special session in November. I hope they will, we will see.
They need to.
10 comments:
So what part will Andrade and Broxson's offices play in making sure their constituents are notified they have been put into an incorporation footprint many of them are unaware of, and up to this point lied to about taxes?
Andrade employs legions of foot soldiers to litter stoops over and over when he's campaigning. How does he plan on making sure of this transparency that he pretends to champion? Or is he just going to throw the bill in and call it a day?
I went to the legislative delegation meeting on Thursday evening and the "We are Perdido" folks had some eloquent, compelling speakers who were effective at selling the idea that the voters should have the right to vote on this. On the other side, Stop Perdido City had some equally strident and effective speakers who espoused the opposite belief--that the area SHOULD NOT be incorporated. The proposed new city's study area does not meet the statutory density requirement, however Representative Andrade voiced his opinion that the study area-- when large swaths of state parks and wetlands are removed--does meet the density requirement so a waiver for that particular statutory requirement will be sought. I know this opinion is not held by others necessarily--but it was persuasive to the other members of the delegation (Doug Broxson and Michelle Salzman) who ultimately voted with Andrade to put this local bill forward in Tallahassee where it WILL PSSS as they all do.
So for those on the side of NO incorporation--as well as those that are PRO incorporation---the issue will be settled at the ballot box next year, in 2024. Both sides should be transparent and honest, and the voters MUST become educated on every aspect of what services will be added and at what cost in tax increases, because there WILL BE tax increases if this initiative moves forward period, end of story. Anyone who says otherwise is lying to you. And so each person must make their voice heard on election day and tell their collective stories to their spheres of influence to help bolster their sides' chances in the election.
As I have stated numerous times, I am agnostic and neutral on this topic as the commissioner representing all the people on both sides of this question. If incorporation is successful, my job actually becomes easier, and the county will still collect it's millage rate of 6.6165 mills, along with the sheriff's MSTU, the Fire MSBU, and the library MSTU. Any revenue the new city would need to fund their operations would need to come, initially at least, from other sources, namely new utility taxes, new business taxes/fees, and additional mills added to the residents' tax property tax bills.
ALL RESIDENTS NEED TO KNOW THIS.
So, I will continue to speak the facts on this topic to everyone who asks as I have been doing. And, at the end of the day--whichever side prevails-- I want to reiterate this FACT:
the county will still collect its revenue and will still be responsible for EMS, Fire, Sheriff's protection, roads, code enforcement, parks, and public beach access in the study area--so I will be involved as county commissioner representing this area no matter which way the vote goes.
Apathy is not an option in this question, get educated, informed and then make your voices heard at the ballot box next year.
The effort to incorporate is the result of lack of leadership from the BOCC. Period end
I think to incorporate Perdido would be a mistake. Lets take century fl they can barely keep they head above water. The leadership from the BOCC is great. Perdido becomes a town and Doug Underhill becomes it Mayor. HAHA
When was the last time you called your commissioner or went to a commission meeting with an issue ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGslVeJq66I
I would disagree with you about great leadership. The board is neglecting their most basic job. Maybe that's why there is a movement to incorporate Perdid. And just to add Underhill lives in Atmore I I think.
I was at the last BOCC meeting. Tell us what is their job is. It seems like all you wanna do is come on here and complain no need in being negative I see you hide behind Anonymous I love the way you behind your keyboard its says alot.
CP. a lot of the Inc people do. Complain about the county, never bother to even pickup the phone. I suppose they think another layer of Gov might knock on their door weekly to see how everything is going. They keep saying we. It’s not we out here as they always state, many of us our very good with the county. Not a nanny government, hand picked by them. As evidenced by their draft charter. At large precinct elections, price the little guy out. However city council picks mayor, not the residents. Lol. Oh and town mgr will start at 145 k.
To commissioner Bergosh, I really appreciate you answering my email so fast. You are a great commissioner to do that. It would be nice if old gulf Beach hwy from sorrento to Blue Angel Pkwy was fixed especially now we have tons and tons of dump trucks coming in and out of the Estates of Emerald Shores. Lennar homes is building homes in back of my friends home. This hwy is nothing but bumps please look into this matter.
Thank you very much
Bill Evans
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