Budget Breakthrough?

There is a potential budget breakthrough coming;  It will be discussed at an upcoming BCC meeting.  Here are the details...

We may have found an additional $3.7 Million Dollars in non-recurring funds that could be used for employee raises.  We will discuss these potential sources and uses of funds at Tuesday's first budget hearing.

WCOA Interview 9-11-2017

This morning my interview with Don Parker and Jim Sanborn was broadcast on AM 1370 WCOA.

We had a great discussion about numerous topics--to include: the Jail, the bid protest of the jail, the global settlement of the jail explosion from 2014, the current state of the budget, the state of the disagreement with Sheriff Morgan over his budget request, and also a lengthy discussion of the disbursement process of the County Law Enforcement Trust Fund.

I also briefly discussed what could be a budget breakthrough that could provide for employee raises.

I always appreciate the opportunity to appear on this program!

Full interview can be heard here 

Horse Stall Fees Waived for Hurricane Irma Evacuees!

Escambia County's Equestrian Center is waiving per-horse stall fees for Irma Evacuees

There has been much discussion yesterday evening and also today on social media about Escambia County's Equestrian Center's use fees for horse owners affected by the storm.

I have spoken with administrator Jack Brown about this matter, and his staff have advised that the stall fees per horse (Typically $18.00 daily) will be waived for non-local horse owners who are evacuees from Hurricane Irma.

Owners will be responsible for providing their own shavings (or purchasing these from us)and also owners will be responsible for feeding (and providing the feed) for their horses.

We will allow for the horses to remain in our center for a reasonable period of time after the storm, in order to allow for evacuees to plan for return to their respective communities.

We have a number of RV spaces available as well, upon which we pay TDT fees, water and electricity charges.  These spaces will be available for use by horse owners at our customary rates as availability and space permits.

A press release describing all of this will be coming out later this afternoon.

Equestrian Center Information:

 7750 Mobile Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32526

Phone: (850) 941-6042

There is a lot Going on in Beulah!

Take a look at the map above.  There is a lot of building going on in Beulah--tons of it.  Right now, our infrastructure is not sufficient to handle everything that is happening.  Some folks are angry, they do not like the growth and wish things could be the way they "used to be."

Unfortunately, growth has come to our area, and so long as it is managed properly, growth is good.  Navy Federal Credit Union bringing 10,000 jobs to district 1 is a GREAT THING!

Developing OLF 8--will be a great thing!

I just want district 1 to know I am working hard to get the infrastructure modernized to accommodate the growth;  There is much to do but once we do it, we will all be better off for it. Making 9 Mile road a 4-lane road, adding the interchange in Beulah, finding another north-south connector road between Mobile Highway and 9-Mile road, getting the exit out of NFCU through the visitor's center.  All these things and more are being worked.

We will have more jobs, a larger tax base, more amenities, restaurants, and retail facilities.  This is all coming, and once we have it, our community will be even better than it is already.

We just have to have patience and get through the construction and planning phases.

Watch the Video of the D1 TownHall Held in Beulah Tuesday Night

Lots of important issues were covered and discussed during the town-hall meeting we held Tuesday evening in Beulah.  Staff answered many questions, and we discussed future growth, OLF8/OLFX land-swap, road improvements, The Beulah Beltway and impacts on current residents, the new school in Beulah (Cameo appearance by D1 school board member Kevin Adams) Mass Transit, the New Jail, Stormwater issues, and yes, I discussed this year's contentious budget environment.  Watch the video in High Definition below.

Could there be a Budget Breakthrough Coming?

There is a potential budget breakthrough coming this year, stay tuned for more details....

As I have said all along, I won't support raises for one group ahead of others, regardless of what I am called and regardless of how I am attacked personally for this stance.

I've done public budgets before--this is my 11th year doing them--and nobody gets 100% of what they want ever--that is just the nature of the beast.  If everyone gets everything they demand then nobody will operate in a fiscally responsible manner because people always want more.  This is an axiom of truth ringing especially true in the public sector.  I have said I support all first responders and I value what they all do for us to keep us safe.  I can't imagine that this is not a universal feeling shared by our entire community and nation---especially as we witness the heroism in the face of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

But should we play favorites though?  Is one "group" more important than others? Should one "group" get pay raises when others do not?  I think if we start playing favorites this will lead to big problems and that's why we need to be balanced in our approach to giving pay increases if the budget allows.

Because If you are dying on a highway after a massive traffic collision, believe me the EMTs and paramedics are the most important public servants in your world at that moment.

When your house is on fire--the most important public employee to you is the firefighter who is rescuing your family, your pets, and trying to save your house.

When you have a massive, ongoing, and significant drainage problem threatening your house( as many in District 1 do currently)--County Engineering is the most important group to you.

If you're poor and you get hit with a big legal issue--the public defender, probation officer, and the judge are the priority.

And yes, when a prowler is breaking down your back door in the middle of the night--the police who respond to save you and catch the bad guys are the most important people in your world.

So who is the most important public employee?  Attempting to define this is a fool's errand that  I won't  run.

So it is with great relief and with a measure of optimism I report that, without raising year over year property tax millage rates on existing property owners, there may be a significant breakthrough coming that will benefit all employees this year.  

It is a possibility and it is because folks have been working diligently behind the scenes despite the negative attacks, despite vocally prolific  naysayers that remain unaware of the work taking place behind the scenes in county staff offices.  People are working, people are trying to do the best they can despite some community elements publicly proclaiming they "have no confidence" in the BCC.

All I'll say at this point is stay tuned Friday.  Look for more details to be unveiled.

District 1 Town Hall Meeting Tonight

Our next town hall meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday September 29th at 6:00 PM at Beulah Elementary School, 6201 Helms Road, Pensacola, 32526.

Issues to be discussed this evening include:

--Growth Management, discussion on growth in NW Pensacola/Beulah area

--OLF 8/OLFX Land Swap with the Navy

--Traffic/roadway Improvements scheduled/contemplated for the area

--Budget Issues confronting the BCC (Including the Sheriff's Budget Issue)

--Jail Update

--Update on Mass Transit

--Library for District 1

--Beulah Fire Station Renovations

--Master Plan for Beulah

I look forward to meeting and hearing from interested constituents, and staff will be on hand to answer constituent questions as well.