ALWAYS BROKE? WHY?

The courthouse is always looking for ways to add new taxes and increase present taxes. You would think with a 4 to 1 Republican majority, frugal spending would prevail. Not so in Escambia County where our taxes are highest in the state.

Therefore, it is even more amazing that we are the poorest county in Florida. But... why?

Interestingly, 66 of 67 other counties in Florida have something called impact fees. Escambia County is the last hold out.

Why then are other counties propsering while our economy is daily growing further behind?

One reason is because, in lieu of impact fees on new development's infrastructure requirements, our commissioners have chosen to use taxpayer dollars taken from existing homeowners and small business to subsidize developers. They have adopted a litany of other taxes, taxes such as fire department fees, franchise fees, gasoline taxes, M.S.B.U's, M.S.T.U's and... penny sales taxes.

Another reason is our commissioner's motto has become, "borrow and band-aid", "borrow and band-aid." We are first paying for infrastructure improvements and a second time for interest on the debt.

Adding to the calamity, commissioners seem bent on making every effort to promote more development in coastal high hazard areas. Homeowners and small businesses are now really getting clobbered with high insurance premiums as a result.

Would then it not be better:

to rid ourselves of this enormous tax burden
require in place infrastructure prior to issuing construction permits as mandated by the state's Growth Management Act.
require those who use the infrastructure to pay for it
provide more competitive environment for local small businesses
have adequate, paid for, schools, roads, fire and police protection, drainage, etc., so as to attract industry and better employment
reduce our public debt
reduce government corruption
reduce urban sprawl and boarded up, run down shopping malls
lower homeowner insurance rates

and make local government more efficient and responsive to its citizens rather than special interests?

Will this ever happen in Escambia County? It depends upon you learning what is a far better way of governing and demanding it become the standard practice for Escambia County.

Bill Davison