Comments on: Century Gives Nod To Group That Wants To Consolidate County Government

By: robert L hidson

robert L hidson — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:24:01 +0000

I would like to know who Jason Crawford and Scott Remington speak for. Who are the people that organized Escambia all for one? Who they speak for goes a long way toward validing the intentions of the group. But in my opinion I do not think that what they have in mind is the best for the county but only what is best for the city. Just like the new proposed gas tax for ECAT buses, we have direct control by contacting our county commissioner. If we were the new residents of the city of pensacola believe me we would be funding these buses, why all the mayor would have to say is make it so. That is what a strong mayor type of goverment would do. Kiss your voice in goverment good bye. I have no problem with reduceing waste in goverment, but I do have a serious problem when I feel that our representation in our local goverment is going to be lost.

By: Darryl Hall

Darryl Hall — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:40:37 +0000

If this is done like here in Charlotte, this won’t change the jurisdictions of cities, towns, or what is county as for taxes, etc. Zoning reviews and approvals for zoning changes or non-compliance issues should still go through the local jurisdiction, then the county could roll the building permit process, and the associated zoning review to insure compliance, into one process. The upside is more centralized organization with less contracdictary ruling (but you’ll always have some when more than one person is involved) and should have a one stop location for permit submission and approvals. The down side is it will be in county offices in the south end, so travel will be required for all permit procedures. The zoning ordinance for county jurisdictions and for towns currently with ordinances should not change. If the county is trying to roll it all in with the city of Pensacola, then you may want to fire up the phone lines.

By: robert L hidson

robert L hidson — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:14:07 +0000

reply to Jay Very well said.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:54:12 +0000

Lowering the milliage rate and raising a property’s assessment equals a tax increase! Nice try, but don’t disguise this shell game with actually being a tax decrease. Talk to someone who actually lives there and ask him or her if the taxes have decreased or increased on the same piece of property. More and bigger government will require more money period. If this “consolidation” is the utopia that the website purports, why isn’t everyone jumping on the bandwagon all around the state and nation? It’s true that the city of Pensacola lacks vision and the Escambia County commission has been a lot of good old boys for years. Amendment 1 has done more for getting these two entities to pull away from the proverbial trough and stop recklessly spending than consolidation ever would. Amendment 1 has already moved the two into discussion about eliminating duplication of some services. This needs to continue because there are areas that the city and county can consolidate to make our current fiscal situation more efficient without throwing the baby out with the bathwater and reinventing the wheel.

By: robert L hidson

robert L hidson — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:17:15 +0000

When has the city of pensacola ever had any interest in the county ? We should become awear that we will only be a tax base for them. Do you really want to live in the so called city limits.The only thing pensacola backs is tourism. They need some one to fund the maritime park and what ever other silly ideas they have. What I find that is so insulting and so offensive is that they think they can run a county when they can not even run a city. This is some of the same group that pushed for charter goverment . I also want to know why on their web site it does not list who is pushing this.Here is some thing to think about. The sewer plant was moved because it is in a flood zone and subject to to much damage. So let’s build a maritime park in a fema deemed flood zone on a bay front of a hurricane prone city. You realize that if we consolidate that WE will be picking up the tab to rebuild it. I think that it would do every one good to go back and look at what ivan did. Then ask your self DO YOU TRUST THEM? By the way if it run’s over the 40 million , then there will be a tax leived to get the rest. to city residents , well that could be us.CONSOLIDATION IS SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING The pensacola news journal , inweelky , wear-tv & the pensacola young professionals.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:52:05 +0000

Type in your search box “Tale of two mergers: Jacksonville” its a very good recent article on the pros and cons of their consolidation. Jacksonville is boasting of lowering the millage rate for ad valorum taxes every year for the past 13 years. It also has info on Escambia county’s visit earlier this year.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:51:21 +0000

Ok, I looked at it from the stand point of two counties (that is former counties) Jacksonville and Miami-Dade and I don’t like it. The taxes in both of these consolidated governments far exceed ours and they increased significantly after the so called “consolidation.” So the promise of lower taxes for us is a ruse, so don’t let the super government supporters of a greater Pensacola try to convince you otherwise. Educate yourselves before you get taken to the cleaners. By the way, the town of Century could do away with its government and let the county run the show because the county already provides the main services: police, fire, and EMS.

By: Christy Emmanuel

Christy Emmanuel — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:31:07 +0000

Great news on Century’s resolution! It’s important that we approach this subject with an open mind and with strategic vision. We owe it to ourselves and to the generations of Penscolans who follow in our footsteps. Let’s all become educated on the opportunities that unified gov’t affords our area for the long-term. Return on investment is one consideration, i.e., services for taxes paid. Another is economies of scale that drives profitability, i.e., prosperity. Yet another is pooling of resources, better coordination of efforts and accountability to attract new investments to our area. Want change? Progress? A new source of monies to augment our tax dollars for the good of the region for the long-term? Consider the possibilities of unified gov’t with an open mind. Century, Pensacola and Escambia County governments have done just that with their respective resolutions. As citizens let’s each of us do the same with objectivity and an inquisitive mind. R-E-A-C…how can unified gov’t help us to (R)etain local residents, (E)xpand services, (A)ttract new business and new residents, (C)ost manage efficiently and effectively? Think about it. Then let’s move forward.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:50:16 +0000

This is not an annexation push to increase the City of Pensacola city limits. It is , in essence, a disolution of the city, town and county and reforming into one government body. You will still live in North Escambia you just might have better services and less taxes due to the non- duplication of services. Please educate yourselves on this issue , it is’nt going away.

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:15:23 +0000

If I wanted to live in Pensacola, I would move there. Charter government has been on the ballot before and it failed. I don’t know anyone that lives in the county who wants to be included in the “city limits” and having to pay the extra taxes that comes with.