Comments on: Escambia May Raise Sales Tax To Fund Fire Services, Replacing Property Assessment

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 18 May 2022 20:07:03 +0000

I’m tired or hearing sales tax hurt the poor. Renter have crap that burns they need to help pay. Same for school taxes there should be at least a 200.00 fee for every child of a renter that goes to a public school. Just because I own a house doesn’t make me rich just responsible., and before you reply no college degree just a hard worker.

By: No way

No way — Tue, 17 May 2022 00:53:46 +0000

If the MSBU were dropped, and a sales tax raised, those who are renters will be hit the hardest.

No landlord is going to reduce rent equivalent to the MSBU elimination. They’ll pocket that money.

But the renters will now be paying more for taxable goods, especially on cars.

No renter who does the math should support this effort.

By: Suzie B

Suzie B — Mon, 16 May 2022 02:03:13 +0000

Escambia County has a sales tax of 7.5%, correct?
However, when we buy something for $1.00, we are taxed 8%, obviously rounded up to $1.08. I inquired about that at one point and was told that the business itself gains that extra ½% because there is no other way to designate it.
If this is true, then maybe we should keep that extra ½% in our county and use it for good. I may be incorrect and received wrong information but this is what I was told. Inquiring minds…

By: Tax Payer

Tax Payer — Sun, 15 May 2022 16:00:25 +0000

I am a citizen of Escambia County and pay taxes here. While I’m not a fan of increases I do have an expectation of services for Public Safety. I am willing to pay more for expanded/continued services. While sidewalks, street lights, retention ponds, etc. are important they don’t take priority over public safety. The mayor of New York City recently summed it up in an interview discussing infrastructure “if you don’t have public safety you don’t have anything”. Whether it’s New York City or Escambia County, public safety should be the priority and sufficiently funded before the other services. One thing is for sure, our County is missing out on funding for government services without impact fees! One of only a few Counties that don’t have them. This is NOT a sustainable income for fire services but would help offset capitol expenses.

By: fisherman

fisherman — Sun, 15 May 2022 14:38:05 +0000

The county needs to build some more boat ramps, the ones we have now are so crowed.

By: Citizen

Citizen — Sun, 15 May 2022 05:55:18 +0000

Scott that is what the MSTU would do which is different than the MSBU. With the sales tax, everyone pays for it, not just homeowners and if they get rid of the $125 on the property bill and pass the sales tax they would have more money but more people paying into it. I would prefer the MSTU so expensive properties pay more. The way it is a cheap trailer pays the same as hot millionaire properties.

By: M in Bratt

M in Bratt — Sat, 14 May 2022 22:56:28 +0000

This tax and spend commission needs to practice what the rest of us are doing; LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS. In these lean times new taxes should not even be under consideration. Mr. May seems to be the honest one on this board, he calls himself a democrat. Most of the rest of them purport to be Conservative Republicans, but are in reality RINO’s. Act like the fiscal conservatives you say you are, and pare back spending.

By: lol

lol — Sat, 14 May 2022 21:31:56 +0000

All of you caterwauling about taxes also caterwaul when the cavalry shows up later than you want it to.

In other words–you want your caterwauling problems tended to post haste, but every one else is just looking for “freebies.”

Hahaha!

By: Susie Q

Susie Q — Sat, 14 May 2022 20:54:29 +0000

Sales tax is more equitable, makes more sense.

By: Frankly

Frankly — Sat, 14 May 2022 20:22:31 +0000

Billy J Reed… In just 5 years it’s gone from $800…. To $3200… There is something wrong there… Florida Passed a Constitutional amendment several years ago that your property taxes cannot go more than 3% in any given year… You might want to look into why this has happened!