Discount Available Through January 31 On Escambia County Real Estate, Tangible Taxes
January 24, 2021
An available two percent discount on the payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Sunday, January 31, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford
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To receive the two percent discount, payments must be:
- made online by midnight, February 1, 2021, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com;
- mailed with a January postmark; or
- left in a drop box available at all locations by close of business, February 1, 2021.
Since all offices are closed on January 31, customers who make their payment in person at any tax collector office on Monday, February 1, 2021. will receive the two percent discount.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit our virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day. Our online services allow customers to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services.
Customers who decide to visit one of our four convenient offices can join the line online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com and manage their time their way. Citizens select an office location and type of service, receive a message with approximate service time and then continue their regular activities until the service time approaches.
To check the status of your taxes, pay online or print a receipt, visit our payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or by phone with any questions.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector office in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola MESS Hall Distributing Science Kits To Schools Thanks To IP Foundation, Ascend Cares
January 24, 2021
The Pensacola MESS Hall is distributing free Kits for Classrooms to provide elementary teachers with engaging, hands on science lessons for their students, thanks to help from two local organizations.
Two different kits, one focused on the science of light and the other focused on the science of water, target learners in 3rd and 4th grade. Both kits will be provided for free to twenty-five local high need schools thanks to generous support from Ascend Cares Community Impact Grant and International Paper Foundation.
Each kit contains the instructions and materials for fifty or more students to explore and discover. The kits are designed to be used for many years to come.
In a typical year, thousands of young learners would visit the MESS Hall on school field trips, including many who might never have the chance to visit the MESS Hall otherwise. With the loss of field trips from the pandemic, the MESS Hall is eager to inspire curiosity about science by delivering these kits to teachers. As teachers have had to adjust their lessons to accommodate social distancing, providing materials for all students becomes even more important.
Schools interested in receiving one of the limited sponsored kits or purchasing one for their students should contact the MESS Hall at info@pensacolamesshall.org or by calling 877-YES-MESS (937-6377).
Pictured: Volunteers sort materials for Pensacola MESS Hall Kits for Classrooms. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Voters Approved The Escambia Children’s Trust. Member Volunteers Are Needed Now.
January 24, 2021
Escambia County is seeking applications from county residents to serve on the Children’s Services Council (CSC).
In November, voters approved the creation of the Children Services Council to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children’s Trust of Escambia County will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
Once members are appointed to the CSC, the newly formed government body is responsible for assessing the needs of the children in the county and developing a strategic plan for addressing unmet needs which must then be submitted to the Escambia County Commission. The CSC, like the county, must also go through the process of adopting a millage rate and budget in accordance with Florida’s Truth In Millage (TRIM) Act, and the CSC must submit an annual report to the board as required by Florida law.
To be considered for the CSC, Florida Statute criteria include the requirement that nominees have been residents of Escambia County for the previous 24-month period and are willing to submit an annual statement of financial interests form. Florida law also requests that gubernatorial appointments are representative of the demographic diversity of the county’s population.
After the application deadline of Jan. 30 has past, the eligible applications will be compiled for the BOCC’s consideration during the Feb. 18 meeting. In order to narrow down the pool of applicants to the 15 nominations that will be submitted to the governor, each commissioner will nominate two applicants and the full board nominates five additional applicants.
The governor will have 45 days to make a selection or request a new list of candidates.
Resumes and both applications may also be submitted via email to boardapply@myescambia.com or by mail to:
Shamara Jernigan, Program Coordinator
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1591
Pensacola, FL 32502
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Improves Slightly
January 24, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County decreased slightly in December, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.4% in December, down from 5.6% in November. That represents 7,823 people out of work out of a county workforce of 144,460. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was just 2.8%, or 4,028 people.
Two major industries in the Escambia County area gained jobs over the year in December 2020: professional and business services (+500 jobs); and construction (+400 jobs). Th Escambia County area private-sector employment decreased by 4,600 jobs (-2.9 percent) over the year. The industry losing the most jobs in the area over the year was leisure and hospitality, decreasing by 3,500 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.1 percent in December 2020, down 0.2 percentage point from the revised November 2020 rate, and up 3.2 percentage points from a year ago. There were 614,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,143,000.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in December.
Gulf Power Plant Crist Gets New Name With Conversion To Natural Gas
January 23, 2021
Gulf Power’s Plant Crist, which was recently converted from coal to natural gas, has been renamed Gulf Clean Energy Center.
“Plant Crist has been a powerful force in our region for 75 years, generating power that has supported our communities and sustained economic growth across the Panhandle,” said Marlene Santos, Gulf Power president. “We’re honored to be able to continue that legacy by modernizing the plant to be able to continue to serve Northwest Florida as Gulf Clean Energy Center, delivering greater reliability, lower operating costs and cleaner emissions as we meet the ever-increasing energy needs of our customers well into the future.”
Gulf Power constructed a 39-mile long natural gas pipeline through North Escambia from Century to the plant.
Converting the coal-burning units to run on natural gas is a major piece of the modernization underway at the plant, along with the addition of four new, highly efficient combustion turbines to provide greater reliability and efficiency for the energy grid. By eliminating the use of coal, Gulf Clean Energy Center carbon emission rates will be reduced by 40% — the equivalent to taking an estimated 297,000 cars off the road annually — and reduce operating costs for customers, according to Gulf Power.
North Escambia plays a key role in Gulf Power’s plans to rely more on solar energy with two solar farms on about 1,200 acres in McDavid, as first reported by NorthEscambia.com.
Construction will begin in the spring on the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center in the area of Bogia Road. At 74.2 megawatts, Cotton Creek will generate enough electricity to power 15,000 homes annually, according to Gulf Power.
Gulf Power is now seeking the necessary permits for the First City Solar Energy Center in the area of Cox and Roach Roads. It will be 74.5 megawatts, also enough to power another 15,000 homes annually.
“As part of FPL, the largest generator of solar in Florida and one of the largest in the nation, we are continuing the company’s clean energy legacy by transforming the way that we generate power for Northwest Florida,” Santos said.
Tate Softball’s Madison Holland Signs With Coastal Alabama North
January 23, 2021
Tate High School Softball senior Madison Holland of Molino signed Friday to play with Coastal Alabama North in Monroeville. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Facing 19 Child Porn Charges After FDLE K-9 Sniffs Out Hidden Laptop
January 23, 2021
An Escambia County man is facing 19 child pornography counts after a Florida Department of Law Enforcement K-9 sniffed out a laptop hidden in an attic.
Jason Paul Cherry, 45, is behind bars after a three month investigation after Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators discovered child pornography on his computer and a past relationship with an underaged victim. The investigation began in November of 2020 and involved involved the assistance of Homeland Security, FBI and FDLE.
On Friday, a search warrant was executed at Cherry’s home. Investigators said Cherry was in possession of digital files that included child sexual abuse material. Other evidence found in the home revealed he was engaging in sexual activity with a female victim, which began when the victim was 14-years old.
FDLE Special Agent Stephanie Cassidy, and her K-9 Maple, located a laptop in the bedroom attic, concealed under insulation. More charges are expected to come after the completion of a forensic examination of the electronic devices.
ECSO’s lead investigator, Jeremy Horn, arrested Cherry on 19 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Cherry was booked into the Escambia County Jail where he was given no bond.
“This is a disturbing and disgusting act that we cannot, and will not tolerate in our community. I’m proud of the investigative work and time that went into this case, subsequently landing this suspect in the Escambia County Jail,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said.
Florida COVID-19 Vaccines Limited To State Residents Only
January 23, 2021
Florida has issued new guidelines that limits COVID-19 vaccines to only permanent and seasonal residents.
Cutting off out of state residents is meant to curb “vaccine tourism” — people over 65 flying into Florida for vaccine and then flying out.
But it will also prevent, for instance, Flomaton or Atmore residents from cross the state line to get a vaccine in, say, Century.
On Thursday, Community Health Northwest Florida had an allocation of 200 vaccines available at their Century location. During a Century Town Council meeting Monday night, Community Health representatives said the Century clinic, which occurred before the new state order, was open to residents of Escambia counties in both Florida and Alabama.
Out of state residents that have already received their first shot in Florida will be eligible for their second shot in the Sunshine State.
State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees signed a Public Health Advisory on Thursday prioritizing Florida residents for the vaccines.
“We’re only doing (shots) for Florida residents,” DeSantis said Tuesday in Cape Coral. “You’ve got to live here either full-time or at least part-time.”
The order requires proof of residency or proof of being a health care provider directly involved with patients. Residents much be 65 or older to receive the vaccine, and must spend at 31 days a year in Florida and maintain a permanent residence in the state.
“We want to put seniors first, but we obviously want to put people that live here first in line,” DeSantis said during a news conference. ”And that can include people that live here half the year. But it’s not for people that are just visiting.”
Here’s What FDLE Uncovered About Eavesdropping Device Found In Escambia County Administrator’s Office
January 23, 2021
We are learning more about an eavesdropping device — an illegal hidden camera — found in the office of Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley last year.
Gilley said she requested that her office be swept for a bugs after details of a private conversation were leaked to the public. The device, which had both audio and video capabilities, was found after a confidential informant contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement “requesting assistance with a possible insider threat case at a county office,” according to a FDLE investigative report.
On August 7, a FDLE special agent and a K-9 performed a search, finding a Vivitar Versa Magnetic Camera inside a fake plant in a conference room. The camera was turned on and appeared to be recording when it was located, according to the FDLE.
The camera’s SD card was empty.
According to the report, the camera is sold at Walmart stores, “appearing to be exclusively online” and connects wirelessly to a phone or device when it is recording.
FDLE placed the camera back in the fake plant in an attempt to capture someone retrieving the camera.
Agents then conducted an in-depth electronic sweep, and no other suspicious devices were located. FDLE searched the building again for suspicious devices on September 15 and found nothing.
The State Attorney’s Office subpoenaed Walmart records and found that three of the cameras were sold online in Florida between February 1, 2020, and August 1, 2020.
“Analytical research was completed on the subpoena results and no customer was linked to the undisclosed business or any of their employees,” the FDLE report stated.
BOCC Agrees With Sheriff’s Request For Body Cameras, But They’re Not Sure How To Fund Them
January 22, 2021
Newly-elected Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons asked the Escambia County Commission on Thursday for the funds to purchase body cameras for his deputies, following through on a campaign pledge.
Simmons is requesting the commission allocate $912,727 for the purchase of 268 body cameras, with the money coming from what was CARES Act funds.
“Every day that we do not have body cameras, there’s one thing that could take place that could come up and embarrass the Sheriff’s Office, could embarrass the county,” Simmons said. “I just think that this is that important — too important for us to delay it.”
The county had until December 31, 2020, to use $57 million from the CARES Act. In order to beat the deadline, the county put $25 million into a “Public Health and Safety Payroll” account to use for Public Safety Department expenses. Because the $25 million will be used to reimburse normal payroll expenses, the $25 million will go into the general fund for other CARES Act expenses.
Each county commissioner has expressed support for the body cameras, but they are not yet convinced it should come from the $25 million. Commissioner Robert Bender stated that he was told the body cameras would not have otherwise been eligible for CARES Act funding.
“I support the sheriff’s department getting cameras, but to use this money for something other CARES related expenses at this time, in the middle of the pandemic, might be putting the cart before the horse a little bit,” Bender said. “We still having testing and vaccinations to do. I think we need to be mindful of how we spend that money.”
“I want our law enforcement to have the protection of cameras,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said. “I think it is a totally appropriate CARES Act spend. I think it’s something, I applaud you for bringing this forward.”
“I understand it (the $25 million from CARES Act) was moved based on a deadline of December 31 to the general fund to cover for payroll, payroll that was already funded,” Simmons told commissioners. “So this is no longer CARES Act…these are millions of dollars that Escambia County has to decide what’s the best use for those. Some is CARES, some is items like this. My request is consider this as a higher priority as I do to go ahead and get these body cameras.”
Commissioner Steven Barry said he was not against using the funds that originated from the CARES ACT for the cameras, but he questioned the timing of the funding request and the ongoing expenses for operating the system.
“I like the idea. I didn’t think it should be on the agenda for today. I think you will find board support for this moving forward with this in the appropriate time,” Barry said. “It’s not been something that has been a priority to the office (the ECSO) previously.”
“This is money that’s available, that I understand is available, and it sounds like is available. And I think it’s high priority, so I felt like it was something I could ask for,” the sheriff said. “I understand your point about maybe not today, but I’m not one that waits. Again, I’ve been the sheriff for two weeks now, and I think that body cameras and transparency is that important. And that’s why I’m here.”
“I’m going to be supportive of body cameras,” Commissioner Lumon May told the sheriff. “This is something that is important, and it’s critical to you in your operations. Once we get that money at the end of February, this will be a top priority for me because you said it is top priority for the safety of the officers and for the safety of our citizens.”
Simmons said he had money in his current overtime budget to fund five employees to process the body camera video footage and maintain the system. But he said he would need to work on a permanent funding solution from the next fiscal year’s budget.
The commission is expected to return to the body camera funding discussion in March after county staff provides further research.
“Quit frankly, I am not going to wait forever,” Simmons said.