Century Delays Fix On Property Tax Increase That Violated State Law
November 6, 2019
The Town of Century held a meeting Monday night to correct a state law violation in the way they approved a property tax increase, and they instead voted to delay the fix for two weeks.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) the tax rate adopted by the council was too high to be approved by any less than two-thirds of the council members. When the rate increase was approved at a meeting September 23, only three council members — Ann Brooks, Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray-Jackson — voted in favor, while James Smith and Ben Boutwell did not attend the meeting.
According to a certified letter from DOR, the millage rate adopted was between 100 and 110% of the maximum millage rate, requiring the two-thirds vote.
The DOR gave Century three choices: re-advertise and hold a new final hearing where the council approves the increase by a two-thirds or greater vote, re-advertise and adopt a lower millage rate, or have the DOR withhold all half cent sales tax funds from Century for 12 months.
Monday night, the council voted 5-0 to recess the meeting, on the advice of the DOR according to Town Clerk Kim Godwin, to correctly advertise a redo of both a budget and a tax increase meeting as required.
The meeting will resume in two weeks for proper consideration of the property tax rate.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
PSC Announces A New Area Code For Northwest Florida
November 6, 2019
The Florida Public Service Commission has announced the new area code for Northwest Florida.
That new area code is 448.
The current 850 area code is running out of available phone numbers, and state regulators on Tuesday approved the addition of the 448 area code to alleviate the number crunch.
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator, which oversees area code planning across the nation, said the 850 area code will run out of available phone numbers in the first quarter of 2022. The additional area code would be expected to provide enough available phone numbers until 2049.
The new area code would cover the same area as the current 850 area code, which includes Escambia County to Tallahassee.
The PSC says the new 448 area code should begin working in mid 2021, at which time all local calls will require 10-digit dialing.
All existing customers will retain the 850 area code and would not have to change their telephone numbers, according to the PSC.
Rabies Alert Issued For West Pensacola; Health Dept. Says Be Aware Countywide
November 6, 2019
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a rabies advisory for the West Pensacola area of Escambia County. This advisory is in response to a positive result for rabies, in a raccoon, which was tested on November 3, 2019.
Health officials are advising all residents and visitors in Escambia county to be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Escambia County. Advisories are designed to increase awareness to the public, and they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named in the advisory.
An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and humans should avoid all wildlife contact, especially with raccoons, bats, and foxes. Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is usually fatal to warm-blooded animals and to humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment, started soon after exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
- Vaccinate pets against rabies and keep vaccinations up to date.
- Keep pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If a pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
- Call animal control services to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
- Bring in pet food at night and secure trash cans with fasteners, or place trash containers in the garage, so they do not attract wild or stray animals.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County at 850-595-6700.
Veterans Day Programs Planned
November 6, 2019
Northview High School Veterans Day Program
Northview High School will hold its annual Veterans Day program on Thursday, November 7, 2019, in the school’s theater. There will be two programs beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the second program starting at approximately 10:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Mr. Tyler Reeves, a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Fire Support Specialist/Forward Observer. He completed his basic training at Fort Jackson, SC and AIT training at Fort Sill, OK. His final duty station was Fort Lewis in Tacoma, WA. He has continued his service to our country and the community as a world history teacher and coach at Northview High School. The community is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
Veterans Day Celebration — Century
A Veterans Day Celebration will be held Thursday, November 7, at 1 p.m. at the Century Community Center. Everyone is welcome to join in honoring those who have served. Pictures of Veterans are welcome for display during the ceremony. The community center is located at West Highway 4 and Industrial Boulevard.
Tate High School Veterans Assembly
The Tate High School Veterans Assembly will be Friday, November 8 at 9:25 p.m. in the new gym.
Ernest Ward Middle School Veterans Day Program
Ernest Ward Middle School will hold their annual Veterans Day program on Friday, November 8 at 9:30 in the school gym. The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a long-standing community tradition, held annually for about 25 years.
Pictured: A Veterans Day program last year at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Student Athletes Honored At FCA Going The Distance Banquet
November 6, 2019
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Going the Distance Awards were presented recently at a banquet hosted by the First Baptist Church of Pensacola.
Athletes from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were honored for their participation in cross country, golf, swimming and volleyball. The winners were chosen by their teammates based upon their integrity, dedication, character, and FCA values.
(North Escambia area winners are in bold.)
Golf
Austin Binegar — Escambia High
Kaylie Herring — Gulf Breeze
Clay Dobry — Gulf Breeze
Briana Willis — Milton High
Jax Butterfield — Milton High
Alexis Grove — Navarre High
Meredith McGhee — Northview High
Bryce Korinchak — Northview High
Lacie Day — Catholic High
JP Birdwell — Catholic High
Kenya Barnes — Pensacola High
Haden McBroom — Pensacola High
Adyson Illian — Tate High
Trent Callahan — Tate High
William Fairchild — Washington High
Harper Davis — West Florida High
Volleyball
Faith Bush — Central High
Hailey Wallker — Escambia High
Tara Bass — Gulf Breeze
Baylie Odom — Jay High
Haley Brown — Milton
Lily Trujillo — Navarre
Margaret Richardson — Catholic High
Akelah Reeves — Pensacola High
Madison Hatch — Tate High
Chayton Willis — West Florida High
Avery Roberts — Pensacola State College
Swimming
Hannah Goto — Gulf Breeze
Matthew Rodgerson — Gulf Breeze
Gracie Fountain — Milton High
Elijah Spann — Milton High
Lily Stockton — Catholic High
Francis Langevin — Catholic High
Clark Dunham — Pine Forest High
Cannon Hutchens — Tate High
Cross Country
Gwyneth Keene — East Hill Christian
Ben Carter — East Hill Christian
Mira Helms — Gulf Breeze
Javier Arroyo — Gulf Breeze
Jillian Thornton — Jay High
Jonathan Ratliff — Jay High
Vanessa Filios — Milton High
James Smith — Milton High
Alexis Dillard — Catholic High
John Middleton — Catholic High
Ella Phillips — Pensacola High
Malik Durant — Pensacola High
Jazmyn Fountain — Pine Forest High
Anna Moulds — Tate High
Ben Shinnick — Tate High
Mila Duong — Washington High
Zachary Peterson — Washington High
Ravyn Wood — West Florida High
Phillip Gindl — West Florida High
Becky Lapp — University of West Florida
Andrew White — University of West Florida
Ransom Middle School Placed On Lockdown
November 5, 2019
Ransom Middle School was placed a precautionary lockdown Tuesday morning.
The lockdown was initiated after a teacher reporting hearing a single gunshot somewhere near the school campus, according to Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement searched the area surrounding the school.
File photo.
Driver Uninjured In North Highway 99 Rollover
November 5, 2019
A driver escaped injury in a single vehicle rollover Tuesday morning near Bratt.
The driver was southbound on North Highway 99 near Breastworks Road when she failed to properly negotiate a curve and left the roadway. Her vehicle crossed back over both lanes and overturned, coming to rest upright against a signpost. She refused medical transport from Escambia County EMS following the crash about 10:50 a.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Gas Department Losses Top $1 Million In Four Years
November 5, 2019
Financial losses for the Town of Century gas department have surpassed $1 million during the last four fiscal years, and the town still can’t account for a large portion of the natural gas it purchases for resale. But they are continuing to work on several steps to curb the financial bleeding.
The gas department lost $222,304.75 for the fiscal year ending September 30, even after a $10,000 influx from the water department and $41,000 from the garbage fund. That loss total does not include another $125,000 in depreciation but does include $78,000 for new meters that are still being installed.
The gas fund lost $527,738 during the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years according to a grand jury investigation, and about $322,000 in FY 2018, according to a financial audit.
In September, the town could not account for 45% of natural gas purchased for resale, Town Manager Buz Eddy said. They’ve attributed the difference to inaccurate meters, a small number of users not receiving bills, and billing inaccuracies. The missing gas is not leaking.
The town has several major steps planned in the near team to reduce the gas department’s financial slide and perhaps even turn a profit.
Currently, Pensacola Energy is under contract to replace 10 commercial gas meters, including the meter at Century Correctional Institution, and the town is considering a proposal from Florida Public Utilities to replace the remainder of the commercial meters and all residential meters to increase billing accuracy. The town will also seek proposal for handheld meter reading devices to reduce human error.
The natural gas bill for Century Correctional Institution, the town’s largest natural gas customer, will be recalculated to account for meter inaccuracies.
Also during the previous fiscal year, the general fund had income about $75,000 greater than budgeted, water and sewer nearly $90,000 greater than the one cent that was budgeted, and garbage fund about $9,950 more than the zero projected.
Monday night, the Century Town Council approved a resolution amending the previous year’s budget to reflect the differences.
Century’s entire budget for the current 2019-2020 fiscal year is about $3.64 million for all departments.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northview NJROTC Earns Awards At Louisiana Drill Meet
November 5, 2019
The Northview High School NJROTC earned a long list of awards Saturday at the Pearl River High School Drill Meet in Pearl River, Louisiana:
2nd place female curl ups — Sarius Davis
2nd place male curl ups – Keaton Brown
2nd place male curl ups overall
3rd place in the run overall
3rd place armed basic
1st unarmed basic
2nd place academics
3rd place color guard
2nd place personnel inspection
3rd place overall drill meet
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Nearly Complete On $1.3 Million Carver Park Area Drainage Project
November 5, 2019
Work is approaching completion on a $1.3 million drainage project in the Carver Park area of Cantonment.
The new drainage system is was installed in the Washington, Ransom, Booker, Webb, Lincoln and Louis streets areas, and the project is reported to be 98% complete.
The Carver Park Drainage Improvement Project consists of installing a new stormwater conveyance system with outfall to a new dry stormwater pond located east of Ransom Street. The project includes construction of shallow roadside swales, ditch bottom and curb inlets, approximately 4,900 linear feet of stormwater transmission pipes, and the relocation and installation of approximately 1,900 linear feet of water main lines.
Work started back in November 2018 and is expected to be completed by November 18. It was funded by Local Option Sales Tax dollars.
Pictured above and first two photos below: Work on a Cantonment draining project as seen last week. Pictured bottom three photos: The project on August 10. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
August 2019 photos below.
