Transparency In Question: Century Council Approves Budget After Shutting Out Public Review
September 5, 2024
Tuesday night, the Century town council approved a tentative $10.6 million budget for the next fiscal year, and NorthEscambia.com was forced to publish a story without complete details after our records request was ignored and complete budget was not made available to the public before the vote. That led to the media and at least one citizen questioning the town’s transparency in the budget process. We later obtained the complete budget document Wednesday afternoon (more on that later).
Since August 30, NorthEscambia.com has asked for a copy of the complete tentative budget for 2024-2025, which provides details supporting the income and expenditures in a one-page summary that the town sent us (pictured below). We later learned the complete budget is a 19-page document with great detail on how they arrived at the budget, plus a 3-year historical comparison. The town only provided a summary (pictured left, click to enlarge).
On August 30, when Century administrative assistant Mallory Walker emailed a public notice for Tuesday’s night’s budget meeting, NorthEscambiac.com sent a reply minutes later stating, “Thank you. Please provide a copy of the complete budget and the millage rate info.” We received a one page “Consolidated Budget Summary”. We replied a few minutes later “Please provide the COMPLETE tentative budget, not just the summary”. No response was received.
We attempted to obtain the complete budget again, sending another email separate from the previous thread in case the reply was accidentally overlooked. On August 30, we emailed Walker and Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. stating, “Sending this as a breakout email with a separate subject line in case you didn’t see my response question on the thread earlier today: Please provide the COMPLETE tentative budget, not just the summary.” Again, no response.
When we asked at the meeting, we were told by council members that they had received a copy of the complete budget before the vote. The complete budget was not available to the public at the meeting or on the town’s website.
“Why was there no copy available to the public before tonight? You’re approving numbers. The public has no idea what you’re approving,” NorthEscambia.com Publisher William Reynolds asked during the meeting.
Century administrative assistant Mallory Walker (pictured left) told the council that we didn’t make a public records request.
“He did not state it was a public records request,” she told the council. “He was provided with a summary.”
The subject line of the email we sent Walker was “Budget PRR” — PRR in the world of government is used commonly as shorthand for “Public Records Request”. Our records show dozens of emails to previous town clerks in Century that included “PRR” in the subject line and responses from the town.
No response was received to the August 30 email.
Florida’s Sunshine Law has no requirement that anyone requesting a record make any statement that it is a public records request, nor that the request be in person or in writing.
“We gave a complete budget summary and everything else we had the time. He sent an email back that said I want a complete budget.” Gomez stated, referencing the email above. “And we had sent him everything we had, and the council was issued a complete budget.” NorthEscambia.com questioned Gomez about how the council received a “complete budget” that did not exist, according to his statement.
“Y’all have everything y’all need to complete this business tonight,” Gomez told the council.
“The budget, you don’t give that out,” Century resident Emma Fletcher asked the mayor later in the meeting.
“I have him everything that we had,” Gomez responded, to which she replied, “you don’t have an itemized copy?”
“The council has everything they need to get this tentative budget passed tonight,” the mayor stated.
“You don’t give it out to the public. I mean some records,” she stated. Gomez interjected, “Did you do a records request?” Fletcher replied, “So i I’ll ask for a records request, I’ll get an itemized copy?”
During the public form, NorthEscambia.com again questioned why the town did not provide a complete budget in response to our asking if it was sent to the council members prior to the meeting.
“
Say whatever you want to say, I told you everting we had, you go,” Gomez (pictured left) said.
“For the record, Mr. Reynolds, we don’t have all day to sit there and cater to your shenanigans,” Gomez stated to NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds. “Yes, that’s what it is, shenanigans.”
The Florida Government in the Sunshine manual states: “Accordingly, in the absence of a statutory exemption, a custodian must produce the records requested regardless of the number of records involved or possible inconvenience.”
Most, if not all, of the public records requests made to the town of Century this year by NorthEscambia.com have been for documents directly discussed or voted on by the town council that were not made available to the public prior to the meeting.
“But you’re going to get…you are going to stop,” Gomez said as he accosted Reynolds in the town hall lobby after Tuesday night’s meeting (pictured top).
Early Tuesday morning, we published the story Century Approves Tax Rate, $10.6 Million Budget But Details Shrouded In Mystery. The story was published without complete budget details because that information was not made available gtom the town.
Wednesday, NorthEscambia.com again requested (email below) a copy of the complete budget and an additional document. Both items were emailed to us about one and a half hours later.
We will analyze the complete budget and provide an update in an upcoming story on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos and images, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Celebrates Leaders Of The Month
September 5, 2024
Bratt Elementary School recently celebrated their August leaders of the month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Couple Of Days Remaining To Stock Up On Storm And Disaster Supplies Tax Free
September 5, 2024
Shoppers in Florida can stock up on storm supplies tax free through Friday, September 6 during a Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
This year, Floridians are expected to save millions on vital disaster preparedness supplies such as pet supplies, tarps, batteries, generators and flashlights, which are all included in the list of items eligible to be purchased tax-free.
Below is a list of all qualifying items:
Selling for $10 or less
- Wet dog or cat food if sold individually or the equivalent if sold in a box or case
Selling for $15 or less
- Manual can openers
- Collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls for pets
- Cat litter pans
- Pet waste disposal bags
- Hamster or rabbit substrate
Selling for $20 or less
- Reusable ice packs
- Leashes, collars, and muzzles for pets
- Pet pads
Selling for $25 or less
- Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds
Selling for $40 or less
- Candles
- Flashlights
- Lanterns
- Pet beds
Selling for $50 or less
- Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weather-band radios
- Gas or diesel fuel tanks
- Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only – a AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt
Selling for $60 or less
- Nonelectric food storage coolers
- Portable power banks
Selling for $70 or less
- Smoke detectors or smoke alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Carbon monoxide detectors
Selling for $100 or less
- Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor systems
- Portable pet kennels and carriers
- Ratchet straps
- Tie-down kits
- Dry dog or cat food weighing less than 50 pounds
Selling for $3,000 or less
- Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage
A previous two-week isaster Sales Tax Holiday was held June 1-14.
Century Prison Inmate Faces Four Attempted Murder Charges For Stabbing Four Fellow Inmates
September 5, 2024
A Century Correctional Institution inmate serving life has been charged with four counts of attempted murder of four fellow inmates.
Multiple inmates were reportedly stabbed during an incident on August 20, 2023. at the prison on Tedder Road.
According to a court documents, Harold Richard Bush, 52, was booked into the Escambia County Jail September 3, 2024, on four counts of attempted first degree murder in connection with the incident.
About 8:45 a.m. on August 20, 2023, the prison called Escambia County for ambulances for the injured inmates. Multiple units that responded from Escambia County EMS and D.W. McMillan EMS.
Two inmates were airlifted by medical helicopters, according to Escambia County.
“FDC staff observed four inmates with injuries at Century Correctional Institution. Two of the inmates were transported to an outside hospital for further evaluation,” the Florida Department of Corrections told NorthEscambia.com shortly after the incident. Further details were not provided.
Judge Jenny Kinsey ordered Bush held in the county jail.
Court records indicate that Bush was previously sentenced to life in prison in May 1998 for two counts of robbery with a firearm in Broward County, Florida, which occurred a year prior.
Northview Chiefs Boys Golf Defeats West Florida, Washington And Escambia
September 5, 2024
In high school golf action on a wet Wednesday afternoon, the Northview High School Chiefs boys defeated West Florida, Washington and Escambia high schools at the Osceola Golf Course in Pensacola
Four Northview golfers placed individually:
- 1st place: Jack Boutwell, with a score of 38 overall.
- 2nd place: Jackson Bridges, finishing with a score of 39.
- 4th place: Luke Godwin, with a 41.
Pictured: The Northview High School golf team: Luke Godwin, Jack Boutwell, Kelan Jurey, Jackson Bridges, Jayden White, Miles Smith, and Coach Nicholas Shivers. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here’s Where To Watch College Football This Weekend
September 5, 2024
Here is this week’s college football schedule and where to watch the games.
All times are Central.
Week 2
Thursday, Sept. 5
South Dakota Mines at Michigan Tech | 5 p.m. CST | FloSports
Central State (Ohio) at Grand Valley State | 5 p.m. CST | FloSports
Friday, Sept. 6
Western Illinois at Indiana | 6 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
BYU at SMU | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN2
Mass Maritime at SUNY Maritime | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Western New England at Springfield | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Duke at Northwestern | 8 p.m. CST | FS1
Saturday, Sept. 7
Arkansas at No. 16 Oklahoma State | 11 a.m. CST | ABC/ESPN+
No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan | 11 a.m. CST | FOX
Rhode Island at Minnesota | 11 a.m. CST | Peacock
Bowling Green at No. 8 Penn State | 11 a.m. CST | Big Ten Network
Akron at Rutgers | 11 a.m. CST | Big Ten Network
No. 23 Georgia Tech at Syracuse | 11 a.m. CST | ACC Network
Pitt at Cincinnati | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN2
No. 17 Kansas State at Tulane | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN
Troy at Memphis | 11 a.m. CST | ESPNU
Army at Florida Atlantic | 11 a.m. CST | CBSSN
Lafayette at Monmouth | 11 a.m. CST | FloSports
South Carolina State at The Citadel | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN+
Wagner at Lehigh | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN+
Georgetown at Marist | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN+
Widener at Lyoming | 11 a.m. CST | FloSports
Shippensburg at American International | 11 a.m. CST | FloSports
McNeese at Texas A&M | 11:45 a.m. CST | SEC Network
Campbell at Western Carolina | 12 p.m. CST | ESPN+
St. Anselm at Sacred Heart | 12 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Bowie State at Lenoir-Rhyne | 12 p.m. CST | FloSports
St. Andrews at Anderson (SC) | 12 p.m. CST | FloSports
Bucknell at VMI | 1:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Tennessee Tech at No. 1 Georgia | 1 p.m. CST | ESPN+/SECN+
Missouri State at Ball State | 1 p.m. CST | ESPN+
New Hampshire at Holy Cross | 1 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Valparaiso at Youngstown State | 1 p.m. CST | ESPN+
St. Francis (PA) at Kent State | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Utah Tech at UNLV | 2 p.m. CST | Mountain West Network
Cal at Auburn | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN2
South Carolina at Kentucky | 2:30 p.m. CST | ABC/ESPN+
Iowa State at No. 21 Iowa | 2:30 p.m. CST | CBS/Paramount+
Michigan State at Maryland | 2:30 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
Eastern Michigan at Washington | 2:30 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
South Dakota at Wisconsin | 2:30 p.m. CST | FS1
Northern Illinois at No. 5 Notre Dame | 2:30 p.m. CST | NBC
UMass at Toledo | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Duquesne at Boston College | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+/ACCNX
Jacksonville State at No. 22 Louisville | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+/ACCNX
Charlotte at North Carolina | 2:30 p.m. CST | ACC Network
Baylor at No. 11 Utah | 2:30 p.m. CST | FOX
Temple at Navy | 2:30 p.m. CST | CBSSN
Wofford at Richmond | 2:30 p.m. CST | FloSports
Stone Hill at Stony Brook | 2:30 p.m. CST | FloSports
Tennessee State at North Dakota State | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UTSA at Texas State | 3 p.m. CST | ESPNU
Franklin Pierce at Bryant | 3 p.m. CST | FloSports
Virginia State at Norfolk State | 3 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Carleton State at Pomona Pitzer | 3 p.m. CST | FloSports
Middle Tennessee at Ole Miss | 3:15 p.m. CST | SEC Network
Marshall at Virginia Tech | 3:30 p.m. CST | CW Network
Idaho at Wyoming | 3:30 p.m. CST | truTV/Max
UVA Wise at East Tennessee State | 4:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UAlbany at West Virginia | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Florida A&M at No. 12 Miami (Fla.) | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+/ACCNX
Central Michigan at Florida International | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Gardner-Webb at James Madison | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
East Carolina at Old Dominion | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
South Alabama at Ohio | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Elon at North Carolina Central | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Morgan State at Towson | 5 p.m. CST | FloSports
Villanova at Colgate | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Virginia Union at Hampton | 5 p.m. CST | FloSports
Miles College at Alabama State | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Charleston Southern at Furman | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Western Oregon at Idaho State | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Kentucky Christian at Morehead State | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Warner at Stetson | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Shaw at Albany State | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Sam Houston at UCF | 5:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
South Florida at No. 4 Alabama | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN
Samford at Florida | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+/SECN+
Buffalo at No. 9 Missouri | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+/SECN+
No. 19 Kansas at Illinois | 6 p.m. CST | FS1
William & Mary at Coastal Carolina | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Eastern Kentucky at Western Kentucky | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Chattanooga at Georgia State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Cal Poly at Stanford | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+/ACCNX
Virginia at Wake Forest | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN2
Louisiana at Kennesaw State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
San Jose State at Air Force | 6 p.m. CST | CBSSN
Georgia Southern at Nevada | 6 p.m. CST | truTV/Max
Tulsa at Arkansas State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UAB at UL Monroe | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
SE Louisiana at Southern Miss | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Texas Southern at Rice | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Northern Colorado at Colorado State | 6 p.m. CST | Mountain West Network
Winston-Salem at North Carolina A&T | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Central Arkansas at Lindenwood | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Southern Illinois at Austin Peay | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UT Martin at SE Missouri State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Illinois State at North Alabama | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Indiana State at Eastern Illinois | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Butler at Murray State | 6 p.m | ESPN+
Montana at North Dakota | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
UIW at South Dakota State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Prairie View A&M at Northwestern State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Mississippi Valley State at Lamar | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Tarleton State at Houston Christian | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Drake at Eastern Washington | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Catawba at Davidson | 7 p.m. | ESPN+/FloSports
Presbyterian at Erksine | 7 p.m. | FloSports
Mercyhurst at Howard | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Missouri S&T at Delta State | 7 p.m. | FloSports
Valdosta State at Newberry | 7 p.m. | FloSports
Tusculum at West Alabama | 7 p.m. | FloSports
Nicholls at No. 18 LSU | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+/SECN+
No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State (in Charlotte, North Carolina) | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
Alcorn State at Vanderbilt | 7:30 p.m. | ESPNU
Colorado at Nebraska | 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock
Western Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Stephen F. Austin at North Texas | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Houston at No. 15 Oklahoma | 7:45 p.m. | SEC Network
Appalachian State at No. 25 Clemson | 8 p.m. | ACC Network
Long Island University at TCU | 8 p.m. | BESPN+
Maine at Montana State | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
West Georgia at Abilene Christian | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Portland State at Weber State | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Sul Ross State at Eastern New Mexico | 8 p.m. | FloSports
Southern Utah at UTEP | 9 p.m. | ESPN+
Boise State at No. 7 Oregon | 10 p.m. | Peacock
Northern Arizona at No. 20 Arizona | 10 p.m. | ESPN+
Texas Tech at Washington State | 10 p.m. | FOX
Texas A&M-Commerce at UC Davis | 10 p.m. | ESPN+
George Fox at Redlands | 10 p.m. | FloSports
Liberty at New Mexico State | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN2
Mississippi State at Arizona State | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN
Oregon State at San Diego State | 10:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Utah State at No. 13 USC | 11 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Montana at North Dakota | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UIW at South Dakota State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Prairie View A&M at Northwestern State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Mississippi Valley State at Lamar | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Tarleton State at Houston Christian | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Drake at Eastern Washington | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Catawba at Davidson | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+/FloSports
Presbyterian at Erksine | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Mercyhurst at Howard | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Missouri S&T at Delta State | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Valdosta State at Newberry | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Tusculum at West Alabama | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Nicholls at No. 18 LSU | 7:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+/SECN+
No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State (in Charlotte, North Carolina) | 7:30 p.m. CST | ABC
Alcorn State at Vanderbilt | 7:30 p.m. CST | ESPNU
Colorado at Nebraska | 7:30 p.m. CST | NBC/Peacock
Western Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State | 7:30 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
Stephen F. Austin at North Texas | 7:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Houston at No. 15 Oklahoma | 7:45 p.m. CST | SEC Network
Appalachian State at No. 25 Clemson | 7 p.m. CST | ACC Network
Long Island University at TCU | 7 p.m. CST | BESPN+
Maine at Montana State | 7 p.m. CST | ESPN+
West Georgia at Abilene Christian | 7 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Portland State at Weber State | 7 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Sul Ross State at Eastern New Mexico | 7 p.m. CST | FloSports
Southern Utah at UTEP | 8 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Boise State at No. 7 Oregon | 9 p.m. CST | Peacock
Northern Arizona at No. 20 Arizona | 9 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Texas Tech at Washington State | 9 p.m. CST | FOX
Texas A&M-Commerce at UC Davis | 9 p.m. CST | ESPN+
George Fox at Redlands | 9 p.m. CST | FloSports
Liberty at New Mexico State | 9:15 p.m. CST | ESPN2
Mississippi State at Arizona State | 9:30 p.m. CST | ESPN
Oregon State at San Diego State | 9:30 p.m. CST | CBSSN
Utah State at No. 13 USC | 10 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
Wahoos Gain Ground With 5-1, 10-Inning Win Over Barons
September 5, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos continued to chip away at their wild card deficit with a 5-1, 10-inning win over the Birmingham Barons on Wednesday night.
With the game deadlocked from the fourth inning on, the Blue Wahoos finally pulled ahead in the top of the 10th when a wild pitch from Eric Adler (L, 2-2) scored Johnny Olmstead from third base. Nathan Martorella followed with a booming three-run homer, adding insurance and continuing the Pensacola first baseman’s hot streak at the plate.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos gained ground on both the Biloxi Shuckers and Mississippi Braves in the hunt for a wild card playoff spot. The Blue Wahoos trail the Shuckers by 2.5 games and the Braves by 1.5 games with 10 to play in the regular season.
The game began with command issues for Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer, who walked in a run in the second inning before wriggling out of a bases-loaded jam. Fitterer settled into a groove, ultimately working 5.0 innings of one-run ball.
The Blue Wahoos tied things up in the fourth on an Olmstead two-out RBI infield single, and kept the game tied with effective relief from Tyler Eckberg and Justin King.
After Woo-Suk Go (W, 2-1) sent the game to extras with a scoreless ninth, the Blue Wahoos quickly mounted a threat against Adler. The placed runner, Olmstead, advanced to third on a wild pitch before Shane Sasaki walked and stole second. Andrew Pintar drew a walk to load the bases before another wild pitch brought home the go-ahead run. Martorella then unloaded with a three-run homer, his 13th of the year and ninth since August 4.
Go worked around Birmingham’s placed runner to work a scoreless bottom of the 10th and seal the win.
The series continues Thursday in Birmingham, with a 7:00 CT.
Pine Meadow Elementary PTA Presents Sherry White With Honorary Lifetime Membership
September 4, 2024
The Pine Meadow Elementary PTA recently honored Sherry White with an honorary life membership at their most recent volunteer appreciation breakfast. This award recognized White’s contributions to the PTA community and her unwavering dedication to the school.
White has been an active member of the PTA for many years, serving on the board and volunteering countless hours to support the school’s initiatives. Her positive spirit and commitment to the school’s students have made a lasting impact.
“Her dedication as a board member, her countless hours of volunteering, and her unwavering support in teacher classrooms have made a significant impact,” the PTA said.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Worth Over $100,000 Sold At Pine Forest Walmart Market
September 4, 2024
Someone is over $100,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at an area store.
The ticket sold at the Walmart at Nine Mile and Pine Forest roads was the only winning tickets in the September 2 evening drawing and is worth $106,064.64.
The winning numbers were 16-21-23-24-26.
Horse Rescued From A Tight Spot In Cantonment
September 4, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue successfully rescued a large horse that had become wedged between a wall and the ground on Monday afternoon in Cantonment.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:37 p.m. in the 9800 block of Heather Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters found a 1,400-pound horse, named Raleigh, lying on his side, wedged against a wall and unable to move.
Using sling around Rayleigh’s torso, ECFR crews carefully maneuvered the horse away from the wall. The rescue operation was conducted with utmost care to ensure the safety of both the horse and the firefighters involved.
After several minutes of coordinated effort, Raleigh had enough room to move and wa able to stand back on its feet and walk around.
Assistance was provided by the Panhandle Equine Rescue, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and a “local cowboy”.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
