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Century Has Finally Passed A Budget And 151% Tax Increase. Maybe.

Last week, the town clerk opened a meeting with prayer that people would understand that Century was not raising taxes by 151%.

But according to the State of Florida, that’s exactly what they did, in a meeting that may or may not even count.

It was the latest in a long string of events as Century tried, and tried again, and again, to pass a property tax rate and a budget for the fiscal year that began October 1. By the time the process was over, a council member had resigned, public notices had been botched, a vote was taken possibly without the required quorum, and another public notice didn’t tell the truth. And the town still raised property taxes by 151.68%.

The municipal budget process in Florida can be a little complicated, but the Florida Department of Revenue publishes a handy 206-page guide and a 97-page workbook with step-by-step guidance. In a nutshell, the process is to hold two public hearings, advertise them a certain way and don’t mess up.

Like most governments in the state, Century started the process back in the summer with workshop meetings to develop a budget. Forms are completed that determine the ad valorem tax. And that was the first big problem.

Town Clerk Leslie Howington said she discovered the forms had not been completed correctly by those before her, and that led to the property tax increase. Back in 2017, the council declared part of the town to be “blighted” and  formed a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). As property tax values rise, most of the increase in tax revenue was funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements, none of which have been done to date. Howington said the CRA was not properly reported on the state tax forms, drastically dropping the rolled back rate.

The rolled back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase and the law says it must be advertised as such.

The rolled back rate  — the no tax increase by definition rate — came in at 0.3657 mills. The town approved keeping the millage rate at 0.9204, a 151.68% tax increase.

First Budget Meeting

The town’s first attempt to tentatively approve the budget and property tax increase was stalled after one council member was a no show. At 151.68%, the tax increase was so great that the state required a unanimous vote, or the approval of voters at the ballot box.

Council member Leonard White did not attend the meeting Howington said she did not hear from White on meeting day, but he is employed at Century Correctional Institution where he is not allowed to have his phone for security reasons. She stated that she had been told that the prison had gone into a “class 2″ lockdown at noon that day while he was presumed to be at work.

Second Try At The First Budget Meeting

White resigned from office just hours before a rescheduled meeting in late September, citing time constraints due to his job as correctional officer at the prison.With White officially off the council, that left four members present at the meeting for the unanimous vote needed to approve a property tax increase.

Questions were raised about the legal notice for the meeting.

It was advertised in a published “Notice of Continuation” as being continued from the early September meeting, and stated that the meeting was recessed. That was not correct; that September 8 meeting was adjourned. The big budget guide from the state says that continuation is acceptable, but the meeting must not be adjourned (as it was).

Howington later provided a string of emails between her and the Department of Revenue that ended with apparent instruction to run the continuation notice., even though it was not true.

Second Budget Meeting

On October 4, three days after the fiscal year started with no budget, Century attempted to hold the second meeting.

But due to an error in the public notice — which had different numbers that the actual budget — the meeting adjourned.

Second Budget Meeting, Second Try

A rare, but legally allowed, Saturday afternoon meeting was held October 8, hours before a final report was due to the state.

The council approved a tax increase of 151.68% over the rolled back rate.

Action on the budget was tabled after it was discovered that a balanced budget was not advertised due to an apparent typographical error made by the town. The typo in the budget summary public notice for the meeting showed $10,000 more in expenditures than revenue; state law requires that a budget balance.

The meeting was recessed.

Second Budget Meeting, Third Try

Last week, the council met again in an attempt to square away the tax rate and budget.

The meeting opened with prayer led by the town clerk.

“Father God, we’ve worked hard on this budget. We’ve worked hard on the millage rate,” she prayed. “As I explain it again for people to clear their mind and hear that we are not raising taxes by 151 percent.”

Only three of the four remaining council members were present in the room as the millage rate vote was taken; council member James Smith was on the phone.

The Florida Sunshine Law states that a quorum must be present for a vote, and a person taking part on the phone does not count. That’s why the fifth council member resigned a few weeks ago — so the remaining four could have tax rate discussions and vote.

When questioned by the public, Howington said they would move forward with meeting and check with the state.

A lengthy discussion ensued, with Howington providing multiple explanations how the 151.68% tax increase was not really a tax increase, despite the state law, the town’s own legal notice of a tax increase, and the meeting’s agenda all spelling out that it’s a tax increase. She provided sample tax numbers for her home…which showed the extra 151.68% in taxes, amounting to about $30.

Florida law requires the council to openly provide the reason for the tax increase at the meeting. Century provided the somewhat vague explanation “to fund the budget” without providing specifics.

For the final meeting, several citizens filled the updated council chambers, which had recently painted walls and new Mohawk laminate flooring.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

CSX To Begin Work On Atmore Main Street Crossing Monday Night

CSX will begin work Monday night on the Main Street railroad crossing in Atmore.

Signage for semi trucks and visitors will be posted for detours. Local traffic is encouraged to navigate other local streets, according to the Atmore Police Department.

The crossing on Highway 21 at Highway 31 is the busiest vehicular crossing in Atmore.

No timeline for the completion of the work has been provided.

Stock photo.

Photos: Tate High School Homecoming Parade

The Tate High School Aggies celebrated Homecoming 2022 with a parade prior to Friday night’s football game at Pete Gindl Stadium.

For a photo gallery, click or tap here.

The sophomore float “Alice in Wonderland” was the homecoming float winner.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Beulah Elementary Parents: New Car Rider Loop Opens On Monday

A new car rider loop opens Monday at Beulah Elementary School.

Students will no longer be dropped off in the parking lot area that has been used since the first of the school year; that area will only be for school buses and daycare vans and buses. Bus riders, daycare riders, and back gate walkers will be allowed on campus at 7:10 a.m.

Here are the complete procedures according to Beulah Elementary School:

No. 9 UWF Runs Over Mississippi College, 45-17, On Homecoming

The first half of the season has steadily molded UWF’s football team.

What has now emerged is resembling the Argos’ sought-after definition.

The ninth-ranked Argos (6-1) celebrated their first on-campus, Homecoming game amid spectacular weather and a matching performance in a 45-17 rout of Mississippi College, before the largest crowd (5,505) of the season at Pen Air Field.

“We are playing really good football,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “We are getting close to where we need to be. We gave up some plays we shouldn’t give up and I think we can clean up some things in the kicking game, but our guys are starting to see it.

“Our seniors, our players are getting it. Everybody understands the significance of us playing great football at this time.”

The superlatives begin with UWF’s defense. They held the nation’s most prolific rushing attack in NCAA Division II to 211 yards, which was 145 yards under Mississippi College’s average. A week ago, the Choctaws exploded for a school-record 598 yards rushing in a 49-40 win against Valdosta State.

The Argos defense also forced three fumbles, recovering one of those, and snared the first interception this season thrown by Choctaws quarterback John Henry White.

On offense, the Argos scored points on seven of their first nine possessions until late in the fourth quarter. They amassed 334 yards rushing, led by dynamic tailbacks Ra’veion Hargrove (139 yards) and Shomari Mason (137 yards).

It’s the first time in Argos’ team history to have a pair of running games gain 100 or more yards in the same game. Hargrove got his game-leading yardage of just 10 carries for a 13.9 average.

“I haven’t done anything like that since high school,” said Hargrove, who grew up in Ohio. “It all starts with the offensive line. They were doing a great job creating lanes and we took what the defense gave us.
“Right now I feel like we are hitting that stride. We are at a good point right now.”

The third member of this backfield trio, C.J. Wilson, had seven carries for 33 yards, but three of those carries resulted in touchdowns.

“This was an amazing team effort and just a fantastic job by all our guys of what needed to take place,” Shinnick said. “We got the ball on the ground, had sacks, an interception. Just a tremendous job by our defense to put us the situation we were in.

“Then, offensively, any time you can outrush a rushing team, you really have a great thing going.”

Quarterback Peewee Jarrett started slow in passing, but finished with 133 yards and three touchdown throws. The Argos did not commit a turnover in the game.

“Peewee just did a fantastic job,” Shinnick said. “Almost every run we called had a pass option for him. And he just did a fantastic job of putting the ball in the right guys hands and not really forcing anything.”

The cumulative effort has the Argos in sole possession of second place in the Gulf South Conference with a 4-1 record. The Argos play their final home game next Saturday (Oct. 29) against West Alabama, then have the final two games on the road against Valdosta State, following by a schedule-ending rematch (Nov. 12) against Mississippi College.

“I think we are starting to see what our best can look like,” Shinnick said. “One of the things we talked about around here is when we play our best we are very, very difficult to beat. This is the time to play great.”
In addition to the team’s play was the game atmosphere. The crowd began forming early for a variety of tailgating areas. The players were able to celebrate with the band and fans afterward.

“You could hear it, you can see it,” Shinnick said. “There is just a different vibe when you are not going downtown (at former home Blue Wahoos Stadium) to play your games. We have our team meeting four hours before the game, then go eat our pregame meal and you come out and you’ve got people everywhere.

“It’s like this is a whole different experience. What (UWF president) Doctor (Martha) Saunders has done to create this atmosphere and what (athletic director) Dave Scott has done to put this together, really makes our place a very unique place to play and one that is only going to get better and better.”

The Argos started the day fast. They came out in a no-huddle offense and scored on their first possession, after Wilson completed an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run. All seven of the positive yardage plays were running plays.

They took a 14-3 lead in the second quarter on Jarrett’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Jared Smith.

A pivotal sequence in the game followed. Mississippi College got a big-play through the air – a 41-yard completion – that set up a 10-yard rushing score with 2:35 left.

The ensuing kickoff was a touchback. After Jarrett threw a 26-yard strike to David Durden, a holding penalty set UWF back. But the Argos used four rushing plays from Hargrove and Mason to get a first down at the Choctaws’ 25. On the next play, Jarrett found Larry Rembert with a laser throw in the middle of the end zone with 25 seconds left in the half.

From that point, UWF kept a double-digit lead.

“We were in a two-minute (offense) mode, but at same time we had been running the ball so well,” Shinnick said. “So, (Choctaws) kind of gave us some looks we haven’t seen. We had two or three runs that were pretty good. But that was huge. A 10-point swing and our defense took care of it from there.”

The Argos defense did not allow a running play longer than 16 yards from the Choctaws backfield until their backup quarterback rushed late in the fourth quarter for 18 yards.

Defensive coordinator Darian Dulin had the Argos lineman and linebackers staying on assignments and holes never opened.

“Darian did a fantastic job. I thought his gameplan was awesome,” Shinnick said. “You really have to have your D-line dialed in. They have to be 100 percent committed to what their job is. This was a full week commitment. When you do what we were able to do, that is every guy being dialed and every guy being committed.”

By Bill Vilona, GoArgos.com Senior Writer. Photo: Morgan Givens.

Bonus Gallery: Tate Fans, Band, Cheerleaders, JROTC

For a bonus gallery from with cheerleaders, the band, fans, AJROTC and more from Friday night’s Tate football game, click or tap here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Traffic Alerts: Here’s What Drivers Can Expect This Week

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

• Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Oct. 23 through Saturday, Oct. 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 25, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
• Saufley Field Road (State Road (S.R.) 296), from the Naval Air Station Entrance to West of Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter single lane closures with traffic flagging operations on Parda Road as crews remove and reconstruct a portion of the roadway. The closures will continue for the next several weeks.
• West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street. The closures will allow crews to work on the new pedestrian barrier fence and other miscellaneous final work activities. In addition, the seven new mid-block crossing signals on Cervantes Street are now in operation.
• Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Cervantes Street and Barrancas Avenue Sunday, Oct. 23 through Thursday, Oct. 27 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will continue for several weeks as crews work to adjust manholes, and mill and pave the roadways. In addition, pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), while crews make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.

• I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the following ramps from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 through Thursday, Oct. 27 as crews install thermoplastic pavement markings:
  • I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
  • I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
  • I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway.
  • Davis Highway on-ramp to I-110 southbound.
  • I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound.

• Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between Innerarity Point Road and Bauer Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 through Thursday, Oct. 27. The closures will allow crews to mill and pave the roadway.

• ·         Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 30. The closures will allow crews to work on manholes and place thermoplastic striping on the roadway.

• East Nine Mile Road. (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will now share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
• Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent shoulder closures Sunday, Oct. 23 through Friday, Oct. 28 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for construction operations.
• North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – The Ninth Avenue northbound bridge over Carpenter’s Creek is open with four travel lanes, two in each direction. Drivers will continue to encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures as crews place the final layer or “friction course” of asphalt and perform final work activities.
• Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29), from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Oct. 23 through Thursday, Oct. 27 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway. In addition, traffic on Pensacola Boulevard, from Brent Lane to north of I-10, has been slightly shifted to the outside in both directions. The traffic shift will be in place for several weeks as crews repair the median barrier wall.
• Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Routine Utility Maintenance from Tractor & Equipment Co. to Avalon Apartments – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for power pole maintenance.

Santa Rosa County:

• Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Oct. 23 through Saturday, Oct. 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 25, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
• U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
• I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28 for construction activities.
• U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
  • Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
  • Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Oct. 23 through Friday, Oct. 28 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
  • Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
• S.R. 4 Roadway Maintenance East of Magaha Road in Jay – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28 for paving operations.
• U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction at Rosewood Avenue – Motorist will encounter intermittent outside westbound lane closures Saturday, Oct. 22 through Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Sheriff Says Molino Bicyclist Murder Does Not Appear To Be Random

Escambia County Sheriff Simmons says the murder of a man Thursday evening in Molino does not appear to have been random.

Authorities were first called about 5:40 p.m. to the report of a hit and run crash involving a bicyclist on Cedartown Road southwest of Jahaza Road near Wilder Branch.

They arrived to find the 54-year old male had been shot multiple times on the lonely stretch of dirt road with no nearby residents. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, and there have been no suspects named

“Our investigators have been on it since it was reported, but because of the remote location it is going to take a little more footwork,” Simmons told NorthEscambia.com on Friday. “Investigators are out there, starting with the scene and pushing outward.”

Anyone with any information on the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.

Pictured: A bicyclist was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds

Tate High Crowns Homecoming Queen McKenzie Alfred

Friday night, Tate High School crowned Homecoming Queen McKenzie Alfred. First runner-up to the queen was Savannah Guilford, and second runner-up was Emily Brabner.

Look for more bonus photo galleries by Monday with the entire homecoming court, homecoming parade and more.

Pictured top: Tate High School Homecoming Queen McKenzie Alfred. Pictured below: Second Runner-up Emily Brabner, Queen McKenzie Alfred and First Runner-up Savannah Guilford. Pictured below: Queen McKenzie Alfred is crowned by last year’s queen, Darby Phillips, as her father Chad Alfred looks on. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Tate Aggies Fall To Gulf Breeze (With Photo Gallery)

The Gulf Breeze Dolphins defeated the Tate Aggies  Friday night, 49-21.

The Aggies started strong on their homecoming night. Aldrew Colston was in for an 11-yard touchdown run to give Tate an early 7-0 lead.

Tate recovered an onside kick, setting up their second score of the night.

Quarterback Taite Davis found Jackson Perreyclear to put the Aggies down inside the five. Colston then added another Aggie touchdown, 14-0 with 5:05 on the big clock in the first quarter.

But Gulf Breeze came back to lead 35-14 at the half on their way to a win.

The Tate Aggies (1-7) will host Escambia (5-3) next Friday night before rounding out their regular season at home against Washington on November 4.

For a game action photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for a gallery with cheerleaders, fans and more by Monday.)

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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