County leaders discuss new tax

Posted on 12 April, 2006, by bcpress

BY MICHAEL RINKER
Press Staff

Members of an interagency committee formed to prepare for the county’s growth kicked around a few ideas on how to pay for the services that will be needed – including a half-cent sales tax, higher property taxes and a temporary moratorium on new construction. Eight representatives from the county, city of Macclenny, town of Glen St. Mary, the school board, the county property appraiser and the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council met April 7 at City Hall.
Based on residential projects already approved, Cathy Rhoden, county planning director, laid out some of the projected needs in basic categories such as police, fire/rescue, recreation and transportation.
She said the county will need four to eight additional deputies; a new library; a fire station in Sanderson and another one in Macclenny, each with two rescue units and four personnel; four more softball fields with concession facilities; parks; and improvements to roads, such as building shoulders and turn lanes.
Despite the enactment of impact fees last year by the city and county – and by extension the school board – the additional revenue will not cover the costs for additional services needed to accommodate growth.
The committee, first proposed earlier this year by Macclenny city commissioner Phil Rhoden, was formed to foster integrated planning for growth.
At last Thursday’s meeting, school superintendent Paula Barton asked whether the county can legally enact a moratorium to stop growth.
The school district, already strained by a high number of students, will be especially hard hit by growth. Ms. Barton and facilities director Denny Wells said the district will be anywhere from 122 percent to 127 percent of its level of service, meaning it will need more buildings and buses.
Ed Lehman, director of planning and development for the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council, said, “You can’t even start planning until you hit 120 percent, then you’re already behind the eight ball.”
He also answered Ms. Barton’s question about a moratorium, saying the county cannot enact one simply to “catch up,” but must have specific plans in place.
Ms. Rhoden said she didn’t think the county commission would have a problem with a moratorium.
Mr. Rhoden said, “I don’t think anyone wants to be the one who cries wolf, but what we’re hearing at this table is that we may be at that point.”
He said the city is “kind of maxed out with sewer,” and won’t be approving more connections until it gets permitting to increase capacity.
He asked property appraiser Tim Sweat for a projection of tax revenue based on approved construction.
Ms. Barton then told the group that the school board has told her to begin looking into a half-cent sales tax for school construction.
She said the proposal would be subject to a voter referendum, probably in 2008, if the board decides to move ahead with the idea.
“The crisis is here with the kids,” she said.
Macclenny city manager Gerald Dopson raised the issue of increasing the ad valorem tax rate.
He noted that it’s not just new residents driving growth.
“Native families are having kids, grandkids... do we want to try to make it up on new county residents, then exempt our native families?
“New growth shouldn’t foot the bill for everything.”
Mr. Lehman replied, “Good point.”
After Tuesday’s Macclenny city commission meeting, Mr. Dopson explained that he’s not necessarily advocating increased taxes, but thinks that everything should be on the table.
The growth committee has no statutory authority, so it cannot enact taxes or a moratorium, but members can brief their colleagues on their various boards, who could then take action.