Meeting set on 331 project as taxpayers' group declares 'No tax and no toll'
The Walton County Taxpayers Board of Directors has carefully considered the funding proposal for the 331 Bridge Project that is being submitted to the CountyCommissioners. The WCTA cannot support either option- raising the sales tax or implementing a toll on the bridge.
The case has not been adequately made that the proposed burden to be placed on local taxpayers is offset by the value gained by the bridge, especially since our neighbors in BayCountyhave recently had a new state highway bridge fully funded by the State of Floridawith no such request of those neighbors.
However, WCTA wholeheartedly supports the CountyCommissionersworking at the State level on behalf of the local taxpayer. WCTA supports exhaustive efforts being made to ensure that the State is investing FULLY in the needs of WaltonCounty.
WCTA represents 2789 property owners in WaltonCountyand WCTA will actively educate its members and the voters of WaltonCountyon this issue.
To reiterate, as it relates to The Bridge proposal, the WCTA position is clear "No Tax and No Toll".
A local resident, Mike Flynt, has put together an informational meeting of county and business representatives to provide information to the residents of Walton County about the proposed 331 bridge project.
The public meeting on the project, proposed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), is set for Thursday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.
The BOCC decided on January 24, 2012, to consider an ordinance calling for a referendum on an optional sales tax increase of up to 1 percent. The increase is to provide $75 million in matching funds for $102 million offered by FDOT.
The meeting is organized by a private citizen although it was originally considered for sponsorship by a political club and a newspaper announcement was published to that effect. Nonetheless, the meeting is non-partisan and all are invited to participate.
AT A GLANCE:
Purpose: Provide competent, correct information regarding bridge project details, financing options, potential economic impact and how the referendum will be conducted if an ordinance is adopted by the BOCC at their February 14th meeting.
On the Program:
Bill Imfeld, Walton County Finance Director
Dawn Moliterno, Executive Director of Walton County Tourist Development Council
Kitty Whitney, Executive Director of Walton Area Chamber of Commerce
Date/Time: Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 PM.
Location: South Walton Utility Company Building (Grimaldi Room), 369 Miramar Beach Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Format: Mike Flynt, resident of Miramar Beach, will facilitate the meeting. The topics below will be named in order and the invited experts will briefly summarize the issues. Q&A will follow after each topic. The intent is to allow about 20 minutes for each topic in order to keep the meeting to an hour and a half.
Bridge Project/Referendum Process. Dawn Moliterno
Financing options. Bill Imfeld
Potential economic impact. Kitty Whitney
