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Consolidated Escambia Government Bill Clears First Florida House Committee
March 22, 2009
The Florida House bill filed by State Rep. Greg Evers that, if approved, would led to the formation of a commission to study the consolidation of the governments of Century, Pensacola and Escambia County has cleared its first House committee
The Military and Local Affairs Policy Committee cleared the bill Friday afternoon, and the bill had its first reading in the Florida House late Friday afternoon. The bill has been referred to two other committees — the Finance and Tax Council and the Economic and Community Affairs Policy Council. It has not yet made the agenda of either group.
If the bill is approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, a consolidation study commission will be formed in Escambia County.
Once a consolidation plan is created by the study commission, it is to be submitted to the Escambia County Commission, the City of Pensacola and the Town of Century for action before submission to the Escambia County legislative delegation by January 15, 2010. Once approved by the legislature, the plan would presented to Escambia County voters.
Century, Pensacola and Escambia County will not be required to pay for the commission, under the house bill, but they will be required to provide clerical, technical and legal assistance to the commission.
The commission, to be appointed by July 1 of this year, would include up to 25 members from various groups in the county.
The commission will include:
- Five members appointed by the Escambia County Commission, with one member being appointed from each district
- One member appointed by the Century Town Council, with that member being a resident of Century
- Two members appointed by the Pensacola City Council, both of them being residents of Pensacola
One member will be appointed by each of the following groups:
- NAACP
- Escambia County Taxpayer’s Association
- League of Women Voters of Pensacola Bay Area
- Pensacola Young Professionals
- Pensacola Ministerial Alliance
- Escambia County Farm Bureau
- Home Builders Association of West Florida
The president of the University of West Florida will appoint one member with expertise in local government matters. The sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, clerk of court and supervisor of elections will each appoint one member.
The chief judge of the First Judicial Circuit will appoint two Florida Bar members with legal expertise in local government matters.
One member will be appointed by the Escambia County School Board, and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority will appoint a member.
A special advisory committee on public safety will be appointed under the house bill, consisting of the following or their designee:
- Escambia County Sheriff
- Pensacola Police chief
- Escambia County Community Corrections Bureau
- Escambia County Public Safety Bureau Chief
- Pensacola fire chief
- Escambia County Medical Director
- chairperson of the Escambia County Fire Services Advisory Board
- Police Benevolent Association of the City of Pensacola
- Police Benevolent Association of Escambia County
- Chapter of of the International Association of Firefighters of the City of Pensacola
A special advisory committee on economic development will be appointed, including members appointed by the following groups:
- Pensacola Junior College
- Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
- Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce
- Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board
- Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce
- local chapter of the Florida Black Chamber of Commerce
- Florida’s Great Northwest
- Town of Century Chamber of Commerce
- Walnut Hill Ruritan Club
- Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce
An advisory committee on health care will be appointed by:
- Baptist Health Care
- Sacred Heart Health System
- West Florida Hospital
- Escambia County Health Department
- Escambia County Medical Society
Click here to read the entire bill (pdf format).
Comments
5 Responses to “Consolidated Escambia Government Bill Clears First Florida House Committee”
Yes, eight times I was a leader in defeating “charter” government.
If nothing else, voters should always remember this:
A Supreme Court ruling (Volusia vs. Dickinson) ruled that CHARTER GOVERNMENTS ARE AUTOMATICALLY GRANTED BROADER TAXING AUTHORITY!
The latest charter government promoters are a group that have plainly stated they want to find additional sources of revenue (yep, new taxes) to finance economic development. However, because they are all from downtown P’cola that simply means more capital improvements for the city to advance more tourism such as the infamous downtown Maritime Park.
Isn’t it time Escambia County finally abandoned the idea that we’re all going to get rich by selling peanuts, popcorn and parking tickets to tourists and seek real job opportunities!
Unfortunately, that is NOT what this group’s goals are. You can bet the onion patch they can’t wait to add “delivery” and “franchise fees” to all ECUA’s customer bills. That’s the real reason why they would not agree to eliminate ECUA from their their charter government request.
BEWARE FOLKS! Maybe it’s time to tell the downtown crowd NO once again!
What about little ole Bratt—cause that is where it is always been where it’s at!!! Maybe they could just give us to Alabama since all the kids from Alabama like our schools better anyway. Leave us alone, we don’t want you big city stupidity, where all you know is borrow and then figure out how to pay back. Whatever, the people speak and declare their wishes, no one listens, maybe that is how the wars get started…everybody wants their way and no one listens to the other fella’s opinions.
I think something should be done in Escambia County. But just look at the shopping list of groups in the article.
Everyone will indeed have their own a agenda. This is not mean’t as a dirogatory statement but every group mentioned is going to be a shareholder in the organization and the very nature of this promotes each groups on agenda and philosphy. It is unbeleivable to me that all of the citizens in the county are uncapable of selecting the right leadership no it is being done by a few people.
I am being ficious about the people as this is being spearheaded by a few people.
All I am saying is what is wrong with this picture? Speak up now or forever hold your peace.
I think this just about sums it up, “but they will be required to provide clerical, technical and legal assistance to the commission.” It’s always there in the fine print that consolidation is going to stick it to us, that is for those of us who don’t live n the city of Pensacola. And just how much do you think this “assistance” is actually going to cost? You better get out your calculator because during the past week or so we’ve seen that $8,000 won’t even get you good legal advice, just ask the town council in Century.
Looks like they’ve included everyone (except Native Americans, of course). I hope this doesn’t digress into a free-for-all where everyone is only interested in promoting his own agenda.