McCall Pumps Up Support For ECAT Gas Tax Exemption

January 12, 2013

Century Mayor Freddie McCall is pumping up support for a state exemption from Escambia County’s proposed four cent gas tax hike to support ECAT mass transit.

Armed with a resolution asking the Florida Legislature for the exemption, McCall addressed the Escambia County Legislative Delegation — Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram and Rep. Clay Ford.

Century has refused sign off on an interlocal agreement with Escambia County that would allocate additional gas taxes collected in Century to the county for mass transit. Town officials contend the new tax is unfair to North Escambia residents and may force the three gas stations in Century to close as they force drivers choosing to purchase lower priced gasoline across the state line at the first station they come to in Flomaton.

“It’s a quarter mile beyond the state line,” McCall told the legislative delegation during a public forum in Pensacola. “The service station will be taking all of our business.”

The Century Town Council passed a resolution Monday night asking the Legislature to exempt Century due to the town’s proximity to Alabama. The town says the gasoline tax is currently 27 cents less in across the state line in Flomaton.

The resolution also sates that the four cents for ECAT “benefits the south end of the county significantly more than the north end of the county”.

Without the exemption from the Legislature, Century’s refusal to to play along with the county’s new gas tax is perhaps a moot point.

Amy Lovoy, the county’s budget chief, said the county will still receive the additional gas tax proceeds collected in Century because Century will automatically be included if the tax is approved by Pensacola, the largest municipality in the county.

Pictured: Two of Century’s three gas stations at the intersection of East Highway 4 and Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “McCall Pumps Up Support For ECAT Gas Tax Exemption”

  1. James Broel on January 13th, 2013 2:02 pm

    Southerner, I have no problems myself paying taxes to help others…it’s why we live in a society!! And taxes are necessary to fund government. Sure money can be managed better but without revenue from people who pay taxes we can’t have the benefits of living in a society.

  2. Southerner on January 12th, 2013 8:40 am

    Exempt us all from paying for this socialistic system.

  3. Ron C. on January 12th, 2013 8:17 am

    I sure like how the Escambia County budget chief pointed out that Century will still be included if Pensacola signs off on the deal. They just want to ensure that the people of Escambia County know who is in control…the ECC rules from the top down. Anytime they want to slap a tax down on the people without a vote they will do it and we will like it. I just think it is funny how the mayor of Pensacola is holding their end of the bargain until they see where the Restore monies are going to before agreeing to anything with the county. I know I will be buying my gas across state lines. Especially since I have seen where the loyalties of the ECC lie. All they care about is their personal political endeavors and filling their purses full of the taxpayers monies. That’s how the good ole’ boys work.

  4. Matt on January 12th, 2013 7:28 am

    I think the ones using the bus should pay more. Thay must not have a car or the up keep of one by them paying more is still saveing them money than owning one.

  5. charlie w. on January 12th, 2013 4:56 am

    No taxes for Ecat at all. If the bus line can,t support itsself, shut it down. Why should everyone pay for something for the very few users? It just ain,t fair!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News