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Century’s Hope For ECAT Gas Tax Exemption Hits Major Roadblock
February 1, 2013
Century’s hope for an exemption from a planned four cent gasoline tax hike approved by Escambia County hit a major roadblock Thursday.
The Century Town Council wanted the Florida Legislature to consider the exemption, but the proposal never made it to a Thursday afternoon meeting of the Escambia County State Legislative Delegation. That’s because, according to Rep. Clay Ingram, Florida law won’t allow the Legislature to consider such an exemption.
“The Century mayor’s office concluded that, under Florida’s constitution, a local bill is not the appropriate procedure by which to achieve an exemption, but they are currently looking at other options,” Ingram said.
Mayor Freddie McCall said Thursday afternoon that he was disappointed the Legislature won’t be able to exempt Century from the gas tax hike, but the town will continue to explore options.
“We might be able to do it through a (constitutional) amendment,” he said.
The four cent gas tax approved last year by the Escambia County Commission is scheduled to be implemented in 2014. Century 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 in Flomaton.
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
20 Responses to “Century’s Hope For ECAT Gas Tax Exemption Hits Major Roadblock”
Let this be your plan, since they are going through with this dainbramaged idea:
Call them every other day and ask “when are they installing your bus stop”.
Call them on the odd days and ask where is the bus stop.
Of course do feel free to explain to them that how is a bus supposed to know when to stop if there is NO bus stop.
No one really wants to answer the question “Why not set the rider fare to cover increased costs?” Most of us already know the answer.
If my business needs revenue, I cut costs, increase sales, and lastly raise prices. If that dont work, I’m finished.
Giving your wife more shopping money doesnt mean you automatically are saving more!
David,
I meant the Pensacola “metro” area, not Pensacola proper. Basically everything south of Cantonment.
There’s a way to protest it, just buy your gas over the line. Orange beach and Lillian are close to me, I’ll just drive over there. If I fill up, my short journey is paid for by the savings and I enjoy the scenic drive. Seriously folks, there’s a good reason why those bus windows are limo tinted…. they don’t want anyone seeing how few people are on the bus.
CW. Actually Perdido Key is the cash cow for Escambia county although now with the county collecting taxes at Pensacola Beach leaseholders they may run a close second. Just to get down to brass tacks
CW,
Actually, the majority of the population of Escambia County does not live inside the Pensacola city limits. The major industries lie outside thecity limits.
Robert,
We do have representation to go along with our taxation even if we sometimes disagree with what our chosen representatives do for us.
And I know the proposal to become a separate country wasn’t serious, but for those liking the idea, please understand all sales and purchases across the border would be subject to search and taxation — most likely higher than at present. That said, it would be interesting to see the currency we would develop and if we would back it with gold or silver or pulp wood or gravel or the full faith and credit of the nation of Escambia.
David for reason
The westside of Escambia County is the same. We have no bus service and live close enough to AL to go for gas. It is not all about one area of town being left out.
Let’s face it folks, North Escambia County has NEVER MATTERED to Pensacola, and probably never will! I’ve been in Escambia County since l960 and It seems to have always been Pensacola and the heck with the rest of Escambia Cty. How this can be changed is a mistry to me. Will just have to see if this NEW county commissioner will be any different than the ones before him. Since Century doesn’t want to pay the new tax, are they suggesting that the bus no longer go to Century. I know that the North end of the county gets NOTHING, look how the director of “Escanbia Health Dept.” CLOSED the Walnut Hill Clinic and the Century Clinic. All he cares about is the clinic on Fairfield. Really looking our for the WHOLE COUNTY!! DUH!! My opinion probably isn’t worth much if anything, but thought I’d comment anyway.
@Linda
If that were to happen North Esc would be a seriously poor county, and I can’t even imagine what the school situation would be like. Most of Escambia County’s revenue comes from Pensacola, because that’s where the majority of the population lives.
Too many roadblocks in our system. I knew when I read this article that someone would find a way to make it harder for Century to opt out. I personally think the north end of the county should make an effort to stop all this tax drain to Pensacola for projects that don’t benefit anyone but those in Pensacola and would love to see an amendment for this on the ballot!!!
Northern county residents…
Just be glad you don’t have Grover Robinson III representing you!
Good luck in your efforts
Here is an original idea: Disband ECAT and give the money back to the people. Duh!
TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. if we are to be taxed the commission should supply a bus in the north end of the county to supply the services to be taxed for. if this doesn’t happen i strongly suggest the citizens file suit.
I don’t live or work in Escambia county, so this doesn’t really effect me. I am just an outsider looking in. That said, I suppose my opinion doesn’t count.
When the issue of funding ECAT comes up, one of the issues that is often mention is how expensive it is to fund the route per person (http://www.northescambia.com/2009/02/county-applies-for-grant-for-century-molino-ecat-buses) that runs from Century to Pensacola. They talk of cutting it out just because of the sheer expense. So, why does is not make sense for Century residents to help fund ECAT equally to other residents in the county?
I am no liberal and I have never, ever voted for higher taxes for *any* reason, but how is it fair for Century to not have to help ECAT and still keep its route, making Pensacola residents pay for it? Because Century residents already drive longer distances? Then I’d think that Century should have to give up its route.
Not being divisive, just looking at it from another view point.
How bout this?
Just the thought of it and 2 have closed. There were 4 when this started.
Never mind that the price will have gone up 40-60 cent a gallon before this tax starts, won’t complain about that, the gas companies have to have record profits again.
We have had a 5 cent county gas tax for years, adding 4 cent more =9 cent county gas tax
Gas is as much as twenty cents a gallon cheaper in Miss. than fl or al. Its all about taxes and the wish of the escambia CC to put a tax on everything. I,ve been buying almost everything in Miss. for years with gas being the big thing. The CC can take their buses and go to , where ever they can.
We are all tired of funding Pensacola. The only thing I have seen so far is the new Molino Community complex/library, and the library has yet to open.
Great idea, Linda!
Better yet, why not break away and become a new state or even country?
I wish that the North end of Escambia county could beak away from pensacola and south Escambia and form its own county. We already have a city Century. Let escambi do what they want and we make our own laws. What a wonderful place this would be!!!!!!!