Former Gulf Breeze City Manager To Explain How He Can Help Century

July 7, 2019

The Century Town Council will sit down Monday with longtime Gulf Breeze City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy who has offered his consulting services to help the town solve the numerous problems identified in a recent report.

Eddy made the unsolicited offer after reading a report by independent financial consultant Bob Inzer, whose services were provided to the town by the Florida League of Cities following a scathing grand jury findings. Inzer repeatedly told the town council that Century needs to hire someone for a chief financial officer type position to have direct oversight over the town’s finances.

Eddy is not currently seeking a full time job with Century. Instead, he is proposing an hourly rate of $35 as a consultant. The town had not yet formally accepted his proposal, which he is expected to present Monday afternoon at 5:30 in council chambers.

Eddy recommended that the town set aside $5,000 for the initial phase, providing for 143 hours of service.

Eddy met with the Century Town Council in early 2018, explaining a new tax up to 10 percent that the town could levy on electricity, municipal water, propane and natural gas usage within the town limits. He also told the council that they could add an additional 25 percent premium to the bills of those outside the town limits that use town water or natural gas services, and up to a 5 percent communications tax to phone and internet bills.

The council never acted on any utility tax increases.

Eddy served as the Gulf Breeze city manager from 1992 until his retirement in 2017. He also worked as the city manager in Coral Springs, Florida, from 1988-1992.

Pictured above and below: Consultant Buz Eddy explained possible new tax revenue to the Century Town Council in February 2018. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

11 Responses to “Former Gulf Breeze City Manager To Explain How He Can Help Century”

  1. roy gold on July 10th, 2019 1:55 pm

    I’ve worked with Buzz Eddy When he worked as the City Manager of Coral Springs. The price he offered was a gift. His time, experience and knowledge would be a great opportunity for the City of Century.
    Former Mayor Roy Gold
    The City of Coral Springs

  2. Bill Grantham on July 8th, 2019 8:03 pm

    Buz Eddy is an honorable, public servant. The town of Century would be foolish not to accept is offer to help. At $ 35 per hour, that is less than a construction superintendent.

    Mr. Eddy has all the credentials, experience and knowledge, all of which was paid for by other municipalities. Maybe the City Council will find with in themselves enough backbone to retain someone who is a real world problem solver.

    I have known Buz Eddy since he came to Gulf Breeze. “You may not like what he says, but what he says will be truthful and to the point”.

  3. just sayin on July 8th, 2019 4:32 pm

    Rob Peter to pay Buzz

  4. BIG JOHN on July 7th, 2019 8:25 pm

    AND THE BEAT GO ON, AND WEAR IS THE TOC GOING GET THE $5000.00 TO PAY MR.EDDY ?, WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY BROKE. IT’S A BIG , BIG JOKE. I FEED SORRY FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE TOWN OF CENTURY, AS I CAN SEE A NEW TAX CONING ON THEM NOW AS IT WILL BE PUTTING A STRAIN ON THEM!!!!!

  5. Open Your Eyes on July 7th, 2019 4:58 pm

    This man comes from an area where Doctors, Lawyers, and Real Estate Agents live along with some Military Officers.All high income citizens. Just compare the average price of a home/property in Gulf Breeze to the average price of a home/property in Century. In contrast to Gulf Breeze, Century is a community comprised of struggling people living month to month on small pensions, social security, or welfare. The areas outside Century city boundaries is very similar in economic make-up in it’s citizenry. Clearly this man has an agenda and motive for his unsolicited engagement in the business of Century Residents. If the Mayor and Council of Century take the bait and “Hook-Up with this guy a complete meltdown will be assured. You can’t TAX your way out of this problem ………

  6. question on July 7th, 2019 4:14 pm

    Vote No.
    Also no changes to the charter.
    Where is the audit?
    It was due June 30.

    This guy wants to keep the second signature for CTA. Don’t pay him to raise taxes.

    No abrupt changes until you get results of the audit, it may be moot after that.

    Financial Emergency may be declared and State finally come in and stop this slow slide into the abyss.

    Can anyone say Opa locka

  7. Resident on July 7th, 2019 3:07 pm

    They will raise taxes to keep themselves getting benefits on the backs of everyone else and dems will flock there to seat more of them. Microcosm of where escambia, Florida and USA is headed. Dissolve the town government. Its not benefitting the residents.

  8. Charlie on July 7th, 2019 10:26 am

    Sure glad I don’t live there! More taxes for a lot of already poor citizens? Probably wouldn’t be needed if the town was run properly in the first place. Are those in power really going to listen to a paid consultant, when they have pretty much already been told what is wrong, that didn’t cost a single penny?, & keep on ignoring that advice. Yep, keep voting those same people back in. You have my sympathy.

  9. fisherman on July 7th, 2019 9:36 am

    Save the $5000.00 and do what he suggested and raise the taxes so you can waist more tax dollars.

  10. Niknak50 on July 7th, 2019 8:41 am

    I’ve heard it said you can’t fix stupid. But possibly Mr. Eddy knows something we don’t.

  11. M in Bratt on July 7th, 2019 8:27 am

    Come on, give Buz a chance, He’ll show you how to raise taxes and fees, hire a bunch more “experts”, and most of all, keep Century afloat long enough to sign off on a few more bond issues with Gulf Breeze.