2023 Ends With Century’s State-Required Financial Audit Not Posted
December 31, 2023
As 2023 comes to a close, Century’s state-required audit of the previous fiscal year is now six months overdue, leaving residents without a clear picture of the financial condition of their town.
The legal deadline for submitting the Annual Financial Report, often referred to simply as an audit, to the Florida Department of Financial Services is June 30 of each year.
As of December 30, Century’s 2021-22 fiscal year audit that was due June 30, 2023, had not been received and posted online by the Florida Auditor General.
Century has missed the state law mandated audit deadline every year for about a decade.
The late audit comes in a year that Florida State Sen. Doug Broxson warned interim Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. that the town may need to consider de-chartering and letting Escambia County take over.
Broxson’s comments came during a late October meeting of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation — Sen. Doug Broxson, State Rep. Alex Andrade and State Rep. Michelle Salzman — in Pensacola. Gomez had addressed the delegation, thanking them for millions in state funding that has gone to projects in Century, including a bridge replacement, wastewater treatment plant repairs and repairs to a failed water well serving the state prison.
‘I’ve been dealing with Century for 14 years,” Broxson told Gomez. “I know you’ve had tremendous challenges there. Your tax base is very low, and your needs are very great. I can tell you this delegation has doubled down on trying to help Century.”
“We are praying for you, we know you have a big challenge, we want you to do well,” Broxson continued. “But we know you are in tough circumstances. I would hope that at some point if things continue where it’s a challenge to meet your budget, that you would consider de-chartering Century so you could come under the umbrella of Escambia County and let them take their resources and help you with some of your major problems. I’ve watched it, I know you’ve tried, but we really need a bigger hand to help you get to where you need to be.”
The last audit with the state three months late for fiscal year 2020-21 found a deficit balance in the General Fund of $2.9 million and in the Natural Gas Fund of $1.8 million. A list of deficiencies and problems were also identified, many repeated from previous years.
A 2019 grand jury report that found gross mismanagement in the town, over a million dollars lost in utility operations, missing natural gas, about $3 million improperly borrowed from accounts with a 750-year payback plan, and a state of financial emergency. The town has never worked to follow many of the grand jury recommendations.
Welcome 2024 With Fireworks At Midnight On Pensacola Beach
December 31, 2023
The largest public fireworks display in Escambia County will be the annual Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce New Year’s Eve Fireworks display at midnight Sunday, Dec. 31, along the sound side of Pensacola Beach.
At the stroke of midnight, a dazzling light display, sponsored by Escambia County, will take place overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Cassi Mcgee Named Pine Meadow Elementary Teacher of the Year
December 31, 2023
Cassi Mcgee is the Pine Meadow Elementary Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is wrapping up 2023 by honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools over the next several days. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February; McGee is a top five finalist.
Fireworks Are Terrifying For Pets. Here Are Some Tips To Help.
December 31, 2023
Fireworks can cause a great deal of stress for some pets.
Here are some quick tips from the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare:
- Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
- Do not leave your pet in the car while you watch a fireworks display. A stressed animal can cause major damage to the interior of your car.
- Keep pets indoors. Turn on the TV or radio as a distraction and close the curtains.
- Never leave pets unattended outside, not even in a fenced yard or on a chain, if you are near a fireworks display or if your neighbors are lighting small fireworks. They may try to run away or become tangled up in their chain.
- Provide a pet bed or crate in a quiet place to create a small den-like atmosphere and a sense of security.
- If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
- Make sure your pet has proper identification tags with current information in case they run away.
- If your pet often becomes stressed during periods of loud noise like thunderstorms, check with your veterinarian to see if a tranquilizer is appropriate for your pet.
“Unlike people, pets don’t associate the noise, flashes and burning smell of fireworks with celebration,” said Animal Welfare Director John Robinson. “As a result, fireworks can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for some pets. We encourage you to also contact your veterinarian for additional solutions to pet anxiety. Following these tips will help keep your pets safe during the holiday.”
If your pet runs away, please check 24PetConnect.com under the “I Lost A Pet” section. The Animal Welfare and Adoption Center, located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, is open Monday-Friday from 12-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Escambia Ends 2023 With Some Of The Cheapest Gas In Florida
December 31, 2023
The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Florida jumped 14 cents during the past week, with demand growing from travel over the end-of-the-year holiday period.
AAA said Florida drivers paid an average of $3.12 on Wednesday, matching the national average for the first time since August. Florida’s average was $2.98 last week and $3.01 a month before.
Escambia area drivers enjoyed some of the state’s lowest prices at the pump at $2.85 on average while the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area paid an average of $3.30 a gallon. In North Escambia, drivers Saturdayday could find $2.75 at the Circle K on Highway 29 in Cantonment and $2.78 at the Quick Fill on Muscogee Road. In Pensacola, Cumberland Farms on Pine Forest Road was the lowest at $2.68, according to GasBuddy.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Low Near 40 Tonight
December 31, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
New Year’s Day: Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 61. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Wednesday: Showers, mainly after noon. High near 50. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 51. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 28.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
One Killed In North Davis Highway Wreck Saturday Afternoon
December 30, 2023
A 45-year old man was killed in a head-on collision Saturday afternoon on Davis Highway just north of HCA Florida West Hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a pickup truck driven by a 22-year old Escambia County woman traveled southbound into the northbound lanes of North Davis Highway near Abbie Lane about 2 p.m.. The pickup collided with a SUV driven by a 45-year old Pace man who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two other people were critically injured and two suffered minor injuries.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, FHP said.
Cool Dry Weekend; Small Chance Of A Shower By Monday
December 30, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 33. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
New Year’s Day: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Showers. High near 51. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 51.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 30.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Florida’s Expanded ‘Move Over’ Law Takes Effect Monday
December 30, 2023
Beginning January 1, Florida’s Move Over law expands to require motorists to move over for all disabled vehicles with flashers on stopped on the side of the road.
Starting Monday, motorists will have to provide space when disabled vehicles are stopped along the road while people are visible or things like emergency flashers are on.
The Move Over Law already required drivers to get out of lanes closest to stopped vehicles such as police cars, ambulances and utility trucks.
Violations will carry a fine of up to $158 for a noncriminal traffic infraction.
Moving over benefits everyone,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Protect not only emergency, utility, and sanitation vehicles but also your family and loved ones by keeping your eyes on the road and moving over when you see a vehicle, including a disabled vehicle, on the side of the road. If you can’t move over, you should decrease your speed to 20 miles an hour and pass cautiously. Save a life and move over.”
Century Man Facing Multiple Drug, Other Charges After Fleeing From Deputies
December 30, 2023
A Century man is facing multiple charges after allegedly fleeing from deputies.
Ladarrious Tamiraye Lett, 29, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, fleeing and eluding a marked patrol vehicle, resisting arrest without violence, driving with a suspended license, and possession of marijuana.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy on patrol in Century observed Lett driving a Dodge Charger. The deputy lost sight of Lett near the Whataburger parking lot on North Century Boulevard before locating the Charger again at East Highway 4 and Old Flomaton Road. The deputy activated his lights and siren and followed the vehicle until Lett fled at a high rate of speed on Fannie Road, an arrest report states.
Lett lost control and hit a bridge guardrail, allowing the deputy to catch up as Lett exited the car and ran into a wooded area. A Flomaton Police Department K-9 responded. The K-9 located a “large bag” of marijuana on the ground, along with a “large bag” of methamphetamine, the report states. Due to constant rain, Lett was not immediately located by the K-9.
A warrant for Lett’s arrest was later issued by a judge.
Lett remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
