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Senator: Century Needs To Seek Immediate Help, Let County Take Over
February 9, 2024
Century needs to realize just how serious of a financial and operational bind the town is in and ask for help — that was the word Thursday from Florida Sen. Doug Broxson.
Broxson told NorthEscambia.com that Century needs to immediately ask Escambia County for help, ultimately putting the future of the town on the ballot to see if the voters agree with dissolving the town and turning it over to the county.
As we reported Tuesday, Century’s latest audio shows “deteriorating financial conditions” and a combined deficit of 4.6 million in the town’s general fund and natural gas fund.
“They don’t have the tax source to run a city of their size. It’s mathematically impossible,” the state senator said.
Last October, Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. addressed members of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation, and Broxson suggested at the time that Century might eventually give up its charter and let Escambia County take over.
He reiterated Thursday that could happen if placed on the ballot by citizen petition or action of the county commission.
“I don’t know how they can continue to operate in the red,” the senator remarked, adding the town is essentially in bankruptcy because they don’t have the funds to cover needs without outside funding help.
Broxson said he will continue to explore options from the state’s perspective.
“I don’t want to continue to beat the citizens of Century, but someone in the town (government) needs to come to terms with their dilemma and deal with it.”
Florida Rep. Michelle Salzman said Wednesday that she will be asking the Chief Inspector General to take a look at the operations of the Town of Century.
- RELATED: Rep. Salzman Says She Will Ask Florida Inspector General To Review Town Of Century’s Operations
- RELATED: Mayor Responds To Salzman’s Plan To Request Review Of Century’s Operations
- RELATED: Latest Century Audit Shows ‘Deteriorating Financial Condition; Over $4.5 Million In Fund Deficits
Comments
8 Responses to “Senator: Century Needs To Seek Immediate Help, Let County Take Over”
Sounds like some real progress on getting this mess straightened out. Sen. Broxson and Rep. Saltzman are at least looking at it. But in the meantime the State is still funneling millions of dollars into this money pit on very questionable projects. All these funds should be put on hold until these audits are completed. Another point to be made is that the Town Charter of Century is a State Statute, and the only way to revoke the charter is for Legislature (Broxson and Saltzman) to pass legislation to revoke the charter. This process can be dragged out for a few more years, or all these elected officials; Both the Legislature and the Town Council can step up and do what needs to be done.
Why would the County want this mess ?
@David Flomaton has a higher tax base. Oh, and better leadership…
How is it that Flomaton can survive?
The county should step in and abolish the council. Then appoint an administrator to get things straightened out.
No one will do anything.
“A certain group of politicians instituted a soft coup, took power and finished running a town into the ground”…if there were monuments to dissolved towns this would be the epithet on Century’s.
Wonder how the county commissioners feel about all this? Haven’t heard from them, yet.
Really kinda that way, now. The county provides fire and police services, already.
One has to wonder what the town really has to offer its citizens and business, anyway?