Tate Edges PHS 27-22 To Remain Undefeated
September 7, 2024
The Tate Aggies continued their undefeated season with a 27-22 victory over Pensacola High on a soggy Friday night.
The win marked the Aggies’ third consecutive win of the season, after outscoring Fort Walton Beach and Gulf Breeze 65-0.
PHS, coming off their first win in nearly two years a week ago at Milton, briefly took an early lead. However, Tate responded with a touchdown of their own from senior Carson Secchari to regain the lead on their way to the win.
The Aggies (3-0) will end a three-game road series with Homecoming next Friday night back in Pete Gindl Stadium as they host Milton (0-3)
Northview Chiefs Fall On The Road To Freeport 36-20
September 7, 2024
The Northview Chiefs hit the road for a 100-mile trip across the Panhandle to take on Freeport.
The Chiefs returned home Friday night with a 26-36 loss to the Bulldogs. The defeat dropped the Chiefs’ record to 1-2 for the season.
Next Friday night, Northview will host the brand new Central High program for a Senior Night matchup at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 7, 2024
Here is this week’s North Escambia area football scoreboard:
Florida
Tate 27, PHS 22 [More...]
Jay 35, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 8
Fort Walton Beach 14, West Florida 0
Washington 12, Milton 7
Niceville 36, Pine Forest 14
Baker 42, Central 7
BYE: Pace
Alabama
Fort Dale Academy 42, Escambia Academy 7
Jackson 43, Escambia County (Atmore) 13
T.R. Miller 50, Monroe Co. 0
St. Michael Catholic 46, W.S. Neal 28
Excel 28, Flomaton 22 (Thursday)
Snelling Leads Wahoos To 3-0 Win Over B’ham Barons
September 7, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got back in the win column on Friday night, riding a strong Robby Snelling pitching performance to a 3-0 shutout win over the Birmingham Barons.
Snelling (W, 2-1) worked 5.2 scoreless innings of four-hit ball, striking out six to earn his second win since being acquired by the Marlins at the trade deadline. The 20-year-old lefty threw 99 pitches, his most in a Blue Wahoos uniform.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos kept pace with the Biloxi Shuckers in the hunt for a wild card playoff spot. The Blue Wahoos trail the Shuckers by 3.5 games and the Mississippi Braves by 1.0 game with eight to play in the regular season.
The Blue Wahoos loaded the bases in the first inning against Barons starter Tyler Schweitzer (L, 4-5), but couldn’t cash in. They broke through in the third inning, turning an Andrew Pintar single and Nathan Martorella walk into a 2-0 lead on a two-run double from Jared Serna. Joe Mack brought home Serna on an RBI fielder’s choice two batters later to put Pensacola ahead 3-0.
Snelling pitched into the sixth inning, departing with two outs and two runners aboard. Josh White, entering for his Double-A debut, needed only one pitch to coax an inning-ending popout.
White followed with three strikeouts in the seventh, and Dale Stanavich (S, 4) struck out five more Barons batters in a six-out save to seal the win.
The series continues Saturday in Birmingham, with a 6:30 CT first pitch from Regions Field.
UWF Football Beats McKendree 38-6 In Season Opener
September 6, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Argos correspondent
For openers, UWF’s football team produced a desired performance.
The nationally ranked Argos quickly jumped to a sizable lead, got a shutdown effort from their defense, shined on special teams and cruised their way to a 38-6 win Thursday night against the Mckendree Bearcats at PenAir Field in the season’s first game for both teams.
A crowd of 4,305 got an early start with a massive turnout by students in a pregame tailgate and also featured UWF’s expanded marching band, which has doubled in size.
“Very excited about the team and what we did (Thursday),” said UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles, after starting his second season at the helm. “Doing some really good stuff in all three facets of the game. I thought we played pretty well on offense… and defense? I thought we played lights out. I thought we finished the game really strong. I didn’t want to give up a touchdown there at the end. McKendree had the ball at the UWF 4, which we didn’t. But there are so many things to clean up. Obviously as a head coach, I wrote a whole list of things down.”
The good news for UWF is there is plenty of time to shore up that list.
The Argos, ranked No. 12 in American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division II coaches poll, No. 14 in the D2 Football.com poll, won’t play their next game until Sept. 21 when hosting West Alabama in their Gulf South Conference opener.
It’s the longest gap between games in UWF’s eight-year history.
“It will be something new that we’ve never done before at UWF,” Nobles said. “But we kinda set this up on purpose to make sure we could try and get a good win (Thursday) and then give ourselves a really good chance to start prepping for teams like West Alabama.”
Thursday’s game was a return half of UWF’s series with McKendree, located in Lebanon, Illinois, just east of St. Louis, and a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Argos traveled there in 2023 and got a 35-3 win in their second game of the season.
Part of the rematch intrigue was which UWF quarterback would start the game.
Redshirt freshman Marcus Stokes from St. Augustine-Nease High School, earned his way to the top of the depth chart and was solid in his first start. He completed 20 of 27 passes for 231 yards.
Both of his interceptions were on tipped passes and he was sacked twice. Backup Michael Rich Jr. made his only play count when he rushed on 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“I thought he played very well, I thought he played pretty efficient,” Nobles said. “Two hundred some yards passing in his first college game win (start). I thought he handled himself very well. He was very calm, very composed. He’s a high energy guy, but he was very relaxed, very calm, which I think is great for him.”
The Argos first two touchdowns came on one-play drives, following outstanding punt returns by senior defensive back Virgil Lemons, who finished with 147 yards on two returns, one of those 86 yards to the 1-yard line that was advanced by teammate McGrew Fortune.
The first one of 61 yards midway in the first quarter resulted in Jamontez Woods rushing in from the 4-yard line. Woods then finished the second one on a hand off from the one. He finished as UWF’s leading rusher with 38 yards on 13 carries.
“We have iPads on the sidelines now and we get to watch (punt returns) what happens and I watched both of them and said, wow, this is phenomenal blocking. This is what it should look like,” Nobles said. “I told Virgil, if you can give me every offensive possession starting inside the (opponents) 5, I become the best player caller in the world. I’m excited about how we performed on special teams and think we have a lot of momentum moving forward.”
Said Lemons of his two returns, “Heart stopping. Thank God. I was just happy. I just had trust in my guys. This is my second year returning and I got two of my corners out there blocking.”
Three of UWF’s first four offensive possessions resulted in touchdowns. Jay Sharp’s 1-yard run in the second quarter finished a 13-play, 90 yard drive that was UWF’s best offensive sequence.
A 21-0 halftime lead was further expanded on Cade Lombardo’s 29-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Rich’s touchdown run answered McKendree’s only score of the game on a short run that capped a 14-play 74 yard drive.
Linebacker Ralph Ortiz, one of the team’s best defensive players, had a big night. In addition to six solo tackles and a pass breakup, he returned an interception 27 yards late in the fourth quarter for the game’s final points.
Defensively, UWF kept forcing punts early in the game. The Bearcats longest play went for 35 yards. They were limited to just 49 rushing yards and 5-of-15 on third down conversions.
“We had a good start, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Lemons said.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: West Alabama Tigers vs. UWF Argos.
WHEN: Sept. 21, 6 p.m.
WHERE: Pen Air Field.
GAME THEME: Family Weekend
TICKETS: www.goargos.com/tickets
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Silenced by Carela, Barons in 4-1 Loss
September 6, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos saw their newfound momentum halted on Thursday night, falling 4-1 to the Birmingham Barons in their first loss of the series.
After 5-1 wins on Tuesday and Wednesday, Pensacola managed only one run on six hits as Juan Carela (W, 2-3) led a dominant performance from the Birmingham pitching staff.
With the loss, the Blue Wahoos lost ground to the Biloxi Shuckers in the hunt for a wild card playoff spot. The Blue Wahoos trail the Shuckers by 3.5 games and the Mississippi Braves by 2.0 games with nine to play in the regular season.
Jacob Miller (L, 1-1) was perfect through two innings, but ran into trouble in the third. Five singles, including RBI knocks from Rikuu Nishida and Wilfred Veras, gave the Barons a 2-0 lead. All eight of Birmingham’s hits in the game were singles.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back in the fourth when Nathan Martorella doubled off the top of the right field wall and scored on Graham Pauley’s RBI single. That would be all the damage done against Carela, who worked 5.0 innings of four-hit, one-run ball.
Terrell Tatum added to the Birmingham lead with an RBI single in the fourth, and Jason Matthews scored on a wild pitch from reliever Nigel Belgrave in the seventh to bring the score to 4-1.
Caleb Freeman (S, 4) worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn a save and lock down the Barons win.
The series continues Friday in Birmingham, with a 7:00 CT first pitch at Regions Field.
Northview Chiefs Boys Golf Defeats West Florida, Washington And Escambia
September 5, 2024
In high school golf action on a wet Wednesday afternoon, the Northview High School Chiefs boys defeated West Florida, Washington and Escambia high schools at the Osceola Golf Course in Pensacola
Four Northview golfers placed individually:
- 1st place: Jack Boutwell, with a score of 38 overall.
- 2nd place: Jackson Bridges, finishing with a score of 39.
- 4th place: Luke Godwin, with a 41.
Pictured: The Northview High School golf team: Luke Godwin, Jack Boutwell, Kelan Jurey, Jackson Bridges, Jayden White, Miles Smith, and Coach Nicholas Shivers. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here’s Where To Watch College Football This Weekend
September 5, 2024
Here is this week’s college football schedule and where to watch the games.
All times are Central.
Week 2
Thursday, Sept. 5
South Dakota Mines at Michigan Tech | 5 p.m. CST | FloSports
Central State (Ohio) at Grand Valley State | 5 p.m. CST | FloSports
Friday, Sept. 6
Western Illinois at Indiana | 6 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
BYU at SMU | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN2
Mass Maritime at SUNY Maritime | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Western New England at Springfield | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Duke at Northwestern | 8 p.m. CST | FS1
Saturday, Sept. 7
Arkansas at No. 16 Oklahoma State | 11 a.m. CST | ABC/ESPN+
No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan | 11 a.m. CST | FOX
Rhode Island at Minnesota | 11 a.m. CST | Peacock
Bowling Green at No. 8 Penn State | 11 a.m. CST | Big Ten Network
Akron at Rutgers | 11 a.m. CST | Big Ten Network
No. 23 Georgia Tech at Syracuse | 11 a.m. CST | ACC Network
Pitt at Cincinnati | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN2
No. 17 Kansas State at Tulane | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN
Troy at Memphis | 11 a.m. CST | ESPNU
Army at Florida Atlantic | 11 a.m. CST | CBSSN
Lafayette at Monmouth | 11 a.m. CST | FloSports
South Carolina State at The Citadel | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN+
Wagner at Lehigh | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN+
Georgetown at Marist | 11 a.m. CST | ESPN+
Widener at Lyoming | 11 a.m. CST | FloSports
Shippensburg at American International | 11 a.m. CST | FloSports
McNeese at Texas A&M | 11:45 a.m. CST | SEC Network
Campbell at Western Carolina | 12 p.m. CST | ESPN+
St. Anselm at Sacred Heart | 12 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Bowie State at Lenoir-Rhyne | 12 p.m. CST | FloSports
St. Andrews at Anderson (SC) | 12 p.m. CST | FloSports
Bucknell at VMI | 1:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Tennessee Tech at No. 1 Georgia | 1 p.m. CST | ESPN+/SECN+
Missouri State at Ball State | 1 p.m. CST | ESPN+
New Hampshire at Holy Cross | 1 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Valparaiso at Youngstown State | 1 p.m. CST | ESPN+
St. Francis (PA) at Kent State | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Utah Tech at UNLV | 2 p.m. CST | Mountain West Network
Cal at Auburn | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN2
South Carolina at Kentucky | 2:30 p.m. CST | ABC/ESPN+
Iowa State at No. 21 Iowa | 2:30 p.m. CST | CBS/Paramount+
Michigan State at Maryland | 2:30 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
Eastern Michigan at Washington | 2:30 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
South Dakota at Wisconsin | 2:30 p.m. CST | FS1
Northern Illinois at No. 5 Notre Dame | 2:30 p.m. CST | NBC
UMass at Toledo | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Duquesne at Boston College | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+/ACCNX
Jacksonville State at No. 22 Louisville | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+/ACCNX
Charlotte at North Carolina | 2:30 p.m. CST | ACC Network
Baylor at No. 11 Utah | 2:30 p.m. CST | FOX
Temple at Navy | 2:30 p.m. CST | CBSSN
Wofford at Richmond | 2:30 p.m. CST | FloSports
Stone Hill at Stony Brook | 2:30 p.m. CST | FloSports
Tennessee State at North Dakota State | 2:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UTSA at Texas State | 3 p.m. CST | ESPNU
Franklin Pierce at Bryant | 3 p.m. CST | FloSports
Virginia State at Norfolk State | 3 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Carleton State at Pomona Pitzer | 3 p.m. CST | FloSports
Middle Tennessee at Ole Miss | 3:15 p.m. CST | SEC Network
Marshall at Virginia Tech | 3:30 p.m. CST | CW Network
Idaho at Wyoming | 3:30 p.m. CST | truTV/Max
UVA Wise at East Tennessee State | 4:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UAlbany at West Virginia | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Florida A&M at No. 12 Miami (Fla.) | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+/ACCNX
Central Michigan at Florida International | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Gardner-Webb at James Madison | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
East Carolina at Old Dominion | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
South Alabama at Ohio | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Elon at North Carolina Central | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Morgan State at Towson | 5 p.m. CST | FloSports
Villanova at Colgate | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Virginia Union at Hampton | 5 p.m. CST | FloSports
Miles College at Alabama State | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Charleston Southern at Furman | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Western Oregon at Idaho State | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Kentucky Christian at Morehead State | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Warner at Stetson | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Shaw at Albany State | 5 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Sam Houston at UCF | 5:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
South Florida at No. 4 Alabama | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN
Samford at Florida | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+/SECN+
Buffalo at No. 9 Missouri | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+/SECN+
No. 19 Kansas at Illinois | 6 p.m. CST | FS1
William & Mary at Coastal Carolina | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Eastern Kentucky at Western Kentucky | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Chattanooga at Georgia State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Cal Poly at Stanford | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+/ACCNX
Virginia at Wake Forest | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN2
Louisiana at Kennesaw State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
San Jose State at Air Force | 6 p.m. CST | CBSSN
Georgia Southern at Nevada | 6 p.m. CST | truTV/Max
Tulsa at Arkansas State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UAB at UL Monroe | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
SE Louisiana at Southern Miss | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Texas Southern at Rice | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Northern Colorado at Colorado State | 6 p.m. CST | Mountain West Network
Winston-Salem at North Carolina A&T | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Central Arkansas at Lindenwood | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Southern Illinois at Austin Peay | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UT Martin at SE Missouri State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Illinois State at North Alabama | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Indiana State at Eastern Illinois | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Butler at Murray State | 6 p.m | ESPN+
Montana at North Dakota | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
UIW at South Dakota State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Prairie View A&M at Northwestern State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Mississippi Valley State at Lamar | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Tarleton State at Houston Christian | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Drake at Eastern Washington | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Catawba at Davidson | 7 p.m. | ESPN+/FloSports
Presbyterian at Erksine | 7 p.m. | FloSports
Mercyhurst at Howard | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Missouri S&T at Delta State | 7 p.m. | FloSports
Valdosta State at Newberry | 7 p.m. | FloSports
Tusculum at West Alabama | 7 p.m. | FloSports
Nicholls at No. 18 LSU | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+/SECN+
No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State (in Charlotte, North Carolina) | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
Alcorn State at Vanderbilt | 7:30 p.m. | ESPNU
Colorado at Nebraska | 7:30 p.m. | NBC/Peacock
Western Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Stephen F. Austin at North Texas | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Houston at No. 15 Oklahoma | 7:45 p.m. | SEC Network
Appalachian State at No. 25 Clemson | 8 p.m. | ACC Network
Long Island University at TCU | 8 p.m. | BESPN+
Maine at Montana State | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
West Georgia at Abilene Christian | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Portland State at Weber State | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Sul Ross State at Eastern New Mexico | 8 p.m. | FloSports
Southern Utah at UTEP | 9 p.m. | ESPN+
Boise State at No. 7 Oregon | 10 p.m. | Peacock
Northern Arizona at No. 20 Arizona | 10 p.m. | ESPN+
Texas Tech at Washington State | 10 p.m. | FOX
Texas A&M-Commerce at UC Davis | 10 p.m. | ESPN+
George Fox at Redlands | 10 p.m. | FloSports
Liberty at New Mexico State | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN2
Mississippi State at Arizona State | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN
Oregon State at San Diego State | 10:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Utah State at No. 13 USC | 11 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Montana at North Dakota | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
UIW at South Dakota State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Prairie View A&M at Northwestern State | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Mississippi Valley State at Lamar | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Tarleton State at Houston Christian | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Drake at Eastern Washington | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Catawba at Davidson | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+/FloSports
Presbyterian at Erksine | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Mercyhurst at Howard | 6 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Missouri S&T at Delta State | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Valdosta State at Newberry | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Tusculum at West Alabama | 6 p.m. CST | FloSports
Nicholls at No. 18 LSU | 7:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+/SECN+
No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State (in Charlotte, North Carolina) | 7:30 p.m. CST | ABC
Alcorn State at Vanderbilt | 7:30 p.m. CST | ESPNU
Colorado at Nebraska | 7:30 p.m. CST | NBC/Peacock
Western Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State | 7:30 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
Stephen F. Austin at North Texas | 7:30 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Houston at No. 15 Oklahoma | 7:45 p.m. CST | SEC Network
Appalachian State at No. 25 Clemson | 7 p.m. CST | ACC Network
Long Island University at TCU | 7 p.m. CST | BESPN+
Maine at Montana State | 7 p.m. CST | ESPN+
West Georgia at Abilene Christian | 7 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Portland State at Weber State | 7 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Sul Ross State at Eastern New Mexico | 7 p.m. CST | FloSports
Southern Utah at UTEP | 8 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Boise State at No. 7 Oregon | 9 p.m. CST | Peacock
Northern Arizona at No. 20 Arizona | 9 p.m. CST | ESPN+
Texas Tech at Washington State | 9 p.m. CST | FOX
Texas A&M-Commerce at UC Davis | 9 p.m. CST | ESPN+
George Fox at Redlands | 9 p.m. CST | FloSports
Liberty at New Mexico State | 9:15 p.m. CST | ESPN2
Mississippi State at Arizona State | 9:30 p.m. CST | ESPN
Oregon State at San Diego State | 9:30 p.m. CST | CBSSN
Utah State at No. 13 USC | 10 p.m. CST | Big Ten Network
Wahoos Gain Ground With 5-1, 10-Inning Win Over Barons
September 5, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos continued to chip away at their wild card deficit with a 5-1, 10-inning win over the Birmingham Barons on Wednesday night.
With the game deadlocked from the fourth inning on, the Blue Wahoos finally pulled ahead in the top of the 10th when a wild pitch from Eric Adler (L, 2-2) scored Johnny Olmstead from third base. Nathan Martorella followed with a booming three-run homer, adding insurance and continuing the Pensacola first baseman’s hot streak at the plate.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos gained ground on both the Biloxi Shuckers and Mississippi Braves in the hunt for a wild card playoff spot. The Blue Wahoos trail the Shuckers by 2.5 games and the Braves by 1.5 games with 10 to play in the regular season.
The game began with command issues for Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer, who walked in a run in the second inning before wriggling out of a bases-loaded jam. Fitterer settled into a groove, ultimately working 5.0 innings of one-run ball.
The Blue Wahoos tied things up in the fourth on an Olmstead two-out RBI infield single, and kept the game tied with effective relief from Tyler Eckberg and Justin King.
After Woo-Suk Go (W, 2-1) sent the game to extras with a scoreless ninth, the Blue Wahoos quickly mounted a threat against Adler. The placed runner, Olmstead, advanced to third on a wild pitch before Shane Sasaki walked and stole second. Andrew Pintar drew a walk to load the bases before another wild pitch brought home the go-ahead run. Martorella then unloaded with a three-run homer, his 13th of the year and ninth since August 4.
Go worked around Birmingham’s placed runner to work a scoreless bottom of the 10th and seal the win.
The series continues Thursday in Birmingham, with a 7:00 CT.
Century Approves Tax Rate, $10.6 Million Budget But Details Shrouded In Mystery
September 4, 2024
Tuesday night, the Town of Century approved a tax rate and a $10.6 million budget for the next fiscal year. But the details of how they will spend the money remains a bit of a mystery that we can’t report due to unfulfilled public records requests.
Century approves tax rate (but makes mistakes on the details)
The town council approved a resolution establishing a final millage rate for 2024-2025, but made some apparent mistakes on the details.
The resolution read aloud by administrative assistant Mallory Walker before the vote differed from the resolution that was included with the agenda emailed August 30 to town council members and officials, along with local media. The email version stated the millage rate will be “.9204 mills (correct amount), which is greater than the rolled-back rate of 0.2423 mills (incorrect) by 290.66% (incorrect based upon actual amount)”.
According to the resolution read aloud before the affirmative vote, the “operating millage rate is .9204 mills, which is greater than the rolled-back rate of 0.9781 mills by 5.900%.”
While the council voted to approve the resolution read as a property tax increase of 5.9%, that’s not actually the case. In math, 0.9204 is not greater than 0.9781. Under the state’s definition, the town did not raise taxes.
State law establishes a procedure for correcting for mere typographical or inadvertent mistakes (also known as a“scrivener’s error”). Since the written version of the approved resolution was not provided in the agenda packet nor at the town hall Tuesday night, we can’t verify what it actually stated in writing compared to the verbal statements.
The Mystery: Where’s documentation on how millions will be spent?
Since August 30, NorthEscambia.com has asked for a copy of the complete tentative budget for 2024-2025, which provides details supporting the income and expenditures in a one-page summary that the town sent us (pictured above). For example, Century’s 2023-2024 complete budget contains 14 pages of small print with great detail on how they arrived at the budget, plus a 5-year historical comparison.
When we asked at the meeting, we were told by council members that they had received a copy of the complete budget before the vote. The complete budget was not available to the public at the meeting or on the town’s website.
“Why was there no copy available to the public before tonight? You’re approving numbers. The public has no idea what you’re approving,” NorthEscambia.com Publisher William Reynolds asked during the meeting.
Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said NorthEscambia.com had provided everything the council has. But that information was never sent, leaving us and the public without any detailed explanation of how the town plans to spend millions — from water wells to salaries and everything in between. We will further explore the mayor’s comments and our public records requests in an upcoming story.
Century approves $10.6 million budget
The Century Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a tentative $10.6 million budget for fiscal year 2024-2025, which starts October 1.
The budget summary states, “The proposed operating budget for this fiscal year is 43%greater than the previous year’s budget due to additional grants.”. Without a complete budget, we can’t tell you what those grant funds are that were included in the budget, or if any of monies were part of the approximately $15.6 million in grants the state terminated, which also included $12.8 million the state pulled from the town “due to financial and fiscal solvency issues the Town is facing“, according to that state agency FloridaCommerce in an email.
The 2024-2025 budget includes an increase of $2,434,114 in both the total budget and the total expenditures of $10,607,009 this fiscal year compared to $8,172,895 last fiscal year. (Mathematically, that’s actually a 29.78% increase, not the $43% stated in writing by the town.)
The town is budgeting for roughly the same amount of income from franchise fees ($170,000) and from licenses, reviews and permits ($10,700), and an increase of $30,937 from “miscellaneous revenue” into the general fund. No explanation of increase is available without the complete budget documentation.
The new budget shows $7,891,884 in income from the “Enterprise Fund” into the general fund, and increase of over three million in additional estimated revenue over last year… In past years, the Enterprise Fund has been comprised of the bills paid by residents for natural gas and sanitation services, along with additional grants. Without a copy of the full budget, we can’t provide complete details.
The town plans to transfer $691 ,503 into their budget from their reserve funds — $554,449 from the “Special Revenue Fund” and $137,054 from the CRA. In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowing the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen” in 2018, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county and other taxing authorities. The CRA funds are meant to improve a “blighted” area of Century. Without that budget summary, we can’t provide specifics on how or why the reserves — much like a savings account — are being spent next fiscal year.
The town budget shows $2,634,655 will be spent on “general government services”, an increase of over $1.6 million over last year — $1,633,528 to be exact — over last year. Last year, general government services fund was budgeted to be spent on items like day-to-day operations, building maintenance, executive salaries, vehicle expenses, Christmas hams and turkeys, fuel and other employee salaries and expenses like taxes and insurance. Again, we can’t tell you where Century plans to spend an extra $1.6 million without a complete budget.
The town has budgeted $1,671,719 for “Physical Environment”, a decrease of just over $2 million from the enterprise fund — the gas and garbage bills paid by citizens and grants. Since the town did not provide a complete budget, we can’t tell you exactly what this $1.671 million will be spent on. (It’s not obvious how the fund was spent from last year’s budget either. There is no supporting documentation in last year’s budget for a $3.725 million “Physical Environment” fund or any definition.)
This year’s budget shows $5,793,001 in grant expenditures for the enterprise fund. There was no explanation available; that information would be in the complete budget Century would not provide. But we do know the town has received grants for the sewage treatment plant, lift stations and water wells.
Pictured: Tuesday night’s Century Town Council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.