New revenue sources

[wrobert]

I have heard some of the BCC candidates speak recently about taxes. Keeping in mind, most of the time I am only hearing from the periphery and am not where I can ask questions or even am sure I am hearing correctly. But seems that I heard that some are looking for new revenue sources. Anyone have any ideas on what additional sources of revenues that we might be able to capture? I would like to discuss the pros and cons.

I think I heard that tourists were the suggestion to be legally plundered on this issue.

 

[idlewind]

When are people going to figure out that tourism is the lifeblood of this county and "plundering' them will cause those dollars to go to a more tourist friendly locale? We have the world's most beautiful beaches but they are certainly not the world's ONLY beaches. Time for some people to get in touch with reality.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Hey, I'm all for alternate streams of revenue that I don't have to pay, but that's not realistic. The folks who are suggesting that we squeeze more revenue out of tourists must not be aware that we (along with pretty much all the other counties in Florida) already impose a 4% tax on tourists to stay in our accommodations, on top of the 1% Walton County surtax and the 6% Florida sales tax that we all pay when we purchase taxable goods.

And speaking of the sales tax, I keep hearing rumors that it might be raised at some point...

 

[idlewind]

Hey, I'm all for alternate streams of revenue that I don't have to pay, but that's not realistic. The folks who are suggesting that we squeeze more revenue out of tourists must not be aware that we (along with pretty much all the other counties in Florida) already impose a 4% tax on tourists to stay in our accommodations, on top of the 1% Walton County surtax and the 6% Florida sales tax that we all pay when we purchase taxable goods.

And speaking of the sales tax, I keep hearing rumors that it might be raised at some point...

At some point people are going to have to come to grips with one fact: THERE IS NO FREE RIDE!
Cutting property taxes is great, but people still want to line up at the government trough and get some cash for their fav project or charity or program. When they are told there are no funds, they want to get the money from SOMEONE ELSE. They do not care if we kill tourism, cost people with families their job and cripple the economy as long as they get what they want without having to pay anything for it.:angry: Might the correct stance be to keep ALL taxes and fees as low as possible, prioritize what we NEED government to do and forget the rest?

 

[wrobert]

cripple the economy as long as they get what they want without having to pay anything for it.:angry: Might the correct stance be to keep ALL taxes and fees as low as possible, prioritize what we NEED government to do and forget the rest?

Well not going to be much of a discussion because we agree on this point. Government needs to quit trying to do it all.

I did hear the statement made that we need to be concerned with renters since they paid no school tax. And that tourist paid little tax on our roads and emergency services.

Personally I believe that all taxes are paid by the consumer to some degree and since we have those services and taxes paid for them, the tourist that uses the businesses in this county are doing their part.

 

[idlewind]

I am glad to read a comment by a political candidate that understands how things are paid for and that government cannot do it all.You truly are to be commended.I am so sick in this political season of hearing candidate after candidate for everything from President to local offices promise everything under the sun. :shock: I took a calculator out after one of the local forums and I figured we would immediately need about 5 Million in new revenue to pay for the promises that the various sheriff's candidates, school candidates and commission candidates made.:angry: They should at least have the morals to say that they MUST raise someones taxes to pay for this stuff.

 

[scooterbug44]

Instead of increased taxes, I vote that we start enforcing the sheet out of our existing laws.

IMO increased taxes will have a negative effect - I'd much rather get needed $ from ticketing people who blow red lights at dangerous intersections, park in fire lanes or on the path, swim on red flag days etc.

I am sure there are also some places we could cut the budget and not miss it.

 

[countyline4336]

creative economics

I vote for creative thinking! Just did some quick math on the cost of transporting 12 deputies from the North End to the South End every day of the year and it looks like approximately $126,000.00 in saved fuel if they lived in the district that they worked in. 8,800 hours annually in saved manhours driving back and forth, not to talk about the same 8,800 hours saved in vehicle maintenance and wear and tear. My four dollar calculator tells me that with depressed prices in the real estate market, the sheriff could purchase 12 new Townhomes in the Santa Rosa Beach area for approximately the cost of two years savings!!!!! Duh.... thats why I'm pulling for Cooper.

 

[scooterbug44]

Do we pay for that gas?

If so, instead of buying townhomes, we could just stop paying for that gas and avoid all the extra wear & tear on vehicles.

 

[countyline4336]

respectfully

I guess that would be an option also. The deputies working the South End that live in Glendale, Paxton and Geneva could simply "thumb" a ride to the South Walton Substation, pick up their cruiser, and start working. I don't see my suggestion as a gimme for Deputies, simply a solution to the old story that they have to live up North because they can't afford a place down South. Charge them north county rent and get 2 extra hours per day of useful duty, 2 hours less, wasted highway time, and have a deputy that thinks of his duty station as his home. Of course this would prevent central micromanagement of all personnel and we surely couldn't allow that to happen. Thanks for your thoughtful return reply.