Property taxes and the HCP

[scooterbug44]

Ditto - I say divide the fine by feet of seawall and then make THOSE people pay accordingly.

 

[lazin&drinkin]

The issue is not the employees as much as politicians involving government in every aspect of our lives. Much of the growth in county government has come from a exponential expansion of the county government in our lives. When you pass a huge ordinance in order to address a neighborhood problem you must hire employees to police that. These employees need support to keep up with the myrid paperwork that comes with any government project. Before long you have a huge expense that must continue to justify its existence. Like I have said we need a public debate on exactly what role government will play in our lives and how we will pay for the items we decide are essential.

The last sentence encapsulates well the debate we need and must have. To win that debate will require the participation of all, most especially county employees who do the work and not the politics. The employees are going to be victimized by this if they don't participate constructively in the debate you so rightly call for. Those making the decisions are the people we must convince or replace.

 

[lazin&drinkin]

Ditto - I say divide the fine by feet of seawall and then make THOSE people pay accordingly.

Amen.

 

[lazin&drinkin]

I didn't speak with Billy but have been in countless meetings where the HCP was discussed. Here is a link to the information on the County website that may be useful.

Walton County, FL - Home Page - Habitat Conservation Plan

As listed on the site, I would recommend calling Billy if you have any specific questions.

Thanks

 

[Matt J]

So from what I gathered out of this thread it's not a county wide assessment as stated in the OP. Rather it is a fee aimed at the very people who would benefit the most from it.

I've seen the waves lapping at a gulf front home or condo and never once did I think that perhaps we should all band together and ensure that the beach was re-nourished to prevent that home or condo from falling in. I'm not a big fan of re-nourishment since it's not natural. Believe it or not, but anything that is south of a bay and north of the Gulf of Mexico is a barrier island. Not sure what that is? Consult you friendly neighborhood geologist or wikipedia Barrier island - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Scroll down and check out the picture showing what happens when you don't re-nourish a barrier island.

As to the assertion that county workers are somehow lavished with benefits and salary is laughable. If you calculate their salaries after deducting property taxes and various other fees paid back to their employers they aren't left with much. Rather than constantly whining about the budget problems and screaming for the ousting of commissioners based on a necessary vote to balance the budget, why not come up with ideas for cutting said budget. Also try to do it without magically lumping county employees and their benefits in with Wall Street CEO's.

I'm also curious where you obtained your law degree lazin&drinkin?

 

[idlewind]

So from what I gathered out of this thread it's not a county wide assessment as stated in the OP. Rather it is a fee aimed at the very people who would benefit the most from it.

I've seen the waves lapping at a gulf front home or condo and never once did I think that perhaps we should all band together and ensure that the beach was re-nourished to prevent that home or condo from falling in. I'm not a big fan of re-nourishment since it's not natural. Believe it or not, but anything that is south of a bay and north of the Gulf of Mexico is a barrier island. Not sure what that is? Consult you friendly neighborhood geologist or wikipedia Barrier island - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Scroll down and check out the picture showing what happens when you don't re-nourish a barrier island.

As to the assertion that county workers are somehow lavished with benefits and salary is laughable. If you calculate their salaries after deducting property taxes and various other fees paid back to their employers they aren't left with much. Rather than constantly whining about the budget problems and screaming for the ousting of commissioners based on a necessary vote to balance the budget, why not come up with ideas for cutting said budget. Also try to do it without magically lumping county employees and their benefits in with Wall Street CEO's.

I'm also curious where you obtained your law degree lazin&drinkin?

Excellent points SWGB. I am very uncomfortable with enhancing the value of private property (renourishment) at public expense. I also cannot see taxing someone in Miramar to armor a beach house in Inlet Beach.
I also agree that our budget problems are not providing insurance and retirement for someone making 30,000 per year. Our problem is that government is trying to do too much and blaming the employees for the budget problems. That is the reason people are frustrated with the commissioners.