Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
During an early morning budget meeting on July 1, 2013, the Nassau County Board of Commissioners rejected a proposal to impose a fire fee on the unincorporated area of Nassau County. Residents who spoke before the commission voiced concern over the “inequitable” fee that would cost property owners $217 fee per residence, and approximately $90 for undeveloped property.
After budget cutting discussions, Shanea Jones, director of Office of Management and Budget, was asked to bring back a tentative budget to close the 11.6 million dollar gap. Suggestions for the tentative budget to be presented at a July 17 meeting will include a 1.7 million reduction in reserves for contingency, 1.7 million reduction in reserves, 5.25 million additional revenue gained from redistributing funds received from the current sales tax, and a one half percent millage rate increase resulting in 2.9 million in additional revenue. Constitutional Officers are asked to sharpen their pencils and offer further cuts to close the budget gap.
For more detailed information regarding the budget meeting click here to view Jim Schoettler’s Florida Times Union recap “Nassau County Commissioiners nix fire tax as way to grapple 11.6 million budget shortfall.”
July 1, 2013 9:00 p.m.
I read the Observer and like it. The articles are right on with nothing but the facts, not opinions as we get in other papers. I do think a short weekly article on some history of Fernandina would be nice, with an old picture of the past. Just a thought.