Bumpy roads in store for Nassau County drivers? Commissioners Kelly and Spicer kill gas tax

By Susan Hardee Steger
July 12 2017 10:34 p.m.

“There is a great need and there are roads falling apart everywhere. There is so much need in Nassau County it is unbelievable, and it isn’t just roads.” Commissioner George Spicer

Nassau County Commissioners Kelly and Spicer say no to gas tax. (File Photo)

With the requirement for a super majority vote to approve an additional 5 cent gas tax to fund road projects, the Nassau County Board of Commissioners at its Monday night meeting voted down the “Gas Tax” ordinance on a 3 – 2 vote. Commissioners Kelly and Spicer opposed the move.

Prior to the vote, Budget Director Justin Stankiewicz told commissioners that the additional tax could generate 1.8 M per year dedicated to roads. An estimated 35% of the anticipated tax revenue would come from tourists and other non-county road users. Approximately 15% of the collected funds were to be distributed to county municipalities leaving the county with 1.5 M dedicated to new roads, road resurfacing and paving projects. Currently 31 out of 66 Florida counties utilize the higher gas tax to help fund transportation costs. The average estimated impact to county residents would be $42 a year.

There were few public comments but the majority supported the increase. Mike Bell, called the gas tax, “fairer than any alternative available.” According to Bell, “The county road infrastructure is “deteriorating rapidly.” Challenging commissioners to support the increase Bell said, “It is not intellectually honest to profess to care about road paving and resurfacing if you vote against the only tool to solve these problems.”

Chairman Leeper pressed for support on the issue telling fellow commissioners, “This [is] the right thing to do.“

“What will get you to the point to support the ordinance?,” asked Leeper.

“There is a great need and there are roads falling apart everywhere. There is so much need in Nassau County it is unbelievable, and it isn’t just roads.” Spicer then said he has been “bombarded” with calls from taxpayers on the west side voicing opposition to the gas tax. Because of the calls, he decided not to support the ordinance even though “he believes the tax is much needed in the county.”

Commissioner Steve Kelly said “it would bring him closer” to support the tax if projects were prioritized.

Commissioner Pat Edwards in support of the gas tax said, “If we don’t do it now, we will have more roads falling apart. The county is barely bringing in enough to keep the doors opened. Sooner or later the taxpayers will pay.”

After a recess, County Attorney Mike Mullin brought back an amendment to the ordinance that incorporated commissioners’ concerns. Additional items  included road priorities based on a number of criteria including the ability to receive matching funds from state or federal government and an amendment that  60 % of gas tax funds would be allocated west of Interstate 95.

Kelly issued a warning to the public that a one mill rate increase is possible and that is on top of the gas tax should it pass.

Prior to the final vote, Leeper asked fellow commissioners “to reach into your hearts and minds and to do what is best for this county.”

Kelly and Spicer then rejected the gas tax and voted no.

A disappointed Leeper addressed the opposing commissioners. “I don’t want to hear anything about a road until you bring a solution [for funding] to us. “

King Engineering Associates recommended a budget of 6.5M every year for county roads. Past budgets have fallen far short of the 6.5M goal. It is expected this year’s budget will put road expenditures in the Capital Project Budget at 3.5 M. An email response from a Fernandina Observer question, Budget Director Stankiewicz said, “In addition [to the Capital Project Budget] we will spend $2 million on our Pavement Management Program. . . . . this $2 million is short of the consultant’s recommendation of $6.5 million.

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Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
6 years ago

“the tax is much needed in the county” but then Spicer votes no. Real leadership!!! Tell me what citizen ever wants to have a tax increase? At least a third of the taxes raised would have been from non-residents whereas a property tax increase is going to hit ALL residents. The “just say no” mantra has run its course, especially when no alternative plan is presented.

Doug Adkins
Doug Adkins (@guest_49179)
6 years ago

Let’s see the property values have gone up by 11%, this should deliver new tax dollars to the county, we now have a “sand tax”, we also have had a 1 millage tax increase that a year or so ago that everyone was proud of, there is a $1.5 million in bond debt that will be released in 2019 that appears would generate the exact same amount of revenue, the impact fees went up and then of course the fire tax or whatever they called it. The point here is that there is has been a steady call for new fees, new ways for government to raise new money for “spending”. The fact that this money was available for new bonding you could only imagine how these funds could be used for new roads aimed at new developments and new housetops. At some point you have to recognize that the working families that extra $20 is the difference between paying t-ball fees for the kids, going to the movies or a pizza night out. Unless you understand how these “taxes” impact working families these wish lists are simply detached from the realities that too many families face. The dangerous conditions on A1A is a perfect example of a problem that is easily solved with a few simple calls to the FDOT. The reality is that these conditions would not be tolerated anywhere else in Florida our local elected leaders should be demanding that state leaders get into the game and act to ensure the safety of the many teens, elderly and locals who depend on this transportation link everyday. If they want a “gas tax” they can put it on the ballot and let the voters decide it. Its an option under the law.

Michael Bell
Michael Bell (@guest_49181)
6 years ago

Mr. Lott nails it and Mr. Adkins retreats to his ideology and misinformation. FOR MANY DECADES Nassau County has under-invested in its infrastructure. This is not a new phenomenon. One of the greatest lies being perpetrated upon our taxpayers is that they pay enough in taxes to maintain and/or replace capital assets.
The truth is that the County is barely able to pay its bills for ongoing operating expenses. Little if anything is left over for capital maintenance or replacement. There is no money tree! As for the false narrative that an increase in property values will solve the enormous capital infrastructure problem, no way. With Nassau’s over-reliance on residential property taxes and the Save our Homes Amendment in the Florida Constitution capping homesteaded property’s increase to 3% or CPI (whichever is lower), taxable values in the County are still not back to where they were in 2008. And if everyone will look at where tax dollars are allocated, you’ll find that, for many decades and continuing to this day, the County has not had the funds to allocate for capital maintenance of its depreciating assets like road paving and resurfacing. The road paving and resurfacing needs are huge, won’t go away and, with every passing year, the repair bill is increasing while we’re leaving money on the table. The gas tax is a user fee and is the fairest way of paying these bills compared to any alternative because visitors passing through or vacationing here help fund it. With the disgraceful defeat of the gas tax, Commissioners Kelley and Spicer are simply exposing residential property taxpayers to pay for more transportation projects in the future that will further erode other parts of the budget. Kelley and Spicer preach a “pay as you go” philosophy while they kick the can down the road for others to pay in the future. Mr. Adkins may fancy himself as the protector of working families, but it is exactly these working families who will be left paying an even bigger bill in the future. Bumpy roads indeed are ahead. We either start taking care of our depreciating assets or they’ll cost all of us more in the future…not to mention the personal auto alignment and suspension repair costs we’ll face along the way!