Press Release
January 4, 2015 10:30 a.m.
This week the Nassau County Commission passed a municipal services taxing unit for beach re-nourishment, better known as the ‘Sand Tax’ for the City of Fernandina Beach. A Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) is a funding mechanism for community members to create, through approval of the Board of County Commissioners, a special taxing district to make improvements to their neighborhood and/or community area.
“New taxes only serve to slow down economic growth and create an unfair burden for the taxpayers who live in Fernandina Beach. People are weary of never ending demand for new tax dollars. I am opposed to this “sand tax” and would favor other alternatives to fund this beach re-nourishment obligation, such as a greater involvement by our local legislators to help provide funding through a state program, and seek a local bill to make changes to the bed tax that is paid by tourists who visit our beaches,” said Zimmerman.
“More taxes on residents are never an answer to the challenges we face as a community. Nassau County benefits from the beaches on Amelia Island. We need to focus on a solution that does not saddle this responsibility on a narrow group of citizens, some of whom are living on a fixed income and almost never use the beach. I will work to find alternative solutions to the challenge of beach re-nourishment. I will stand with the residents of Fernandina Beach and oppose this new burdensome tax,” said Zimmerman.
Joe Zimmerman is a Republican candidate running to fill the seat of District
5 on the County Commission.
Mr. Zimmerman appears to show a complete lack of understanding about this issue based on some the statements in his press release. First, the State of FL already covers 10% of the total cost of the beach restoration under the agreement with the Corp of Engineers (which covers 70%) with the agreement calling for the City and the County to split the remaining 10% as well as the ongoing monitoring costs. The City’s taxpayers were already being taxed as prior to the MSTU the City’s share was coming out of the General Fund. Now in the original split where the City and County both paid, the County’s share came out of the General Fund which included all property owners in the County so the City property owners were being charged twice. Since the MSTU exempts off-Island residents as well as those already covered in the SAISSA, the base of people that will be charged is smaller so the millage rate will have to be increased to raise the same amount of money.
While I agree that all Nassau County properties should participate in the MSTU what has been agreed to is better than the City absorbing the total cost from both parties. So while there may be a small increase in the overall rate paid by an affected property owner, this could hardly be considered a “new tax”.
Mr. Lott completely overlooks that fact that so-called beach “renourishment” is a selective practice vs. a mandatory solution to chronic beach erosion. Scientific research has proven the harmful effects of sand pumping and deposition on viable ocean beaches. Furthermore beach renourishment offers NO protection against storm surges or the impact of major hurricanes. As an unicorporated island resident, this will indeed be a NEW tax on my property and many others. If such projects benefit the entire county, then ALL tax payers should shoulder this burden, but I oppose both beach renourishment and any form of taxation to pay for it. Sorry but I did not drink the Coolaid offered by mercenary coastal engineers or non-elected county attorneys. Tail wags the dog in Nassau County.
Patrick – Tail wagging the “Nassau County” dog here involves expertise, value, reality, reason, and common sense.
Bob: Who’s expertise, values, reality, reason and common sense? How about 65 years native residency on Amelia Island, personal observation and full knowledge of all aspects of historic and contemporary beach erosion – remediation issues? Have you read any of Orrin Pilkey’s works- studies or listened to any of his presentations? Would you accept him as an expert on beaches? I absolutely concede a “separate reality” and value system on contemporary Amelia- no disagreement on those topics at all! The Amelia I knew is now completely usurped by an insurgent population with its own values and reality. One group’s paradise is another’s hell!
Actually, I have, but I am not willing to throw up my hands and let things go. In general, Pilkey argues that mathematical models cannot be used to accurately predict the behavior of beaches, although they can be very useful if directional or orders-of-magnitude answers are sought. I, personally think that our engineers are smart and reasonably objective – and I think we need to take advantage of the Navy’s gift to Nassau County and step up. Gave up being a Luddite long ago.
Time stands still for no person or culture – as we all can see day by day.
Patrick,
I only drink the Koolaid if it is punch flavored and comes served with a tiny red umbrella. The science works both ways I believe.
As to “new tax”, Nassau County Commission has the money included in the current budget so it’s not new at all. Of course, with the MSTU those funds are no longer needed so I’m sure it will be placed in the reserves account and not spent on another project (LOL).
Chanel 12 News reports:
St. Augustine Beach renourishment could happen sooner
Talking about money, according to the Army Corps of Engineers, this upcoming project could cost $10 – $20 million. St. Johns County expect it’s portion would be roughly $1.5 million.
“That would be TDC (Tourism Development Council) funding that comes primarily from tourists and bed tax,” Ryan noted. “It will also be split with state funding, but 80% will come from the federal government.”