FBCC slightly reduces proposed millage rate for FY 2017-18

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
July 26, 2017 11:41 a.m.

During a special meeting called for only one purpose on July 25, 2017, the Fernandina Beach City Commission set the tentative millage rate for FY2017-18 as recommended by the City Manager during the July 18 Regular Meeting: 6.000 operating millage; 0.2097 voter approved debt. The total city tentative millage rate approved is 6.2097 for the fiscal year beginning October 1, compared to 6.3044 for the current fiscal year.

Budget meetings and workshops will be held next month during which the millage rate may be reduced, but not raised.

An item not on the agenda preceded the millage vote. Nassau Board of County Commissioners and Tourist Development Council (TDC) Chair Danny Leeper, accompanied by TDC Managing Director Gil Langley presented the city with a ceremonial check reflecting the TDC’s funding of the $864K local cost share for upcoming beach renourishment.

Before the presentation Vice Mayor Len Kreger announced that the total cost of the beach renourishment would be $30M, the largest effort to date. The local cost share underwritten by the TDC reflected both Nassau County’s and the city’s share.

Leeper reported that the Board of County Commissioners had approved this TDC expenditure the previous evening. He added, “This is a great testament of what tourists do for our county and Amelia Island.” He also recognized the efforts of Fernandina Beach Mayor Robin Lentz and Commissioner Tim Poynter who serve on the TDC board.

In addressing the FBCC, Langley said, “This has been a long term goal of the TDC: to accumulate enough money to pay the local share [of beach renourishment costs]. The great thing about this is that the visitors to our community are paying 100 percent of this cost through the bed tax, relieving pressure on the general revenue funds of the city and the county. It’s a good thing for us to be able to continue spending money on the beach, our number one priority. When you consider everything the TDC has done this yet for the beaches, including clean up efforts, repairing effects from Hurricane Matthew, the Leave No Trace ordinance and this check, it totals $1.5M paid for by bed taxes. We are happy to have the city as a partner and look forward toward working together to protect our beaches and promote our tourism industry.”

Kreger in thanking Leeper and Langley also credited the U.S. Navy, federal assistance and state assistance for helping the renourishment efforts. Thanks to all these efforts Kreger said, “When you look at our beach, you can see that it has actually grown.”

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.