Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
May 19, 2014 6:47 p.m.
A quote from Thomas Jefferson, “an informed electorate is necessary for a successful democracy,” was a fitting opening to the “Meet the Candidates” forum attended by Nassau County Board of Commission candidates; Mike Boyle, and Stephen W. Kelley District 2; and Barry V. Holloway and George V. Spicer, District 4.
On May 15, candidates gathered at the Amelia Island Plantation and answered questions on county issues ranging from budget funding, gas tax, funding for the Sheriff’s Administration Building, to consolidated government. Approximately 70 people attended the event.
Questions were posed by a panel of three residents from the A.I.P.; John Taylor, Jan Faiks, and Tommy Grimes followed by audience questions. The question was directed to one candidate giving others an option to respond. The responses are summarized below.
What are the biggest challenges facing the county within the next two years?
Holloway:
“The biggest challenge we currently face is balancing the budget.” There are numerous ways to balance the budget, without using reserves, raising taxes, or not raising taxes; there are four or five options. Until final numbers arrive in July, it is hard to project what the balances may be, what reserves may be, what possible increase in taxes or things of that nature will be needed.
He said we need to make sure we can provide services and keep revenue up. “Our sustainability is getting at dangerously low levels.” We face a challenge of keeping our roads maintained and we need to address that issue.
“Finances are okay. The county’s in good shape, we are not broke. The sky is not falling.” But this commission needs to “make some important decisions.”
There were no responses to Holloway’s remarks from other candidates.
After five or six years of cutting, would you vote for an increase in the millage rate if it were necessary to maintain services at current levels?
Spicer:
Spicer said he did not have a crystal ball, but he believes if “we [county] can hold steadfast at what we have, things are going to recover.” When the revenue figures are available in July, “you’ve got to move forward and work with what you’ve got.”
There were no responses from other candidates.
“Would you sponsor a study to see if consolidating governments [Callahan, Fernandina Beach, Hilliard] would make sense for Nassau County?
Kelley:
Fernandina, Callahan, and Hilliard are extremely proud of what they are doing. “We have to be very careful as a county government that we don’t trample on people’s feelings. . .” Fernandina has an unbelievable history as does Callahan and Hilliard. “I don’t mind looking into it, but I think the problem is the great fear of “what we’re [individual communities] are going to lose . . .”
Kelley further stated, “We have a difficult time just being honest with ourselves in running our county as it is today. If we had any more responsibility, I have no confidence we would do a better job or be more efficient if it were all done by one.” Kelley ended by saying he is not opposed to looking into consolidation.
Holloway responded that he believes it is “up to the city to make that [consolidation] decision . . . It isn’t a question of the county going in to tell them what we are going to do.”
No other candidates responded.
What county functions do you think are working well and which ones need improvement?
Boyle:
Boyle praised the Nassau County Fire/Rescue, the Sheriff’s Department, and Roads and Bridges Department for performing extremely well considering the county is down to “bare bones” after an 18% decrease in employees over the last four years.
Holloway noted the success of animal control. “That is one of the things we do well here,” says Holloway. After major issues with animal control in the past, Holloway noted the county animal shelter received an award as the best animal shelter in the state.
No other commissioners responded.
“Are you familiar with the Office of County Manager Budget Proposal? If so, do you support the budget proposal? If you haven’t made up your mind, what additional information do you need?
Holloway
The county manager offered various options to balance the budget. They include not raising taxes, raising taxes, or raising a little, fire fees, gas taxes, and other options. Holloway said that until he knows what the numbers are [projected revenue figures] it is hard to make decisions. “No one wants to raise taxes” but there comes a time when you’ve got to address the problem in order to provide the services. “There comes a time when those services are lacking; we are starting to lack those services now.”
“This county commission has some hard decisions to make not just for this year . . . , ” says Holloway. “A lot of researching, talking, soul searching, and a lot of back and forth, but we will get it done.”
Boyle commented on the budget presentation by County Manager Ted Selby and Shanea Jones, Office of Management and Budget. He said “these two people advising the county board are exceptional people.” Boyle described the presentation as a “State of the County” address with options available to bring forward a balanced budget.
Kelley agreed with Boyle’s description of the budget presentation. Kelley then touted his own “Balanced Budget Proposal.” He said he can provide the same level of service, with no job losses, no change in credit rating, no new debt, and still fund the Sheriff’s Admin Building, 911 Call Center, and the Sheriff’s C.A.D. system.
How do you feel about term limits for Nassau County Commissioners?
Spicer:
“That is left up to the taxpayers and the voters,” says Spicer. “Do your job, do it right, and they’ll vote for you. If you don’t, they’ll wave bye to you.”
All candidates responded that they were not supportive of term limits.
How do you intend to enhance the Amelia Island experience for people who live here and folks who want to move here in the future?
Kelley:
Kelley described the island as a “gem.” Amelia Island has proven what we can do. He believes “if we preserve what we have on Amelia Island, we can polish the gem of Nassau County.” If we take the same attitude throughout the county, “just think what we’ll have?” Kelley spoke of the economic development potential helped by our diverse businesses from agriculture, to tourism and industry.
Spicer commented: “Good fishing, hog hunting and deer hunting.”
You are elected as a representative of one district but voted on by the entire county. Do you owe a different duty to citizens in your district and another to the rest of the county? If so what is the difference?
Boyle:
Running county wide gives an opportunity and motivation for an elected official to be better informed on issues in other areas of the county. As far as a stronger allegiance to his district, Boyle said rarely in his previous tenure on the Nassau County Commission did he have a request that would pit one district against another. He believes all districts “deserve our attention and support.”
He said he never asked when called for help, where people lived, or their party affiliation, or if they voted for him. “I’m here to serve the people and I think that is what all these people want to do.”
Kelley agreed with Boyle’s comments. Kelley again touted his handouts noting district two pays 48.28% of all ad valorem taxes.
Holloway also supported Boyle’s comments adding the current system forces the commission to be “proactive and not reactive.”
Kelley agreed that we are elected “to represent all the people of Nassau County.” He went back in history when those elected were voted on by district and not county wide. The end result was, “you only had to be nice to those who elect you and you shun the other people.” He said the district he represents pays 48.28% of all ad valorem taxes.
Holloway said the benefit of the current system is that all the commissioners must work together.
Some audience questions
What do each of you think the county needs to do to attract more industry so property owners are less burdened with property taxes?
Kelley acknowledged there is a disparity between residential and commercial property revenue. Although no one created the disparity, it does exist. This is why we must promote economic development. The best thing government can do “is create an environment that is conducive to growth and industry.” If we keep property taxes as low as possible and pay off all possible debt then “they [businesses] will be knocking our doors down.” You will see a change in the disparity, but it will take 10 to 15 years.
Holloway agrees with Kelley, but as we move forward there are a lot of good things happening and we are “fixing to explode.” We’ve worked hard with the Economic Development Board and developments such as Crawford Diamond and Terra Pointe will enhance our tax base.
Boyle spoke to Kelley’s comment regarding no debt describing the “get out of debt, stay out of debt” touted by some elected officials as “foolish and simplistic.” “There is not a successful corporation in this country that has not used leverage debt to help itself,” says Boyle.
Spicer wants to see a debt free county in the near future.
Kelley asked if anyone in the audience had been debt free and if so, how does it feel? A few individuals raised their hands. Kelley said it is a fabulous feeling. If the debt were paid off in Nassau County it would save six million dollars a year, according to Kelley.
In August you [Holloway] wanted to put a 5 cent gas tax on the agenda or implement it. Why if you were so insistent at that time, vote against the gas tax at a recent meeting?
Holloway said he did not believe he ever made the comment in August, but questioner Michelle Kling said it was in the minutes. Holloway said he campaigned in 2006 on ending the gas tax. He believes the confusion came in during budget discussions. The 5 cent gas tax was discussed just like the fire fee. Halloway voted against the 5 cent tax at a recent meeting and he said he would vote against it again at the upcoming commission meeting.
The county needs a new Sheriff’s Administration Building that will cost 10 million dollars. What is your plan to come up with money to building the building?
Holloway spoke to the 10 million dollars in the capital improvement fund. Moving forward, there are options available to us. Interest rates are as low as they’ve ever been. I would never vote for a bond issue because there are too many requirements and problems in order to do that. Banks are “chomping at the bit” to come in and bid. “I know it is a debt issue, but sometimes you’ve got to do debt. There is no way around things you need.”
Boyle said there are two choices, to pay cash from reserves, or to finance the building. He said once if it is financed we could sell the trailer park on AIA and pay down the debt.
Spicer said, “Write the check. Pay for it, and move on.”
Kelley said 10 million borrowed at 3.50% for ten years creates a debt service of 1.2 million a year for 10 years. “If we are having a hard time meeting our operational budget today, you borrow money this year you are going to need to raise the millage rate . . .”
We have a budget gap of approximately 10 million with revenues not growing in the next 5 years. How will we fund the gap?
Kelley said we must make some tough decisions. The biggest problem the commission has is they can’t say no. We love to build things. We do not have a shortfall. “To say we do not have enough money to meet our operational needs is not true.”
As Kelly was reviewing budget figures, he discovered the 10 million Sheriff’s Admin Fund level is now at 8.8 million and “not a single commissioner knew anything about it.”
Boyle said he differed with Kelley on some of the budget figures. It doesn’t mean they are wrong, but there is a difference between what the Clerk’s figures and what the office and management and budget is reporting. “He [Kelley] has been sold a bill of goods by John Crawford because he is not the one doing the budget. You [Kelley] need to deal with the people who know what they are talking about.”
Holloway said until he knows what the numbers are he doesn’t know yet..
Spicer said he has seen “both sides of the story and it doesn’t even out.” He believes we don’t need two people doing the job of budgeting. “I think the Clerk of Courts is one of the most honest people I’ve ever met.”
Kelley said it was good old fashion family fight. He agrees with Holloway at the end of the day the figures are the figures. The disagreement is about priorities as we put the budget together.
At the end of the forum, Holloway spoke up about the budget figure dispute. He said this isn’t about the issues that seem to float about between John Crawford, Steve Nicklas (columnist for the News Leader) , Mike Boyle and the board. There is no argument as to where the money is.
There was a Vision 2032 involving a lot of citizens and nothing seems to have resulted from the visioning process. Would you please comment on how the county commission decides on priorities?
Holloway said the economy interfered with the process as well as lack of participation. The financial ability of the county to implement the plans were limited. Some parks and boat ramps were done. It is now in the hands of the planning agency.
Was Mr. Spicer comment concerning improvements to Amelia Island which included “hog hunting deer hunting” a joke, or is he that uneducated concerning the terrain and population of the Island.