Fernandina Beach taxes are going up 24% - An opinion

August 6, 2019

I knew we were in trouble when I asked the city manager, Dale Martin, to open the public restrooms in the evenings when the center street and downtown areas are busy.  His response was that it is “matter of staffing and funding.”  Uh-oh – funding?  For such a simple request, we have to ask for funding.

So, I started looking at the proposed city budget and I attended the first meeting to approve the millage rate.  Dale Martin presented the proposed budget on July 30^th.  I was astounded.

Here are a few facts that jumped out at me.

• Our population increased roughly 10% over the last 10 years
• Over the same 10 years, our property tax receipts have gone up 94% if the proposed budget is passed with a proposed 23.6% increase over last year.
• Due to property value increases this year, the 2020 Millage rate should be 4.8048 to hold total receipts flat year over year.  The budget proposes to raise the rate to 5.8553 an effective 22% increase – the 4.8048 rate is called roll-back, but don’t be fooled, this is a tax increase.  Our city commissioners just rubber stamped the approval of this increase as a first step in the process.
• In addition, the budget proposes a .5 millage rate increase to generate $1.2 million dollars next year to buy land for conservancy.  There was also a clear indication from Dale Martin that he intends to propose a continuation of the .5 millage for the next 10 years to fund bonds or other mechanisms for funding.   The 10 year plan may require a referendum.  If we open the door to the .5 millage increase now it will likely continue for many years.
• The millage rate includes the .1683 rate to pay for debt service on Egans creek property (for another 2 years).  Status quo-whew.
• The budget also includes revenue of $982,117 in beach parking fees.  This is a tax/fee that visitors pay to cover the cost of beach maintenance.  I thought this was voted down this year.  Why would it be in the budget?  Strange.

I was not popular at the meeting as I was the lone voice opposed to the .5 millage rate increase for 10 years to buy land in conservation.  To be clear, I love our tree canopy, I love our open space, I love the beach – but I am not interested in having our city buy $24 million dollars worth of land for conservation.  That is NOT the city’s role.  A recent survey has been cited to support this action.  The results were practically even - NOT overwhelmingly supportive.

After watching the Amelia Bluff saga, it is clear that our city is NOT exercising the fiduciary duty over the land use plan currently on the books.  Enforce the rules on big developers and REQUIRE conservation areas for every major development.  In this case, the city does not buy land, but exercises their ability to control development and conserve green space.

The city owns the land for two golf courses.  Should that be conservation property?  Or should they allow a developer to turn it into a racetrack, hotels, or other.   Let’s manage owned property before buying more.

With all this talk about affordable housing, our city is pricing people out of the market by raising taxes to support their knee jerk reaction for MORE MONEY to accommodate just about any request – even leaving the bathrooms unlocked for a few more hours in the evening.

Let your city commissioners know that you do not want more taxes!

Jack Knocke

Editor's Note: Jack Knocke is a business consultant supporting the deployment of connected solutions and Internet of Things (IoT). Knocke is a 30-year veteran of the telecom industry and is currently an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at FSCJ.