LIVE BLOG: MOBILITY FEE MORATORIUM: Rules&Finance Committee

[thelakelander]

A plan to suspend a transportation fee Jacksonville charges developers was postponed Monday by three City Council committees while backers and critics looked for room for compromise.

The council had been expected to vote Tuesday on legislation to waive the charges, called mobility fees, for three years to help the still-struggling construction industry.

full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-03-11/story/jacksonville-council-panels-defer-choice-mobility-fee

[sheclown]

I was frustrated listening to Lumb talk about unemployment in the construction industry and pulling out 2007 figures.  This was at the cusp of the boom before the heavy lay-offs began and when anyone with a truck from Atlanta came to town to build something.  Of course the employment in the construction industry is down.  It was unsustainably high.  What I would like to see is a comparison from 2003 to 2013. That would be more reflective.

[fieldafm]

Lumb's theory is that we would grow our way out of financial problems. 

Another Jacksonville resident once sold the same thing, Charles Ponzi. 

[thelakelander]

At least Ponzi could make you feel good about buying swampland. Lumb's position tonight seemed like he had already made up his mind for a full blown moratorium.  Maybe it was me, but he seemed like he was looking for anything he could to downplay every issue that made a full blown moratorium legislation seem like the financial risk to taxpayers that it clearly is.

[fieldafm]

Clark's answer was that we would just bust out the credit card to fund transportation b/c that's what we've always done.  Apparently that has worked out well and the City's budget is in great shape. 

[fieldafm]

These are the suggestions from people that call themselves 'fiscal conservatives'

I must have a different understanding of the English language and basic math. 

[thelakelander]

Lumb's theory is that we would grow our way out of financial problems.

Back in my land development days, I was doing land planning work for several D.R. Horton single-family and multifamily communities throughout Northeast Florida.  Around 2008, when the market was clearly going up in flames, they mentioned they were going to build their way out of it.  That didn't turn out to well for them either.

[JeffreyS]

Lumb was driving me crazy he seemed like the lobbyist. Clark just seems like he has backed himself into a corner it's his bill and he doesn't want to admit how bad  it is.

[Bridges]

Clark just seems like he has backed himself into a corner it's his bill and he doesn't want to admit how bad  it is.

It's not his fault.  He knows absolutely nothing about it.  And he doesn't care to.  You can tell by his hysterics on tonight, "don't pass this and we're dead...DEAD."

[JeffreyS]

Anyone have a copy of the statement the Mayor submitted?

[sheclown]

I noticed panic in Clark too -- and then the remark about Riverside.  geez. 

[sheclown]

Anyone have a copy of the statement the Mayor submitted?

I'd like to read that too.  I thought he was saying he was in support of the initial moratorium, but was not in support of this

[sheclown]

Ennis, I don't know what we would do without you!   We all need to take out MJ ads so you can quit your day job.

[JeffreyS]

Anyone have a copy of the statement the Mayor submitted?

I'd like to read that too.  I thought he was saying he was in support of the initial moratorium, but was not in support of this

That is the way I took it too. It certainly wasn't a strong your all wasting your time talking moratorium statement though.

[thelakelander]

From how it sounded to me, it appeared the Mayor isn't in favor of an extended moratorium but he's willing to hear what the council has to say before making a firm decision either way.