Council Holds Tax Line - Sort of. Here's what Happened

[Lunican]

Where did the 9.27 mills number come from?
It is called the “Rollback” value.  Basically, if no action is taken, then the TRIM notices would go out with a value that will bring the city the same revenue as the current Fiscal Year.  Since property values have gone down, the existing 8.48 rate will bring in less revenue than last year.  In order to bring in the same amount of revenue from the current Fiscal Year (2008-2009), the millage rate needs to be 9.27.

[dv8]

"automatically by default"

  that could describe
the latest fleecing of our ( lower than ever ) incomes. 
the endless inaction of elected officials to protect our interests

How come our income keeps dropping but city coffers must remain full ? to fund trips to Paris and endless marketing campaigns ?

[Steve]

Remember - as the article said, this was NOT the final vote on the matter.  This just set what would go on the TRIM notices.  Frankly, I'd be pretty surprised if the rate was not 8.48 at the end.

[zoo]

I believe this whole thing has been politics. The Council knew if they voted to keep the millage rate where it is, Peyton would have to either let it sit on his desk without signing it (which would lead to 9.27 rollback rate in TRIM notices), or he would veto it (which b/c of timing of vote and TRIM notices would also lead to 9.27 rollback rate). I think they expected that after Trail Ridge and the Courthouse mess, he wouldn't have enough political equity to do either without appearing to be the bad guy. Is is possible that John Peyton has taken a leadership position by risking his limited political capital and veto-ing it anyway? Is it possible that the Council made a mistake and mis-judged who would end up looking like the bad guys?

The City is still facing cuts, and all that is happening is the rate is going back to what it was before Tallahassee/Crist started meddling in local politics -- Amend 1 -- which Duval County voted against. So, basically the constituency already indicated what they wanted (its own property tax rate at 9.27 w/o State interference) last year, and the Council didn't listen to the constituency by overriding Tallahassee then. Council still isn't listening, and, in this case, I applaud Peyton for veto-ing, a.k.a. representing the people.

Historically, I don't often think Peyton is right, and I do feel there is some financial mismanagement that has occurred  (though that could come from the typical govt worker mentality of not doing more than they have to, and not wanting to draw attention to themselves before qualifying for pension). I don't much care about the Equestrian Center or the public service grants. But, unfortunately (Jax's favorite word) I do believe this City is close to the pits right now, and is heading deeper.

I lost my job to the economy and am pinching pennies like everyone else, but IMHO many things in this City have been underfunded for a long time. What kind of city do I want to live in? One that offers great quality of life to me and my family (which it doesn't yet), and one that I'm not embarrassed to invite people to visit (which I am). To echo other forward-thinking sentiment "PLEASE RAISE MY TAXES."

[Steve]

Is is possible that John Peyton has taken a leadership position by risking his limited political capital and veto-ing it anyway?

What risk is Peyton taking?

I lost my job to the economy and am pinching pennies like everyone else, but IMHO many things in this City have been underfunded for a long time. What kind of city do I want to live in? One that offers great quality of life to me and my family (which it doesn't yet), and one that I'm not embarrassed to invite people to visit (which I am). To echo other forward-thinking sentiment "PLEASE RAISE MY TAXES."

First off, I'm sorry you lost your job.  Let me say that.  That is something tough for anyone, regardless of how it happened.

Here is my problem.  With our current administration, there is no accountabilty.  When your bank account runs dry before the next paycheck, you don't get to ask for a raise to do the same job you are doing now.  Why should the city?  You know, if the city was offering something else here, OR if the city was unveiling a plan on smarter growth along with this (saying, yes, we've screwed up in the past, and here is how we will fix this going forward), I might consider this.

This is the most laughable things about the "Fix it Now" campaign.  It doesn't fix anything, other than the budget gap that exists today.  It doesn't come with a plan for the future (unless your view of future is until October 1st)

[tufsu1]

On the flip side....this is one of the few times that Mayor Peyton has shown true leadership during his time in office....and the City did a great job of eliciting community input through the website and public meetings....and then the Council stuffs it all right back in his face.

Unfortunately, I think we've reached the point where even a strong Mayor would have a difficult time doing anything useful given the "leaders" we have on City Council.

[TheProfessor]

Yea most of the city council members are ignorant and closed minded.  I have had talks with Clay Yarborough and found out first hand how ignorant and narrow minded one of council members could be.  Peyton seems more intelligent than a lot of council members.  Very frustrating!

[urbanlibertarian]

From News4Jax: http://www.news4jax.com/news/20213291/detail.html

Mayor Vetoes Council's Tax Bill
Peyton Calls Resolution Keeping Tax Rate Same 'Irresponsible'

POSTED: Wednesday, July 29, 2009
UPDATED: 5:01 pm EDT July 29, 2009
John Peyton announces veto
In announcing his veto Wednesday, Mayor John Peyton praises political courage of nine council members who voted for the property tax increase.
DOCUMENT:
Mayor's Veto Letter To Council President
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The morning after City Council voted down a proposal to increase the property tax rate by passing a resolution keeping the current millage rate for another year, Mayor John Peyton denounced and vetoed the measure.

The council voted 10-9 Tuesday night to keep the rate at 8.48 mills, rejecting Peyton's request for a 12 percent property tax increase -- returning the tax rate to what it was before Tallahassee began to work on tax reform two years ago.

"I think this legislation is irresponsible," Peyton said in announcing his veto.

The mayor said balancing the city's budget without additional revenue would require $50 million in cuts beyond what he has already proposed.

"I am disappointed in the action of the majority," Peyton wrote to Council President Richard Clark. "I will not sign legislation that does not outline a plan for the required cuts or the consequences of such an action."

Council does have the right to override Peyton's veto, but Clark said he doesn't think that is possible before a state-mandated deadline of Aug. 4 to get tax notices in the mail.

"I don't know that we time or the ability to do so," Clark told Channel 4's Jim Piggott.

Video:
Council Votes Down Tax Increase
Mayor Calls Council Resolution 'Irresponsible'

Without a signed bill setting the tax rate, state law requires that the millage goes to a "rollback" rate of 9.2, meaning property taxes would go up about 9 percent, or around $77 for the average homeowner. That would leave the city short about $12 million.

The council will have to decide what it will cut and pass the 2009-2010 budget by Sept. 22.

"Make sure that we keep our essential services, and those services that help others, we may have to cut them," Councilwoman Denise Lee said.

Council members were aware when they voted that this could happen.

One council member flip-flopped his vote and went against Peyton.

"I think that we'll probably end up having quite a few program cuts," Councilman Ray Holt said. "I think we'll probably see a few programs cut entirely."

Sheriff John Rutherford said Wednesday he was worried about the cuts that will have to happen.

"Folks, our tax base is moving out, and they're not moving out because they want low taxes," Rutherford said. "They've got low taxes. They want quality of life. They don't want their family members murdered in their homes. They don't want their children dying in carnage on the streets. They want a quality of life, and they're willing to pay more taxes to get it."

How They Voted

A vote for Resolution 2009-510-A would keep the current 8.48 millage rate.

Yea: Bill Bishop, Richard Clark, John Crescimbeni, Daniel Davis, Johnny Gaffney, Art Graham, Ray Holt, Glorious Johnson, Denise Lee and Clay Yarborough.

Nay: Reggie Brown, Michael Corrigan, Ronnie Fussell, Kevin Hyde, Warren Jones, Stephen Joost, Don Redman, Art Shad and Jack Webb.

[9a is my backyard]

This is the most laughable things about the "Fix it Now" campaign.  It doesn't fix anything, other than the budget gap that exists today.  It doesn't come with a plan for the future (unless your view of future is until October 1st)

ABSOLUTELY!  It's the sorta-kinda-maybe-do-a-little plan.  Mayor Peyton spoke to a group I was with last week using the charts from the JCCI study to show how Jacksonville was underfunding all the social/cultural services he's saying will be hit without the millage increase.  We're last or near last in the state in most categories which, while it goes to help make his argument that we should be putting more money to those things, it's a little silly given that HE'S THE ONE WHO'S BEEN IN CHARGE OF THOSE THINGS FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS!  Ultimately, Peyton bears some responsibility for our 'lack of investment.'

I couldn't agree with you more.  I'm not necessarily against the tax increase, but there's been no evidence that the millage increase will really make any difference.  Peyton admitted as much himself.  He kept saying he was shooting for status quo.  Well, the status quo isn't all that great.  Have some vision.  Have some leadership. 

[Steve]

On the flip side....this is one of the few times that Mayor Peyton has shown true leadership during his time in office

tufsu1 - I respectfully disagree.  Just because one does something unpopular doesn't make one a leader, it just means he or she willing to do something unpopular because he believes he or she is right.  That does not make a leader.

True leadership on this issue would involve showing me how he is going to make sure he isn't going to come back this time next year for more.  What about his budget plan makes you think we won't be having this conversation next year.

[stjr]

I think the Mayor did the best he could with the cards he was dealt by the legislature, the City Council, prior mayors, and the economy.

To those who say we shouldn't be "raising" taxes when the economy was down, where were they when taxes were being cut all these years while the economy was going through the roof?  All the Mayor is trying to do is "undo" the mistaken tax cuts from the past.  If the City had NOT cut taxes in prior years and instead SAVED the lost differences, we wouldn't be where we are today.  Likewise, if taxpayers had saved appropriately the tax cuts they got unexpectedly when times were better for them, they would have the $$ to give back to the City now.

The only real place to cut significantly left is police and fire yet I keep hearing how we want no more taxes but, by the way, we need to increase police and fire.  How do they plan to do that?

The Mayor is in a good position because he will succeed in getting most of what he wants while getting a chance to make the City Council members fight each other over where to cut.  This could be fun to watch and I hope reality TV is there to capture it.   No matter how the Council handles it, they will be the ones tarnished with not doing their jobs AND cutting vital services.  The Mayor should be relaxing and enjoying the show.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Why I didnt realize this was a show. Maybe we can have popcorn and hot dogs also. stjr and tufsu1 are the biggest Peyton supporters on here. Oh its never his fault. Thank God this is his last term and it wasnt soon enough. Peyton has been nothing but a disaster for the COJ.

[BridgeTroll]

The only real place to cut significantly left is police and fire yet I keep hearing how we want no more taxes but, by the way, we need to increase police and fire.  How do they plan to do that?

I think the true liability with regards to police and fire is the pension fund.  Funding that monster is the elephant in the room.

[tufsu1]

Why I didnt realize this was a show. Maybe we can have popcorn and hot dogs also. stjr and tufsu1 are the biggest Peyton supporters on here. Oh its never his fault. Thank God this is his last term and it wasnt soon enough. Peyton has been nothing but a disaster for the COJ.

I stated that this was a rare showing of leadership by Peyton....so how does that make me a big supporter?

[Keith-N-Jax]

Ahh dont play dumb.