QuoteThe $36.2 million plan is up against a budget shortfall of $25 million.
By DAVID HUNT, The Times-Union
Increases to gas, sales and property taxes are possibilities Mayor John Peyton has begun discussing with business and political leaders as he tries to rally support for his Jacksonville Journey anti-crime plan.
But the mayor is mum on his personal stance as to how the city should pay for the $36.2 million plan.
Peyton said Thursday he's on a "listening tour" to hear thoughts on Jacksonville Journey, an intermingling of education, community development and law enforcement initiatives designed to curb a homicide rate that ranks the city most murderous statewide.
The meetings began last month. The guest lists include Duval County Republican Chairman John Falconetti, developer Don Hinson and former CSX President Pete Carpenter in what the mayor called a "cross-section" of the community.
"I'm not asking for anyone to support anything. I'm asking what they think," Peyton said. "This is a confluence of a lot of unfortunate circumstances. That's why I'm taking my time."
A four-page outline of Peyton's presentation to the groups explains the city's financial pinch, with statewide tax reform a large factor in the projected $25 million shortfall in next year's budget proposal. Add Jacksonville Journey funding to that and City Hall has to find more than $60 million in additional revenue for the next budget year.
Peyton's presentation contains three funding options:
- A local 5-cent gas tax increase could generate $25 million annually, but it could be used only for road maintenance and construction.
- A half-cent sales tax increase could generate $70 million, but it could be used only for capital projects like construction and maintenance.
- Raising property taxes by one mill would net $52 million while costing the average homeowner $80.
Peyton declined to answer repeated questions about his personal stance on those options.
"All of them are problematic, undesirable and will be the last resort," he said.
Peyton said he's sensitive to the economy, with factors like $4-a-gallon gasoline, rising grocery bills and also a 15 percent electric rate increase JEA approved to begin in July. Also, the city has imposed three new fees this year.
A local chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a grass-roots tax reform group, picketed Thursday's Jacksonville Journey town hall meeting. The group had protested at the previous week's meeting as well.
The city's fiscal year runs from October to September. Peyton said his first budget presentation is July 14. It must be balanced.
The expense of Jacksonville Journey is expected to grow to $61.6 million annually after five years with about one-third of that money being spent on law enforcement.
Its funding committee unanimously supported a property tax rate increase.
Ultimately, any tax increase would need the City Council's approval.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/060608/met_286908719.shtml
The answer here is obvious (well, over and above replacing the Mayor)...
Sales tax or gas tax. Peyton just finished raping the homeowners with his newly installed "fees".
If we have to raise taxes, I hope its not just to fight crime.
The price of fuel is soaring and this clown is considering increasing the tax on it...give me a break! He has no clue...and it's not like he's paying out of pocket when he fills up!
Actually, I would rather see the gas tax raised than Sales or Property taxes. Tourist would pay it while they wouldn't pay property taxes.
It would encourage less driving which reduces congestion and pollution. It would also encourage mass transit. Raising Sales taxes wouldn't do any of those things. Besides what is another 5-10 cent a gallon when it's already tripled in 5 years.
Encourage mass transit is fine, but until this city has a real mass transit system...we're stuck having to drive. Another 5-10 cent a gallon....on top of the spiraling prices, adds up to a lot.
Quote from: jbm32206 on June 06, 2008, 08:04:56 PM
Encourage mass transit is fine, but until this city has a real mass transit system...we're stuck having to drive. Another 5-10 cent a gallon....on top of the spiraling prices, adds up to a lot.
if you drive 12,000 miles a year, it adds up to an extra $30 (5 cents surtax) or extra $60 (10 cents surtax) per year. this assumes 20 mpg. it would be about an extra $10 or $20 if you have a scooter. :)
if you drive more than 12,000 miles a year, you should worry less about the money you are spending and more about the exorbitant amount of time you are spending in the auto. life is passing you by at 65 mph. ;)
Life is passing me by in this town. I drive roughly around 25,000 miles a year. As much as I would like to cut down, its nearly impossible because I don't have viable transportation alternatives.
Ditto that Lake.
Peyton Plan to Fight Crime Coming in July
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=111093&catid=3&GID=zSiMihwflshNrMQuoh98h0uYwKow0lAvkdBWxKtjgDo%3D
please note: BOLDED, ITALICS are MY insertions :)
Quote
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Mayor John Peyton says he will spell out his crime fighting priorities when he addresses the City Council on July 14.
That's when Peyton is scheduled to present his "State of the City" address I've really f^@%ed things up along with his proposed spending plans I'm going to rape you financially for the upcoming year.
The Jacksonville Journey effort ALSO ON A LISTENING TOUR OF JAX that has studied the city's violent crime problem has developed a $36 million plan. Solutions include creating jobs in high crime areas and implementing programs to help families in those areas.
The Jacksonville Journey steering committee on June 26 is expected to wrap up its work and present its final recommendations to Mayor Peyton.
"My concern is this failure to address this problem HMMM...LIKE THE COURTHOUSE, SIR? could create more long term damage to our community than any short term economic cycle," Peyton told First Coast News.
"We are obviously weighing the short term need and the long term benefit of really fighting crime."
(http://www.firstcoastnews.com/genthumb.ashx?e=3&h=240&w=320&i=/assetpool/images/08130202317_GRAY-5-WEB.jpg)
My tie is crooked lady. Get that mic outta my face.
Although this quote was about rail, I think the same outlook and plan should apply to any public project that requires tax increases.
QuoteDenver and Dallas leaders have repeatedly given Tampa Bay officials this advice: To persuade voters to tax themselves for trains â€" even a half-penny tax â€" show them exactly what they'd get. Get their opinions and create a polished plan showing routes, stations, links to shuttles. Run TV ads paid for by the business sector. Pass out pamphlets with maps and schedules.
"At the end of the day, what won the election was the map," said Cal Marsella, transit director in Denver, where residents raised their sales tax in 2004 to lay down another 119 miles of rail. Two previous referendums went down in flames at the ballot box. "People want to know what they're going to get, when they're going to get it, what it's going to cost," he said.