Expect a Littlepage "more taxes now" article soon...

[Driven1]

Jacksonville Journey: Making city better will cost
By MARY KELLI PALKA, The Times-Union

They want to protect neighborhoods, keep children in school and out of trouble, and help turn convicted felons into productive members of society. The recommendations from members of the Jacksonville Journey will cost $35 million in the first year.

When Mayor John Peyton formed the anti-crime initiative, he asked for recommendations to curb the crime rate and to seek funding from private sources and government assistance. The economic downturn has dried up local, statewide and national revenue sources. Private dollars are scarce, too. That leaves one potential source to shoulder the majority of the burden: Jacksonville taxpayers. Here's a look at some of the options.


Special taxing district

Whom it could affect: Anyone living in the yet-to-be formed district. That could cover the entire city.

How it works: The Legislature could set up an independent taxing district for defined services, such as library or fire and rescue for all or part of the city. Or the city could set up something called a dependent taxing district to provide services to a specific area.

How much it could raise: It depends on how it is set up.

Who approves it: The Legislature, if it's independent. The City Council, if a dependent district is formed.

Could it happen?: Possibly. Members of Jacksonville Journey are researching it. Some Florida counties have dozens of taxing districts. Sales tax

Whom it could affect: Anyone in Jacksonville who shops for clothes, appliances, toys or any other item covered by the tax.

How it works: In addition to current collections, the city could collect a half-cent on every taxable item. The money could then either pay for projects or be leveraged to borrow more money. The revenue could only pay for capital expenses, such as land, buildings or closing landfills.

How much it could raise: A half-penny increase could translate to $70 million a year.

Who approves it: Voters.

Could it happen?: Unlikely. Sales tax revenue can't be used for operating costs, which is mostly what is needed to pay for Jacksonville Journey recommendations.


Property tax increase

Whom it could affect: All Jacksonville property owners.

How it works: The city could increase the rate it assesses to property owners. The money could be used to pay for most anything.

How much it could raise: A one-mill increase would bring in an additional $52 million.

Who approves it:

The City Council.

Could it happen?: Yes. The city gets about half of its revenue from property taxes, so this is a familiar option. But officials could shy away from the option because the state has been making changes to property tax formulas, which has reduced the city's anticipated revenue over the past few years. State, federal or private money.

Whom it could affect: Taxpayers and private donors.

How it works: The city has requested state and federal money for some of its programs. Jacksonville Journey members and city officials have also been talking to private foundations interested in supporting some programs.

How much it could raise: Unknown.

Who approves it: State or federal lawmakers, private foundations or donors. 

Could it happen?: Yes. But it won't likely be enough to save the day. The state and federal government are also in budget binds and the economy isn't helping the bottom line for nonprofits.


Cut services, add to or raise current fees


Whom it could affect: Everyone.

How it works: This year is the start of three new city fees, stormwater, JEA franchise and garbage. The city could use the same method to get more money. Or it could look at city services to cut - from grants to nonprofits to library hours.

How much it could raise: Unknown.

Who approves it: The City Council.

Could it happen?: Yes. It's very likely that the city would look to cut existing services. But officials insist there isn't much to cut. The new garbage fee will increase over time, anyway; it's not clear if the council would want to bump up the others or add more.

[thelakelander]

Sometimes the answer is not solved by throwing money at problems.  How about looking into a different route, like keeping services like they are right now and establishing a tax abatement zone to encourage self sufficient families to move back in and invest in certain areas town?  The long term effect would be the creation of a community with a high density of residents with multiple resources, knowledge, education and experiences to naturally reduce crime, encourage education, infill growth and serve as positive role models for children at an early age.

[JeffreyS]

Programs that give police officers incentives to buy homes in targeted areas are very successful. Discount mortgage programs and such get police presence even off the clock.

I would love to see a big fund raising effort though.

[Driven1]

Programs that give police officers incentives to buy homes in targeted areas are very successful. Discount mortgage programs and such get police presence even off the clock.

I would love to see a big fund raising effort though.

this is a great idea JeffreyS...i just wonder exactly how effective it would be...do you know of cities where this has been put into place already?   i would think it would see at least some success.

[downtownparks]

I am pretty sure this is already in place.

[JeffreyS]

Programs that give police officers incentives to buy homes in targeted areas are very successful. Discount mortgage programs and such get police presence even off the clock.

I would love to see a big fund raising effort though.

this is a great idea JeffreyS...i just wonder exactly how effective it would be...do you know of cities where this has been put into place already?   i would think it would see at least some success.

I heard of this from a JSO officer who said it had worked here in the past but is no longer available.

[Downtown Dweller]

There are banks out there that offer the "neighborhood heroes" product. It allows officers, firement, ect to get 100% financing and/or deep discounts. There are alos teacher programs out there, they are tied to census track too. The issue I have heard is police don't really wnat their families living in these neighborhoods. THEY don't feel safe, and actually feel they may be specifically targeted.