Will Jacksonville be a winner or a sucker?

[cityimrov]

I was listening to Rick Scott tote the low unemployment rate of Florida compared to other states.  For the most part, he credits the loosely regulated business atmosphere that the state has.  I've also listened to the economic development summit that came to town.  They tote the multitude of jobs that are coming to Jacksonville. 

Everything sounds great except for one problem.  According to the proposed mayoral budget, Jacksonville is becoming poorer.  It can't pay for libraries, police forces, or firefighters.  It can't pay for much of anything anymore.  Is the tax rate low?  Yes it is.  Can it be raised?  Unfortunately, it can't without bringing financial hardships on a large portion of population.

Wait a minute.  Does that even make sense?  There's more jobs coming into town yet at the same time the city is contracting because people don't have enough money to pay for these services.  This doesn't sound right.  It doesn't make sense.  That is until you look at what kind of jobs being brought to town.  They are mostly low paying, low waged, lower skilled call centers, collection centers, and support center jobs.  The reason they are moving here is because of the low cost of living.  This means their wages are adjusted to the current LOW tax rate and these taxes can't be increased without undo hardship on them.

Everyone who is a big shot in this city is touting this plan as the savior of the city's economy.  Yet, looking at this from the big picture, it almost seems like Jacksonville is the sucker.  What do you guys think?  What am I missing? 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Let me ask question, specifically tied to millage rates and property taxes, because I've received a check back each of the past 2 years to balance out my escrow account.  Do I appreciate the money?  Hell yeah.  If they kept it, would I know any different?  Probably not.

I guess what I'm saying is that if the city raised the millage rate to make up for the loss of value that most properties have incurred, it wouldn't affect as many people as you think.  Mortgage payments are a fixed cost. 

[JFman00]

I think connecting a city's budget and economic well-being is tenuous. As for not being able to afford services, while revenue is down only about $6 million (budget to budget), pension obligations for fire and police have increased by almost $50 million. And according to Pension contributions were the biggest challenge for Brown in making budget. pension costs will jump another 50% next year. Assuming no tax cuts, that means cuts in services. Does it mean Jacksonville is "poorer"? No, just that more of the money is being used for things other than government services.

A lot of cities have been struggling with underfunded pension plans but a 600% increase since 2000 in pension costs makes me wonder what exactly happened here.

[finehoe]

I was listening to Rick Scott tote the low unemployment rate of Florida compared to other states.   

WTF is he talking about?  Thirty-eight states have a lower unemployment rate than Florida.

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.t03.htm

[WmNussbaum]

I have been saying for a long time - including in a few  MJ posts - that this is a poor city, statistics to the contrary notwithstanding. How can we be anything else but that with our libraries, parks, and other things that make for quality of life being underfunded and showing it?

Is Jacksonville a sucker? Well, some of us elected Don Redman and Kimberly Daniels. Some of us think fire and brimstone will surely rain down upon us if the gay rights ordinance is passed. I could go on, but you catch my drift I hope.

[wsansewjs]

So do you want to blame on the those who receives pensions?

-Josh

[JFman00]

So do you want to blame on the those who receives pensions?

-Josh

I blame the voters and the politicians, but I don't support paying increased taxes without a corresponding increase in services or capital investment. Nothing quite like voting yourselves benefits your children have to pay for but will never benefit from themselves.

[peestandingup]

I was listening to Rick Scott tote the low unemployment rate of Florida compared to other states.   

WTF is he talking about?  Thirty-eight states have a lower unemployment rate than Florida.

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.t03.htm

What I was thinking. He's an idiot. "At least we're not Alabama or Arkansas!" Wow, thanks dick, er, I mean Rick.

And FL is mostly a boom state, based around sprawl, unsustainable growth & tourism. Boom in, bust out.

[jcjohnpaint]

Wonderful... We will soon have a Tea Party Utopia.  I always loved Mad Max!  I can't wait!

[Ocklawaha]

I was listening to Rick Scott tote the low unemployment rate of Florida compared to other states.   

WTF is he talking about?  Thirty-eight states have a lower unemployment rate than Florida.

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.t03.htm

Yeah, but 12 of them don't! LOL.

Actually we could easily solve the problem by installing toll booths at the bridge over the Nassau River in the southbound lanes of I-95, exempt locals and commuters and sock it to the rest of em! Hell, we'd be floating in Yankee green in a day or two.