Thoughts on city fees

[zoo]

I'm sorry, but imho the fees issue shouldn't be an issue at all. Residents of this city pays so much less than just about anywhere else!

- Florida pays the 3rd lowest tax rates nationwide

- Jacksonville pays the lowest per capita tax rate of the metropolitan markets in the state of FL

- If compared to consolidated govts nationwide, Jacksonville ranks the second-lowest, next to Anchorage, Alaska, in per capita tax rate

Face it, this city has long been providing services to it citizens at bargain basement prices, and the city is starting to show it with un-maintained parks, poor garbage and recycling service, ineffective stormwater management in many areas (esp downtown-adjacent neighborhoods like Riverside, San Marco and Springfield), pot- and sink-holed roadways, and blight, blight, blight -- it's no wonder Jax has become such a suburban mecca, because people could at least count on a developer to set up an HOA responsible for the proper level of service!

For our own residence, the tax is deductible on our Federal personal income tax even if you chose not to itemize deduction. The fees for specific service is NEVER deductible, itemize or not.

This rots, but this is the result of Charlie Crist's meddling in local-level affairs (property taxes and, now, transportation concurrency), and Jacksonvillians should be ticked-off about that. Be sure to understand and vote in the next gubernatorial election.

Am I happy about paying a stormwater fee? No, because I'm not confident a dime of it will go to fixing the longtime stormwater problem in my community. Am I happy paying an extra garbage fee? Heck no, when the garbage service in my community is lacking in quality control (more trash ends up on the streets than in the trucks), the recycling opps are paltry at best (only plastics 1 & 2 and no cardboard!?!?!), and I don't even get a city-provided waste receptacle. Am I happy that taxpayer money has been spent irresponsibly by the current administration re: Shipyards, the 80%+ higher Courthouse cost, and now 9B? Of course not.

BUT, this market needs to stop expecting something (at whatever-it-can-get level) for nothing. Imho, Jax needs the fuss-about-taxes-and-service-fees-Band-Aid ripped off by a strong leader. However, I don't think anyone doesn't want to pay an extra mil and who disagrees with the fees has anything to worry about -- I haven't seen a strong leader anywhere around here!

[chipwich]

Save our Homes has been the biggest disaster our State has had to deal with in many years and is a prime example of why most voters (and taxpayers) are morons.

I would bet the many of the same people who voted for "save our homes" also voted for the "reduce our class size" amendment.  The rest of the people who voted for "save our homes" are most likely South Florida retirees who don't want to pay much taxes since they do not have much need for trivial services like schools and public buildings.  People always seem to want more services for less money.

Now the COJ is putting the squeeze on the residents of our city and especially businesses to pay for the shortfall in taxes.  This is all the perfect mix of inefficient government and selfish voters getting together to cause a perfect economic calamity upon the state and city budget.

It may not be the most popular idea here, but I strongly believe "save our Homes" should be repealed and the old tax rates reinstated.  Ridiculous usage fees for water and trash should be abolished and commercial tax rates should go back to where they were ( or at least assessed commercial property values should be more realistic of current market values).   Non-essential City and State employees should be fired and programs (like making Laura and Bay St. pretty) should be put on hold indefinitely until the government coffers can afford all essential services at the former tax rate.

I have a bad feeling that with decreasing property values and the recession, the government is going to keep squeezing residents and businesses for more money to make up the difference.  How's that for local socialism?  Sorry for the long rant, but I really want to vent about the complete lack of fiscal responsibility practiced in our state and city.  It's ridiculous.


BTW, I understand, there are many more cities with more expensive fees, but since we live outside of Jacksonville, I don't really care about how they do business.  residents of other cities should pick their own arguments.

[chipwich]

Save our Homes has been the biggest disaster our State has had to deal with in many years and is a prime example of why most voters (and taxpayers) are morons.

I would bet the many of the same people who voted for "save our homes" also voted for the "reduce our class size" amendment.  The rest of the people who voted for "save our homes" are most likely South Florida retirees who don't want to pay much taxes since they do not have much need for trivial services like schools and public buildings.  People always seem to want more services for less money.

Now the COJ is putting the squeeze on the residents of our city and especially businesses to pay for the shortfall in taxes.  This is all the perfect mix of inefficient government and selfish voters getting together to cause a perfect economic calamity upon the state and city budget.

It may not be the most popular idea here, but I strongly believe "save our Homes" should be repealed and the old tax rates reinstated.  Ridiculous usage fees for water and trash should be abolished and commercial tax rates should go back to where they were ( or at least assessed commercial property values should be more realistic of current market values).   Non-essential City and State employees should be fired and programs (like making Laura and Bay St. pretty) should be put on hold indefinitely until the government coffers can afford all essential services at the former tax rate.

I have a bad feeling that with decreasing property values and the recession, the government is going to keep squeezing residents and businesses for more money to make up the difference.  How's that for local socialism?  Sorry for the long rant, but I really want to vent about the complete lack of fiscal responsibility practiced in our state and city.  It's ridiculous.


BTW, I understand, there are many more cities with more expensive fees, but since we only live in of Jacksonville, I don't really care about how they do business.  Residents of other cities should pick their own arguments.

[zoo]

Urban Jacksonville has posted interesting commentary on the recent JCCI study regarding city finances. Check out the commentary and the actual report (it's a remarkably easy read considering the subject matter) at the url below:

http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/

[mtraininjax]

Adam,

I would ask you and the mayor to "grow a pair". You had the chance to put these fees in with the JEA bills, but you backed down because you feared people would not pay the bills and JEA would then lose revenue and would have to double their efforts on collection. Grow a pair and put these fees under JEA as a consumption tax. You use the system, you pay for it.

Grow the pair, do what is right the last few years of your term and be respected for taking the hard stance on making everyone pay, if they want power. After all JEA does pay a large amount of revenue to the CITY. Do what is right and need with regard to these fees.