NewsLine staff
Q: Why does Fernandina Beach need new revenue sources?
A: The city cannot raise sales tax – all we have is ad valorem tax. Sales tax goes to Tallahassee, gets divvied up by population. Last year the county received around $20 million from sales tax. We got around $2.3 million. As the county grows, the city will get less. Our operating budget is $44 million – half is police and fire. We don’t have $30 million to fix the town in one year. We need capital improvement plans spread over time, not just on the backs of 8,000 taxpayers.
Q: What needs to be fixed downtown?
A: Brett’s (Brett’s Waterway Cafe) has to come down, along with the seawall underneath it that’s falling apart. The downtown is literally crumbling – the sidewalk is crumbling, the curbing is crumbling, the infrastructure is bad, the light posts are not working. We get sued three or four times a year from people tripping. We have no defense – we know there’s trip hazards and we settle lawsuits. The state pledged $6 million, but we have to spend $6 million first and then apply for reimbursement. We need a revenue stream.
Q: Why do you keep running for commission despite past election losses?
A: I have never cared about getting reelected. When we did Forward Fernandina, we expanded the library and planned the waterfront park. We were vilified for spending $600,000 on the library, but we have over 500,000 people a year that visit. We all got thrown out of office. Next time, I got funding to rebuild the airport FBO. Everyone said it was a waste. We got thrown out again. That building was picked the number one project in the state by the FAA. The previous commission promoted projects they didn’t fund. Their answer was lower taxes. This commission is saying enough is enough.
Q: How can residents contact you?
A: My email and cell phone are posted. I hold monthly town halls at City Hall, 5:30-6:30 on the fourth Tuesday. You can ask me any questions. I’ll get answers if I don’t know them. About 12 citizens show up each time. I will not post on Facebook – if you want information, you have to reach out. All I see on Facebook is misinformation.
Tim Poynter is a City Commissioner for Fernandina Beach. Questions or comments can be directed to him at tpoynter@fbfl.city or 904-415-6533
