If the Commissioners pass the enabling ordinance, as a waterfront property owner inside the South Channel, TSS and TSSers would “vote” in a two step process whether to fund dredging the South Channel via a “self tax” added to TSS’s property tax.  Even if you, personally, don’t own AB waterfront, you will have a “voice” via TSS.  Please forward this to TSSers.  Pls. send the attached message, with your comments, to others. 

 

The Commissioners are not voting on the tax – they are just voting on the enabling ordinance which describes the process.    

 

Sending an e-mail to the Commissioners (individually or all at once) is easy!

CTRL + left click to follow the link http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactus.cfm      

 

 

INTERESTED IN DREDGING THE CHANNELS INTO APOLLO BEACH?

 

THE CHANNELS INTO APOLLO BEACH ARE THE AVENUES TO OUR GREAT LIFESTYLE AND THE BASIS FOR OUR PROPERTY VALUES.  

 

ON JANUARY 7, THE COMMISSIONERS WILL BE VOTING ON THE ORDINANCE TO ALLOW MSBUs (MUNICIPAL SERVICES BENEFITS UNITS) OR SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS FOR DREDGING.  THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER AREAS, BESIDES APOLLO BEACH, NEEDING NAVIGABLE CHANNELS AND CANALS.   

 

THE BOCC AGENDA WILL BE AVAILABLE ON JANUARY 2, SO WE’LL KNOW WHETHER DISCUSSION IS SCHEDULED FOR MORNING OR AFTERNOON. THE MEETING IS IN THE BOARDROOM, 2^ND FLOOR, 601 EAST KENNEDY BLVD.  PARKING IS AVAILABLE DOWNTOWN.  CAN’T ATTEND?  AN E-MAIL LINK IS BELOW.  SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO THE COMMISSIONERS. 

 

THIS IS, BY NO MEANS, A PERFECT SOLUTION.  MANY OTHER PROPOSALS, INCLUDING A BOAT LICENSE TAX OR A STORMWATER TAX OR A DEVELOPERS’ FEE, HAVE BEEN EVALUATED IN THE PAST.  AS THE CANAL STUDY PROVED, THESE ALTERNATIVES ARE SIMPLY NOT POSSIBLE.  LET’S NOT DREDGE THESE UP AGAIN! 

 

THIS “SELF TAX,” WITH ITS EMBEDDED, TARGETED, COUNTY MONEY, IS THE ONLY OPTION, BESIDES PRIVATE FUNDRAISING, IN MY OPINION. 

 

THE COMMISSIONERS WILL VOTE ON THE ORDINANCE, WHICH ALLOWS THE VOLUNTARY TAXING DISTRICTS TO BE FORMED.  EVEN IF APPROVED, THE PROCESS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MSBU IS ARDUOUS, ESSENTIALLY ALLOWING WATERFRONT OWNERS 2 CHANCES TO “VOTE” ON WHETHER TO TAX OURSELVES.     

 

IF NOT APPROVED, GET OUT THE TIN CUPS AND POSTERS!  THE PROCESS FOR PRIVATE FUNDRAISING WILL BE ARDUOUS. WE WILL NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS AND LOTS OF DONATIONS.  WE WILL BE COUNTING ON YOUR HELP. 

 

DREDGING THE NORTH CHANNEL IS EXPECTED TO COST $980,000.  THE TAX ON WATERFRONT OWNERS INSIDE THE NORTH CHANNEL WOULD BE APPROX. $297 PER YEAR OR $1.97 PER LINEAR FOOT OF WATERFRONT FOR 10 YEARS OR $190 OR $1.24 PER LINEAR FOOT FOR 20 YEARS.

 

DREDGING THE SOUTH CHANNEL IS EXPECTED TO COST $2.5 MILLION.  THE TAX ON WATERFRONT OWNERS INSIDE THE SOUTH CHANNEL WOULD BE APPROX. $315 PER YEAR OR $2.05 PER LINEAR FOOT OF WATERFRONT FOR 10 YEARS OR $200 OR $2.05 PER LINEAR FOOT FOR 20 YEARS.  

 

IF THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT PASS, WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO RAISE THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO DREDGE THE CHANNELS.