So, I wonder if this is how our County is going to work next year. No collaboration. No listening (to anyone who disagrees). Decisions made on a personal agenda without regard for facts, the law, respect for fellow commissioners or respect for the County, as a whole.
I had (naively?) hoped that after the primaries, whatever the outcome, that the County would get back to doing the County’s business.
Please listen to this exchange between Commissioner Whitehurst and Commissioner Joseph at the end of the August 22, 2024, Board of County Commissioners meeting.
https://stjohnscountyfl.new.swagit.com/videos/313189?ts=2173
Commissioner Whitehurst asked Commissioner Joseph why she cast a “no” vote on adding the School Board tax referendum to the November 5 ballot. She told him after a little chuckle, “I don’t have to explain it to you. I’m listening to my constituents.”
So, if her “constituents” ask for something, regardless of the legality or ethics, she will vote for it, not bother to discuss the pros and cons, and ignore her fellow commissioners? Who, exactly, are these constituents? Do they include me?
Here is the background
The School Board sets millage rates (property tax rates) separately from the County millage rate process. The County acts as a facilitator in communicating the proposed millage rates to voters. The Commissioners received the recommendation for 2025 school board millage rates from the School Board in the afternoon of Tuesday, August 20 recommending that the County propose a November 5 referendum on the ballot to increase the School District millage rate.
The County Commission called an emergency meeting on Thursday, August 22 and had two, and only two, choices. Either vote to put the referendum on the ballot or vote not to do so. This was an administrative vote only with no impact on residents except giving those same residents the opportunity to vote on the increase in November.
They had to hold the emergency meeting before August 23, because the Supervisor of Elections required all text to be available by August 23, 2024, in order to meet the publishing requirements for early voting.
And social media lit up, but without the facts, as usual
As typical, social media lit up and created a furor over a simple matter. They activated people to speak at public comment about how non-transparent it was for the County to call for a vote with such a short lead time. Again, as typical, the uproar was missing the facts and wasted everyone’s time.
None of those giving public comment had anything worthwhile to say about the tax. They only wanted to complain about the Board of Commissioners. No concerns about the children. Just concerns about the Board.
Here’s another clip to watch: https://stjohnscountyfl.new.swagit.com/videos/313189?ts=1462
This is the County Attorney explaining the process and the decision before the Commissioners. He makes a couple important points:
- The school board has been regularly holding public hearings about this. It is not a surprise.
- By state statute 1011.73(2), the Commissioners are directed by the School Board to call an election (e.g., put the referendum on the ballot)
- Clay (2014 and 2019) and Hillsborough (2024) counties did not place the referendum as directed by the School Board on the ballot. They have been sued.
- When asked by Commissioner Whitehurst if there were any actions that the Commissioners could take at that moment to actually raise taxes, the County Attorney said, “Absolutely not.”
- Whitehurst followed up by asking, “So what exactly are we voting for today?” The County attorney responded that the Commissioners were voting on whether or not to place the increase on the ballot to allow voters to make a decision.
So then Commissioner Joseph voted no, and Commissioner Whitehurst simply asked for an explanation.
What have we done to our county?
Today, we have (mostly) thoughtful, educated commissioners who weigh all sides of an argument, ask good questions and respect the law and the County.
I hope that we continue to have mostly thoughtful, educated commissioners who weigh all sides of an argument, ask good questions and respect the law and the County.
What a shame if that isn’t the case.
It might make sense to watch closely.
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