Pledge on Taxes Is Latest Wrinkle
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A3 SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2018 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | $2 Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM >> SUNDAY + PLUS See 1B Heroism 1C Hangings in at crash local jail? scene Morris lauded Williams 4A STORY BELOW Sitel hiring again Cooperstown triumph SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1 COUNTY COMMISSION Residency question Pledge on taxes rears its head again is latest wrinkle Officials promise to cut millage for next 3 years 3A if sales tax hike passes. By CARL MCKINNEY [email protected] First came the ultimatum — the county told voters they would have to decide between a one-cent sales tax or swallow a property tax hike. Then came the dissent — a County Commission candidate argued nei- ther were necessary thanks to projected MORE After Tucker booted from economic growth. INSIDE Now comes the n Promises, ballot, Johnson under fire new consensus — promises, 4A. pay the extra penny at the cash register and see a roughly ROBERT BRIDGES/Lake City Reporter 6.4 percent reduction to the property tax millage rate by 2020, a move pro- jected to save county taxpayers near- ly $2 million between now and then. Heroism County Commissioner Bucky Nash back to school extravaganza wants to reduce the millage rate from 8.015 to 7.75 in 2019 and then to 7.5 at crash in 2020 if voters approve the one-cent scene TAXES continued on 2A lauded $2 million By STEVE WILSON lottery prize [email protected] to LO man Three members of the From staff reports Columbia County Sheriff’s Office are bona fide “Life A Live Oak man is now a million- Savers.” aire, thanks to a lucky purchase. Deputy Olivia Roberts, On Monday, Koslo Ford claimed Deputy Lemney Sanchez the first of eight $2 million top and Sergeant Keith Spradley prizes from the new Monopoly Jackpot Scratch-Off game at were presented with CCSO Florida Lottery Headquarters in Life Saving Medal by Sheriff Tallahassee, one day after cele- Mark Hunter on Friday, July brating his 51st birthday, accord- 27, for their actions in pre- ing to the lottery website. serving the life of a badly Ford purchased his winning ticket injured motorcyclist after a from Live Oak Liquors, located at crash. The ward was present- STEVE WILSON/Lake City Reporter 6830 Suwannee Plaza Lane in Live ed in a ceremony attended by Books, pencils, fire helmets and other school supplies were given out by the dozens at Oak. family and friends. the annual Back to School Extravaganza, which took place at the Richardson Community The retailer will receive a $4,000 Center in Lake City on Saturday. Area schools, church and community groups and munic- bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket. DEPUTIES continued on 6A ipal agencies took part in the annual event. For story and more photos see Page 6A. Vol. 143, No. 346 Opinion . 4A CALL US: TODAY’S WEATHER (386) 752-1293 Obituaries. 5A Puzzles . 2-3B 2nd generation phenom blossoms SUBSCRIBE TO THE REPORTER: 90 72 Business . 1C Meet photographer Mandie Barber, 4D Voice: 755-5445 Life . 1D Fax: 752-9400 Chance of storms, 2A SALES ENDS HUGE AUGUST SALE: 20% OFF All Boots! 8/31/18 • Animal Health Products • Horse & Cattle Feed & Products Central States • Lawn & Garden • Pet Food & Enterprises, LLC Supplies 668 NW Waldo St. & US 41 North, Lake City • 386-755-7445 2A SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2018 DAILY BRIEFING LAKE CITY REPORTER p QUICK HITS Pols make romises Scripture of the Day Ellisville, increased proper- without a doubt.” erty taxes go down at all, “Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath TAXES ty values and other econom- “We’re supposed to give Williams said he’s “all in.” torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will Continued From 1A ic growth were more than our savings back to the peo- “Anything to help the ad bind us up.” — Hosea 6:1 (KJV) enough to foot the bill. ple who are responsible for valorem taxpayer,” he said. sales tax hike on the bal- “I don’t think the prob- paying taxes in Columbia “That’s been my pet peeve lot in August, which would lem that they’re citing is County,” he said. “That’s all along.” Thought for Today generate about $7.7 million there,” Witt said. “I think the way government is sup- Commissioner DePratter I was so ugly my mother used to feed me with a year for roads and free they want the money.” posed to run. It’s not about liked the general idea, but up other money to pay for Witt said the county having a big war chest.” said the board shouldn’t a slingshot. — Rodney Dangerfield, 1921-2004, construction of a roughly can expect $500,000 to $1 Murphy said Nash’s pro- wait to go through with it. American comedian $28 million new jail. million from Love’s, while posal will send a message to “Why don’t they go ahead About 30 percent of the increased property values the community. and reduce it this year?” new revenue would come will inject $1.7 million into “Just that action right he said. “I’d be willing to Winning Lottery Numbers from outside the county, the coffers. there will give the taxpay- reduce the millage rate to Pick 3: (Friday p.m.) 7-1-1 Nash said, meaning less of “I contend that the mon- ers confidence that we’re 7.5 this budget year if the Pick 4: (Friday p.m.) 5-4-4-8 a burden for local taxpay- ey’s there,” he said. spending their money the sales tax passes.” Fantasy 5: (Friday) 1-2-5-19-24 ers. Commissioner Everett “It’s a shared fair tax,” During Thursday’s commission Phillips voiced his support he said. meeting, Tim Murphy plans to as well. See an error? Not only are the coun- “As long as the one-cent The Lake City Reporter corrects errors of fact in news ty manager and the rest of introduce a provision to automat- sales tax goes through, items. If you have a concern, question or suggestion, the board in favor of the ically send the one-cent sales tax yes, I would agree to that,” please call the editor. Corrections and clarifications will proposed cuts, but candi- back to the voters in six years. “The Phillips said. “But I don’t run in this space. Thanks for reading. dates in the two upcoming know if it’s going to go commission elections also voters can decide if that penny did through or not.” expressed support for the what it was supposed to do,” he Witt, who is challenging Submissions idea — with the only hold- said. “I am 100 percent convinced Phillips for the District 4 The Lake City Reporter accepts photographs and caption outs saying they’d rather that penny will benefit the taxpay- seat, said he’s suspicious information to run at the discretion of the editor. If you would have both the lower prop- there is an ulterior motive like to see your organization in the newspaper, send the picture erty tax rate and no sales ers of Columbia County.” behind Nash’s plan. and information to Associate Editor Steve Wilson at tax. (District 2 incumbent “It think that’s just a ploy [email protected]. Rusty DePratter, who is not After Witt confronted the way it should be spent,” he to get you to support the seeking re-election, says board with his criticisms said. sales tax,” Witt said. he doesn’t think the sales at multiple meetings, Nash But he said he’s not in “Let me tax you now Lake City Reporter tax hike is necessary, but came forward with his idea. favor of letting the sales tax and maybe down the line, HOW TO REACH US BUSINESS.............. 754-0419 Main number ........ (386) 752-1293 would favor property tax One mill is currently overstay its welcome. if things go well, we can Fax number .............. 752-9400 CIRCULATION cuts should the referendum valued at $2.5 million, said During Thursday’s com- reduce the millage rate,” he Circulation ............... 755-5445 Home delivery of the Lake City Reporter pass.) County Manager Ben Scott. mission meeting, Murphy added, mocking the idea. Online ... www.lakecityreporter.com should be completed by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, and by 7:30 Annual debt service for That means Nash’s pro- plans to introduce a provi- Witt said the county The Lake City Reporter, an affiliate of Community Newspapers Inc., is a.m. on Sunday. the new jail will be about posed property tax cuts sion to automatically send should cut property taxes published Tuesday through Friday and Please call 386-755-5445 to report any Sunday at 180 E. Duval St., Lake City, problems with your delivery service. $2.7 million. Meanwhile, would save county taxpay- the one-cent sales tax back and reject a sales tax. FL 32055. Periodical postage paid at the county is running a defi- ers about $662,500 in 2019 to the voters in six years. “I think there’s revenue Lake City, FL, Member Audit Bureau of In Columbia County, customers should Circulation and The Associated Press. call before 10:30 a.m. to report a cit of $33.5 million for road and about $1.3 million in “The voters can decide if for everything now,” he service error for same day re-delivery. All material herein is property of the maintenance. 2020, a cumulative total of that penny did what it was said.