WCTA Holds Second Community Forum

The Costal Branch Library was filled to capacity as the WCTA held its second community forum on the new tax reform package recently signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist. The property tax plan from our state legislators in Tallahassee means Walton County government will have several million dollars less to spend. Government budgets are being developed to reflect decreased tax revenues. 

Presentations were made by Rep. Marti Coley and Rep. Don Brown on the impact that the legislative actions of the House and Senate Tax Reform Plan will have on each taxpayer and citizen in the State of Florida.  They fielded questions for over 45 minutes from the audience and gave their frank and straight forward answers questions and discussed the future actions that might be addressed in a much talked about second special session to deal with rollbacks in state spending.  They did an outstanding job of meeting with the constituents and "listening" to their issues and concerns.

Local elected officials present to participate in the community forum  were School Board Member Darrell Barnhill and South Walton Mosquito Control Commissioner John Magee and Sheriff Ralph Johnson.

Conspicuously absent from the meeting were Commissioners Brannon and Commissioner Meadows. Commissioner Brannon notified the WCTA of a prior commitment to attend a Community Meeting in Red Bay and was represented by one of his two Commissioner Aides. Commissioner Meadows sent no representative and made no contact with the WCTA concerning her attendance.   The second forum was held within their constituent areas and received a special invitation from the WCTA to be present and hear from the taxpayers in the District.  Both Commissioners Jones and Commissioner Comander attended the first WCTA "Community Forum" held in Mossy Head on June 18th.

Thanks to all who attend and became involved in the decisions concerning spending in Walton County Government. The WCTA has now received over 538 completed surveys from the Citizens of Walton County.

View the WCTA PowerPoint presentation made to to those in attendance by clicking this link