Winter Park Agrees To SunRail, Can Bail Later

August 23, 2010

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- It's now up to Orange County to decide whether to give Winter Park the option of bailing on SunRail. Some city leaders don't like the project's cost or potential impact on local traffic.

Commissioners finally agreed on what they're asking from Orange County. The county has seven years to come up with an answer, but if there's no dedicated funding for SunRail at anytime after that Winter Park could back out and shut down its stop.

People came out Monday for a rally in Winter Park to push for an agreement between the city and Orange County regarding funding for SunRail. The city of Winter Park has voiced concern, because the county hadn't yet decided how to pay for the project.

A large crowd greeted local leaders as they stepped off an Amtrak train in Winter Park on Monday with a message that SunRail's commuter trains will soon share the same tracks.

"I hear the train a'coming and it's coming around the bend," Winter Park Mayor Ken Bradley said Monday.

Winter Park city commissioners want more flexibility to back out if they haven't figured out how to pay for SunRail after the state covers the first seven years of operation. Commissioners also added language to give the city an out if SunRail has any adverse impacts on crime or traffic in Winter Park.

"After seven years, if there's not a fully-dedicated funding source, we can opt out. So the risk is very minimal," Winter Park Chamber of Commerce CEO Patrick Chapin said.

But not everyone in the crowd Monday was on board. Protesters even jockeyed for position behind speakers at the rally.

"It is a scam to the people of Winter Park to say, for the first seven years, you don't have to pay anything and, if there isn't a dedicated funding stream, we'll figure out what to do. Well, that's just code for raising taxes! This is just not paid for," SunRail opponent Peg Dunmire said.

While Winter Park leaders have finally agreed on what they want in the deal, Orange County still has to sign off.

Meanwhile, Orange County mayoral candidate Matthew Falconer announced Monday his plans to file a lawsuit against the proposed high-speed rail linking Orlando and Tampa. Falconer says the plan violates the state constitution and that the state can't afford to pay for the project.

Ax the Tax tells Orange no new taxes Budget, Erika Hobbs, Orange County School Board, Orange County schools

By: erikahobbs
Published: July 26, 2010

Orange County’s School Board wants to ask you for more money.

But the region’s tax bulldog says no, no, no.

Board members want to ask voters to increase property taxes by $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. The district needs it, they say, to pay for teachers and programs.

But Doug Guetzloe of Ax the Tax, a grassroots anti-tax group, said members need to rethink that request.

“Fool me once, shame on my you, fool me twice, shame on me,” will be the Ax the Tax slogan for November, he told me today.

The “once” he refers to is the half-penny sales tax increase voters 8 years ago to pay for school renovations. The board has been criticized by both advocates and opponents recently for spending decisions related to that program.

‘”It is outrageous that the Orange County School Board would even consider a tax increase given the complete lack of accountability and responsibility in public spending that occurred with the sales tax increase,” Guetzloe said.

As a result, now that they’re back for a second round of hikes — this time for property taxes — he said: “Our axe is sharpened and ready to go.”

Property tax hike to be added to Nov. ballot

By: Drew Petrimoulx | WDBO Local News
Published: July 27, 2010

The Orange County School board heard from the public Tuesday evening on a proposed property tax hike to pay for schools as stimulus money dries up.

It took three hours for comment to begin, and many didn't stick around. But those that did largely supported raising property tax.

"I think it's really important that I support the next generation," said one mother who told the board that her children graduated from Orange County schools.

The ballot language was recently changed to assure arts programs receive funding, and a math professor from Rollins College came to the meeting to show his support.

"Keeping the arts in our schools is worth having to pay a little more," he said.

One of the people who spoke out against the increase was anti-tax activist Doug Guetzloe.

"I would just recommend that you just tighten your belt and do what everyone else has to do," he said.

In the end, school board members said the voters should decide. They agreed unanimously to put the one mill increase on the November ballot.

Ax the 21% Orlando Property Tax Increase

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (D) is proposing a 21% property tax increase.
According to press reports the increase is due to "Amendment One" and that he must cut public safety if taxes aren't raised.

NONSENSE!
Government does not have a revenue problem it has a
SPENDING PROBLEM.

City of Orlando budget has
INCREASED 73% in the last 3 fiscal years - no increase is needed!

Quick Facts

City of Orlando Budget

2002/2003 City Budget - $584,417,258
2006/2007 City Budget - $802,027,194

73% INCREASE

2002/2003 Property Tax revenue - $71,676,754
2006/2007 Property Tax revenue - $116,111,767

62% INCREASE

2003/2004 Mayor Dyer’s staff - $10,568,503
2006/2007 Mayor Dyer’s staff - $16,929,770

62% INCREASE

21% Property Tax Increase

NO WAY!