IT'S YOUR MONEY

But Franklin County seems to think it's theirs!

Once again it is time to be watching our wallets, and Concerned Citizens of Franklin County needs your help to further our efforts.

To our Franklin County friends and neighbors; after looking at the tax bill you just received, are you disappointed or even a bit angry that even though your county assessment went down, your tax bill didn’t? You are not alone. The CCFC fought the budget battles this year with information and suggestions presented to our leaders. We represented your interests at Budget Workshops,

Adoption Hearings and behind the scenes with one-on-one conversations with County Commissioners and School Board members. We are not happy with the outcome; but it could have been much worse! On the good side, we commend the School District for keeping a lid on costs this year, but are very concerned with the lack of demonstrable progress at the Consolidated School. Congratulations are in order for the A rated Charter School in Apalachicola.

If you will click on the Budget Adoption Videos link to your right, you will see for yourself just how dysfunctional the budgeting process is. View videos of a Commission near breakdown calling for the Governor to set our budget!

Here are a few of the more serious issues: With over 80% of the controllable budget going to salaries and benefits, these discussions are highly personal. We are sensitive to the fact that county employees are our friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, Commissioners have been unable to deal with several pressing problems that only get worse each year. Unequal pay among county employees and the lack of a merit system encourage mediocrity and ever higher personnel costs. A frankly over utilized and too rich health care plan costs Franklin County hundreds of thousands of dollars extra each year. A hospital system that loses over $1.5 million dollars a year and that encourages our citizens to get health care elsewhere with over 75% of healthcare delivered out of county. A total lack of focus on economic development. You may be surprised to know that the tourist industry employs more people than the seafood industry and that until 2007 the construction industry also employed more people than the seafood industry. We need our seafood industry but sorely needed jobs growth and income is not going to come from that direction. The love of “free money” grants that Franklin County lives off of eventually costs ad valorem money to maintain those “free” projects. There is no free lunch. We could go on endlessly.

Tax increases are hitting many previously exempt. You may be one of them as Just Values and Assessed Values collide. With another 10-15% projected drop in the Assessed Value of properties projected for 2013, the issues only get worse. Where is the planning, where is the will to treat all taxpayers equally well? The CCFC fulfills an important role in representing your interests in Franklin County. We have been doing so for six years now and we continue to need your financial and personal support. Last year over 1400 people lost their homes/properties or were liened through either foreclosure, tax sale, short sale or other forced transfer. Will you be next?

I hope you agree that someone has to fight the good fight, and represent your interests. Stand with us to bring better government to Franklin County. Your generous support will allow us to pursue the many avenues available to control county costs, keep the public informed and to help frame the debate. Minimum dues are $25 but we need much more to pay the Professionals who do the work behind-the-scenes and who provide the information which makes the CCFC credible.

Your generous dues payment of $100 or more will ensure our continued success. We work year round to ensure better government is not just a good idea. Please join us in this fight by citizens and for citizens by putting your check in the mail today! Please make your check payable to the CCFC and mail it to P.O. Box 990, Eastpoint, FL 32328 today, while it’s on your mind. Please feel free to share this letter and supporting documents with your friends; encourage them to join the CCFC.

Thank you for your generous support. Dues are not deductible for income tax purposes.

Allan J. Feifer
President
Concerned Citizens of Franklin County, Inc.
P.O. Box 990
Eastpoint, Florida 32328
(850) 653-5571