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Residents urge cost reviews, impact fees and a citizens committee as county models budget stress
Summary
During public comment at a Wakulla County workshop, residents urged the board to consider a citizens expenditure review committee, privatization of services, and impact fees to help offset potential shortfalls if state homestead exemptions proceed.
WAKULLA COUNTY — Public commenters at a Wakulla County workshop offered several local remedies to reduce spending and raise revenue as county staff presented a scenario in which homestead exemptions could remove millions from the general fund.
Kenneth Clisby urged the creation of a citizens committee to review county expenditures and suggested privatizing some services such as fleet maintenance and road work to save money. "I would propose that you do that... a citizens committee to review the county expenditures," Clisby said during public comment.
David Damon recommended pursuing impact fees on new development and criticized long-standing incentives that he said shifted infrastructure costs to existing taxpayers. "Impact fees could make up a large part of that," Damon said, arguing the county could recover more infrastructure costs from growth.
A resident identified in the transcript as Raven (Raven Fears) told commissioners she preferred waiting for clearer legislative language before making judgments on the proposals, urging the county to gather more implementation details before committing to a course of action.
Commissioners thanked speakers and said the workshop was an initial step to gather information; no formal direction was given on forming committees or changing procurement practices. Staff noted those kinds of reforms would require further study and formal action by the board.
Next steps: Citizens who raised ideas asked for follow-up and indicated willingness to participate if the county forms a review process; county staff will include public suggestions as it refines its budget impact analysis.
