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BOOK <br />(CLERK'S NOTE: ATTACHMENTS TO COMMISSIONER <br />GINN'S MEMO MAY BE FOUND IN THE BACKUP FOR <br />THE MEETING.) <br />108 PAGE 321 <br />Commissioner Ginn strongly advocated the continuation of the 1¢ optional sales tax <br />and called it the "ad valorem taxpayer's best friend." She then briefly reviewed the contents <br />of the memorandum. She called Indian River County the "Jewel of the State of Florida", not <br />just of the Treasure Coast. She suggested that the Commissioners who will be traveling to <br />Tallahassee in March for meetings with our legislators should caucus with the other 30 or <br />more counties who likewise share our dilemma of having a much -needed -tax sunset. She <br />suggested Vice Chairman Adams lead the delegation in meeting with other county officials. <br />She felt that staff could assist this effort by writing letters to set up appointments beforehand. <br />She believed continuing the tax is critical for continuation of our progress as the "Jewel of <br />the State" without overburdening the ad valorem taxpayer. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Ginn, SECONDED <br />BY Vice Chairman Adams, to instruct staff, the County <br />Administrator, OMB staff and others to pursue this effort to <br />continue the 10 optional sales tax. <br />Under discussion, Vice Chairman Adams believed that staffhad already been working <br />on projections for the future. <br />Administrator Chandler advised that the highest priority is bringing to the Board this <br />spring the proposed projects for the final 4%i years. He anticipated that at that time there <br />would be some discussion of long-range plans which would go beyond the final phase of the <br />1¢ optional sales tax funds. He agreed that the tax had accomplished what had been <br />presented to the voters in 1989. From a staff perspective, it is a question of timing. <br />Vice Chairman Adams asked what had been promised to the voters when it came up <br />for referendum in 1989, and Administrator Chandler stated that the primary thrust was to <br />look at the critical needs in terms of roads and bridges and then some of the public facilities <br />that were needed at that time (Health Department Building, Courthouse; and so forth). Those <br />roads and bridges needed to be done irrespective of the funding and could be done without <br />burdening the ad valorem taxpayers or incurring debt and attendant costs. The voters were <br />also told that plans would be brought forth every five years and there would be public <br />FEBRUARY 9, 1999 <br />48 <br />