Curry: Gas tax could free money for projects beyond septic tank removal | Jax Daily Record | Jacksonville Daily Record

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says the revenue released by a proposed increase in gas tax could be paid to the city for projects in addition to septic tank removal.

Speaking to the Southside Business Men’s Club on March 30, Curry said he wanted to hear from members of the city council about where the unencumbered money should be spent.

“The big suggestion is septic tanks. We’ve neglected septic tanks for decades because the problem is too big. It’s a billion dollar project. We’re going to take a bite out of the apple, ”said Curry.

“But we may be able to set aside other dollars for other projects and work with members of the city council,” he said.

“Because they are in touch with their constituents about what these problems might be.”

The city and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority want the council to approve a 10-year extension of Duval County’s gas tax through 2046, increasing it from 6 cents to 12 cents per gallon.

JTA and the city will propose that the proceeds total $ 930.2 million for road construction, drainage and transportation improvements.

The city and JTA would split the money equally.

Curry and Council leaders expect the tax to generate revenue of $ 1 billion over 25 years. This could free up $ 300-400 million from the city’s general fund that the mayor earmarked at a March 18 press conference for the estimated $ 2 billion failed septic tank problem in Duval County.

After meeting the Southside Business Men’s Club, Curry said he had no specific plan for spending any dollars remaining under his septic tank plan.

“My focus will be on recommending a septic tank (exit). I really want to work with council members to think about things they think are necessary in their districts, ”he said.

Curry has been meeting with community groups in the Jacksonville area to get public support for the gas tax hike since the city and JTA announced on March 18 what they called the “Jobs for Jax” plan.

He told Southside Business Group that his 2020-21 fiscal year 2020-21 capital improvement plan, at $ 239 million, is not enough to meet the backlog of infrastructure needs in Jacksonville.

“We neglected the infrastructure for decades. So I don’t want to raise property taxes, ”he said.

“I think the gas tax is the best way to go. It will give us more than $ 1 billion and the ability to run infrastructure. ”

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority plans to spend $ 371.96 million on expanding the Skyway.

Assistance and supervision of the council

Administrative officials must convince the majority of council members to support the tax hike and renewal.

Curry said on March 30 that he does not know when the gas tax legislation will be submitted, but he is already facing opposition from councilors from his own party.

Councilor LeAnna Cumber, a Republican from District 5 of San Marco, said on March 29 that the JTA’s plan to use $ 371.96 million of tax revenue to upgrade and expand the Downtown Skyway was a “good thing” for her. Non-starter “is.

JTA executives plan to expand Skyway service to Riverside and Five Points, Springfield, UF Health Jacksonville, and Jacksonville’s Southside Medical Complex corridor.

The transportation authority plans to replace the elevated monorail system with automated vehicles as part of their Ultimate Urban Circulator program.

Cumber says it is worth having a broader discussion on how to finance local transport infrastructure.

“I can’t even comment on the other projects that could be funded because I can’t support anything that provides nearly $ 400 million for a system that should have been demolished in the 1990s,” she said.

JTA put the system into operation in 1989 after receiving federal funding of $ 23 million in 1985 to build what was then the Automated Skyway Express. Construction began in 1987.

In an April 1 text message, District 13 GOP council member Rory Diamond described the proposed Skyway upgrades as “a massive waste of money.”

Diamond says he will not support a tax increase for Duval County.

“While I recommend Mayor Curry for taking over our aging infrastructure, I never voted for a tax or fee hike, and I won’t start today,” he said.

Curry has reservations about support from the council leadership in the tax expansion.

Vice-chairman of the finance committee and frequent curry critic Garrett Dennis says he supports the gas tax concept, but needs protection for the septic tank dollars written in the legislation to get his support.

“If we use the 6-cent tax to fund infrastructure to free up the CIP money for septic tanks, it will be used for that,” Dennis said. “Not a shell game to really fund an entertainment zone under the guise of a 6-cent tax hike.”

In separate interviews earlier this week, Council Chairman Tommy Hazouri and Chair of the Finance Committee Matt Carlucci said they are working with the mayor’s office to introduce a civic oversight committee into tax law.

Carlucci said he wanted the committee to have 12 members – six to oversee funds and six to review gas tax projects.

Under the structure proposed by Carlucci, Curry, Council and the JTA would each appoint four committee members.

Hazouri and Carlucci urge the administration to give priority to citizens’ submissions.

Carlucci said administrative officials agreed to hold five large city meetings.

According to Hazouri, the meetings will take place in the five general council districts.

Curry said he had not discussed a citizenship screening committee but would not rule out the proposal.

“Nobody sat and talked to me about it. I am discussed with my employees, but I am open to ideas. We’re working on it, ”said Curry.

“We’re making the sausage right now, if you will.”

You might also like

Comments are closed.