County courthouse committee cancelled
BY PAM BRANNON Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Santa Rosa County Commiss ion Chairman Tom Stewart arrived at last week's commission meeting ready to appoint a 25-member courthouse committee. Stewart had asked commissioners a few weeks ago to show up at this month's meeting with some names of people who would be willing to help determine where a new courthouse should be built and which was the best way to fund that construction. But after a lengthy discussion the idea of a special committee for the project was shelved by other commissioners.

Commissioner Don Salter said, "I have some strong emotions about the road we are about to go down with this committee. Tallahassee is trying to do some radical things to us, to take away home rule and destroy local government. They have already voted that they want to be able to set the millage for all counties and incorporated areas in Florida. If we get something placed on the ballot Jan. 29, as the governor wants, in any form as they are trying to push through right now - or any time next year - it is likely that we could lose another $15 million or $20 million dollars for our budget. From an $81 million budget, like we have now, how do we even fund a sheriff department if we lose that much? And Tallahassee is even considering taking away our option of asking voters for a one cent sales tax for projects like a courthouse."

"I would hate to put a committee together, have them come back with some recommendations next spring, only to have to say we cannot do anything. And I believe we have even more pressing problems in the county, on this strained budget, like roads," Salter said.

Stewart said he did not believe any committee would be able to come back to the commission with any recommendations until at least next June or July, and by then the commission would have a good idea of what impact Tallahassee has has had on next year's budget and the use of one cent sales tax options for funding.

Commissioner John Broxson of Gulf Breeze said, "This board can make the decision of where to put a courthouse and it can make the decision of how to fund it. That is why the people elected us, to make those kind of decisions. We have not made a decision about the courthouse because we run into financial roadblocks for such a large project every time we think about doing it. My thought is I do not want to frustrate a group of volunteers who give up their time and get all excited and then nothing comes of what study they do... No question - we have to do something about a judicial building. But I think we should wait and see what the state legislators have in store for us, and then we can decide."

Commissioner Gordon Goodin of Navarre cautioned that some properties being looked at right now for a courthouse will be sold soon if the commission doesn't do anything. "I now don't think a committee is necessary. This board will need to make the final decision anyway, especially on finding funding. But, the thing we need to keep in mind right now is the properties we have been considering for possible sites. Those are selling, and they will not be available by next summer. We do have the site next to the jail, and if we are happy with that, then fine. But I think we do need to have a goal date, like maybe Jan. 29, to make some decisions."

Commissioner Bob Cole said, "If I was forced to vote today about a new courthouse, I would say put it on the site next to the jail, have the inmates walk their butts over to the courthouse, and pay for it with a one cent sales tax. And this time really educate the public as to why it is so necessary to get this done."

Stewart tabled the idea of a committee, but asked that some public hearings be held the first of the year for public input .