VOL. 83, NO. 25

INSIDE

 

One of our own
Page 6

 

Tourney time
Pages 8-10

OBITUARIES |
a
Shirley Chestnut
Edward Cunningham Jr.
Ernest Jelks
Lenora McCullough
James Pender Jr.

Robert Rapa:
Big Boy Williams:

CONTENTS ..
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Around Levy 2-3,5, 6
Opinion 4
Law & Courts 5
Obituaries se,
Sports _ 812
Classified 14

Legals 15-16

Land Transactions 17-19 »

Marketplace 19

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2006 1 SECTION: 20 PAGES

Legislators hear need for tax reform

BY CASSIE J OURNIGAN
STAFF WRITER

It was a given that state
legislators would hear from
taxpayers angered
over rapidly rising property
assessments. They also
entertained the requests of city
and county commissioners
and other local officials eager

F | tosee their pet projects benefit
| from state funding Dec. 14.

County | Commissioner
Tony Parker prefaced his
address. by speaking of a
need for tax reform, saying

looks at alternative forms: of
generating revenue. “We are

trying to alleviate. the burden.

on certain groups,” he said,
adding that the existing tax
structure is “devastating to
certain groups.”

Rep. Charles Dean,
chairman of the recent
legislative delegation, said the
state is trying to develop new
ideas on the issues of taxes
and insurance. He perceives
an unfairness underlying
assessed taxes on commercial
and residential properties.

it is time the government “I assure you, this is on the

Low student enrollment
affects more than budgets

BY CASSIE JOURNIGAN
Starr WRITER

Levy County’s lower student enrollment figures this year
produced a major impact on the school board’s budget,

prompting the need for the board to borrow money to pay

December salaries, As previously reported, the board had
voted to borrow on a short-term note.

School board members, and a public who wanted to learn
the reasons for the projected shortfall, heard how estimates
are made during their Dec. 19 meeting. ~

Ed Lovely, MIS and technology director, explained the
process educators use in estimating student levels. The FTE
(full-time equivalent) projection process is a state-approved
means of estimating student numbers for the upcoming
school year. Schools are state-funded based on the number of
students enrolled.

The projection process uses statistical riedels provided
by the state. Besides considering historical data, educators

| consider economic indicators, legislative changes and known

impacts, such as subdivisions that may be being developed.
Enrollment estimates, and their corresponding expected

state funds, are a major factor in an upcoming school year *s

budget.

According to the state’s ‘edueation commission, Florida has
experienced slower enrollment growth over the past decade.
Nearly half of the state’s counties experienced a decline
in enrollment this year. According to the state education
department’s (DOE) website, lower enrollment figures are
probably due to taxes, rising real estate costs and recent
hurricanes.

Lower enrollment figures my do more than impact the local

See Budget Page 20

agenda,” promising that state
lawmakers will be studying
these issues in the upcoming
legislative session.

State Sen. Steve Oelrich
asked, “Where does themoney
go?” He also wondered why
counties did not have a lot
more money, considering the
taxes collected. |

Parker said Levy County
“has been trying to play catch
up for a number of years.”
He added, “Caps have helped
higher income more . than
low-income families.” He

also said that because the

j
A

county is expected to grow
rapidly i in the next few years,

there is a need to “build our
‘services and be ready when

new residents come in.”

. Oelrich asked whether
Parker felt the county was
dropping deeper into a hole
because of growth.

Parker responded, “Yes,
sir,” and added that if the
county would cut back on
services, the need for higher

‘taxes wouldn’t be so extreme,

but that the county would then
not be able to provide some

services to residents.

Looking Ahead

50 cents pe copy

County. Commissioner

Lilly Rooks spoke of a .
need for countywide road’

improvements, maintenance
and repair to two aging water

distribution systems and

courthouse . infrastructure

needs. ee |
County | Commissioner

Nancy Bell spoke of taxes
‘businesses must pay. That

tangible items such as
-electronic equipment are
never removed from a

business. depreciation list

See Reform Page 20

Journal photo by Cassie Journigan
WITH HER 2006 appointment book filled, Christina Smith readies next
week’s—and next month’s—calendar. Smith manages husband Larry’s and
son Shannon’s law firm in Chiefland.

 

Hospital need, failing government top stories of 2006

citizens at its helm.

The issue of higher
property valuations and
subsequent tax bills are still
bitter pills to swallow and
as we move into the new
year, some say before they
swallow, they’ ll rebel.

COMPILED BY
CAROLYN RISNER
Manaainc EpiTor

hroughout 2006,
three dominant
themes seemed

to be on the lips of Levy
Countians more than

any other: the need for a ’ Now a look back at the |
hospital, the ongoing saga year that was.
of the failed Yankeetown January ~
government and higher “Can you hear me now?”
taxes. Levy County’s 2006 began

_ By year’s end, two of with a businessman asking
the three came to definitive the county commission to.

conclusions: the state denied

jump on board plans for a
the certificate of need for

cell tower he was erecting

long-time journalist, died
suddenly two days after
Christmas.

- The town of Bronson
debated how to handle
impact fees at its first council
meeting of the year.

The Chiefland Walking
Club trotted off to a good
start.

The Williston Red Devils
took the holiday Hitchcock
Classic and were featured in
a front-page photo.

Armegy DeVore, ©
engineering equipment
operator at the Lower

pared down its manager

-candidate list to four at its

first meeting of the year.
Making the list were Rodney
Russ of Anthony, Gregg
Griffin of Ocala, Charles
A. Gambaro Jr. of Oviedo
and James A. Woods of
Southport.

Members of the Levy
County School Board met
with the county commission

_ to discuss impact fees.

Education leaders predicted
tremendous student

population growth as one of
the main reasons to consider

“methanize.”

Water woes and the ghost
of the previous mayor
continued to haunt the town
of Bronson. Council learned
of a second water meter
that had not been read at
the jail, thereby costing the
town a significant amount of
money.

Residents in Williston
were asking for interested
parties to help them start a
Rotary Club.

A picture page paid
tribute to Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. after Williston —

 

  

the hospital, but Ameris, the near the jail. Suwannee Wildlife Refuge, _the fees. residents held a march and
company: wanting to build it, The Levy County Journal _ retired after 18 years with Kelby Barber represented | commemoration in his
will appeal and Yankeetown and the people.of the area the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Levy County in Tallahassee honor.
government has settled down ’ sustained a tremendous Service. as the best speller around.
and regrouped with new loss when Ken Doughtery, The city of Chiefland His winning word was See Year Page 12
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