Why should Escambia County consider a unified government?
We believe a united government offers all of the citizens of Escambia County, Pensacola and Century an opportunity to improve the economic future, as well as, the quality of life for all the citizens countywide. Both proponents and opponents of local government unification brandish a substantial list of reasons to support their positions. Yet, many experts agree that a unified government has the potential to offer at least the following advantages:
Economic Competitiveness: Unified government allows us to react quickly to proposed economic development prospects with a clear voice and the more lucrative potential of governmental incentives. Prospective businesses have a “unified” point of contact instead of two or more competing governmental entities. Cooperative county wide planning and zoning is an economic development plus with less hassle and potential conflicts that have plagued efforts in the past. Pooling our resources to create a leaner government will allow Pensacola/ Escambia to be more competitive in today and tomorrow’s economy. A unified voice to collective business, technology, and industrial companies make us more attractive to others that are considering the Panhandle as a relocated home and also, helps anchor businesses that already call the “Bay Area” home.
Reduced Taxes: Through elimination of duplicated services, multiple layers of bureaucracy and streamlining services the tax burden on citizens will be reduced. Our local unified government can focus on delivering efficient services to the citizens while lowering their tax exposure.
Economies of scale: Combined purchasing power and efficiency can result in taxpayer savings. Public works can share machinery, personnel and equipment. Combined law enforcement may fund additional patrols. A small city may offer services that weren’t cost effective before.
Less duplication: Cities and counties often fund similar operation, such as law enforcement, fire protection, solid waste services, planning, zoning, permitting, etc... With unified government, one office would replace two or more.
Government accountability: One unified government is easier for voters to understand than several local jurisdictions. This increased visibility may better focus attention on governmental operations. Electing a Mayor to provide the executive leadership will give the voters a chance to hold that person accountable for the vision and progression of the area. The legislative branch of representatives provides a system of checks and balances between the Mayor and the policy makers.
Harmony: Unified government will eliminate discord, such as, annexation disputes and planning and zoning issues. One voice, representing all 315,000+ citizens in Tallahassee and Washington, DC, will provide a stronger presence and result in greater funding for the area.
Steps Towards Unification: To evaluate the value of a Unified Government for Escambia County, the following steps are planned/being implemented.
Step 1. The Exploratory Committee - Escambia All for One
In the fall of 2007, several citizens visited Jacksonville, Florida to learn about the consolidation of Duval County and Jacksonville. The success of the formation of a unified government in Jacksonville encouraged the group to continue their study of unified governments and to reach out to other Escambia citizens to measure their interest in a unified government. During the discussions that followed, it was determined that an exploratory committee should be formed to better organize their studies and record the results. A review of Florida law suggested that a political action committee would be the best organization to serve as an exploratory committee. This would give the exploratory committee the legal standing required and the ability to raise those funds needed to pay for any expenses incurred. Escambia All for One was formed in May of 2008 as that exploratory committee.
The objectives of Escambia All for One are:
- To study and discuss unified government with citizens countywide.
- To obtain input from citizens on a unified government for Escambia County.
- To gauge support for a unified government for Escambia County.
- To recommend procedures and options for a formal Constitutional Study Commission.
Membership is open to all citizens of Escambia countywide. Jason Crawford and Scott Remington agreed to serve as co-chairmen of the committee and the following plan of activities has been developed:
Step 1a.
Meet with, and seek input from, residents of Escambia County such that all demographic segments of the community can participate. Stimulate citizen input and to determine if sufficient support exists to proceed.
Step 1b.
Plan and host a visit by appropriate officials from Jacksonville, Florida to conduct general informational sessions for each of the following groups:
- Elected official of Escambia County, Century and Pensacola
- The General Public
- Employees of local government
Step 1c.
Develop a proposed “Community Constitution for The City of Pensacola/ Escambia County.” It is important that all understand that this Community Constitution would be a resource for a Constitutional Commission ; not a preordained end result of such commission and will join other models of unified government for consideration.
Step 1d.
Escambia All for One, on behalf of the citizens of Escambia County, requests that the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and the City Council of the City of Pensacola and Town of Century support the appointment of a Constitutional Commission.
Step 2. Creation of the Constitutional Commission
Unlike the exploratory committee, Escambia All for One, the Constitutional Commission (CC) must be created by an enabling act as required by state law. For the CC to accomplish its work, the CC must be fully inclusive and representative of all demographic segments of Escambia County and include a cross section of business, social, civic and professional leaders. No one should be selected who is holding public office or is considered to be an individual with political ambitions.
To be successful all segments of the community must participate in the creation of a new Community Constitution; as such, we call on civic, political, labor, professional and racial organizations in Escambia County to come to the table and engage the CC with Escambia All for One.
The Convening Authority should define the CC authority, funding, milestones and reports.
Any proposed Plan/Constitution should be placed before the electorate of Escambia County.
Step 3. The Work of the Constitutional Commission (CC)
It is recommended that the members of the CC hold an organizational meeting within a week of their elections or appointment. The Executive Committee must elect at least a chairperson and secretary, and more officers if desired. The staff can include an Executive Director or others the commission may need and can pay. The Executive Committee may organize the CC internally as they see fit and may use committees to subdivide and specialize the workload. The CC must finish its work within six to nine months of its initial meeting.
Step 4. Adoption or Rejection
The CC then must prepare and file with the convening authority the proposed Community Constitution for the Unified Government. The proposed Community Constitution is a public record and must be available for anyone to see. Every newspaper in the county must be furnished a copy or have one available.
When a Community Constitution is submitted by the CC the citizens of Escambia County will vote by referendum to approve or reject the Community Constitution. The Town of Century will vote whether to be included or excluded from the government. The election must be held in accordance with the laws of the state of Florida.
Step 5. Political Mandate
If the voters approve unification, the unified government subsumes all rights, obligations, duties and privileges of the county and the city or cities uniting. In other words, previous local option elections in the county will continue in force unless the unified government decides to put the question before the voters under the new government. General session courts and juvenile courts will continue. A new mayor and council must be elected. The constitution may call for election of officers before the constitution goes into full effect.
We believe that creating a government system around these essential needs and functions focuses the limited available resources available to the Community as a whole toward meeting and/or exceeding reasonable expectations within each of the core areas and can create a more vibrant and sustainable citizenry and government structure.
Pd. Pol. Adv. contributed in kind by Escambia All For One, P.O. Box 12852, Pensacola, FL 32591