WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News LeaderWalton Residents Continue To Discuss Tax vs. Toll

We're just a few days away from a very crucial commission vote in the tax versus toll debate in Walton county. But before that happens, many residents are doing their best to learn about the pros and cons of funding a new bridge on Highway 331.

There is still much to be decided, but in the lead up to Tuesday's big vote one resident is doing his part to educate fellow residents.

"I've seen in the paper a lot of information in letters to the editor that I believe is not factual, and I wanted to get the real factual information to as many people as I could," said Michael Flynt, a Miramar Beach resident.

Flynt organized a town hall so county officials and residents could clear the air when it comes to certain aspects of the 331 bridge funding issue. Walton County has to come up with a $75 million dollar match for the $177 million the Department of Transportation is putting up to four lane the bridge.

It comes down to two options - a toll on the south side of the bridge or sales tax increase of 1 cent, 3/4 quarters of a cent, or a 1/2 cent. At their last meeting, the county decided to pursue the sales tax increase. There are many factors to consider in the debate -  from safety concerns, to economic issues. If there's one thing Thursday's meeting showed it's that in this ongoing debate, residents still have a lot of questions and concerns.

"A toll would be not to the advantage of the people that live in Walton County," one resident said.

Said another resident: "There's a third choice to be had, and that's to send out county elected officials to Tallahassee after money."

"We have millions socked away in reserves that the tourists have already paid," another resident said.

"I think the issue here tonight is the fact that we don't need to go into debt, the whole nation is saying that," one resident argued.

The county will decide what percentage to set that tax at Tuesday. After that, the tax increase would go to a referendum to be decided by the people in April. To see the financing options the county is considering, click the links on the right.