Small Business Association opposes Incorporation

The Walton County Small Business Association (WCSBA) kicked off the New Year with a vote to strongly oppose incorporating South Walton.  Before the vote, legal counsel for WCSBA completed a review of the proposed incorporation Charter and Feasibility Study and presented their findings. The review found “no affirmative reason” for incorporation, and found a  number of potential pitfalls.  According to the Association review:

• Incorporation will not feasible, with probable tax rate increases of up to 50 percent.

• Incorporation will create a business-averse environment that will hurt existing small and family-owned businesses, and discourage new start-up business.  

• A new government with seven elected officials, a city manager, a city attorney and a city planner with staff and offices will be expensive, adding a further layer of government.

• The Feasibility Study submitted by the group in favor of incorporation contains no analysis to support the financial feasibility of incorporation.

• Incorporation proposes no new or improved services. The city’s only function would be planning and code enforcement south of the bay.  Less than 5 percent of the remaining developable land can be altered.  The other 95 percent is in state land, planned urban developments, developments of regional impact, and platted subdivisions.

• A new city will have vast powers to impose new rules and regulations and to change the county comprehensive plan, including elimination of the 50-foot height limit and scenic corridor guidelines.  

• Incorporation can strip South Walton of its unique character and appeal, leading us down the path to becoming another Destin or Panama City – small towns with big governments, and elections that are bought and paid for by special interests.

In an interview with SoWal Life WCSBA President, Bonnie McQuiston, said the Association’s goal is to “inform and educate the public about what incorporation would mean for the citizens of Walton County and its impact on small business. “ I would ask two questions,” she said. “First of all, “What are we buying? There are no specifics in the proposal and a number of unanswered questions. This is more ‘hope and change’ – the proponents want change but won’t tell us what that change really means, and what it will look like. Remember, once incorporation passes, there’s no going back. Second, I would ask ‘Who’ will run the new city?  If you look at the history of Destin, the same reasons for incorporation were given then, but what was the result? Special interests representing developers took over the city government through political contributions to favored candidates.”

The big issue seems to be a desire by those in favor of incorporation to have more say over the planning process in order to “protect 30A,” which is a valid concern. Both sides of the incorporation issue want to preserve the unique character of South Walton. We asked McQuiston if the proponents concerns and criticisms of current county planning were valid?

“More government does not solve problems,” said McQuiston. “It just creates more problems- more government, more bureaucracy, more taxes.” She also noted that 49% of voters are from South Walton, and as soon as the next election, South Walton will have a majority in the county. She said the solution is for South Walton residents to run for a seat on the Board of County Commissioners. “Work within the system.”

SoWal Life does not take a position on issues that come before the People of Walton County, but chooses to allow opinions to be expressed on both sides, without comment. Ultimately, the decision to Incorporate as a city or stay in County Government will be placed in the hands of the People of South Walton. See our website: www.waltoncountysba.org