Commission redirects $200K from out-of-town group to sheriff's effort to thwart shootings

Talks will continue in the months ahead regarding a staff recommendation to raise City of Tallahassee property taxes next year, despite a failed attempt by a minority of commissioners to hold the line.

Mayor John Dailey and Commissioners Curtis Richardson and Dianne Williams-Cox moved the budget process forward with the property tax hike but said more time and consideration was necessary to consider the big picture.

"We know that violent crime is a tremendous issue in our community," Richardson said. "It is the number one priority in our strategic plan. And so we have to address it in an aggressive manner ... so we'll see where the community wants to go from there."

Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter don't support raising taxes at this time and wanted to keep the property tax rate unchanged.

Background: Tallahassee City Hall proposes raising property tax. Here's what it could mean to you

The overarching theme of the workshop centered around public safety, although other budget highlights include a 5% raise for all general government employees and runway improvements at Tallahassee International Airport.

Property tax rate: What's on the table?

City Manager Reese Goad is recommending the property tax rate go from $4.10 to $4.72 per $1,000 in taxable property value.

If passed, the higher rate would represent an additional $139 a year or $12 per month for a typical household with a home valued at $275,000. Other variables may impact the cost, including whether a property qualifies for Homestead Exemption.

For commercial properties, a city analysis for local small businesses indicates a similar cost at $159 per year or $13 per month.

While the tax rate hasn't changed in seven years, the city has received revenue increases based on property values going up. Even if the property tax rate remains the same, this qualifies as a tax increase under state law.

The proposed additional tax revenue is estimated to be $9.5 million, or a 14% increase to be directed toward to the Tallahassee Police Department's budget. The new revenue stream would enable the hiring of 20 new officers, new technology including artificial intelligence and more analytics.

Development news: Amazon hiring begins slowly for mega Tallahassee warehouse; property tax payday on horizon

Other: A first look at the proposed luxury hotel slated for downtown Tallahassee

More: Inside plans to redevelop Railroad Square and draw in full-time residents to Art District

Commission shifts support away from GVI toward 'violence interrupters' effort

Commissioners said they were frustrated by the stalled pace to finalize contracts for the Group Violence Intervention program, a national initiative aimed at reducing crime they were eager to implement.

In another split vote, they opted to redirect support earmarked for GVI and instead provide $200,000 for the first year and $150,000 the following year for a crime-prevention initiative effort presented by Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil and Royle King, who heads the newly created Tallahassee-Leon County Council on the Status of Men and Boys that received a $1.4 million federal grant for its launch.

'Bring the experts in': Here's how Tallahassee is divvying up $1 million to stop shootings

That requires several steps, including a strategic plan, research and employees to provide direct services to that population. In addition, McNeil said the local-level support was needed for other measures that could impact crime trends in Tallahassee, including violence interruption services and counselors for identified children who have had run-ins with the law.

"I will tell you that the partnership we have with the city, the county and our school board, and our law enforcement partners is working extremely well, particularly as it relates to trying to deal with these issues that are impacting our communities," McNeil said.

The $300,000 directed to out-of-town gun violence interruption specialists at GVI was the highlight of the city's $1 million investment to staunch the bloodshed from shootings that have plagued Florida's capital city for years.

Database: Shootings in Tallahassee in 2023

Developed at John Jay College, the GVI program focuses on deterrence rather than prevention. It relies on community members with “moral authority” over violent street group members, who in turn deliver a credible message of deterrence and anti-violence.

The model, which has seen success in Boston, Louisville, Miami, and Chicago, often requires more law enforcement resources while also integrating social service providers.

Testy exchanges continue

Commissioners were collectively frustrated by the lack of progress with the GVI initiative, which prompted Dailey, Richardson and Williams-Cox toward moving swiftly with programs aimed at helping the Status of Men and Boys efforts.

Porter didn't feel prepared to make the same call and said she wasn't aware the board would be asked to make a funding decision during the workshop. Matlow also objected to the funding request because it wasn't an agenda item, adding the public had not been informed of any major changes in the commission's direction.

Richardson talked about the urgency to act. He said he's been a longtime resident on the south side and has been personally impacted by violent crime.

"You know, I guess unless you live in or near those neighborhoods where this kind of violence is occurring, you don't have a true feel for what people in the community are feeling," Richardson said. "The fact that this should have been done yesterday, I have that feeling."

Those comments prompted Porter to defend her stance, adding she talks with residents and understands their concerns. She also said her home has been burglarized.

"I'm sure we all have those stories. We're all on one of the most diverse commissions we've ever had," Porter said. "I wish so much that we could actually listen to each other and learn from each other and our different perspectives ... I will never be someone who built my house on the south side 30 years ago, because I'm only 30 years old. I'm a young white woman. I know who I am."

Before Porter could finish, Williams-Cox cut her off and asked the mayor to call the question — a move that would immediately stop the conversation and prompt the commission to vote on whether to move on from the topic. Dailey gave Porter the floor to continue. She did so but was clearly frustrated.

Yolanda Pourciau, a speaker during the workshop, urged the commission to be more civil toward one another while engaged in policy making.

"My heart was pumping so hard," she said. "As we're talking about putting hundreds of thousands of dollars to end violence, I felt violated because I want this young woman to be heard without interruption.

I think we have to raise the level of discourse. We need to be an example that dissenting voices can be heard with the utmost respect. I say this as a citizen, and I mean it. I want something different."

Increase affordable housing investment

At this time, roughly 3,000 affordable housing units are either completed, under construction, in permitting or in the planning stage, according to city documents.

As of February, the benchmark means Tallahassee has more affordable housing units in the pipeline per 100,000 residents than 11 other Florida cities, including Orlando, West Palm Beach and Gainesville.

Commissioners heard an update on completed efforts to create more affordable housing options. One example includes Neighborhood First planning that uses combined funds from the Community Redevelopment Agency and the city of Tallahassee, totaling more than $19.2 million to neighborhood plans that will be used for housing rehabilitation and new construction.

Contact Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee City Commission redirects $200K from GVI gun violence group