What A Difference A Day Makes - In Jackson County - Marianna What A Difference Seconds Make

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
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Date: Aug 18 2019 9:39 AM

JACKSON COUNTY ( MARIANNA ) FL: What a difference a day makes...furthermore what a difference seconds make...

Within seconds Hurricane Michael came through Jackson County ( Marianna ) Florida and forever changed the landscape. But it still has devastating effects on the economy.

Marianna City Manager Jim Dean told members of the Marianna City Council on October 10, 2018 the City of Marianna loss several revenue streams they previously had.

Marianna has a number of businesses that still has not re-opened yet.

The City of Marianna is down about 120 business and residential water connections.

The Property Appraiser has assessed the values of properties in the City of Marianna , and as of right now there's a $ 20 million dollar reduction in property values. That calculates in less property taxes paid.

The Federal Prison is probably going to be shut down through February or March of next year. That is a big customer for the City of Marianna in water, sewer and gas.The City of Marianna also gets a 6% franchise fee on it's electrical service.

The City of Marianna must pay up front for many hurricane related repairs to city property, which the majority of those expense are "expected" to be reimbursed by federal sources but not guaranteed to be reimbursed. If reimbursed that could take 8 to 20 months or more.

Dean is optimistic that the funding shortage is temporary. As businesses and residents get back on their feet things change. But Dean said that could take a year to 18 months.

On City Manager Dean's told the Marianna City Council that all funding to outside organizations had to be suspended in order to have a balance city budget.

The organization to take the biggest hit is quoted as he understands and supports the City of Marianna's decision. In a financial crisis it is the prudent thing to do and the City of Marianna has to be run like a business.

We applaud the City Manager for taking the bold step and being a manager. Times like these call for tough decisions that no one likes to make.

Jackson County Florida looked like a war zone. The Sheriff of Jackson County, on October 10, 2018 stopped by to check on his wife just before Hurricane Michael struck.

Jackson County Sheriff Lou Roberts is a working Sheriff. Often times heard on the radio out working like Deputies. He responds to calls and backs up Deputies.

Sheriff Roberts was at his home checking on his wife as the Hurricane struck. The Sheriff was then trapped at his home unable to leave because of downed trees that had him blocked from leaving. All the while the roof of the Jackson County Sheriff Department was taken off by the Hurricane.

The hurricane prevented emergency responders from being able to respond to those in need.

And all within seconds lives, the town, the county, the economy, destroyed.

What a difference a day makes...what a difference seconds make...