News & Views for Southern Sailors - Southwinds Magazine

OUR WATERWAYSchallenges that decision-makers at all levels of governmentface in trying to balance population growth, public servicesand economic development with the demand for publicaccess to, and on, the water.“This conference is designed as a forum to educatedecision-makers, management agency staff and waterdependentbusiness owners to deal with these trends and tofoster constructive dialogue about the nation’s changingwaterfronts,” said Virginia Sea Grant economist, Thomas J.Murray, conference organizer and co-chairman.The conference is sponsored by the Sport Fishing &Boating Partnership Council, a federally chartered advisorybody, the Coastal States Organization, the Boat OwnersAssociation of The United States (BOATU.S.), the NationalMarine Manufacturers Association, the StatesOrganization for Boating Access, and other Sea Grantorganizations.Working Waterways & Waterfronts will examine local,state and national-level initiatives to address water-accesschallenges and support water-dependent industries.Academic research findings and viewpoints from industryspecialists will also be featured with the aim of developingnew approaches to providing and managing access to thewater.Find updated conference information at www.wateraccess2007.com.Pineapple Pier in Melbourne, FL,RebuildingThe hurricane-damaged Pineapple Pier in Melbourne isbeing demolished during August 2006. This is the first steptoward rebuilding this landmark. Rebuilding is slated tobegin in October. SOUTHWINDS published a story describinghow important this pier was for transient cruisers on theICW because it offers them convenient access to downtownEau Gallie. It was, for example, the landing for the annualGam held by Seven Seas Association in Eau Gallie each fall.Absence of hurricanes along the Space Coast this fall willmake the desired schedule a lot more likely.Abandoned Boat Removal to Beginin Brevard County, FLBrevard County, backed by the provisions of House Bill7175, reported in August’s issue, is beginning a biddingprocess that eventually will result in removal of abandonedboats from the Indian River Lagoon system. The BrevardNatural Resources Management Department will borrowmoney from the solid waste disposal impact fees for theremoval process to begin. The department is applying toFEMA and to the state for money to repay the loan. Therequest for bids is being written in August. It may take severalmonths before contractors are on the water removingboats, but the path to that goal is clearly marked at thispoint. Boat removal is just a matter of time.Palm Beach County WaterfrontBusiness Woes Exemplify the Heartof a Statewide ProblemWhile Palm Beach County government recently supporteda tax deferral plan for waterfront businesses that stay opento the public, these same businesses are joining together tofight recent tax increases.Waterfront businesses in the county formed the Savethe Working Waterfront in Palm Beach County Committeeto challenge the way waterfront taxes are assessed. Recenttax increases have increased so drastically that many are seeingpossible closures and sales of their properties. The groupreported that taxes for commercial slips open to the public inthe county were $1.38- million in 2004. Those taxes jumped$914,000 the following year and this year, they increased to$4.37-million. One business, Murrelle’s Marine in Lantana,reported a tax increase of $120,000, going from $60,000 lastyear to $180,000 this year. Other businesses reported similarincreases, prompting many to talk of closing, selling to developersand/or cutting back on employees.The main challenge is to what many consider the verycore of the problem of the disappearing waterfront businessesin the South, especially in Florida: How taxes areappraised. The business group wants their taxes appraisedbased on the value of their businesses and not by what theyare worth if potentially developed. The county tax appraisercounters this position by saying that state law demandsthat taxes be appraised on property values.The group’s immediate goal is to challenge their cur-30 October 2006 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com