Council defers action on consolidated government charter

The Pensacola City Council this afternoon declined to follow the lead of the Escambia County Commission in asking for a delay on a vote on City-County consolidation.

Councilwoman Diane Mack’s motion to do so was defeated by a substitute motion, offered by Mayor Wiggins, to delay discussion until the Council’s January 25 committee meetings, ten days after the final consolidation charter document is to be submitted to the Legislature. That motion passed 7-3, with Council members Mack, DeWeese, and Townsend dissenting.

Pro-consolidation advocates were much better prepared for the Council than they were for the County Commission. In addition to ECCSC chair Ken Bell, ECCSC member Rick Finch and Escambia All for One ringleaders Jason Crawford and Scott Remington also appeared before the Council to speak against Councilwoman Mack’s motion.

The Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission will meet tomorrow evening to finalise its consolidation charter document before submitting it the Northwest Florida legislative delegation. All indications are that the portions of the consolidation charter which are severely inequitable for City residents will remain unchanged.