Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting

Topic: Beaches Interlocal Agreements with Jacksonville: The History of Conflict and Compromise

Guests:

Bill Gulliford, former Atlantic Beach Mayor and Jacksonville City Council

George Forbes, former Jacksonville Beach City Manager

For many years, the beaches have been questioning whether we are receiving the services agreed upon within the Interlocal Agreements for the amount of taxes we pay to Jacksonville. To better understand the agreements that govern these services, join us for a history lesson about the interlocal agreements. Topics will include the impact of consolidation on the beaches, the legal action taken by the City of Atlantic Beach against the City of Jacksonville over double taxation, the Ocean County movement, and the negotiations with Jacksonville that resulted in the amendments to the original flawed interlocal agreement and ended the pending Atlantic Beach lawsuit.

Guest speakers will be Bill Gulliford and George Forbes. Mr. Gulliford is the former mayor of Atlantic Beach, Chairman of the Ocean County Committee to create a separate beaches county, and later a Jacksonville City Councilman representing the beaches. Mr. Forbes was the Jacksonville Beach City Manager when the interlocal agreement amendments were negotiated.

“Beaches Watch promotes educated citizen involvement in state and local issues that impact our quality of life. This important meeting will educate and engage beaches citizens about the history of the of the interlocal agreements that govern the county services we receive,” said Beaches Watch President, Maria Mark.