Beach Chamber and Beach Advocates Pose Questions to Escambia County District 4 Candidates
The Pensacola Beach Chamber and Pensacola Beach Advocates partnered on August 3 to bring local, state and federal candidates to the Beach Church for a candidates’ forum. Here are the questions and answers (consolidated for brevity) from the Escambia County Commission District 4 Candidates who will be on the November general election ballot.
Escambia County Commission District 4
Ashlee Hofberger, Republican and Joe Vinson, NPA
Q: Please introduce yourself and your background.
A: Hofberger: I am Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger, running for re-election. I sat in this room two years ago and heard concerns about needing a beach resident on the SRIA board, problems with large short-term rentals, traffic, and the need for an ambulance on the beach. In less than two years I have worked on these issues: appointed a beach resident to the SRIA who donates his salary back to the beach school, pursued regulations on short-term rentals, initiated two traffic projects on Pensacola Beach (one finishing this fall, the other laying the foundation for an overhaul), invested over a million dollars to run fiber for smart traffic controls, invested in the beach multi-use path, increased park-and-ride options for ECAT, and established a full-time ambulance on the beach. I opposed a proposed massive MSBU increase for the fire department.
A: Vinson: Hi, I’m Joe Vinson, running for Commissioner in District Four. This is my first time running for political office; I’m unaffiliated with any party. My father was Judge Roger Vinson and my mother was an elementary school teacher, Ellen Vinson. I grew up here and as a Boy Scout my service project was planting sea oats on Pensacola Beach after hurricanes, I am a local historian, and have served nonprofits. I’m running to give back more through public service and good government, believing in listening over ideology.
Q: Do you support the homestead exemption increase for Florida residents, and if so, how would you replace funds at the county level?
A: Vinson: I will vote “no” on increasing the homestead exemption because property taxes fund law enforcement, fire protection, parks, libraries, and transit. I support extending the local option sales tax. If an increase passes, difficult cuts would be necessary; I prefer across-the-board cuts and worry about top-heavy administration remaining while services get cut.
A: Hofberger: I will vote to reduce property taxes. I identified $1.5 million in possible cuts in the current County budget; if every commissioner found similar savings we could achieve a rollback. We must spend tax dollars more efficiently and prioritize infrastructure and public safety—functions government should fund when citizens cannot. I’ve proposed lobbying the state for more flexible spending of sales tax dollars.
Q: Are there any state laws that have preempted county authority or that you’d like overturned in the next legislative session?
A: Hofberger: There’s about $4.5 million in the budget where the county pays to send and collect tax bills for other entities (e.g., the City of Pensacola, Children’s Trust). This is due to a state statute; reversing it could free $4.5 million for public safety or infrastructure.
A: Vinson: Many state actions concern me, but I strongly support open government and the Sunshine Laws. I’m disappointed with continuing carve-outs and exemptions the legislature grants itself and the executive branch. I believe the state should strengthen, not weaken,open government protections.
Q: Would you be willing to form a blue-ribbon committee to investigate Escambia County becoming a charter county or researching incorporation/home rule?
A: Vinson: Yes. I remember the last ballot effort (MJ Menke’s passion). Home rule should be carefully considered; there are advantages worth reviewing.
A: Hofberger: I agree we may see renewed attention to this, partly due to potential lawsuits about districting after recent Supreme Court decisions. We need to revamp how officials are elected—only three Florida counties elect commissioners by district only, which fosters parochialism. Changing governance and election methods could produce more cohesive representation.
Q: What type of regulations do you support for short-term rentals on Pensacola Beach?
A: Hofberger: I support SRIA-led regulation (thank you to my appointee Mark Morocco). Priorities are life safety—some homes sleep 40 people but wouldn’t be permitted under the same rules as hotels in the same square footage—and parking, where rentals with minimal parking block roads and impede emergency access. Where the lease allows, SRIA can impose parameters and collect fees reflecting the higher impact of these rentals to invest back into the beach.
A: Vinson: State law (2011) limits broad county restrictions on short-term rentals, but local tools exist. Miami-Dade’s residency requirements are a useful model to prevent companies from buying many units for short-term rentals. Certification processes and other measures are available for counties to mitigate harmful effects; I’d pursue those for Pensacola Beach.
Q: Closing remarks?
A: Vinson: I ran a local-interest site, Pensacola Digest, and have followed council and commission meetings, budgets, and local government issues. Escambia County has a reputation for cronyism and shady practices; I want to eliminate waste and fraud and pursue efficiency. The county budget has grown substantially (from about $374 million in 2011 to nearly $900 million now). I believe in efficient government that delivers results.
A: Hofberger: I appreciate attendees and want to connect personally after the debate. I’m 38, married to Grant Hofberger (an Army veteran), we have a five-year-old daughter and a rescue hound named Miles. I’m an entrepreneur and businesswoman who applies business skills to reduce spending and invest wisely in the county’s nearly $1B budget. I have asked hard questions and proposed cuts; this work is guided by my faith and prayer. I ask for your vote to continue serving.