LETTER: Amendment Six will help preserve our fishing fleet

November 4th, Florida voters will have the opportunity to vote on six proposed Constitutional Amendments.  Passage of Amendment Six is essential to the preservation of public access to Florida's waterways and the revitalization of the state's marine industry.
 The ballot title of this proposed amendment is Assessment of Working Waterfront Property Based upon Current Use. I urge all voters concerned with public access to the waters of the state to vote to enact Amendment Six.
Currently, working waterfront businesses (public marinas and dry storage facilities, public launch ramps, commercial fishing facilities, water-dependent marine manufacturing facilities, and vessel construction and repair facilities) are assessed at “highest and best use,” as luxury condos or waterfront resorts, rather than recognizing the current use of the property.
In other words, the properties are taxed based on potential use of the property, rather than on actual use. Consequently, public access to Florida's waterfronts is being taxed out of existence as marine-related businesses, both commercial and recreational, are unable to afford these artificially high property taxes.  Such unrealistic taxes are especially harmful to Destin’s Charter Fishing Fleet, already reeling from increasing fuel prices, more restrictive catch limits, and the general downturn in the economy and our tourism industry.
Each year, Florida's marine industry contributes more than $18 billion to Florida's economy and provides 220,000 in state jobs.
Unlike other businesses, the marine industry cannot relocate to a site without direct access to the water. Our existing working waterfronts are a critical link connecting both residents and tourists to Florida's abundant fish, wildlife, natural resources, and recreational opportunities by providing public access to the state's navigable waters.
Passage of Amendment Six, which will require 60 percent of the vote, will provide an effective solution to this issue by assessing realistic taxes on landowners who wish to maintain their working waterfront properties and continue to provide Floridians, tourists and future generations with public access to the state's waterways. 
I urge all Floridians to vote for Amendment Six.
Ed Dunbar
Development Project Manager
Legendary, Inc.