Rep. Randy Fine Proposes End To Double Taxation of Sebastian Inlet District Residents

Rep. Randy Fine announced intention to file legislation for the 2020 Legislative Session

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Representatives Randy Fine announced his intention on Wednesday to file legislation for the 2020 Legislative Session that would provide residents who live and, as a result, pay special, extra taxes to the Sebastian Inlet District free access to Sebastian Inlet State Park, whose infrastructure is supported by the District.

“The small number of South Brevard and North Indian River residents who pay to keep Sebastian Inlet open and functioning for everyone should not be forced to pay a second time in order to see the results of their taxes,” said Fine.

“Sebastian Inlet is one of Florida’s natural treasures and I am excited about the prospect of increasing access to those who make it possible.”

Under the rules of the Florida House of Representatives, this proposed local bill will be presented before the two-member Indian River Delegation and six-member Brevard County Delegation meetings.

If it is approved by a majority in each delegation, then it is eligible to be filed as a Local Bill. Local Bills do not count against the six bill limit in the Florida House, nor do they require a Senate sponsor.

The Sebastian Inlet District was created in 1919 by special act of the legislature of the State of Florida.

It is the duty of the Board of Commissioners to maintain the inlet between the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the waters of the Indian River Lagoon, situated between Brevard and Indian River Counties.

The opening and maintenance of such inlet or waterway is declared to be for public purposes necessary for the use of shipping, transportation and commerce, for the health, convenience, comfort and welfare of the inhabitants of the Inlet District.

The Commission of the Sebastian Inlet District, in coordination with the State of Florida, authorizes programs and projects for beach renourishment, erosion control, environmental protection, navigation, boating, recreation and public safety.

Fine is the State Representative from District 53, which is comprised of the southern portion of Brevard County and includes the entirety of Palm Bay, Malabar, and Grant-Valkaria, and portions of Melbourne, West Melbourne, and unincorporated Brevard.

He is a third-generation Floridian, is married to his wife Wendy, and together they have two boys, Jacob, 11, and David, 7.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Fine started his first business while in college and has started and built multiple businesses in retail, technology and hospitality over his more than 20-year career.

In the legislature, Representative Fine is the Chairman of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and serves on the Appropriations Committee, Education Committee, Public Integrity & Ethics Committee, Business & Professions Subcommittee, and Gaming Control Subcommittee.

He also serves as one of Florida’s six Commissioners to the Education Commission of the States.

An active leader in Cub Scouting, Fine introduced the first-ever Boy Scout Day in the Capitol in 2018; the third annual Scout Day will be held on February 11, 2020.

He received his undergraduate degree in government, magna cum laude, from Harvard College, and his MBA, with high distinction, from Harvard Business School, where he was the youngest graduate in decades and was named a Baker Scholar, the school’s highest academic honor.

While at Harvard Business School, he also served as a Teaching Fellow in Economics.

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