The robust public policy activity of The Chamber spans several topics. Those activities significantly impacting the public policy arena in Greater Naples are noted below. The Chamber welcomes the input of its business community, as it strives in its mission to make Naples THE best place in America to live and work.
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The Chamber has created an Education Committee to collaborate and assist the District School Board of Collier County in defining the selection process for the next Collier County School Superintendent, believing that the selection of the next superintendent represents a pivotal moment in our community’s future.
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The Chamber developed a community-based Blue Ribbon Panel that fashioned and presented extensive recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for a new Prehospital Emergency Medial Treatment & Transport System for Collier County.
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The Chamber lobbied for the reduction of Collier County’s Transportation Impact Fee to encourage economic growth. This impact fee was reduced by 32% by vote of Collier County’s Board of County Commissioners. The newly reduced fee level went into effect October 8, 2010. |
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The Chamber supported the District School Board of Collier County’s work to successfully lower the School Impact Fee by 50% in October 2010.
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The Chamber advocated for the successful reallocation in November 2010 of the 4% tourist tax to support a year-round destination marketing program for Collier County.
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The Chamber organizes frequent public forum events to educate the community regarding public policy issues, and was especially diligent regarding issues that faced the community during the 2010 General Election, including the following:
- Involvement in Collier County’s “No on 4” Task Force, resulting in the sound defeat of a proposed amendment that promised to have a severe negative impact on Collier County’s business community.
- The Chamber supported Amendment 8, and although passed in Collier County, its overall defeat statewide means significant changes and cost to Collier County. The Chamber is reaching out in support of the District School Board of Collier County in the work the District must do to achieve compliancy. Current plans include the rezoning of elementary schools, affecting about 1,000 children in about 10 schools in the 2011-12 school year; the recruiting of about 200 teachers for full compliance, in addition to 200-plus teachers needed annually for attrition; and revision of the bus routes for the new elementary school bus zones at a total cost of $12 million to $15 million from the district’s reserves.
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