If voters approve slot machines at the racetrack, will slots be allowed elsewhere in Washington County?
No. Voting Yes DOES NOT permit slot machines anywhere in Washington County other than Ebro Greyhound Park, where dog racing and card games already take place.
Will voting Yes lead to other pari-mutuel facilities in Washington County?
No. By State statute, Washington County is limited to one pari-mutuel facility. The referendum DOES NOT change this in anyway.
When and where will the $300 million resort entertainment complex be built?
The resort hotel and entertainment center will be built on the 36 acres of property owned by Ebro Greyhound Park, where the present facility is located. This is near the intersection of State Roads 79 and 20 in Ebro. The new construction will be completed in PHASES, beginning before the end of 2012 and continuing for approximately FIVE YEARS or more.
How big will the hotel be?
The hotel will have 500 ROOMS and feature an amphitheater, multiple restaurants and dining options, spa, retail shops, family activities and amenities, meeting rooms and conference facilities.
Where will its patrons come from?
The resort’s hotel and gaming patrons will be vacationers from nearby beaches and residents of Florida and neighboring states who now spend millions of gaming and tourism dollars in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. These gaming dollars help fund schools and communities in other states. Attracting gaming and tourism dollars to Washington County will help fund OUR schools and OUR communities.
How many jobs will this create and what kind of jobs?
The new resort complex at Ebro will create 1,500 OR MORE new direct and indirect jobs. Most of these jobs, 1,000 or more, are permanent jobs related to its hotel, restaurants, retail outlets, guest activities and entertainment. From entry level positions to administrative and management level positions, opportunities will be abundant for workers from ALL WALKS OF LIFE and levels of skill and experience. These are good jobs, many with career paths, HIGH SALARIES and benefits. Full-time positions at the resort will average $38,000 annually. Another estimated 500 or more jobs will be associated with its planning, permitting, engineering, construction, and ongoing services which continue into future years.
How much will our communities, Sheriff’s Office and schools receive in direct revenue from the new resort?
Direct-to-community REVENUE SHARING will generate approximately $2 MILLION OR MORE annually for our county, communities and schools. Money which may be used for law enforcement and public safety, paving dirt roads, paying teachers and a number of other local needs. The revenue sharing funds are IN ADDITION to state and local taxes paid by Ebro Greyhound Park, which currently total about $300,000 per year. An additional 35% slot tax will be paid to the state and a portion of those tax dollars will be returned home and bring benefits to Washington Count, as well. The total amount of direct-to-community revenue sharing funds received annually will GROW with the expansion and new construction at Ebro Greyhound Park. The funds are projected to reach approximately $2 million following the completion of the hotel and entertainment complex.
How do I know for sure the county will get this money?
A binding legal agreement GUARANTEES every cent of the revenue sharing funds will remain locally and go directly to our county, communities and schools WITHOUT passing through Tallahassee. A website will be available for residents to monitor the funds. Funding could take place within the first month slot machines are in operation.
Will this reduce my property taxes?
The new revenues may not immediately reduce property taxes but it is likely to make increases less likely. The new hotel and entertainment complex will be an ECONOMIC GENERATOR for our county, creating higher revenues and new funding for our communities, lessening the burden on property owners.
How does Washington County’s unemployment rate compare with
that of adjacent counties?
According to figures released in December 2011, Washington County has the HIGHEST unemployment rate in all of Northwest Florida. Here’s how we compare to neighboring counties -- WASHINGTON COUNTY: 10.7%; Walton County: 7.3%; Holmes County: 8.0%; Jackson County: 8.2%; Bay County: 9.9%. The only county in Northwest Florida with a DECREASE in its unemployment rate was nearby Gadsden County, which recently began pari-mutuel barrel racing, creating 200 or more jobs. A referendum on allowing slot machines at that facility will be held January 31.
Could this eventually turn into a full-fledged casino?
This referendum only deals with slot machines at Ebro Greyhound Park. Current state laws DO NOT allow casino games in Washington County even with voter approval of slot machines at Ebro Greyhound Park.
Will approving slots at Ebro Greyhound Park increase crime
in Washington County?
Creating jobs and economic opportunity DOES NOT increase the crime rate – in fact, it is the best way to REDUCE CRIME. Crime rates increase with unemployment and decrease when jobs are plentiful. Currently, Washington County has the HIGHEST unemployment rate in Northwest Florida. Approving slot machines at Ebro Greyhound Park will create 1,500 or more new jobs and grow our local economy.
Did crime increase with the opening of the Poker Room at the racetrack?
Contrary to the claims of opponents at the time, card games at Ebro Greyhound Park HAVE NOT led to any increase in crime nor created any extra demand for law enforcement services. The poker room opened in 1997. When card games DO NOT increase crime, it only makes sense that having slot machines under the same roof WILL NOT increase crime, either.
Will this increase the racetrack’s demand for service
from the Sheriff’s Office?
Ebro Greyhound Park has maintained a SAFE, PEACEFUL, FAMILY-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT for over a half century. There is no reason to believe the addition of slot machines or construction of the new resort will create any greater demand for law enforcement services than any other new business or employer of similar size. As the resort grows, so will its own private security staff. Any demands put upon local law enforcement would likely be offset by the additional taxes and other local revenue streams created by the hotel and entertainment complex.
What does my vote mean if I vote yes?
It means you approve allowing slot machines EXCLUSIVELY at Ebro Greyhound Park, where gaming already exists. Voting Yes DOES NOT allow any other slot machines or gaming in the county.
What if I vote no?
It means you DO NOT approve allowing slot machines at Ebro Greyhound Park.
Why is the referendum being held?
County commissioners, in a UNANIMOUS 5-0 VOTE, agreed to hold the county-wide referendum after supporters and county leaders cited the urgent need for jobs and economic growth in Washington County. The vote to conduct the referendum was held during the board’s November 21, 2011 meeting in Chipley.
Who is paying the cost of the referendum?
No taxpayer money is being spent for the referendum. Instead, at its request, Ebro Greyhound Park is PAYING ALL COSTS associated with the referendum balloting.
Who can vote in the referendum?
When will it be held?
ALL registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, are eligible to vote on whether slot machines will be allowed at Ebro Greyhound Park. Election Day is January 31st. Early voting is January 21-28. Voters must be registered by Jan. 3, 2012 to participate in the election.
Can I vote by mail?
Yes, you can vote by mail. You may request a mail ballot in person, by mail, by telephone, or by email at the Supervisor of Elections website at http://www.electionsfl.org/washington/index.php?op=F&;ss=243022&spanish=N.
The telephone number is (850) 638-6230.
