Orange Park tonight came another step closer to implementing a town-wide tax to fund the fire department.

"It's not going to be pretty," said Orange Park Town Manager explaining that the town will be taxing residents who have never before been taxed.

Five months ago, the council notified state and county officials that they are considering taxing all property owners - including tax-exempt parcels - a tax based on the property's square footage. This would include the tax-exempt Moosehaven retirement community and St. Vincent's medical complex, both on U.S. 17.

Funds collected would make up for ad valorem tax losses to be incurred as a result of recent legislative mandates.

 Tonight, the council agreed to have the Clay County's property appraiser generate a tax roll, listing properties and their square footage.  The data will enable the town to figure out how much money such a tax could raise.

The next step will be hiring a consultant to review the tax roll and help set a tax rate, Bowles said.

In other business, the council postponed until 7:30 p.m. July 15 a controversial vote on a request to rezone 2.6 acres at 357 Stiles Ave. from residential to commercial.

Orange Park accountant Linda Dufresne, who owns the property, wants to build a professional office complex on the site but several residents spoke against the idea.

"I view this as encroachment and irresponsible," said Scott Geeser, who lives next door to the property on Stiles Avenue. "And once you rezone it, you can't go back."

 Dufresne's attorney, Paul Harden of Jacksonville, asked the council to postpone the hearing and vote to give him and his client time to meet with residents to discuss concerns and hopefully hash out a compromise. The council granted the request.