TO: Mr. Matt Campbell, Chairman, City of Live Oak City Council
DATE: March 14, 2026
FROM: Tara Trace Homeowners Association, Inc.
On Wednesday night, March 11, 2026, the day after the Live Oak City Council meeting, Mr. Matt Campbell wrote the following on social media for public information and display:
“Annexation is always beneficial for the city as far as tax base is concerned. We are statutorily obligated to vote on what’s presented, not what is theoretically planned or not planned. [Emphasis added]. So I would be for annexation and then allow the process of zoning and planning to play out and then if it’s brought to the agenda for a council meeting then consider the facts that are presented and make an informed decision at that point. I can’t operate on rumors or hearsay. I am committed to dealing with facts instead of rhetoric, hearsay, and fear mongering.”
How much tax revenue will be generated from an empty and undeveloped parcel of land? Very little compared to a commercially developed property. Is that hearsay or fact Mr. Campbell? Check the tax rolls and see for yourself the difference between an undeveloped parcel and that of a parcel that is zoned Commercial with a convenience store with gas pumps, and see how much tax revenue an undeveloped parcel brings into the City as compared to the one that is zoned Commercial developed. It surely appears that Mr. Campbell is considering the revenue a commercially developed property rather than an empty and undeveloped parcel.
The City’s budget has increased from $27,751,908 in the 2021-2022 Budget to $49,896,385 in the 2025-2026 Budget. That, Mr. Campbell is an increase of 79% in six (6) years.
According to World Population Review (https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/florida/live-oak):
Live Oak is a city located in Suwannee County, Florida. Live Oak has a 2026 population of 7,427. It is also the county seat of Suwannee County. Live Oak is currently growing at a rate of 1.56% annually and its population has increased by 10.09% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 6,746 in 2020.
The median household income in Live Oak is $59,375 with a poverty rate of 16.29%. The median age in Live Oak is 37.4 years: 37.3 years for males, and 39.9 years for females. For every 100 females there are 84.2 males.
That is not enough of an increase in population to continue to support the present rate of budget increases, is it Mr. Campbell? The shortfall can be made up by increasing taxes, or creating a new tax base, or cutting the budget to match the tax revenue. Mr. Campbell is anticipating the taxes that a commercial property will bring in rather than what an undeveloped parcel will bring into the City coffers. He imagines that the Citizens cannot do 6th grade math. To quote Mr. Campbell, "I can’t operate on rumors or hearsay. I am committed to dealing with facts instead of rhetoric, hearsay, and fear mongering.” [Emphasis added].
Those are the facts facing the City, aren't it? They’re not conjectures or hearsay. Mr. Campbell has an unstated agenda that he failed to mention. He hides behind a technicality. Rather than the interest of the citizens of Live Oak first, he hides his true intentions by saying his hands are tied and he’s obligated to vote for annexation.
The adage “passing the buck” really applies. Mr. Campbell’s post is the penultimate example of passing the buck.He passes the buck to the salaried staff of Planning and Zoning and then he can say that Planning and Zoning made the recommendation to rezone. Planning and Zoning in their Planning Staff Report attached to the petitioner’s application states in part, “The subject property, if annexation is approved, will require future land use and zoning change … that is concurrent with applicant’s plans for future development.” The petitioner has made their future development an issue that Mr. Campbell has conveniently ignored. Mr. Campbell, isn’t it a fact that is part of petitioner’s application.
Mr. Campbell is not being forthright with the citizens of Live Oak. For whatever reason, or reasons Mr. Campbell may have, overriding his duty to serve and protect the interests and concerns of the citizens of Live Oak.
P.S. Since Mr. Campbell is familiar with rhetoric, he is aware that his post is a pathetic argument
Respectfully submitted,
David W. Chandler, Director
Tara Trace Homeowners Association, Inc.
AND
The Citizens, Residents and Taxpayers of Tara Trace
The Citizens, Residents and Taxpayers of Coliseum Avenue
The Citizens, Residents and Taxpayers of Pine View Circle