February 12, 2008

Regular Session

Bonifay, Florida

The Holmes County Board of Commissioner met in a Regular Session on the above date with the following members present: Commissioner Kenneth Williams, Commissioner Monty Merchant, Commissioner Jim King, Commissioner Phillip Music, Commissioner Raymon Thomas, Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Greg Wood, County Administrator, was present.

Mr. Brandon Young, County Attorney, was present.

Angie Jonas, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting.

Mr. Dinkins led the prayer and pledge.

Chairman Thomas read the proposed street sign ordinance. Under this ordinance there would be penalties for theft, damage and possession of street signs, regulation signs and posts.

(Draft Sign Ordinance)

Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the following consent items:

January 29, 2008 Regular Session Minutes

January 31, 2008 Special Session Minutes

Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Michele McDaniel, Planner, stated that the “Visioning 2020” public meetings have been scheduled. Guest speakers for the meetings are as follows: Mr. Hilton Meadows of Diversified Environmental Planning, Mr. Edward Prescott of Greenhorne and O’Mara and Mr. Jim Brook of the Development Commission. She stated that notice had been given in three area newspapers for February 18, February 25 and March 4, 2008 meetings.

Greg Wood, County Administrator, stated that the Tax Collector’s Office is in need of a budget amendment of $3,503.00 for the lease of computerized tax collection and assessment equipment. Previously, in a budget workshop, the Board had cut this amount from the Tax Collector’s budget request, so the Tax Collector requested that the funds be restored to the budget. Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the budget amendment. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed the “invitation to bid asphalt” agenda item. Chairman Thomas stated that the sealed bids could be accepted so that “emergency order” situations could be avoided. Chairman Thomas stated that the bid prices would be valid until December 31, 2008 or as per agreement. Commissioner Music made a motion to go out for bid on asphalt. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Invitation form)

Chairman Thomas asked the Board whether to purchase a sod cutter for the County. He stated that the cost of a new sod cutter is approximately $3,000.00 and that there was a sod cutter up for auction on EBay, the internet auction site. He stated that the cost of the cutter on EBay was approximately $1,100.00 with an additional shipping charge of $104.00. He stated that he would like to try to use money from the Stream Crossing Grant in order to pay for the machine. He also stated that the cutter could be used on projects such as Lyon’s Dairy Road in order for the County to save money. Administrator Wood stated that he would purchase the sod cutter on his personal credit card and could be reimbursed by the County. Commissioner King made a motion for Administrator Wood to pursue the sod cutter on EBay. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed with Commissioner Merchant voting no and all others voting yes.

Chairman Thomas stated that the town of Noma is building a concession stand and bathroom facilities at the town park. He stated that the town is asking the Board to consider waiving the inspection and permit fees. Chairman Thomas clarified that the fees could be waived in this case because Noma is a municipality within the County. Commissioner King made a motion to waive the fees. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Fee calculation sheet, application)

The Board discussed County code enforcement and occupational licensing. Chairman Thomas stated that the Building Inspector was not willing to fill the enforcement officer position and stated that Mr. Al Vetzel, Litter Control Officer, would be approached regarding assuming those duties as well. The Board asked Administrator Wood to research junk yard occupational licensing, a method of reviewing such licenses and also special master responsibilities.

Mr. Benny Little, citizen, asked whether the code enforcement officer would be deputized and be able to issue citations. Chairman Thomas stated that the officer would issue citations and be deputized.

Mr. Bob Jones, Grant Administrator, stated that as part of the Economic Development Grant, the County made a loan in the amount of $375,000.00 to Environmental Manufacturing and Supply, Incorporated for expansion of the building and computerized equipment. He stated that due to business slow down, the company had fallen behind on loan payments, but had paid the loan down to $107,775.25. He recommended that the County reamortize the loan. Chairman Thomas clarified that the payoff date for this loan will remain the same, the amount of the payments will change because the unpaid interest will be added to the principal and reamortized. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the reamortization of the loan. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Reamortization Agreement)

Administrator Wood stated that the Miscellaneous Appropriations Agreement for the Holmes Creek Soil and Water Conservation District needed to be signed. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the agreement. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Agreement)

Administrator Wood stated that he had a request from Ponce de Leon to utilize the two generators that Recycling currently has to control flooding at the landfill. He stated that Ponce de Leon would like to utilize the generators to control lift stations, with the understanding that should the County need the generators, the County would get them back in full working order. He stated that currently those generators have not yet been load tested, and that Ponce de Leon would be responsible for the load testing. Commissioner Music made a motion to enter into an agreement with Ponce de Leon for the use of the generators. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

( Letter of Agreement)

Administrator Wood stated that grants are available for application for the Ambulance Department for re-chassis, Zole EKG Monitors, electronic run reports. He stated that the Zole EKG Monitors are needed in order to be compliant with the State requirements. He clarified that even if the County is selected for the grant monies, the County is not obligated to accept the grant monies for the re-chassis or run reports. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to allow Administrator Wood proceed with the grant application submissions. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. James Sellers, Bonifay City Councilman, addressed the Board regarding possible options for the Recreation Center management. Previously, Brandon Young, County Attorney, had stated that the Recreation Center was in financial distress. Mr. Sellers stated that the City of Bonifay is asking the County to assume partial or the entire financial burden and to assist in running and repairing the Center in some capacity. Mr. Bob Jones, Grant Administrator, stated that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has asked that the grant money received for lighting improvements not be spent until management issues for the facility are resolved. Chairman Thomas stated that the Board did not want the Center to close and stated that a committee of Mr. Sellers, Commissioner Merchant and others should examine the cost of running the Center. The Board agreed.

Mr. Bobby Bryant, citizen, stated that he would like to see someone designated to run all of the parks in the area as well as the Recreation Center.

Commissioner Merchant stated that he had some sand hauling issues on Monday. Administrator Wood stated that the issue would be addressed at the upcoming road foreman meeting.

Commissioner Music stated that he had received several complaints regarding the closure of some of the voting precincts. Administrator Wood stated that there had been a lack of funds to keep the precincts open due to State mandates. He also stated that he would like to have Debbie Wilcox-Morris, Supervisor of Elections, present the information regarding needed equipment. The Board agreed.

Chairman Thomas stated that the Governor has submitted his budget requests to the Legislature. He stated that if passed, the County would be greatly impacted. He stated that the Recycling Grant may be cut from $200,000.00 to $30,000.00. He stated that the County budget may need to be cut an additional $500,000.00 this fiscal year as well due to the passing of the Constitutional Amendment.

Chairman Thomas stated that because of the time that he will be spending in Tallahassee during Legislative Session this fiscal year, he would like to pass some of his duties to other Board members. He asked Commissioner Williams to assume his Road Department duties. Commissioner Williams agreed. Chairman Thomas stated that Florida Statute states that because he is running for re-election and has opposition, he must step down from the Canvassing Board and asked if Commissioner Merchant would be willing to assume his duties on that board. Commissioner Merchant agreed.

Administrator Wood updated the Board regarding Mr. Clint Erickson, 911 Director. He stated that Clint is recovering well from his surgery and that he is working from home on a laptop computer.

Administrator Wood stated that Roger Powell, Road Department Employee, was in a motorcycle accident and was recovering at the hospital. He stated that temporary help may need to be hired.

Commissioner Music made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

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Clerk Chairman