March 5, 2008

Special Session

Bonifay, Florida

The Holmes County Board of Commissioner met in Special 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.

Sheriff Dennis Lee led the prayer.

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting with the pledge.

Pursuant to public notice, the Board held a workshop to discuss the County budget. Chairman Thomas stated that several departments may be greatly impacted by the proposed funding cuts to be discussed in the upcoming Legislative session. He urged the departments to look for areas of spending that could be reduced.

Mr. Cody Taylor, Clerk of Court, stated that the Clerk’s office will provide any needed budget information and commended the Board for holding a Hearing to address the budget issues. He also stated that it will be necessary for the County, like the Legislature to examine the basic needs in regard to spending.

The Board discussed the County voting machines. Ms. Debbie Wilcox-Morris, Supervisor of Elections, stated that the current voting equipment works well, but does not meet the requirements of new legislation. No action was taken on this item.

The Board discussed the purchase of new motor graders. Mr. Hubert Hendrix, Shop Foreman, stated that two of the eight graders are in need of immediate repairs that will cost $20,000.00-25,000.00. He stated that it would be a favorable idea to replace several of the other graders that are also aging. Commissioner King stated that one of the graders that Mr. Hendrix had mentioned is in need of serious repair. Commissioner King made a motion to rent a grader for thirty days at the cheapest price. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Williams asked whether the second grader that is in need of repair should be parked. Mr. Hendrix stated that the machine can be operated. Commissioner Williams made a motion to advertise for bids on a total of eight graders. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed Section Three of the bid specifications prepared by Hatch Mott MacDonald for the County Road 81A roadway improvements project. Commissioner Music made a motion to reject all of the received bids at this time. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to award the bid to the lowest bidder for the project and require the contractor to begin within ten calendar days. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. Attorney Young stated that the most correct action would be to reject all of the bids at this time, rewrite the bid specifications and “re-bid” the job. Mr. David Skipper of Hatch Mott MacDonald stated that the specification could be rewritten to reflect the changes that the Board would like. He also stated that the process to rewrite the specifications would take about two months and there would be no further cost to the County for the rewrite. Commissioner Merchant withdrew his motion. Commissioner Music made a motion to reject all bids at his time. The motion once again died for lack of a second. Attorney Young asked Mr. Skipper stated that the Board had forty five days to take action on the current bids. No action was taken on this item. Citizens that spoke regarding this topic were the following:

Mr. Wayne Powell

Ms. Judy Powell

Mr. Jerry Jones

Commissioner Merchant made a motion to table the bid award until the next meeting. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed with Commissioner Williams and Chairman Thomas voting no and all others voting yes.

Administrator Wood stated that the visioning meetings were completed and were a success.

There being no further business, the meeting stood adjourned.

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Clerk Chairman