Regular Session
The Holmes County Board of Commissioners 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, and Commissioner Raymon Thomas, Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Greg Wood,
Angie Jonas, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.
Mr. Dinkins led the prayer and pledge.
Chairman Thomas opened the meeting.
Chairman Thomas stated that Representative Don Brown had not arrived, so the agenda item was postponed.
Ms. Michele McDaniel, Planner, read the proposed G &
G Salvage Ordinance. Under this proposed ordinance, the land use category would
change for a 9.0 +/- acre parcel of property located on Pirates Cove from urban
mixed use to industrial use. She explained that the ordinance would be
necessary to “right a wrong” since Ponce de Leon had issued a permit for the
operation of the salvage yard that occupies the property. She explained that
Ponce de Leon did not intentionally issue the permit without researching the property;
however, the maps that were used to determine whether the action could be done
were not accurate as they were printed in black and white and the color maps
had revealed the error. Chairman Thomas clarified that the initial junk yard
that had been operating on the property had been closed after the death of the previous
owner and that the business is in violation of the current land development
code as it is currently written. He also stated that a small scale amendment to
the Comprehensive Plan is needed in conjunction with the passage of the ordinance
which would allow the business to operate as it is no longer be eligible to be
“grandfathered in”. Ms. McDaniel also stated that since the junk yard had been
closed for a period longer than one year it is necessary to change the zoning
to include this new business. Chairman Thomas also stated that since this was
just the first reading of the ordinance, there would be further consultation
with the
Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the following consent items:
Modification #2 to Agreement-Emergency
Management –
Modification to Agreement- terminates agreement w/
Division of Emergency Management and the BOCC for the Gritney VFD acquisition.
Modification to Agreement-Emergency Management Grant
Flashing Beacon Traffic Signal Maintenance & Operational Order #9
Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wilburn Baker, Ambulance Director, presented information to the Board regarding the ambulance re-chassis grant. He explained his research regarding the choice of rescue truck and narrowed it down to a Ford truck that gets nine miles per gallon or a Dodge truck with significantly better fuel mileage of fifteen miles per gallon. He stated that the total cost for the Ford truck chassis and remount would cost $74,975.00 total, which would require the County to provide matching funds of $18,975.00 after the State grant contribution of $56,000.00. He stated that the total cost for the Dodge truck chassis and remount would cost $77,542.00 total, which would require the County to provide matching funds of $21,542.00 after the State grant contribution of $56,000.00 and that the difference in County match funds between the two vehicles is $2567.00. Mr. Baker explained that the difference of the match may be justified by determining how much money may be saved by purchasing the more fuel efficient vehicle. Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the grant match of $21,542.00 to purchase the Dodge truck. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
(Handout)
Mr. Greg Wood, Administrator, stated the garbage franchise fee is currently $500.00 and asked the Board to consider whether to increase the fee. Chairman Thomas also asked if the Board wanted to continue with private haulers or to negotiate with a contractor to provide County-wide service. The Board agreed to continue with private haulers at the same fee of $500.00.
Mr. Brandon Young, Attorney, joined the meeting.
Administrator Wood briefly discussed department head time off. He stated that there are some issues regarding the leave table and longevity. He suggested starting department heads out at the four year longevity rate. No action was taken on this item.
Administrator Wood stated that he had received a citizen’s letter of commendation for Mr. Joey Marsh of the Veterans Office. He read the letter aloud.
(Letter)
Mr. Bob Jones, Grants Administrator, stated that the
final pay request had been submitted by Bullard Excavating for the
(Pay request)
Administrator Wood asked the Board to allow him to prepare an updated procurement policy for the Board to consider and to include preference for local vendors. The Board agreed.
Administrator Wood stated that there will be a stakeholder
meeting on
Administrator Wood stated that the Department of Transportation will be putting up signs for the Bethlehem Camp. He stated that the camp is also hoping to expand it’s facility in order to provide camping space for the rodeo and other events.
Ms. Burnett of the West Florida Regional Planning Council
presented information to the Board regarding the Rural Work Program. She asked
the Board to submit County requests to her by
(Five year work plan)
Ms. Annie Hollister, Interim Executive Director of the
Panhandle Area Health Network, presented information regarding the State’s
Healthy Kids Insurance Program. She asked the Board to consider signing a
contract to obligate $1,743.00 to fund the health insurance match for one legal
immigrant child who resides in
(Healthy Kids Documentation & contract)
Mr. Charlie Gaines, citizen, spoke regarding the comprehensive plan.
Commissioner Music stated that there are several potholes on approximately two hundred feet of CR173 and asked the Board to consider including patching them as part of the 177A resurfacing project. Chairman Thomas stated that he would like to have the contractor look at it.
Mr. Matthew Novak, citizen, stated that his neighbors are disturbing him with gun fire at their residences. He also stated that the ATV’s in his area are also a disturbance. No action was taken on this item.
Mr. Dick Walton, citizen, expressed his concern regarding
the condition of the Wright’s
Commissioner King made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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Clerk Chairman