February 27, 2007

Regular Session

Bonifay, Florida

 

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

 

     Sherry Fitzpatrick, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.

    

     The Board reconvened from the previous Special Session.

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the minutes from February 12, 2007, Special Session and February 13, 2007, Regular Session with Commissioner King offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve Resolution 07-02 which requests State Funding in the amount of $7,978.00 to improve the Holmes County EMS program. Commissioner Williams offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Resolution 07-02)

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to refund $45.00 for an electrical permit that was not used to Joyce Hanagriff with Commissioner Williams offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to remove from the table the Advanced Fire Protection Agreement with Commissioner Williams offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the Inspection Agreement with Advanced Fire Protection Services, Inc for the fire alarm system in the courthouse in the amount of $720.00 per year. Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Agreement)

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve the SHIP satisfaction of mortgage for David Y. and Jenna R. Taylor, in the amount of $7,053.44. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Satisfaction of Mortgage)

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve a letter to the Division of Emergency Management accepting funds in the amount of $667,911.00 to construct a Holmes County Emergency Operations Center. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Letter)

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to remove from the table the historic property ordinance with Commissioner Merchant offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to advertise for a public hearing to consider the adoption of an ordinance that would give a tax exemption on historic properties. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Ordinance)

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve the committee members submitted for the new Emergency Operations Center development and planning process. The members are: Monty Merchant, Jim Helms, Wanda Stafford, Amy Loflin, Wilburn Baker, Sheriff Dennis Lee, Shay McCormick, Roger Hagan, and Roger Williams. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Will Weathers, Gardnyr Michael Capital, Inc., presented the Board with an opportunity to refinance the revenue bond for the Holmes County Work Camp. Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the letter of intent with Gardnyr Michael Capital, Inc. to refinance the bond at a lower interest rate for a savings of $211,163.94. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Letter of Intent)

 

     Commissioner Williams made a motion to hire Gary Brannon in District 4 in a temporary FEMA position. Commissioner King offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to waive the building permit fees for work being done at the Keith Cabin historical property. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to hire someone in a temporary position in District 1 to cover for an injured employee that is out on leave. This would be contingent on passing the county drug test. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve hiring Albert Jordan in District 1 as a heavy equipment operator effective February 8, 2007. The motion died for lack of a second.

 

     The Board discussed swapping county dirt with Wayne Powell for dirt from his pit located on Malcolm Taylor Road. Commissioner King stated he would like to look at the pit before making a decision.

 

     Commissioner Williams made a motion to rescind the motion made at the February 13, 2007 meeting that would allow department heads to use their budgeted travel money without Board approval. Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     The Board discussed the clean up of an old burned out trailer located on Hwy 177 N. Gerald Holley, Attorney, will draft a letter to the owners of the trailer.

 

     The Board discussed quotes from auction companies to sell county dump trucks. The quotes were as follows:

            Deanco            Appraised value                      $211,000.00

                                    Guaranteed net minimum         $196,230.00

            JM Wood        Appraised value                      $217,000.00

                                    Guaranteed net            $201,810.00

District 3 would keep truck #51 and District 2 would keep truck #23. The Board agreed for Chairman Thomas to get with the finance department and see how the figures would work out.

 

     John Seiben, Hatch Mott MacDonald, gave an update on CR 177 striping plans. Mr. Seiben also presented the Board with a notice to proceed for APAC’s work on John Clark Highway. Commissioner King made a motion to approve the notice to proceed with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Charles Smith, area resident, discussed that the way commissioners were elected needed to be changed and asked the Board to think about it.

 

     Bryan Bell, area resident, presented the Board with a petition asking them to investigate why the Interlocal Agreement with Graceville, FL regarding fire service in the Poplar Springs community was not being enforced. Chairman Thomas stated he would take care of the situation immediately.

 

     Wayne Powell, area resident, addressed the Board concerning the recreation center located in Bonifay. Mr. Powell stated the county and city should help in anyway possible to make the center functional.

 

     Ralph Boswell, area resident, requested that the Board not drag their feet on the abandonment of dogs in Holmes County.

 

     Todd Flannery, area resident, addressed the Board concerning the recreation center located in Bonifay. Mr. Flannery stated that the city awarded him management rights to the center and hoped he could work with both the city and county to receive funding. Chairman Thomas asked that Mr. Flannery get his figures together and present to the Board at a later date.

 

     Al Vetzel, Litter Control, addressed the Board regarding the issue of cleaning up trash that is dumped on private property. Mr. Vetzel stated it is difficult to do this unless it is a health or nuisance issue. Litter violations are hard to enforce due to state statues.

       

     There being no further business, the meeting stood adjourned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________                                    __________________________

Cody Taylor, Clerk                                                               Raymon Thomas, Chairman