March 13, 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.

 

     Gerald Holley, Attorney, was present.

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

     Chairman Thomas led the prayer and pledge.

 

     Pursuant to Public Notice, a Public Hearing was held to consider the adoption of Ordinance 07-02 which would give historic property a tax exemption.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to table Ordinance 07-02 with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Ordinance 07-02)

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve the minutes from February 27, 2007, Workshop and February 27, 2007, Regular Session. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the Holmes County Celebrating Parents and Children Proclamation from the Early Learning Coalition of NW Florida which proclaims March 22, 2007 as Children’s Day in Holmes County. Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Proclamation)

 

     Commissioner Williams made a motion to accept the resignation letter from Jerry Wright who served on the Planning Commission Board. Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Letter)

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the Certification of Acceptance/Request for Payment for the Jag Grant in the amount of $1781.00 which has no county match. Commissioner King offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Certification)

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to approve Deanco as the auction company that would be used to auction off the dump trucks from the road department. Commissioner Williams offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to remove from the table the tower communications equipment bids. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve the recommendation of the 12.50 Surcharge Committee of First Communications for the Prosperity tower communications equipment bid for a total of $47,110.00 . Commissioner Williams offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Bid)

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve the 12.50 Surcharge Committee request for one mobile unit radio for the Esto Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $180.00. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve the quote from Saunders Appraisal Service in the amount of $1,250.00  for the appraisal services at the Gritney Volunteer Fire Department. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Quote)

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the FEMA extension request for the Gritney Volunteer Fire Department scope of work until June 30, 2008. Commissioner King offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Extension)

 

     Pursuant to Public Notice, sealed bids were opened for the timber harvest from District 4 road yard. The bids were as follows:

            Daryl Messer Land Work and Tree Service, Inc.       

                        Pinewood & Hardwood          $4.50 ton

                        Pulpwood                                $15.00 ton

                        Grade logs                               $20.00 ton

Commissioner King made a motion to approve the bid from Daryl Messer Land Work and Tree Service, Inc., with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Bid)

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve hiring Albert Jordan as a Heavy Equipment Operator in District 1 effective February 8, 2007. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Joe Fritz, USDA Rural Development, presented the Board with a check in the amount of $75,000.00 for the CDBG Grant for the Pittman Volunteer Fire Department.

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the Satisfaction of Mortgage on Annette Morrison in the amount of $10,337.65 as pay off for the SHIP First Time Homebuyer & Emergency Repair funds. Commissioner Williams offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Satisfaction of Mortgage)

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to approve moving Wesley Duboise from District 1 to the Shop as a Mechanic I effective March 5, 2007. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner Merchant stated he was informed of some milling that was available to the county for $15 ton. The Board agreed to wait on this issue.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to hire David Cullifer in District 1 in a temporary position effective March 8, 2007 with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to put Clint Erickson, 911 Office, on a 5 day work week with a four week notice. Commissioner Music offered a second. Commissioner King withdrew his motion.

 

     Susan Harris addressed the Board requesting $32,000 for the bookmobile project. This money would finance the operations of the bookmobile which would be purchased with grant money.

 

     Chairman Thomas stated the legislature was seriously considering changes in property taxes and state revenues that could cut 27% of the county revenue which would adversely affect Holmes County. Chairman Thomas will be going to Tallahassee to provide information on how the cuts will affect Holmes County and he will monitor the situation.

 

     Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the request to submit for a grant to receive the bookmobile and for the county to fund $32,000 for the bookmobile operations with the stipulation that it can be withdrawn in 6-8 weeks if the county isn’t able to fund the project. Commissioner Williams offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner Williams made a motion to put Clint Erickson, 911 Office on a 5 day, 8 hours per day work week and give a two week notice, with the additional 5 hours per week to be paid at his current pay rate. Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Chairman Thomas stated that someone had requested a copy of the Thomas Lane centerline survey and asked the Board how they would like to handle it. Cody Taylor, Clerk, stated once it was received in the County Commissioners office that it would be public record and the only charge would be the reproduction cost. Gerald Holley, Attorney, agreed.

 

     Amy Loflin, Project Management Specialist, stated a topographical survey was needed at the Gritney Volunteer Fire Department for the new site. Commissioner King made a motion to approve getting estimates on this with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Commissioner King made a motion to have Tire Amnesty for the month of April at the Recycling Center with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

 

     Mr. John Sieben, Hatch Mott MacDonald, gave an update on Hwy 177 striping project and John Clark Hwy.

 

     Charles Corcoran, Esto Fire Department, addressed the Board concerning a house fire that occurred in October 2005. Mr Corcoran also stated they were working on increasing their response in Holmes County.

 

     There being no further business, the meeting stood adjourned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________                                    __________________________

Cody Taylor, Clerk                                                               Raymon Thomas, Chairman