April 24, 2007

Special & Regular Sessions

Bonifay, Florida

The Holmes County Board of Commissioners met in a Special 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.

Chairman Thomas led the prayer and pledge.

Chairman Thomas explained to the Board that the proposed changes made by the Planning Commission to the Holmes County Comprehensive Plan were not valid. This was due to the changes being made at a workshop and not at their advertised Public Hearing. Tony Arrant, Small County Technical Assistance Program, discussed the proposed amendments of the Holmes County Comprehensive Plan.

Commissioner Merchant discussed the constant repairs being needed for the new dump trucks that were recently purchased. The Board agreed to discuss this with Attorney Gerald Holley.

Commissioner Merchant made a motion to have all Road Department District Foreman keep a daily record of their work. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Thomas asked Commissioner Merchant to work on this system and let the Board know how it will be implemented.

Commissioner Merchant stated that the purchase of a mobile home might be considered for the Westville Ambulance station. Also there is a possibility of leasing a lot close by to put the home on. The Board took no action.

Commissioner Merchant made a motion to approve reimbursing Gregory S. Wood for his mileage and hotel expenses incurred for the interview for County Administrator. The total will be approximately $400.00. Commissioner Williams offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board recessed.

The Board reconvened in a Regular Session.

Pursuant to Public Notice, a public hearing was held for the Board to consider the proposed Future Land Use Amendments. The following people spoke: Jon Lawlor, Glenda McGowan, Richard Gilmore, Tony Arrant. There were no comments in favor of or in opposition of these amendments. Glenda McGowan stated she would like to do additional amendments to the comprehensive plan and would follow the procedure to have this done. Commissioner Williams made a motion to submit the Future Land Use Amendments to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in Tallahassee with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Thomas stated the Public Hearing was now closed.

(Future Land Use Amendments)

Pursuant to Public Notice, a public hearing was held to consider the adoption of Ordinance 07-03 which corrected the ending date of the local option gas tax Ordinance 05-05. Jim McCusker, area resident, spoke regarding the high price of gas in our area. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to approve Ordinance 07-03 with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Ordinance 07-03)

Commissioner King made a motion to approve the minutes from April 10, 2007, Regular Session, April 16, 2007, Special Session, and April 18, 2007, Special Session with Commissioner Williams offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Music made a motion to approve Resolution 07-03 which is for the financing of an excavator and four bush hogs with Hancock Bank. Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Resolution 07-03 & Agreement)

Chairman Thomas announced that Holmes County had hired a new County Administrator and the office would be located in the courthouse where the Extension Office is currently located. The Board reviewed quotes on office furniture for the administrator. The quotes were:

Office Depot $1266.59

U.S. Business $1555.10

Office Max $1739.92

All quotes included desk, chair and chair mat. Commissioner King made a motion to approve the low bid from Office Depot with Commissioner Music offering a second. Commissioner Merchant asked if we had received a quote from Pride of America which does work through the prison. The Board agreed to table the decision until we could get a quote from them also.

(Quotes)

The Board reviewed quotes on a computer for the County Administrator’s office. The quotes were:

Dell $1477.81

TechDepot $1362.60

Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve the quote from Dell for $1477.81 with Commissioner Merchant offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Quotes)

Chairman Thomas announced that the new County Administrator was Gregory S. Wood from Deltona, FL. He briefly gave some of his work experience that would benefit our county.

Commissioner Williams made a motion to tear down the restrooms located at Wright’s Creek Park located on N Hwy 79 due to the unsanitary conditions and vandalism that continues to occur. Commissioner King offered a second. Commissioner Williams, Commissioner Merchant, Commissioner King and Chairman Thomas voted yes with Commissioner Music voting no. The motion passed.

Wanda Stafford, Emergency Management, 12.50 Surcharge Committee, recommended the purchase of two hand-held radios for the Sheriff’s Department with one being signed out to the Holmes Correctional Institute Warden for $1030.00 and for four hand held radios for the Holmes County EMS Department for $2060.00 and materials to put a new roof on the Prosperity Tower not to exceed $1500.00. Commissioner King made a motion to approve the 12.50 Surcharge Committee to purchase these items with Commissioner Merchant offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Requests)

Hazel Harcus, Holmes County Historical Society, asked the Board to consider putting signs up directing people to the Laura Ingalls marker located on Hwy 163. The Board asked Commissioner Merchant to research the best locations for the signs and follow up on having them made.

Commissioner Merchant discussed the continuous repairs needed on the new dump trucks recently purchased with Attorney Gerald Holley. Mr. Holley stated that as long as the work was completed according to the warranty there may not be anything the county could do. Mr. Holley also stated he would research the Lemon Law and see if it applies to this situation.

Chairman Thomas stated St. Johns Church located at the corner of St. Johns Road and Hwy 173 S had a rotten oak tree that needed removing. The Board agreed to take care of it.

Commissioner Music made a motion to set a public hearing to amend the culvert permit ordinance to include some exemptions for people who have had their homes burn. Commissioner Williams offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Thomas presented the Board with a letter from Holmes Correctional Institution requesting nine large gray scale maps. Commissioner Music made a motion to approve their request and charge $40.00 with Commissioner Williams offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Thomas stated the area fire departments were requesting to have access to the 911 information. In order to receive this information they would need a licensed program to be installed on a laptop computer for each department that costs approximately $1500.00. The Board decided to evaluate the information before making a decision.

Chairman Thomas stated the county needed representation at an upcoming meeting for the Mega-Site Catalyst Project selection. Commissioner Music stated he would attend the meeting and place the vote for Holmes County.

Roger Brooks, Bonifay City Council, addressed the Board regarding adding Clifford street to the Small County Outreach Program or the Small County Rural Assistance Program lists.

Glenda McGowan, area resident, addressed the Board concerning the issue of Holmes County citizens being able to continue to receive free dirt for their driveways. The Board stated as long as it was financially feasible that the county would continue this policy.

George Curry, Ponce de Leon, stated there was a major problem with animal control in the county. The Board stated there was a private animal shelter located in Holmes County that he could contact.

Amy Loflin, Project Management Specialist, presented the Board with a list of roadway evaluations that had been completed for the Small County Outreach Program and the Small County Rural Assistance Program. Roger Brooks requested for Clifford Street to be added to the list. Mrs. Loflin stated that these programs were for resurfacing only and Clifford Street would be a new construction so a different grant would have to be used.

Ann Leavins, area resident, stated she lives on Clifford Street and it is a very busy road.

Hazel Harcus, Holmes County Historical Society, stated she lived on Sand Path road which is also a busy road.

Larry Sawyer, area resident, stated a need for a code enforcement agent in the county. Mr. Sawyer also commended the Board for the professional way they conducted the meeting.

Benny Little, area resident, stated the roads located in Dogwood Lakes needed attention.

Commissioner Williams made a motion to rank the roads as follows:

SCRAP SCOP

1. Hwy 173 N 1. Sand Path Road

2. Hwy 177 2. Son In Law Road

Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Williams made a motion to add a third road to both lists as follows:

SCRAP SCOP

3. Hwy 162 3. CR 181A South

Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously. Amy Loflin, Project Management Specialist, stated there would be additional information needed for the two city roads listed. The Board stated she would need to talk to the City of Bonifay regarding this issue.

Roger Deal, area resident, stated that he understood bringing the level of care at the New Hope Volunteer Fire Department back to paramedic was almost impossible due to the lack of paramedics available and the willingness to work for the salary the county offers. Mr. Deal asked the Board to meet with Wilburn Baker, Ambulance Director, and see what changes would help rectify this situation. The Board took no action.

Amy Loflin, Project Management Specialist, stated the 911 Office received a Wireless Grant to purchase a generator for the Dispatch and 911 Office. Commissioner Music made a motion to advertise for bids with Commissioner Williams offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Joe Clark, Library, stated the Board’s request for six weeks to make a final decision on the bookmobile funding had passed. Chairman Thomas stated that they would have to wait until the legislature made a decision on the budget cuts, and the County would fund the bookmobile if there was any way possible.

There being no further business, the meeting stood adjourned.

_____________________________ __________________________

Cody Taylor, Clerk Raymon Thomas, Chairman