June 26, 2007

Regular Session

Bonifay, Florida

The Holmes County Board of Commissioner met in 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, County Administrator, was present.

Alice Vickers, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting with prayer and led the pledge.

Pursuant to Public Notice, the Board held a public hearing regarding the “County Maintained Road Map”. Chairman Thomas informed the public that the Board had realized that this matter did not have to be dealt with at a public hearing and had already taken care of it but since it was advertised, the Board would discuss the matter. He stated that the “County Maintained Road Map” had been decertified since proper procedure had not been followed when adopted and also since several private driveways had been placed on the map in error. Greg Wood, County Administrator, informed the public that this would not change the status of any road that was routinely maintained by the County. He also stated that there were two maps being circulated which was causing confusion for everyone. Commissioner Music offered a motion to close the public hearing with Commissioner King offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Music offered a motion to approve the following consent items:

June 12, 2007 Regular Session Minutes

Sheriff’s Blanket Bond

Justice Assistance Grant Application – Sheriff

Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Blanket Bond, JAG Application)

The Board discussed the contract with West Regional Planning Council for the administration of the State Housing Initiative Partnership Grant which would expire on June 30, 2007. Chairman Thomas advised that the contract was presently for a three year period but could be changed to a one year if the Board desired. He also stated that the Board would like to bring the administration of the grant in house but a plan to do this had not yet been established. He advised that the Council could decide not to accept it for one year and if so, the Board would consider this item again. Commissioner King offered a motion to extend the contract for a one year period with Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Contract)

Chairman Thomas advised that it was common practice to review contractual agreements for professional services for engineering, legal, and auditing on a three to five year basis to assure the most qualified personnel are filling their roles and meeting the County’s changing requirements. He stated that the attorney and the auditor had not been reviewed within that time frame. He informed the Board that the County Attorney had resigned today effective immediately. Commissioner Music offered a motion to accept the resignation with Commissioner Williams offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

(Resignation)

Commissioner King offered a motion to advertise for a County Attorney with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Music offered a motion to advertise for an auditor with Commissioner Williams offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board considered the following quotes for the moving and set-up of the FEMA trailer purchased to house the Westville Ambulance Department:

Little Lots $2,450

Mobile Home Specialist $2,600

Trumpet Transport $2,600

Scurlock Mobile Home $2,500

The Board discussed that the skirting was not included, only delivery and set-up. Commissioner King offered a motion to go with the low quote, Little Lots. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Thomas informed the Board that Mr. Baker, Ambulance Director, had prepared a list of items he would like to purchase for the mobile home project. The Board discussed getting additional quotes on the electrical work and the skirting before making a decision on those items. Commissioner Merchant advised that the Town of Westville had agreed to waive the hook-up fee if the County would purchase the water meter. Commissioner Music offered a motion to authorize the water meter purchase for $350 with Commissioner Merchant offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed a request from the State regarding the county’s decision to obligate funding for the proposed Bookmobile. State grant funds are available to purchase the Bookmobile but the County must commit to operate it for a period of ten years at an approximate cost of $32,000 per year. Chairman Thomas advised that a large revenue cut was very likely for next year because of proposed property tax reform. Commissioner Music stated he felt it could be operated for less than $32,000 per year and would be a great asset to the County. Chairman Thomas stated that the operating costs were based on the State’s estimate which was for personnel, maintenance, insurance, and fuel. He read a letter that advised that the Bookmobile would be titled to Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System and would revert back to them if we fail to comply with the agreed upkeep on it. He reiterated that we were facing serious revenue losses possibly up to a 21% cut on ad valorem taxes for next year. Mr. Joe Clark, Library Board, advised that the Board could give it back if they could not continue to fund it and asked that the Board consider this. Commissioner Music offered a motion to authorize the Library to apply for the grant and to fund the Bookmobile for ten years with Commissioner Williams offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed a complaint from a citizen regarding speeding on the dirt roads. Chairman Thomas advised that the Sheriff was recommending a twenty-five to thirty miles per hour limit be set on a dirt road. Commissioner King discussed that the County could not afford to post the signs because they would be shot or removed on a regular basis. He also stated that he received complaints continuously about speeding in his district. Commissioner King offered a motion to set the speed limit for all county dirt roads at thirty-five miles per hour. Commissioner Music offered a second. Commissioner Williams stated that it could not be enforced if you do not post a sign but he understood that it would be too costly to keep replacing the signs. He also asked if changing the speed limit would give four wheelers the legal right to run on dirt roads stating that he understood they could not legally ride on roads that the speed was over thirty-five. Chairman Thomas suggested that a sign be posted only at the beginning of each dirt road. Commissioners Merchant, King, Music, and Thomas voted yes with Commissioner Williams voting no. The motion passed.

Commissioner Williams offered a motion to approve pay request #1 for the John Clark resurfacing project. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Amy Loflin, Project Administrator, discussed the previously authorized change order. Mr. David Skipper, Hatch Mott MacDonald, discussed problems with a pipe that needed to be sleeved and stated that he would come back to discuss this further with the Board.

Chairman Thomas informed the Board that the ranking process was complete for engineering proposals for the Highway #177-A project. He stated that the ranking was as follows:

Metric Engineering - #1

Hatch Mott MacDonald - #2

Greenhorne and O’Mara - #3

Ms. Amy Loflin, Project Administrator, advised that the project agreement had not been received from DOT and engineering negotiations did not need to begin until it was signed by the Board.

Greg Wood, County Administrator, advised the Board that the Road Department was requesting to close on Thursday, July 5, with employees using leave time for this day, in addition to the July 4^th holiday. Commissioner King offered a motion to approve this request with Commissioner Music offering a second. Commissioner Merchant stated that he had no problem with employees taking off if they have leave time, but he felt the Board was setting a bad precedence by closing one department down. Commissioners Williams, Commissioner King, Commissioner Music, and Chairman Thomas voted yes with Commissioner Merchant voting no. The motion passed.

Greg Wood, County Administrator, stated that a union grievance hearing would be held on July 11 and asked if the Board wanted Joey Marsh to continue as the County’s hearing officer. Commissioner King offered a motion to authorize Joey Marsh to continue to serve as the hearing officer with Commissioner Music offering a second. Mr. Wood advised that he could serve in this position but it could be perceived that he was prejudiced if a grievance involved a department head, which he supervised. The motion passed unanimously.

Greg Wood, County Administrator, advised that the fire services in the area were lacking for funds and that the establishment of a municipal services taxing unit was being discussed. The Board agreed for him to set a workshop during the week of July 9^th to discuss this issue with all agencies involved.

Greg Wood, County Administrator, advised that Ms. Amy Loflin, Grants and Special Project Manager, was resigning and going to work for DOT. He stated that a planner position had been established and asked for permission to combine Amy’s job with the planner position. Commissioner King offered a motion to approve this and to advertise for the position. Commissioner Music offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Greg Wood, County Administrator, reported that Holly Holland from Kiwanis, had agreed to work with him on developing a “County Seal”. Students from the Advanced Art Class at the high school will be involved in this process.

Commissioner Williams informed the Board that residents were riding four wheelers on his rock piles at District 4’s yard and he was afraid someone would be hurt. The Board asked him to get an estimate for fencing costs to enclose the entire area and bring it back to them for consideration.

Commissioner Music stated that Ms. Reviere had contacted him about paving the Joe White Road that she resided on. Ms. Amy Loflin, Grants and Special Projects Manager, discussed the County Incentive Program Grant which would fund 50% of a project for the County. She advised that all entities in the County were eligible to submit projects for this grant but that the grant would be in the County’s name and the deadline was August 1st. Ms. Judy Reviere stated that the Joe White Road is an access road for the Bonifay-Chipley Road and has a lot of traffic on it. Ms. Loflin advised that this road is approximately .4 miles and has only one residence on it. Ms. Reviere volunteered to help put this project together since Amy Loflin has resigned. Commissioner Music offered a motion to ask all entities to submit potential projects and to do traffic counts on Joe White Road, Bonifay-Chipley Road, and Parker Grant Road. Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. C.W. Dinkins spoke with the Board about a problem with his property lines and asked for the Board’s help. Chairman Thomas asked the Administrator to review this after the meeting.

Chairman Thomas stated that beginning with the next Board meeting, the agenda would be handled differently. He requested that any Board member who had an item to discuss should contact Mr. Wood to have it put on the agenda. He also advised that a non-agenda item would only be addressed if it was going to cost the County money or was time sensitive.

Commissioner Merchant thanked Amy Loflin, Grants and Special Projects Manager, for the job she has done for the County.

Commissioner Music offered a motion to adjourn with Commissioner Merchant offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

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Clerk Chairman