Regular Session
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, Commissioner Raymon Thomas, Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Greg Wood,
Angie Jonas, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.
Chairman Thomas opened the meeting with Mr. Dinkins leading the prayer and pledge.
The Public Hearing item initially listed on the agenda was removed as it was not advertised correctly. Commissioner Thomas made note that the Hearing would be rescheduled for a later date.
Commissioner Music offered a motion to approve the following consent items:
Ship Satisfaction of Mortgage for Charlie R. Corbitt
Commissioner Merchant offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board discussed hiring William
Collins as a District 4 full time Road Maintenance Technician. Mr. Collins is
currently a temporary FEMA employee and would be moved to a full time position.
The Board discussed the grant agreement for the new NOAA weather transmitter. Under the grant, certain repairs that are currently paid for by Holmes County Emergency Management funds may be covered. Commissioner Music offered a motion to authorize Chairman Thomas to sign the agreement. Commissioner Williams offered a second. The motion passed unanimously.
(NOAA Weather Transmitter Grant Agreement)
Ms. Sharon Burnett of the West
Florida Regional Planning council spoke about the five year Department of Transportation
work plan. She advised that she is the Rural Work Program liaison between the
Department of Transportation and
(Five Year Transportation Plan)
Greg Wood,
Mr. Wood reported that the Building
Department was in need of a budget amendment. He reported an increase in
revenue which must be used for this department. He also advised that the office
hours were in need of revision to provide better customer service. He asked the Board to abolish the part time
position and to create a full time office position as increased staffing will
be needed to accommodate the extended hours of operation. He suggested opening
the office at
(Budget Amendment #2)
Mr. Wood advised that the Building Inspector was using his personal vehicle for travel and was receiving 44.5 cents per mile which was not the most cost effective method for the County. He requested to purchase a Ford Ranger 4 x 4 from State Bid. Commissioner King offered a motion to authorize the purchase with Commissioner Music offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Merchant asked if the duties of this department would be less when the Planner was hired and if so, why another position was needed. Mr. Wood, Administrator, advised that the Planner would be offering guidance at the Planning Meetings, but that he did not know how much of the actual planning work would be taken from the Building Department. Commissioner Williams made a motion to eliminate the part-time position and to establish a full time position. Commissioner Music offered a second and the motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner King offered a motion to allow Administrator Wood to modify the office hours for the Building Department. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board discussed the Interlocal Agreement which governs the distribution of the
Local Option Gas Tax to the municipalities within the county. Mr. Wood advised
that according to the statutory formula, the County would be entitled to a
larger distribution with some municipalities getting less. He stated that the
City of
(Interlocal Agreement)
Mr. Wood asked the Board for permission to allow Sherry Fitzpatrick to become a notary. He advised that the fee was less than $100.00 to become a notary. Commissioner King made a motion to allow her to become a notary and Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wood stated that there are several vacancies on the SHIP Board. He advised that the USDA representative would be Perry Jackson since Sonja Prescott had been transferred. Mr. Wood stated that he would be removing Wanda Stafford, Emergency Management Director, from the SHIP Board due to her work load and would bring back a recommendation for the other vacancies.
Mr. Wood reported that Hubert Hendrix, Shop Foreman, had given him an equipment repair priority list which is as follows:
#1 Road Graders
#2 Loaders and Backhoes
#3 Dump Trucks
#4 Chippers, Bush Hogs, etc.
He advised that he would discuss this priority list with the Road Foremen at their meeting to see if this was acceptable. He also informed the Board that he felt the Shop should be repairing and maintaining the ambulances since there is a qualified diesel mechanic at the Shop. He stated that if this happens, ambulances would have to be first priority. The Board agreed that this was a good idea which would save money.
Mr. Wood reported about the land issue for the new Emergency Operations Center (EOC). He stated that he is negotiating with American Forest Management. The County has offered $7,500.00 per acre and has received a counter offer of $8,500.00 per acre for 6 acres near Bonifay. He asked the Board for permission to move forward with the land deal. Commissioner King made a motion to proceed with negotiations for the property. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. Commissioner Williams voted no. All others voted yes. The motion passed.
Commissioner Merchant asked about Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the auditor. Administrator Wood stated that he has not advertised yet. Commissioner Merchant stated that the County had entered a three year contract with the present auditor which was not yet expired. Mr. Wood advised that the present agreement did not have a specific audit deadline and that there were some other problems that needed addressing. He also advised that the present auditor could submit a RFQ for consideration.
Commissioner Music made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
______________________________ _______________________________
Clerk Chairman