September 25, 2007

Regular Session

Bonifay, Florida

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

Mr. Brandon Young, County Attorney, was present.

Angie Jonas, Deputy Clerk, was present and kept the minutes.

Mr. Dinkins led the prayer and pledge.

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting.

Pursuant to public notice, the Board held a Public Hearing regarding the adoption of Ordinance 07-08. This amendment would revise Ordinance 93-03, which addressed the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Committee membership. Adoption of Ordinance 07-08 would change the number of members on the SHIP Committee from nine primary to eleven with two alternate members. The Committee would be required to include members from various areas of expertise including: labor engaged in home building, advocacy for low income persons, affordable housing providers, real estate professions, residential home builders and banking or mortgage banking industry. Another provision of 07-08 was that the phrase “majority” would be replaced with “six” members that would be required to conduct official business. The number of “at large” members would also be changed from three to five. Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the adoption of ordinance 07-08. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Ordinance 07-08)

Commissioner King made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the following consent items with the addition of the Ambulance Department budget amendment:

September 10, 2007 Budget Workshop Minutes

September 10, 2007 Tentative Budget Hearing Minutes

September 11, 2007 Regular Session Minutes

Budget Amendment #4-Extension Office and Ambulance Department

State Aid to Libraries Grant Application

Mosquito Control Agreement

Proclamation-Donald Sallas

12.50 Surcharge Committee Request

Commissioner King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Thomas asked the Board to accept the Warranty Deed from William and Terri Schneider. This deed would give ownership to the County of a piece of property which is already maintained as a road at Dogwood Lakes. Commissioner King made a motion to accept the Warranty Deed. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Warranty Deed)

Chairman Thomas read aloud the Proclamation that recognized Donald Sallas for his service to the Community and the Holmes County Fair. It also renamed the Holmes County Fairgrounds, now to be known as Donald J. Sallas-Holmes County Fairgrounds.

(Proclamation)

Chairman Thomas advised the Board that the Holmes County Workfare program contract was set to expire September 30, 2007. The Workfare Program is a state funded program that is administered by Walton County that provides work skills training and low cost GED programs to Holmes and Walton County residents. He asked the Board to approve the Workfare Agreement Amendment # 2 that would extend the agreement until September 30, 2010. Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the amendment. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Agreement)

The Board discussed developing a vehicle take home policy for County employees. Currently, “on call” employees are allowed to take County vehicles home in case of after-hours emergency calls. Chairman Thomas informed the Board that Public Risk Management, our current insurance carrier, has advised that anyone using a County vehicle after hours for personal use should have “non-owned” vehicle insurance since they are not covered except for “county business”. Commissioner Williams made a motion to allow Mr. Wood to draft a vehicle take home policy, which would include a review of the policy by Attorney Young before presentation to the Board. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Thomas advised the premium for Public Risk Management of Florida was due. Commissioner Williams made a motion to pay the premium to renew. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Dana Matthews, Attorney for Mr. And Mrs. Byrd asked the Board to sign the settlement agreement to be recorded for the lawsuit Byrd vs. Peggy Thomas and Holmes County. He advised that a centerline survey had been done to show that the width of the road will be thirty feet. He asked the Board to allow him to record the document to satisfy this lawsuit. Commissioner King made a motion to enter into the settlement agreement. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Settlement Agreement)

Mr. Greg Wood, Administrator, advised the Board that the janitorial contract with Ms. Donna Hendrix was set to expire November 14, 2007. He asked the Board whether to renegotiate with Ms. Hendrix or to put the contract up for public bid. Commissioner King made a motion to renew with the Ms. Hendrix at the same cost. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Janitorial Contract)

Mr. Wood introduced the new County Planner, Ms. Michele McDaniel.

Mr. Wood asked the Board to consider whether to disbar Pat's Electrical Contracting, Incorporated from any further County business for a period of twelve to eighteen months due to unsatisfactory performance. Attorney Young explained that "disbarring" would disqualify Pat's Electrical Contracting, Incorporated from bidding on County projects. Administrator Wood added that there is a list of "disbarred contractors" which is a helpful tool for the County when subcontracting projects. Commissioner Williams made a motion to disbar Pat's Electrical Contracting, Incorporated for a period of eighteen months. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood asked the Board to choose a date for the County surplus auction. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to allow Mr. Wood to set a date for the auction on either the October 18, 2007 or October 19, 2007. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood stated that the County does not currently have an Internet usage policy in place. He asked the Board to allow him to draft a policy and research Internet filters. Commissioner Merchant made a motion to allow Mr. Wood to research the cost of Internet filters for the County computers and also to draft a policy regarding Internet usage. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood updated the Board regarding fire inspections and presented a fee schedule. He asked the Board to allow him to work with the City of Bonifay in order to accomplish a greater number of fire inspections. Commissioner Music made a motion to approve the fee schedule. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Fire Inspection Fee Schedule)

Commissioner Music made a motion to allow Mr. Wood to work with the City to develop an Interlocal Agreement regarding electrical, building, and fire inspections Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood postponed the jail control panels agenda item.

Mr. Wood advised the Board that there was a three percent raise given to all union employees this year. He asked the Board to consider approving a three percent raise for all non-union employees excluding the contracted mosquito control department and also excluding him. Chairman Thomas advised that the raises had been included in the budget. Commissioner King made a motion to approve the three percent increase for the non-union employees. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood asked the Board to allow the Emergency Management command post to be utilized during the upcoming rodeo festivities in order to provide better EMS services. Commissioner King made a motion to authorize the use of the command post. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Lisa Dearman presented her public apology for distributing drugs in Holmes County.

Ms. Kathy Ahlen, West Florida Regional Planning Council, presented the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) committee’s recommendations for program changes. Since the Board did not receive a copy of these recommendations, no action was taken on this item.

The Board discussed the closing of a portion of Ander Brown Lane. In a previous public hearing, the Board had agreed to this closure with the stipulation that Mr. Robert Parrish grant an easement to Mr. Al Warren for property access. Mr. Robert Parrish stated that he had decided an easement was not necessary and would not be granting it. Attorney Young advised that another public hearing was necessary since an easement would not be granted. Chairman Thomas advised that the Public Hearing would be held October 30, 2007, during the regularly scheduled meeting.

Commissioner Music stated that he had been asked by the Airport Authority if they might have one the surplus batwing mowers. Commissioner Music made a motion to allow the Airport Authority to have one of the mowers. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Music asked the Board to allow District Three’s County trucks to be secured in the yard area to save on mileage. Chairman Thomas said that this would be allowable.

Mr. Al Warren and Mr. Robert Parrish spoke regarding the possible closure of a portion of Ander Brown Lane.

Ms. Patricia Ann Cannon, County resident stated that her neighbors are engaging in illegal burning activities. She asked the Board to look into this matter as she stated that she hasn't gotten any response from local law enforcement or the Forestry Department.

Ms. Judy Powell of the Holmes Creek Soil and Water Board (HCSWB) expressed her dissatisfaction with the recent budget cuts in regard to HCSWB.

Mr. Al Warren spoke again regarding the road closure issue. Attorney Young advised him to seek legal counsel since an easement and property line dispute are civil matters.

Commissioner Music made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

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Clerk Chairman