October 9, 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.

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting with the prayer and pledge.

Commissioner Music made a motion to accept the following consent items with the exception of a wording change on page four of the September 25, 2007 meeting minutes from "district four" to "district three".

September 24, 2007 Final Budget Hearing Minutes

September 25, 2007 Regular Session Minutes

2007-08 Union Contract

Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board discussed the Tri-County Community Council member appointment. Commissioner King made a motion to reappoint Chairman Thomas to the Tri-County Community Council. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Greg Wood, County Administrator, asked that the CMI Electronics proposal item be tabled until the next meeting.

Mr. Dave Rutledge of Teen Challenge of Florida appeared before the Board to ask them to consider reducing the permit fees and 911 mapping fees for the new facility being constructed at the Teen Challenge property. Attorney Young stated that he would be doing research regarding 911 laws in regard to this topic. Since the Board did not have an opportunity to review the paperwork provided by Mr. Rutledge, the item was tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Mr. Steve Christopher, Vice President of Peter Brown Construction, presented the Board with the Maximum Proposal for the Sheriff’s office renovation. He stated that the contract he presented came in well below the $250,000.00 budget. He stated that he would like to have a preconstruction meeting within the next ten days. Commissioner King made a motion to proceed. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Contract)

Ms. Michele McDaniel, County Planner, advised the Board that there is a need for an updated policy regarding the application and advertising fees for land use changes. She stated that a small scale land use amendment of property less than ten acres requires two advertisements in the local newspaper, and a large scale land use amendment for property over ten acres requires three advertisements. Since the cost of newspaper advertisement is so expensive, the County is losing money on the advertisement portion. She asked the Board to consider adopting a policy to charge the advertising fee to applicants in order to cover the costs incurred. She stated that most Counties in the State are collecting an advertising fee in addition to the application fee. She suggested collecting a $500 deposit for advertising in addition to the application fees of $500 small scale and $1000 for large scale land use change applications. Commissioner King made a motion to adopt this policy. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Ms. McDaniel advised the Board that it is time for the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). She stated that EAR evaluates the Comprehensive Plan. She presented a flow chart regarding the EAR process, stating that workshops will be scheduled soon to encourage citizen participation. She stated that she will be utilizing newspaper ads and radio advertising to bolster participation. She stressed that EAR meetings are not Comprehensive Plan meetings. She advised that the County had approximately ten months to prepare the EAR, so the meetings will be starting soon.

Mr. Greg Wood, County Administrator, asked the Board to consider entering a lease agreement with the Sheriff's Department for use of a confiscated the Honda CRV vehicle. The cost of the lease will be one dollar per year for the remainder of the Sheriff's term. He stated that the vehicle will be utilized by him as the Administrator. Commissioner King made a motion to sign the lease. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Lease Agreement)

Mr. Wood updated the Board on the surplus auction. He stated that the date was set for October 18, 2007 at the Recycling Center.

Previously, the Board had voted to give one of the surplus batwing bush hog mowers to the Airport Authority. The Board agreed to give District One's surplus mower to the Airport Authority.

Mr. Wood asked the Board to set a date for a workshop to discuss equipment purchases. The Board agreed to set the meeting for October 29, 2007 at five o'clock p.m.

The Board discussed the plans for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) building plans. Mr. Wood updated the Board and asked them to consider which area to designate for parking area. Chairman Thomas and Commissioner King agreed that the parking area should be located on the portion of the property that the County owns which would make it necessary to change the orientation of the building. Mr. Wood advised the Board that some grant applications have been completed in order to help pay for a portion of this new facility. He asked the Board to consider whether to approve the style of the building. Commissioner King made a motion to accept the floor plan of the EOC building. Commissioner Merchant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Building Plan)

Mr. Wood advised that the petroleum bid was overdue. He stated that the current delivery company was still honoring the previous price.

Commissioner Williams stated that since both districts three and four share a fueling station, more frequent fuel deliveries would be needed.

Commissioner King advised that meters are needed on fuel trucks to better monitor off road fuel delivery to equipment. Commissioner King made a motion to allow Mr. Hubert Hendrix to research the number of fuel pumps with meters that would be needed as well as the cost of such pumps. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Wood advised that the prison work crews would be late Thursday.

Mr. Wood updated the Board regarding the County "vehicle take home" policy. He stated that the attorney for the insurance company was drafting a policy.

Mr. Wood stated that he is working on a sign theft ordinance. He asked the Board for input. Commissioner Williams asked for some clarification regarding the parameters of the ordinance. Attorney Young advised that the ordinance needed to be written as closely to criminal law as possible. He stated that each sign theft would result in a separate fine. Commissioner King stated that in cases where children have stolen the street signs, the parents of the child should be held accountable; he suggested fines and public apology as retribution. Attorney Young stated that he would speak with Judge Powell regarding corroboration efforts regarding the punishment as similar efforts have been in place for other offenses.

Mr. Rick Marcum and Mr. Roger Miller spoke on behalf of Opportunity Florida and Florida’s Great Northwest. Some highlights of their presentation were: housing initiatives and “Choice High Schools”.

Kathy Ahlen of the West Florida Regional Planning Council presented the proposed work program. Commission King made a motion to approve the work program for 2007, 2008 and 2009. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Agreement)

Commissioner Williams made a motion to approve Resolution # 07-10, revising the local housing assistance plan. Commissioner Music seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

(Resolution 07-10)

Chairman Thomas updated the Board regarding the Gap Lane dispute. He advised that Mr. Kirk was awarded an ingress/egress on Gap Lane through Mr. Baker’s Property and was requesting that the County maintain it. Attorney Young advised that this was an easement through private property and the County could not legally maintain it.

The Board discussed the recent eighteen month disbarment of Pat's Electrical Contracting, Inc. The Board agreed to revisit this issue at the next meeting.

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

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Clerk Chairman