September 21, 2009

Final Budget Hearing

Bonifay, Florida

 

            The Holmes County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on the above date with the following members present:  Commissioner Ron Monk, Commissioner Kenneth Williams, Commissioner Jim King, Commissioner Phillip Music, and Commissioner Monty Merchant, Chairman of the Board.

 

            Attorney Brandon Young was present.

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

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

 

            Pursuant to Public Notice, the Board held a public hearing to set the 2009-10 millage rate and to adopt the final budget.  Chairman Merchant stated that the rolled-back rate is 9.4172 and the percentage increase in the proposed millage over the rolled-back rate is .88%.  He further explained that the proposed millage was set at 9.5 mills in order to balance the General and Transportation Trust Funds.  The public was given an opportunity to speak with no one responding.  Commissioner Music offered a motion to adopt Resolution #09-17 setting the final millage rate at 9.5 mills.  Commissioner King offered a second.  Commissioners Monk, King, Music, and Merchant voted yes with Commissioner Williams voting no.  The motion passed.

 

(Resolution #09-17)

 

            The Board reviewed the list of budget changes.  Commissioner King offered a motion to approve the list of budget changes with Commissioner Music offering a second.  The motion passed unanimously.

(List of Budget Changes)

 

            Commissioner Music offered a motion to adopt Resolution #09-18 adopting the final budget for 2009-10.  Commissioner Monk offered a second.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

(Resolution #09-18)

 

            Chairman Merchant read a memo from Cody Taylor, Clerk, regarding instruction from the County auditor for the Road Department inventory.  The Board agreed by consensus for Mr. Hubert Hendrix, Shop Foreman, to prepare the inventory per these instructions and for Ms. Cathy Britton, Secretary, to prepare the spreadsheet as requested.

 

(Memo)

 

            The Board discussed a request for additional funding for the Lucas rehabilitation project funded by the SHIP Grant.  Additional funding was necessary due to unforeseen problems with the septic tank system.  Discussion also included changing procedure to require a septic tank inspection prior to the beginning of the project and also getting the SHIP committee’s input regarding this issue.  Commissioner Williams offered a motion to approve the extra $2,445 to correct the septic tank issue.  Commissioner Music offered a second.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

            The Board discussed the quotes to replace the compressor in the air conditioning unit for their offices.  Commissioner Williams offered a motion to request quotes through Friday, September 25th, for a three ton indoor and outdoor unit with a one year labor warranty, a five year parts warranty, and a ten year compressor warranty.   Commissioner Music offered a second.    The Board also agreed to research the history of repairs on the current unit before purchasing a new one.

(Quotes)

 

            Chairman Merchant announced that the Chamber of Commerce would be holding a ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the Sheriff’s Department Substation on Tuesday, September 22nd at noon.

 

            Attorney Brandon Young informed the Board that the grievance filed by the Union regarding the third certificate for EMS employees could be settled by payment of back pay for all eligible employees.   He explained that 25 cents per hour for up to three certificates had been negotiated last year and then the list of eligible certificates included as an addendum only listed two for Emergency Medical Technicians.  He advised that the funding was available in the EMS budget for this year.  He also advised that the next union meeting would be held on Tuesday, September 29th and hopefully a contract would be signed for Board approval at the meeting that night.  Commissioner Music offered a motion to pay the back pay to settle the grievance.  Commissioner Williams offered a second.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

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

 

 

 

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Clerk                                                                            Chairman