REGULAR MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
JULY 21, 2015
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on July 21, 2015 at 9:00 A.M. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners meeting room with the following Commissioners present:
Chairman John Meeks
Comm. Rock Meeks
Comm. Danny Stevens
Comm. Lilly Rooks
Also present were:
Danny J. Shipp – Clerk of Court
County Attorney – Anne Bast Brown
County Coordinator – Fred Moody
Chairman John Meeks called the Meeting to order at 9: A.M. Comm. Rock Meeks gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
| CHECK NUMBER | 120384-120564 |
| FUND | AMOUNT |
| GENERAL REVENUE | 94,097.17 |
| ROAD | 153,429.94 |
| SHIP | 15,730.00 |
| PAL LIBRARY | 6,178.61 |
| TRANSPORTATION | 4,515.59 |
| COURT FACILITIES | 7,600.00 |
| EMS | 50,626.28 |
| FIRE | 91,265.35 |
| TOURIST DEVELOPMENT | 7,578.63 |
| UTILITIES | 2,539.55 |
| ADD COURT COSTS | 637.62 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS | 21,412.67 |
| LANDFILL | 87,063.99 |
| TOTAL | $ 542,675.40 |
| EFT PAYMENT | $ 26,104.37 |
EXPENDITURES
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEVELOPMENT
Bill Hammond, Director
Requesting approval to allow Mr. Brad Heilwagen with Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. to speak on the Risk MAP project and updates to the FEMA Flood Maps (new FIRMS).
Mr. Hammond introduced Brad Heilwagen with Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. who spoke and gave a power point presentation to the Board on the Risk MAP project and updates to the FEMA Flood Maps.
Questions were asked by the following members of the audience: Renate Cannon, Terry Witt, Toni Collins and Dana Sheffield.
WITHLACOOCHEE REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL
Fredick Landt, Atty.
Review of an Interlocal Agreement, as amended, and discussion of cancellation due to realignment of Regional Planning Councils due to June, 2015 legislative action.
Atty. Landt spoke to the Board and requested their review of an Interlocal Agreement, as amended, and discussion of cancellation due to realignment of Regional Planning Councils due to June, 2015 legislative action.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the Interlocal Agreement cancelling the July 3, 1973 Charter Agreement of the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council having the appropriate parties execute the agreement as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Fred Moody
A. Request approval of Resolution 2015-33, Expressing opposition to the moving of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s headquarters.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of Resolution 2015-33 expressing opposition to the moving of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s headquarters from Brooksville to Tampa.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-33 with correction as stated by Atty. Brown. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
B. Request approval of task order 15-002 with Preble-Rish, Inc. (PRI) to provide professional engineering services for the University Oaks Water System improvements.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval of task order 15-002 with Preble-Rish, Inc. (PRI) to provide professional engineering services for the University Oaks Water System improvements. PRI has applied for and obtained a Suwannee River Water Management District RIVER grant for $151,390 in reimbursable monies in order to complete the work. The work consists of replacing approximately 2,310 linear feet of 6 inch water main and 20 service connections in order to reduce water losses within the deteriorated water distribution system within the University Oaks subdivision. The cost will be $26,420 and will come from the grant.
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve task order 15-002 with Preble-Rish., Inc. as requested. Second was made by Comm. Stevens and the MOTION CARRIES.
C. On behalf of Linda Fugate, Tax Collector, presenting Recapitulation for Board signatures.
Mr. Moody requested Board approval on behalf of Linda Fugate, Tax Collector, of the 2014 Recapitulation Report.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the Recapitulation Report as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
LEVY COUNTY TRANSIT
Connie Conley, General Manager
Requesting Board approval for the Service Agreement to provide transportation services to Nature Coast Middle School for the upcoming school year, 2015/2016.
Ms. Conley requested Board approval of the Service Agreement to provide transportation services to Nature Coast Middle School for the upcoming school year, 2015/2016. Ms. Conley stated the fee for students has increased this year from $5 per student, per day to $7.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the Service Agreement as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
SHIP
Shenley Neely, Director
A motion to approve State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Funding Certification to be submitted to Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Ms. Neely requested Board approval of the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program for fiscal year 2015-2016 Funding Certification to be submitted to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The funding amount for Levy County will be $315,000; $120,000 goes to Purchase Assistance and $195,000 goes to owner occupied rehabilitation
Comm. Rock Meeks made a motion to approve with the Chairman’s signature on the Funding Certification form and approval of the State Housing Initiative Partnership Program for fiscal year 2015-2016 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
SOLID WASTE
Benny Jerrels, Director
Request approval to accept bid for Household Hazardous Waste Disposal.
Mr. Jerrels requested Board approval to accept the bid submitted by Perma-Fix of Florida, Inc. for Household Hazardous Waste Disposal.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to accept the bid for Household Hazardous Waste Disposal with Perma-Fix of Florida, Inc. as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
ROAD DEPARTMENT
Bruce Greenlee, Administrative Road Superintendent
Request approval of Resolution 2015-34 adopting a Title VI Non-Discrimination Policy and Plan.
Mr. Greenlee requested Board approval of Resolution 2015-34 adopting a Title VI Non-Discrimination Policy and Plan for county departments and operations other than Transit Department which has a separate Title VI policy and plan. Mr. Greenlee read the Resolution title into public record.
Comm. Rooks made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-34 as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
Carol McQueen, Director
Request approval of 2015-2016 Tourism Marketing Plan.
Mrs. McQueen requested Board approval of the 2015-2016 Tourism Marketing Plan as presented. Mrs. McQueen also introduced Cassandra Petrakos, her new assistant.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the 2015-2016 Tourism Marketing Plan with changes as discussed. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Anne Bast Brown
Requesting approval and authorize increase in amount for engagement letter with Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A., for assistance with appeal of Levy County v. Taaffe, to $7,500 for attorney fees, plus costs.
Atty. Brown requested Board approval for an increase in the amount for the engagement letter with Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A. for assistance with the appeal of Levy County v. Taaffe, to $7,500 for attorney fees, plus costs.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to approve the increase for engagement letter with Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A. as requested. Second was made by Comm. Rooks and the MOTION CARRIES.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
Comm. John Meeks asked Sheriff McCallum to research what recourse there could be for someone reporting false animal cruelty complaints due to an incident he was recently informed of.
Comm. John Meeks reminded everyone of the FEMA Open House to be held in the Commission Meeting Room from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Grant requested the flag be lowered halfway due to the recent event involving the deaths of military personnel in Tennessee. Mr. Grant also questioned the status of the lawsuit filed against Levy County regarding the Ten Commandments monument.
Mr. Gaither questioned the availability of parking handicap accessibility spaces along the street in front of the Courthouse.
The meeting recessed at 10:37 A.M.
The meeting reconvened at 1:02 P.M.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BUDGET WORKSHOP
Atty. Brown stated the Resolution adopted earlier opposing the moving of the Southwest Florida Water Management District Headquarters was adopted with a correction. She stated the Resolution needed to be adopted as is, without any corrections.
Comm. Stevens made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-33 as presented. Second was made by Comm. Rock Meeks and the MOTION CARRIES.
Comm. John Meeks began the budget workshop with the Fire Departments.
Bronson Fire Department
Chief Dennis Russell stated the budget request for the Bronson Fire Department had no changes. The total budget request is $24,208.
Comm. Rooks questioned if Chief Russell had applied for any Forestry Grants which would help with their budget request.
Chief Russell stated he had not applied for any grants at this time.
Comm. Rooks provided paperwork for Chief Russell to fill out and submit for the Forestry Grants.
After discussion, the Commissioners agreed to hear the budget requests and make decisions on budgets at a later date after reviewing all department requests.
Cedar Key Fire Department
Chief Robert Robertson stated the budget request for the Cedar Key Fire Department had no changes. The total budget request is $71,219.
Chiefland Fire Department
Chief James Harris stated the budget request for the Chiefland Fire Department had no changes. The total budget request is $228,814.
Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department
John Lake from Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department spoke to the Board and requested the amount of $15,000 to cover the expense of calls made in Levy County. From January 1st they had responded to 34 calls in Levy County.
Williston Fire Department
Chief Lamar Stegall stated the budget request for the Williston Fire Department had no changes. He stated no money received from the county is used for capital purchases.
Mrs. Rees presented a balanced budget to the Board from the requests submitted previously stating it is currently balanced due to cutting the following: new hires, new equipment purchases, new vehicle purchases, the building request from the Supervisor of Elections, and various line items. The current budget is calculated at the current millage rate of 8.2741 and the rolled back rate is currently 8.1662 bringing the total figure to $57,034,596. Mrs. Rees recommended the Board at least keep the current millage rate of 8.2741 which will need to be tentatively set at the next Board meeting on August 4th. Mrs. Rees stated there are still more expenditures budgeted than expected revenue. The Capital Projects is down to $85,000 and be completely gone next year.
Mrs. Rees urged the Board to consider the Road Department’s budget as once they spend the small amount in carry-forward money, there will not be enough in revenue left to help with their budget for next year. She stated the EMS and Fire Departments budgets will also be difficult to balance next year if there is not some effort to curb spending this year. If spending is not curbed, the only other option is to increase Assessments.
September 3rd at 6:00 P.M. will be the date set for a budget meeting and Monday September 14th at 6:00 P.M. is the date for the Final budget meeting.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:04 P.M.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEVY COUNTY, FL
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Clerk of Court, Danny J. Shipp Chairman, John Meeks