Okaloosa County BOCC — April 5, 2016 — Resolution supporting wildflowers — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: April 5, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Rick Owen SUBJECT: Resolution supporting wildflowers DEPARTMENT: County Administrator BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Staff requests Board approval of a resolution encouraging conservation of wildflowers and exploration of other activities to promote roadside wildflower growth. BACKGROUND: The purpose of the resolution is to create a partnership between Okaloosa County and the Florida Department of Transportation to maintain and enhance existing roadside populations of native wildflowers and to implement and maintain future plantings. Funding for this program is provided by proceeds from the sale of the Florida Wildflower License Plate. Okaloosa County is part of FDOT District Three. Of the sixteen counties in the district, nine have already adopted a County Wildflower Resolution by approval of their County Commissioners. These counties include: Walton, Washington, Calhoun, Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Wakulla, Holmes and Jefferson. Okaloosa County citizens would work with FDOT to identify existing roadway populations of wildflowers for reduced mowing regimens, and would select other roadways for new plantings and enrichment. The following is a link to the website for the Florida Wildflowers Foundation which contains information on the project with FDOT: www.flawildflowers.org <http://www.flawildflowers.org/> Agreements from local Garden Clubs, Master Gardeners, Civic Organizations and private citizens that using native plants on roadways would be beneficial in many ways including, but not limited to: Beautification Reduced mowing and manpower costs Tourism Enhancement of natural corridors for migrating fauna Increase in native pollinator species A county resolution would support H.R.2738 - Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Pollinator Protection Act (better known as the “The Bee Act”) RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of a resolution encouraging conservation of wildflowers and exploration of other activities to promote roadside wildflower growth. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator