Okaloosa County BOCC — June 4, 2013 (meeting #1140) — reading text

weekend but is back down to 605 today. June 4, 2013 -11- Minute Book 69, Page 163 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners CORRECTIONS - CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR INMATE FOOD SERVICE WITH ABL MANAGEMENT Chief Lawson requested renewal of the contract with ABL Management for inmate food services. He said he is comfortable with the 2.6% increase requested by ABL in the per meal price. Chief Lawson stated this is the first renewal of the ABL contract. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve the contract renewal with ABL Management. 5 yeas. CORRECTIONS - CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR INMATE COMMISSARY WITH OASIS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Chief Lawson requested renewal of the contract with Oasis Management Systems for the inmate commissary. The proposed menu with modest price increases has been reviewed and will increase the commissions payable to the Okaloosa County Prisoner Benefit Fund from 40.1% to 42%. He advised the prices are consistent with convenience store pricing. Chief Lawson also explained the items sold in the commissary are optional items. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the contract renewal with Oasis Management Services. 5 yeas. PUBLIC WORKS - INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF LAUREL HILL FOR REPAIR AND RESURFACING OF CERTAIN ROADS Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, requested approval of an interlocal agreement with the City of Laurel Hill for repair and resurfacing of certain roads within the city limits. He advised this is a follow-up from last year when Laurel Hill applied for a Small Cities Development Block Grant. There was some debate on whether the city or the county owned some of the roads and the State has required this interlocal. He stressed there is no commitment of money or resources on the part of the county. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve this interlocal agreement with the City of Laurel Hill. 5 yeas. PUBLIC WORKS - APPROVAL OF YARD DEBRIS TUB GRINDER REPAIRS Mr. Hofstad said the next item is a request from staff to proceed with repairs to the Morbark 1300 Tub Grinder unit. He explained that in March the Board authorized the staff to send the other grinder, a Morbark 7600 in-line grinder, to auction. Approval included the use of the estimated proceeds ($100,000) from the sale of this larger grinder to be used to repair the June 4, 2013 -12- Minute Book 69, Page 164 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners smaller 1300 Tub Grinder for use at the Baker Landfill. Mr. Hofstad stated the Board also authorized contract grinding of yard debris at the Wright facility for the remainder of FY 2013 and for FY 2014. He said the larger grinder has not yet been sent to auction and the small tub grinder is now out of service. Estimated repair costs for the 1300 Tub Grinder are $81,855.52. The tub grinder is essential to the yard debris grinding operations at the Baker facility and there is not enough space to stockpile materials in a sufficient quantity to support a contract grinding operation at that location. Mr. Hofstad said it has been necessary to re-think the previous recommendation and proceed with repairs to the Morbark 1300 Tub Grinder for the Baker Landfill at this time. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve the repairs to the tub grinder. 5 yeas. WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT - ALLOW CITY OF CRESTVIEW TO PROVIDE WATER SERVICE TO NEW DOLLAR GENERAL STORE ON HIGHWAY 90 Mr. Jeff Littrell, Water & Sewer System Director, requested authorization for him to sign a letter notifying the City of Crestview that Okaloosa County Water & Sewer (OCWS) is agreeable for the City to provide potable water and fire protection services to the Dollar General Store parcel at 1641 Highway 90 East. He explained that the county’s nearest water main is 1,000 feet away and the nearest sewer main is 4,500 feet away. Mr. Littrell reported staff cannot justify extending these lines. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to authorize the Water & Sewer Director to execute the letter as requested. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Littrell answered the City is willing to provide this service and there is some urgency in the development. 5 yeas. WATER & SEWER DEPARTMENT - CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH FORT BEND SERVICES FOR SPECIALIZED POLYMERS Mr. Littrell stated this item was tabled at the last meeting. He said as it turns out this is more of an administrative housekeeping chore. Mr. Littrell reported the vendor believed the contract had been renewed and both the Purchasing and Water & Sewer Departments believed the contract had been renewed but the Finance Department questioned the renewal. He asked for formal approval of the contract renewal with Fort Bend Services through January 2014. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to approve this contract renewal. 5 yeas. June 4, 2013 -13- Minute Book 69, Page 165 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Parisot and Mr. Harris asked why annual renewals must come before the Board. Mr. Dowd replied the Purchasing Policy requires contract renewals to come before the Board. OLD BUSINESS - PRESENTATION ON TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PROJECTS BY DR. ROD LEWIS OF UWF HAAS CENTER Dr. Rod Lewis with the University of West Florida HAAS Center stated he is present to provide details and answer questions on the chart associated with the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) discussion from last meeting. He explained the baseline, population growth, appreciation, and new stock appreciation factors of the chart with the designation of “General Fund.” Dr. Lewis outlined the assumptions used in formulating the data: historical data timeframe of 1998-2012 location—North County county millage rate of 0.0032899 mills property appreciation growth of 2.5% discount rate (bond) of 5% He also explained the projected 20-year totals (2013-2032) to the proposed TIF District using appreciation of current stock and appreciation of new stock. Dr. Lewis pointed out the estimated 20-year totals going to the General Fund to be $166,753,322, which he considers to be a conservative estimate. + OF Fe Mr. Parisot posed questions on the population data and impacts of the 7 special Forces Group (SFG) move to Okaloosa County. Dr. Lewis replied the population numbers are strictly for North Okaloosa County. He also explained how he discounted the “shock” of the 7° SFG move. Mr. Parisot also questioned the steady growth model for real estate and said in reality there are peaks and valleys in real estate. Dr. Lewis detailed his analysis of the data collected before and after the bubble. He said the graph could show these cycles or the data could be drawn to show the baseline. Mr. Harris commented there is a misconception that the proposed TIF project (Crestview Bypass) would benefit only North County and asked Dr. Lewis to address that issue. Dr. Lewis stated if you look for the single impediment for growth, you will find it is transportation in North County. He pointed out this is the corridor from north to south and when visitors get off the interstate at Georgiana they must travel through Crestview to get to Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Dr. Lewis stated that if you alleviate transportation issues in the north end of the June 4, 2013 -14- Minute Book 69, Page 166 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners county, it will spur growth not only in North County but in South County as well. Mr. Amunds asked if a TIF can be created without imposing additional gas taxes or are those taxes needed to “prime the pump.” Dr. Lewis responded the TIF could be started without the taxes but you would not be paving any roads. He expounded, saying you are looking for a TIF trigger-—a carrot to attract other money. “I am saying let TIF be a step up to the plate and attract other revenue.” Dr. Lewis stated if Okaloosa County does its part, it can leverage that money against the State and Federal funds. He underscored the fact that now is the time to act before the upswing begins and he believes the citizens want to see the first step taken. Mr. Boyles remarked that he was dubious when the idea was floated originally but the truth is we have transportation challenges across the county. He agreed the north-south corridor is the most challenging and believes it is incumbent upon the county to resolve the problem. Mr. Boyles said it will not be quick or easy and it will be expensive. He added this is better than any other alternative he has seen but noted there will be no results for probably five years. Dr. Lewis responded he believes results could be more immediate than that. Mr. Boyles stated he is coming around to the idea and would like for the Board to encourage this group to continue working. Mr. Windes stated this concept makes more sense to him than any tax does. He termed it a start in the right direction and also wants to encourage the group. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot about the income being bondable, Mike Chesser replied that he did speak with Bob Nabors and Mark Mustian of the Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson Law Firm in this regard. Mr. Nabors told him it would not begin quickly and it would be impossible to ask a bonding agent to write this, noting it would probably be five years before you would really know how much revenue would come in. Mr. Chesser said although this is not urgent, it is important and urged the Board not to let it keep running without doing something. He emphasized the importance of intergovernmental cooperation with the municipalities and with state agencies. Mr. Chesser informed the Board this committee will be making a presentation to the City of Crestview and again addressed the significance of working together. He said the county should June 4, 2013 -15- Minute Book 69, Page 167 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners work with the cities on the increased gas tax issue, pointing out the gas tax could be a quick start for the TIF. Mr. Chesser stated an ordinance must be adopted to impose the TIF and to establish a formula. He told the Board it has heard from Dr. Lewis and from other committee members and the committee needs instruction from the Board, Mr. Amunds replied that he is not sold on the TIF concept and has more questions than answers. He said he wants to go through the budget process first. Mr. Amunds stated if the TIF is approved now, the Constitutional Officers will probably question it. He felt imposing the TIF would put the Board in an awkward position. Mr. Chesser replied, “Our only response is doing nothing is not an answer.” Mr. Harris remarked he has a bit of advantage because the TIF presentation was previously made to the Crestview Chamber of Commerce. He questioned inaction and said improper planning produces poor performance. Mr. Harris said it is time to stop kicking the can down the road. He pointed out that during Hurricane Opal it took residents five to six hours to get from Eglin to Crestview. Mr. Harris stated the public needs to know the Board is making a plan and believes this is the best plan he has seen. Mr. Parisot referred to the chart prepared by Dr. Lewis for the Crestview General Fund and asked if there is a problem with the city and county having different millage rates. Dr. Lewis said that can be addressed but he believes this is a bigger issue for the city. Mr. Parisot stated he has a problem with the size of the TIF district. Mr. Boyles sarcastically stated there are too many challenges, we should just scrap the idea and give up. He pointed out there has been a group of private citizens doing all the leg work and they do not know what the next move is without the Board picking up the ball. Mr. Boyles recommended establishing a committee, with Mr. Dowd’s guidance, to flesh things out with the City of Crestview and to bring back a recommendation to the Board. He felt this could be done today or placed on the next meeting agenda. Mr. Amunds felt the county should look at