Okaloosa County BOCC — March 18, 2014 — Minutes — reading text

(Mr. Parisot voted no.) February 4, 2014 -16- Minute Book 70, Page 234 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners FACILITIES MAINTENANCE - FUNDING REQUEST TO FINISH SPACE FOR CLERK'S RECORDS DIVISION AT COURTHOUSE ANNEX EXTENSION Mr. Turner requested approval for funding in the amount of $50,000 to remodel the empty courtroom shell space at the Courthouse Annex Extension on Lewis Turner Boulevard for use by the Clerk of Courts Records Division. The Clerk’s Records Division is one of the entities still in the Shalimar Annex. The funding request is to transfer $50,000 from Capital Projects Reserves 301-3160 to Clerk of Courts Project 301-3160. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve the funding request. Mr. Padgett said he needs to clarify that the judges have not gone on record to agree with us in taking the courtroom but they do understand the direction the Board needs to go. Discussion ensued regarding the Board’s responsibility for providing courtrooms. Mr. Boyles stated his motion stands. 5 yeas. FACILITIES MAINTENANCE —- DIRECTION REQUESTED WITH REGARD TO SELECTING CONTRACTOR FOR NEW SHERIFF’S BUILDING IN SHALIMAR Mr. Turner stated there are two options for the type of contract for this new facility: (1) Contract Management or (2) Hard Bid. He recommended soliciting for a contract manager. Mr. Amunds made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris to authorize advertising for a contractor to construct the new Sheriff's building in Shalimar utilizing contract management rather than a hard bid. 4 yeas, 1 nay (Mr. Parisot voted no). FACILITIES MAINTENANCE - FUNDING REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY OFFICES FOR GUARDIAN AD LITEM Mr. Turner requested $10,000 be transferred from Capital Projects Reserves 301-3160 to GAL Temporary Space account 301- 3120. He said the funds will be used to provide temporary office space for the Guard ad Litem Program in the former EMS Supply space at the old Fort Walton Beach Hospital. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve this request. 5 yeas. OLD BUSINESS - TAX INCREMENT FINANCING UPDATE Mr. Mike Chesser stated he has provided the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) package to everyone and he went door-to-door discussing it prior to the meeting. He briefly reviewed how the TIF concept was brought forward. February 4, 2014 -17- Minute Book 70, Page 235 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Amunds asked if the TIF projects could be identified. Mr. Chesser replied there is one project for this North County TIF proposal and that is a by-pass on the south side of Crestview. Mr. Harris asked if the City of Crestview has adopted a resolution supporting the TIF. Mr. Eric Davis, Crestview Planning Official, stated the City is waiting to see what action the Board takes. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Mr. Chesser stated a referendum is not required. Mr. Dowd referred to the ordinance drafted by Mr. Chesser and expressed concern about the five-member Board of Trustees. The composition of the Board would change annually with one year 3 commissioners and 2 city councilmen sitting as trustees and the next year it would be 3 city councilmen and 2 commissioners. Mr. Chesser stated when the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority proposed the Mid-Bay Bridge project it gave Jim Vest and the task force the authority to build the bridge and got out of their way. He said the members of the TIF working group want to get away from the concept of an annual political football and, hopefully, “we will get out of the way” and let the group get the by-pass done. Discussion ensued regarding direction to Mr. Dowd about refining the proposed ordinance, use of gas tax funds for road projects, interlocal agreements with cities, and concern about dual taxation issues. Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, came forward and stated he feels the panel may be losing sight of the issue because it is a very narrowly defined project. He said there is no cherry picking of projects. Mr. Hofstad stated the very specific purpose of the TIF is the P.J. Adams/Antioch Road Corridor. He referred to the concerns expressed about the city council trumping county concerns and again stressed this is set up fora specific project. Mr. Hofstad pointed out both the city and county have jurisdiction along this corridor. Mr. Amunds requested an opportunity, as liaison commissioner to the League of Cities, to bring this item to the League for discussion. February 4, 2014 -18- Minute Book 70, Page 236 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Chesser said he needs the Board to tell him if they believe this TIF is a good idea or does he need to close his briefcase and go do something else. He stated if this TIF is successful, he will propose a TIF for South County and possibly look at the Brooks Bridge as the project. Mr. Harris stated he does not understand why all other cities in the county would be involved in this. Mr. Dowd attempted to explain past issues regarding dual taxation which centered around the budget for the Sheriff. He said if new ad valorem tax assessments are directed to the TIF and the cost for operation of the Sheriff's Office increases, the cities not in the TIF could construe that the additional financial burden for operation of the Sheriff’s Office is unfairly distributed. Mr. Parisot referred to the “recapture rule” used by the Property Appraiser. Mr. Harris remarked that in the military they had a Saying about “stepping on piss ants while elephants are flying by.” He said this is not defining the program but looking at the concept and the group wants to know if the plan sounds good. Mr. Harris asked, “Can we move forward? Is there an interest?” Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, remarked this is the third time this has come before the Board. The first time was to authorize staff to participate. The second time was to discuss at the staff level if the TIF was possible and feasible. He said we are now here to determine interest. Mr. Kampert stated now this is the time for additional legal review. He Said we are asking for a green light to go to the next level. Mr. Amunds responded that he is interested in going forward to the next level. Mr. Boyles asked Mr. Chesser what he needs. Mr. Chesser answered that he needs to take the Board’s action to the City of Crestview and say the county supports it. He said it is time to get off the dime and do something. Mr. Chesser stated he needs to quit working on this if the Board is not interested. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to authorize staff to bring back a proposed ordinance at a future date. The ordinance can be reviewed, adjustments made if necessary, anda time set for public hearing. 5 yeas. February 4, 2014 -19- Minute Book 70, Page 237 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners FACILITIES MAINTENANCE - DISSOLUTION OF CRESTVIEW COURTHOUSE TASK FORCE Mr. Turner asked for consideration of dissolving the Crestview Courthouse Task Force. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to dissolve this task force. 5 yeas. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Turner stated the Shalimar Annex Task Force was previously dissolved. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Harold LaFountain, Crestview, asked the Board if they knew that anyone living in a residential home could have a shooting range in his back yard and there is nothing you can do about it. He referred to Chapter 790.15 of the Florida Statutes. Mr. LaFountain stated he would like to be present to hear the interviews with the candidates for the County Attorney position. Mr. Windes advised him it is opened to the public and the HR Director can provide him with the date and time of those interviews. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m. DON W. HOWARD CHARLES K. WINDES, JR., CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) February 4, 2014 ~20- Minute Book 70, Page 238 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners