Okaloosa County BOCC — January 30, 2013 — Regular Mtg April 2 2013 — reading text

April 2, 2013 -21- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners can be plugged in. Mr. Parisot said he would like that provision inserted. Mr. Brannon referred to an Executive Order which watered down the State’s requirement on e-verify. He said the exception approved by the Governor is that any employee already on the payroll does not have to provide that documentation. The requirement would apply only to new hires. He advised that all State and local government entities had to comply with this Executive Order. Mr. Parisot stated another item he would like to address is personal use of county wireless communication devices by employees. He questioned the amount of staff time it takes to verify this information. Mr. Curry responded there has been much discussion at staff level and he feels there is an easier way to do this. He said there is a standardized charge and it prevents an opportunity for abuse. Mr. Brannon said the established rate on Alltel is $0.09 per minute but he believes the Verizon contract is about $0.01 per minutes. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve the latest revision of the Purchasing Manual. Upon inquiry by Mr. Curry about adding the provision for e-verify, Mr. Parisot said his motion is to accept the manual as it is currently written. 5 yeas. NEW BUSINESS – LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS TO FWB HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS, NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to authorize the Chairman to execute a letter of congratulations to the Fort Walton Beach High School Cheerleading team which recently won the National High School Cheerleading Championship and earned the title of First Place National Champions in the Large Varsity Non-Tumbling Division. Mr. Amunds asked Mr. Windes to present the letter on behalf of the Board. 5 yeas. NEW BUSINESS – APPROVAL OF MEETING AND WORKSHOP CALENDAR FOR JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2013 Mr. Curry presented the meeting and workshop calendar for the fourth quarter of FY 2013 (July, August, and September). Mr. Parisot suggested scheduling governmental department budget April 2, 2013 -22- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners reviews first. Mr. Curry replied the certified property evaluations are not received from the Property Appraiser until July 1, noting that without having that information in hand it will be hard to set budget. Upon inquiry, Mr. Stanford stated the Tentative Millage Rate must be set 35 days after July 1st or by August 4. Mr. Parisot asked if the budget review workshops could be completed by August 4. Mr. Amunds asked if the workshops can be rescheduled. Mr. Curry said if that is done, it will load the Board up with meetings and workshops during July. He felt that type schedule would be very tough, pointing out the first workshop meeting is not until July 18 and to reschedule the workshops would put four or five workshops in the last two weeks of July. Mr. Curry said the Board can lower the tentative rate. Mr. Amunds commented that he does not see the rate going down. Mr. Curry stated the Board could provide direction to the County Administrator at the Budget Policy Workshop. He advised the Board can tentatively set the millage rate at a higher level and adjust it downward. Mr. Amunds referred to a comment made by Mr. Parisot about the new County Administrator coming on board and suggested this may not be the year to push it (the schedule). Mr. Boyles stated the new County Administrator may want to change the schedule. He said that he does not see the ad valorem tax rate going up and he is comfortable with the proposed schedule. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Windes, to approve the meeting and workshop calendar for the fourth quarter as presented. 5 yeas. VISITOR – MARTIN WHITE, COMMENTARY ON CONFIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER 12-231 Mr. Martin White, Niceville, asked the Board if they are aware of the Governor’s (Confidential) Executive Order 12-231 dated October 11, 2012. He said the order is for the FDLE to begin a criminal investigation of Sheriff Larry Ashley. Mr. White said two commissioners are listed as witnesses but there is no indication anything was done. Mr. Harris stated he was aware of the investigation but not aware of the executive order. It was Mr. White’s contention Sheriff Ashley divulged information about findings against former Commissioner James Campbell. He said Mr. Campbell then amended his financial April 2, 2013 -23- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners disclosure forms before being arrested. Mr. White said this damaged the State Attorney’s case. He then stated that Undersheriff Adams asked the FDLE not to arrest Mr. Campbell until after the vote on the Sheriff’s budget. Mr. White continued with his allegations of wrong doing in the Sheriff’s Department, including claims of an additional individual involved in the kickback scheme of former Sheriff Charlie Morris. Mr. Amunds asked if the document Mr. White is referring to is public record. Mr. White replied it is EO 12-231. He was asked to provide a copy of his speech and the order to the Clerk. Mr. White did provide a copy of the order but not his written/oral comments to the Clerk. RECESS – The meeting was recessed at 12:12 p.m. and retired into Executive Session. The commissioners returned to the meeting and adjourned without comment. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m. _____________________________ _______________________________ DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) **** April 2, 2013 -24- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners