Okaloosa County BOCC — May 19, 2015 — April 21, 2015 Bingo Workshop — reading text

April 21, 2015 Bingo Ordinance Workshop A workshop to discuss bingo operations within the county and possible adoption of a Bingo Ordinance was called to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Water & Sewer Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach. Members present were Nathan D. Boyles, Chairman; Charles K. Windes, Jr., Vice Chairman; Wayne BHarris; Carolyn Ketchel; and Trey Goodwin. Also present were J. D. Peacock, IT, Clerk of Circuit Court; John Hofstad, County Administrator; Greg Stewart, County Attorney; and Gary Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk's Office. Mr. Boyles announced this workshop to discuss the bingo ordinance will last 30 minutes and no Board action will be taken during the workshop. He stated there will be an additional opportunity for the public to comment during the Regular Meeting immediately following the workshop. Continuing, Mr. Boyles explained this workshop is for the commissioners to gather information and a number of individuals have been asked to speak on this topic tonight. He requested their remarks be limited to four minutes or less. The last ten minutes of the workshop will be reserved for discussion among the Board members. Mr. L. A. Woodall, Horizons committee member, stated the proposed bingo ordinance is not only to support charities but players and employees as well. He said it provides a business model for Dbetter Dbusiness and believes it will provide transparency. Mr. Woodall stated they (ordinance supporters) want to ensure the charities are legitimate and meet the statutory requirements of a 501(c) (3) charity. He felt not only the bingo hall operators but the charities should be able to produce the paperwork to verify these requirements have been met. It was Mr. Woodall’'s opinion the statutes on bingo operations are complicated and not easily understood. He believes an ordinance would provide clearer understanding for all concerned and would provide oversight. Mr. Woodall referred to situations in Manatee and Sarasota Counties involving the arrest of bingo hall operators in association with other gaming operations. He stated in that situation the operators had become quite brazen with their operations because there was no c¢ity or county ordinances, no enforcement of the statutes, and operators felt their gaming equipment was an exception to the rule. April 21, 2015 -1- Minute Book 72, Page 251 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Woodall stated they (charities) are not pointing their fingers but if the bingo hall operators are doing nothing wrong, why are they so opposed to the proposed ordinance. He asked for a fair playing field. Mr. Bill Zuppa, representing Veterans Tribute Memorial Tower and the Sons of TItaly, stated he volunteers for several charitable organizations which are grateful recipients of revenue from Mary Esther Bingo. He reported the proceeds have allowed the Sons of Italy to provide college scholarships for high school seniors. With regard to oversight, Mr. Zuppa said he feels that is the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office and state officials. He was opposed to creating another layer of bureaucracy. Mr. Jay Ghosh, Mary Esther Bingo, thanked the commissioners, Sheriff's Office, and staff members. He said no one has addressed the engine driving bingo and asked all the bingo players in the audience to stand. Mr. Ghosh presented the Clerk with 180 petitions signed by bingo players which requested the commissioners do nothing to hurt the bingo business or any other business in the county. He also acknowledged the volunteers and stated bingo in Ocean City and Mary Esther has created 60 to 65 jobs. Mr. Rick Peterman, attorney representing Ocean City and Mary Esther Bingo, referenced Mr. Woodall’s concerns and stated there are six pages of State Statutes to address those concerns. He said there are state employees who inspect bingo halls and said there is no need for this specific ordinance. Mr. Peterman stated he thinks it 1s a clear interference with the operators’ opportunity to conduct business, stressing it is far beyond what is necessary. Mr. Peterman stated reference was made earlier to the problems in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. He said there is a mechanism in place to prosecute non-compliant operators. Continuing, Mr. Peterman noted the proposed ordinance was drafted from a Pinellas County ordinance. He remarked this is not Tampa or St. Petersburg. Mr. Peterman also pointed out the commissioners received 16 letters from charities which are happy with current operations. He closed by saying, “If it’s not broken, don’'t fix it.” Ms. Dixie Massino, Racetrack Bingo, stated they have been part of the community for 22 years and have raised more than $14 Million for local charities. She said not as many people are April 21, 2015 -2- Minute Book 72, Page 252 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners playing bingo because of economic changes and they now have the options of on-line gaming or traveling to nearby casinos. Ms. Massino stated business is down and decreased payouts are the result of declining revenues and increased costs of operation. She said where they once would have 200 players per night, now they may have 60. Ms. Massino advised that in 2009 Racetrack Bingo lowered the rental fees for charities and because some nights are so slow, she has waived the rental fees. She pointed out she cannot operate without charities and currently has a waiting list of charities who want to take part. Ms. Massino stated she does not believe new regulations will help anyone and believes it will add to the cost of doing business. Captain Mike Karr with the Sheriff’s Office stated if the proposed ordinance is passed, the Sheriff's Office will handle compliance. Mr. Boyles ended public comment and brought the discussion back to the Board. He stated no action will be taken at this workshop but he would like to reserve the opportunity to discuss further and/or take action at the regular meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Harris said he would like to see all interested parties get together to talk out their problems and concerns, then return to the Board with a recommendation. He told the audience he can see both sides of the issues. Mr. Goodwin informed the attendees that if they stay, in five minutes they will have an opportunity to provide public comment during the regular meeting. He said before creating a solution you must know the problem and he is not hearing a specific problem the Board of County Commissioners can fix. Mr. Goodwin pointed out the State Legislature regulates bingo. He encouraged the citizens to write letters to the local Legislative Delegation about theirs concerns. Mrs. Ketchel said she feels the draft ordinance has problems and the onus is placed on the county to oversee this business and that i1s not the role of the county. She also felt a viable option is for the operators and charities to sit down to discuss their concerns, come up with a solution, and live with it. Mrs. Ketchel stated her position is that it is not up to the Sheriff or the Board of County Commissioners to regulate this. April 21, 2015 -3- Minute Book 72, Page 253 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Windes said like the other commissioners up here, he has friends on both sides of the issue. He questioned the communication between the parties and stated he does not think they have tried enough to get to the bottom line. Mr. Windes remarked that we are not Manatee County. He referred to his Oath of Office and said he intends to listen to the general public. Mr. Boyles stated he concurs with most of the comments already made. He said he has not changed his position from the outset and he cannot support the ordinance presented to the Board for consideration. Mr. Boyles advised that he will try to advance further discussion on this topic to the beginning of the agenda at the 6:00 p.m. meeting for immediate action. ADJOURNMENT The workshop was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. J. D. PEACOCK II NATHAN D. BOYLES, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) April 21, 2015 -4- Minute Book 72, Page 254 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners