Okaloosa County BOCC — November 17, 2015 — 2015-2016-interim-legislative-program — reading text

equitable allocation irrespective of a project’s urban or rural nature, or its coastal or inland location. 13  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program SUPPORT maintenance, monitoring and sustainability of existing state conservation lands. SUPPORT land acquisitions of less than fee simple interest, thus reducing the cost to taxpayers by lowering acquisition costs and maintaining property tax revenues, while allowing property owners to continue certain uses on negotiable terms. SUPPORT an acquisition policy that involves local government participation in priority assessment and community impact. SUPPORT the authority of county government to purchase and sell conservation lands in accordance with local needs, charter and ordinance requirements, or financial capacity. Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT): SUPPORT the continued funding of payments in lieu of taxes to make up for ad valorem losses resulting from state acquisition, with future adjustments to reflect increases in property value. BEACHES AND SHORES Beach Renourishment: SUPPORT the continuation of a statutory funding source for beach renourishment projects with an increase over the current amount of $30 million, which is no longer sufficient to sustain this important program. SUPPORT the revision of statutory criteria for the annual ranking of beach projects for state cost sharing; specifically, criteria that recognize economic benefits and cost- effectiveness, the reduction in storm damage, and the ability to leverage federal dollars. Vessels and Waterways: SUPPORT revised statutory authority and continued state funding for the enforcement and removal of derelict vessels, with emphasis on chronic offenders. SUPPORT continued state and local regulation of vessels, mooring fields, bulkheads and seawalls, floating vessel platforms, and seagrasses. 14  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program WATER RESOURCES Water Supply: SUPPORT legislation that enhances regional and local financial capacity to address water supply development with allocation flexibility in all available funding sources. SUPPORT the funding of the Water Protection and Sustainability Program within the Department of Environmental Protection and Water Management Districts for the development of alternative water supplies, water quality improvement projects, and comprehensive water infrastructure needs. SUPPORT the fundamental principles of Florida water law which: • Requires demonstration that a proposed use of water is i) a reasonable- beneficial use, ii) will not interfere with an existing legal use of water, and iii) is consistent with the public interest. • Establishes a right of use, not a right of ownership. • Provides for “local sources first” – that is, a county from which water is withdrawn shall not be deprived of the prior right to its reasonable and beneficial use to supply the needs of its natural systems, property owners, and residents. OPPOSE any state-wide water commission or “water czar” which would redefine existing water supply relationships among the state, regional water management districts, and local governments. Water Quality: Indian River Lagoon, Lake Okeechobee Basin & Everglades: SUPPORT state funding for the construction of additional water storage and water quality treatment facilities within the Lake Okeechobee, Caloosahatchee, St. Lucie, Indian River Lagoon and Everglades watersheds. Springs Protection: SUPPORT state funding for nutrient load reduction programs within Florida’s springsheds. SUPPORT the prioritization of springs restoration funding, with a program to assist local governments with packing houses and with septic tank connections and facility upgrades in springsheds with higher domestic waste contributions. 15  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program Fertilizer: SUPPORT the authority of county government to regulate the urban use and application of fertilizer to protect water quality. SUPPORT the “Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices” as a basic level of water quality protection, with more stringent protections authorized to address water bodies in need. SOLID WASTE Funding: SUPPORT continued state funding of the Small County Consolidated Grant Program, and maintaining the waste tire fee as a dedicated revenue source for funding mosquito control, solid waste and recycling programs. Recycling: SUPPORT legislation that provides appropriate resources and incentives to local governments to achieve statewide recycling goals, with credit afforded for all recycled materials including municipal biomass and other waste-to-energy processes. DOMESTIC WASTE Land Application of Septage: SUPPORT legislative policies that recognize the challenges of septage disposal in rural counties without adequate treatment and disposal facilities, and the prioritization of funding for the development of these facilities and associated infrastructure. Central Sewer Systems: SUPPORT the authority of county government to require mandatory connection to central sewer systems as they become available. UTILITIES Utility Rates: SUPPORT legislation that recognizes the responsibility and authority of local government utilities to establish rates and rate structures to allow for flexibility in the provision of services and the sustainable funding of operations. Utility Liens: SUPPORT legislation to amend Section 159.17, Florida Statutes, to authorize counties – as well as municipalities – that issue revenue bonds to place liens on properties served by any water, sewer or gas systems for service charges until paid, which liens shall be prior to and on parity with state, county and municipal tax liens. Stormwater Fees: SUPPORT legislation to amend Section 403.0893, Florida Statutes, to provide authorization for stormwater utilities to charge and collect user fees from all beneficiaries of the stormwater utility system. 16  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program CLIMATE CHANGE / SEA LEVEL RISE SUPPORT a comprehensive state climate change action plan, with energy policies and other initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases and to address ecosystem sustainability, long term water supply, flood protection, public health and safety, and economic prosperity. SUPPORT state and federal recognition of adaptation and mitigation as critical to any climate change plan, and the funding necessary to assist local governments in developing and implementing these initiatives. SUPPORT increased funding for local government infrastructure projects and planning activities to facilitate the prevention of and recovery from damage to essential transportation systems, water management systems and national resources. AGRICULTURE Agritourism: SUPPORT limited local regulation of off-site health, safety and welfare impacts from large-scale agritourism “events” on agricultural property. Rural and Family Lands Protection Act: SUPPORT funding the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act to allow for the purchase of rural easements to prevent the subdivision and conversion of such land into other uses. Citrus Greening: SUPPORT state, federal and local efforts to assist the citrus industry in research to control the damage and threat caused by citrus greening/Huanglongbing (HLB). Health & Human Services Interim Susan Harbin, Legislative Advocate Email: sharbin@fl-counties.com Policy Statements Phone: 850-922-4300 Fax: 850-488-7501 Behavioral Health: • Behavioral Health Services: SUPPORT increased funding for core mental health and substance abuse services. SUPPORT efforts to increase supportive housing, employment and education initiatives for people with behavioral health issues and/or disabilities. SUPPORT diverting, medically assisting, or treating mentally ill persons outside of the criminal justice system through alternative community programs. • Baker Act/Marchman Act: SUPPORT appropriate funding for crisis mental health and substance abuse beds statewide. SUPPORT coordinated efforts to increase access to acute care behavioral health services for individuals and families. 17  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program County Health Departments (CHDs): SUPPORT increasing state general revenue funding for CHDs, and OPPOSE any state reductions to the CHD Trust Funds. SUPPORT restoring funding reductions in operating support for CHDs. SUPPORT maintaining a coordinated system of CHDs that is centrally housed within the Department of Health (DOH). SUPPORT preserving the ability of CHDs to provide primary care and direct patient care services, particularly in communities without adequate substitutes or alternative providers for these services. County Share of Cost for Medicaid Services: SUPPORT establishing a cap on growth in the individual county Medicaid costs under s. 409.915, F.S. to address the cost shifts that result from the transition to a Medicaid enrollee based cost-sharing system. OPPOSE efforts to further shift state Medicaid costs to counties. SUPPORT continued evaluation of the county-state Medicaid cost-share arrangement, taking into consideration the impacts of state policies designed to contain growth in Medicaid costs, including statewide Medicaid managed care and diagnosis related group reimbursement for hospitals. Emergency Medical Services (EMS): OPPOSE legislation that limits the ability of county EMS providers to be reimbursed for out-of-network transports. OPPOSE legislation that preempts county authority to regulate use or register distribution of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). SUPPORT a cost recovery mechanism if county provided training is mandated. Low Income Pool/Intergovernmental Transfers (IGTs): SUPPORT a system for distributing Low Income Pool dollars that ensures IGT-donor counties are able to direct the federal matching dollars generated by their local IGT contributions to best meet the health care needs of their constituents, rather than having those dollars redistributed throughout the state. Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Program: SUPPORT continued efforts to work through Medicaid reform initiatives to ensure timely payment cycles for providers. Community Care for the Elderly: SUPPORT adequate funding for the Community Care for the Elderly Program, which provides cost efficient diversion from nursing home placement for impaired elders. Homelessness: SUPPORT developing a dedicated state funding source for homeless programs. SUPPORT legislation that streamlines current state statutes relating to homelessness and associated programs, including the funding allocation and appropriation processes. SUPPORT the implementation of discharge protocols and/or procedures for hospitals, correctional facilities, and mental health facilities when 18  2015-16 Interim Legislative Program releasing homeless persons. SUPPORT the development of strategies that would allow local governments to work with the state and federal government to serve target populations: the chronically homeless,