Okaloosa County BOCC — November 4, 2014 — 9-30-14 — reading text

Special Called Meeting September 30, 2014 A special meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to allow commissioners to attend a town hall meeting at the Niceville City Hall at 5:30 p.m. The town hall meeting was called “Accountability Okaloosa” and organized by Representative Matt Gaetz. County Commissioners in attendance were Nathan Boyles, Vice Chairman; and Dave Parisot. The meeting was called to order by Tax Collector Ben Anderson. He stated the purpose of the meeting is for elected officials to hear from the public what their priorities are. Mr. Anderson said this is a new direction being placed before the community by providing a platform for citizens to express themselves before city, county, and state elected officials. He emphasized that government is of the people, by the people, and for the people. Mr. Anderson asked for the speakers to provide their names and communities for the record. He also stressed that elected officials will not be engaging on any specific ideas tonight. Clerk of Courts-Elect J. D. Peacock provided the invocation. Republican State Committeewoman Sandra Atkinson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Anderson introduced the following officials in attendance: Senator Don Gaetz Representative Matt Gaetz Mrs. Vicky Gaetz Sheriff Larry Ashley Undersheriff Don Adams Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux Clerk of Courts-Elect J. D. Peacock Commissioner Nathan Boyles Commissioner Dave Parisot Commissioner-Elect Trey Goodwin School Board Member Rodney Walker Cinco Bayou Mayor Jean Hood Destin Councilman Tuffy Dixon Destin Councilman Rodney Braden Fort Walton Beach Councilwoman Joyce Gossom Fort Walton Beach Councilman Bobby Griggs Fort Walton Beach Councilman John Mead Fort Walton Beach Mayor Mike Anderson September 30, 2014 -1- Minute Book 71, Page 281 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Fort Walton Beach Councilman Mike Holmes Fort Walton Beach Councilman Dick Rynearson Property Appraiser Pete Smith Mary Esther Mayor Margaret McLemore Valparaiso Mayor Bruce Arnold Republican State Committeeman Steve Czonstka Republican State Committeewoman Sandra Atkinson Democratic State Committeewoman Ellen Holt Destin City Councilman Dewey Destin Niceville Mayor Randall Wise Michelle Tait representing Representative Doug Broxson Sheriff Larry Ashley stated Accountability Okaloosa is a means to build consensus, a mechanism/platform for citizens to tell their elected officials what they want. He spoke about the introduction of a new website and called it a “citizen think tank” and a measuring stick to tell officials if they have met the citizens’ needs. Sheriff Ashley said the calendar for elected officials will also be on the website so residents will know when officials are attending events or have speaking engagements. Sheriff Ashley pointed out there are limited resources and recommended the following criteria when uploading suggestions and ideas to the website: 1. Does my suggestion build community consensus? 2. Is my priority attainable? 3. Does my priority positively impact a large number of Okaloosa County citizens? Using a laptop and mounted screen, Commissioner-Elect Trey Goodwin provided step-by-step instructions on how to access the website. He explained each of the tabs which included information on the website itself and how to submit an idea or vote on ideas already listed. In order to submit ideas, participants must access it through their facebook accounts. Mr. Goodwin assured everyone their home addresses will not be published. Also, ideas will be reviewed before being added to the site to ensure they are appropriate and on focus. Personal attacks will not be accepted. Mr. Anderson introduced Representative Gaetz and Councilwoman Gossom, stating they will move around the audience with wireless microphones for individuals to voice their concerns and ideas. He asked each speaker to speak loudly and again reminded September 30, 2014 -2- Minute Book 71, Page 282 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners everyone there will be no engagement with elected officials to discuss topics, Prior to the start of the meeting, individuals desiring to speak were asked to complete a comment card. The card provided a space for the individual’s name, city of residence, email address (optional), and a list of possible discussion topics to circle. Below is a list of the speakers and their topics: 1, Kim Wintner, Niceville; continue to have the military as a priority 2. dohn Toddy, Mary Esther; infrastructure, specifically the airports 3. Dr. Lynn Keefe, Shalimar; education-bring Okaloosa’s schools back to the top again, equality for every student, help make graduates good citizens Tom Rice, Fort Walton Beach; oversight and ethics Brook McLain, Cinco Bayou; philanthropy and charity work 6. Douglas Davis, Niceville; education-eliminate common core and maintain local controls 7. Miteh Mongell, CEO of the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center; support for trauma center at FWB Medical Center 8. Kenneth Puller, Baker; ethics, financial management, public transportation 9. Wendy Green, Valparaiso; conservation, Veteran's Park on Okaloosa Island 10. Alan Nebalski, Niceville; sovereign debt and preparation for possible financial collapse by maintaining reserves 11. Becky Jones, Valparaiso; education-retain CHOICE Program and prevent conflicts between on-the-job training and class schedules 12. Mrs. Robert Benton, Niceville; constant flux of taxes 13. James Crumb, Fort Walton Beach; stormwater and drainage 14, Bob Ready, Fort Walton Beach; recycling 15. Wendy Clark, Destin; education—change the school start time for high school students 16. Shelly Keyser, Fort Walton Beach; health care, senior living facilities 17. Victor Kelmetz, Milligan; infrastructure, vequest for additional one-cent sales tax for roads and stormwater issues 18, Ann Anderson, Fort Walton Beach; thanked the Representative for organizing the meeting, said she had nothing to speak about but got to be on TV 19. Ellen Holt, Niceville; Equal Rights Amendment 20, Bill Byersley, Shalimar; public safety and use of TDC funds for EMS, police, and fire department woe September 30, 2014 a> Minute Book 71, Page 283 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners 21. Alan Tucker, Niceville; economic development, improved coordination between local and state governments for start- up of businesses 22. Jerry Melvin, support of senior citizens 23. Douglas Bacon, Niceville; holding political candidates accountable for promises made during campaigns 24. Rebecca Sherry, Okaloosa Island; infrastructure, Brooks Bridge 25. Terri Richard, Niceville; education—support for college football team in Northwest Florida 26. Charlene Grafton, Bluewater Bay; activities for seniors and disabled persons 27. Fred Myna, Bluewater Bay; enforcement of county ordinance to maintain properties 28. Joe Sieffer, Fort Walton Beach; caring for family members with cancer 29. Stephanie; loss of mother to cancer, medical marijuana for pain management 30. Honor; new medical team at Fort Walton Beach specializing in pain control; education on medical marijuana Representative Gaetz advised that he told Mayor Wise they would conclude the meeting at 7:00 p.m. He asked for anyone who did not have an opportunity to speak to please stay and speak with staff who will upload their concerns onto the website. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:01 p.m. DON W. HOWARD CHARLES K. WINDES, JR., CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) September 30, 2014 -4- Minute Book 71, Page 284 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners