Okaloosa County BOCC — January 30, 2013 — reading text

disagreed with this approach and termed it “income redistribution.” Mr. Boyles said he is not done with that conversation and would like to see compensation for employees who have been identified as being near the poverty level. Mr. Amunds noted the idea was considered a few years ago but he remembers the end result was a statement from HR saying the Board could not do that because everyone must be treated the same way. Mr. Curry advised it is problematic to draw a line to determine who would be qualified. Mr. Amunds said he is confident the information HR presented a few years ago is still available and asked for staff to email that to the commissioners. Mr. Windes said he is distressed that so many county employees are within 20% of the poverty line. Mr. Amunds stated he believes the commissioners have given Mr. Curry all the direction it is going to tonight. He then asked Mr. Ernest Padgett, new County Administrator, if he would like to address the Board. Mr. Padgett thanked the commissioners for their votes of confidence and he believes when everyone gets to know each other, the commissioners will feel they have made the right decision. He felt the Board was headed in the right direction by looking at other revenue sources and pointed out Santa Rosa County implemented franchise fees when he served that county as County Administrator. Mr. Padgett said he is looking forward to coming on board on April 17 and looks forward to working with Mr. Curry during their overlapping days of service. Mr. Curry stated they will use the overlap time wisely, adding that he will still be available to assist. April 9, 2013 -8- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 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 9, 2013 -9- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  April 16, 2013 Regular Tuesday Meeting The regular Tuesday meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Water & Sewer Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach. Members present were Don Amunds, Chairman; Dave Parisot, Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Nathan Boyles; and Kelly Windes. Also present were Gary Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office; John Dowd, County Attorney; Jim Curry, County Administrator; and members of the press. JIM CURRY RETIREMENT RECOGNITION Mr. Amunds asked Mr. Curry to join him at the podium. Mr. Amunds gave a short account of Mr. Curry’s 35-year career with Okaloosa County which began after his graduation from high school. Mr. Curry worked for the Corrections Department at the County Jail and served as County Administrator. Mr. Amunds highlighted some of the accomplishments during Mr. Curry’s tenure. Mr. Curry was given a standing ovation. He extended thanks and appreciation for the recognition and stated “It has been a great ride.” Mr. Curry spoke of the challenges which have been faced and said you are able to get through them by surrounding yourself with excellence and letting the employees do their jobs. He also thanked the department heads and the elected officials. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER UPDATES Mrs. Kathy Newby, Public Information Officer, opened her comments by playing the promotion for the Okaloosa Today program which airs on Cox Channel 6. Her highlights included: • Announcing Earth Day Beach Cleanup is Saturday, April 20. Volunteers may sign up at Beasley Park, Beach Park, and Henderson Beach State Park • The first meeting of the newly-appointed Tourist Development Council will be April 25 • The 71st and final reunion of the Doolittle Raiders will be held this weekend • The first shipment of plants for the dune plantings project has arrived • The Heritage Museum will be the site for retention of the Time Capsule in collaboration with “Viva Florida 500,” the April 16, 2013 -1- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  State’s 500th birthday celebration. Submissions for the Time Capsule are still being taken • The FY 2014 Budget Workshop Schedule was given COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE Mr. Curry reported the new County Administrator, Ernie Padgett, will report to work tomorrow. He said a number of meetings have been scheduled and there is a good transition plan in place. COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S MINUTE Mr. Boyles announced that his first “Coffee with the Commissioner” will be held at the Cinco Bayou Townhall tomorrow morning at 7:30. He also referred to the Doolittle Raiders Reunion celebration and reflected upon the story in today’s paper on the “Raiders” and their heroic mission during World War II. Mr. Parisot stated he had an opportunity to talk with a couple of the surviving members of the squad this afternoon. He spoke about their enthusiasm and said if you gave them an airplane they would suit up and go again today. Mr. Harris extended his personal appreciation to Mr. Curry for his wise counsel. Mr. Windes echoed Mr. Harris’ remarks and said when he began serving as commissioner six months ago, it was a baptism by fire. He thanked Mr. Curry and wished him good luck. Mr. Amunds commented that Mr. Curry has been a wonderful sounding board, a straight-shooter and honest. He added that change is good at times and he believes the county will grow and the Board will build a good relationship with the new County Administrator. Mr. Amunds encouraged residents to meet the returning Raiders and thank them for their efforts during World War II. He also said it would be good to give a word of thanks to all veterans. VISITOR – SHIRLEY PIGOTT, OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, 2012 REPORT Mrs. Shirley Pigott, Chairman of the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women (OCCSW), read the OCCSW’s 2012 report which detailed the activities and accomplishments of the group. April 16, 2013 -2- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners She gave the history of the organization. In addition to lending support for the “Suit-Up to Move-Up” program to provide career-appropriate clothing for women and men who need assistance for dressing for interviews or prospective jobs, OCCSW contributed funds to Children in Crisis, the Shelter House, and the Children’s Advocacy Center. VISITOR – BERNARD JOHNSON, GULF POWER COMMUNITY ENERGY SAVER PROGRAM Mr. Bernard Johnson, District Marketing Supervisor for Gulf Power, stated he is joined by Mike Kent, Progressive Management, this evening to talk about Gulf Power’s Community Energy Saver Program. He said Mr. Parisot approached them about a program for low income families. Mr. Johnson listed the goals and objectives of this program. They are: • Assist families living in income eligible neighborhoods by performing a free energy checkup and installing energy conservation measures at no cost to the customer • Educate families on energy efficiency techniques and best practices • Help save money by changing and controlling energy use behaviors • Provide information on additional energy saving programs offered by Gulf Power The Community Energy Saver Program is intended to work at the community level with direct, proactive outreach by Gulf Power. This is different than the energy audit programs which focus on individual households and rely on the households to initiate the process. During his PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Johnson gave the eligibility requirements and detailed how the “kickoff invitation letter” was distributed to neighborhoods in Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Crestview. The following energy conservation measures were detailed. It normally takes a three- man crew 15 to 30 minutes to perform these tasks: • Install compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) • Install energy saving showerheads and faucet aerators • Install light switch and outlet gaskets on exterior facing walls • Perform water heater temperature adjustment April 16, 2013 -3- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  • Install water heater pipe insulation • Provide a refrigerator coil brush • Install thermometers in refrigerator The households will realize an average savings of $145 per year with these energy saving measures. Mr. Johnson said more than 1,000 households participated in the program and 570 of them were units in the Progressive Management of America program. Mr. Kent said he manages over 1,000 units and Mr. Parisot encouraged them to begin working this energy saver program. He commented that now about 1,100 families are saving significant amounts of money on their power bills. Mr. Parisot thanked Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kent. He also thanked Growth Management Director Elliot Kampert for his assistance. PUBLIC HEARING – AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION FOR PROJECT TALKING PARENTS (6:30 P.M.) Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to consider granting an ad valorem tax exemption to Project Talking Parents. Mr. Dowd stated this request has been made by the Economic Development Council (EDC) and he believes a representative of EDC is present. Ms. Kay Rasmussen, Interim EDC President, stated that the Chief Operating Officer for Project Talking Parents is in the audience tonight. She said this project is what economic development and diversification is all about. The company started in business 12 years ago in Shalimar. It grew and moved to Fort Walton Beach and now has outgrown that location. Ms. Rasmussen stated the company wants to stay in Okaloosa County but there are other areas competing for them. She said the company has 30 employees, will retain ten of them, and will hire 20 new people. The average wage will be 159% of the average wage in the county and within one year, total employment will be 50. Their capital investment will be $1.4 Million. The requested temporary (10- year) ad valorem tax exemption will be $18,900. Ms. Rasmussen said the UWF HAAS Center estimated the return on investment at 266%. Mr. Amunds opened the floor for comment but no one came forward to speak. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to adopt an ordinance granting the ad valorem tax exemption and a resolution recommending Project Talking Parents be approved as a April 16, 2013 -4- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners qualified applicant for the Target Industry Tax Refund Program. 5 yeas. ORDINANCE NO. 13-17 RESOLUTION NO. 13-71 PUBLIC HEARING – ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION FRANCHISES (6:30 P.M.) Mr. Stanford read the advertised legal notice for public hearing to consider the creation of commercial solid waste collection franchises for unincorporated Okaloosa County and to approve corresponding with existing residential solid waste collection franchise areas. If approved, the ordinance will not affect general contractors, landscape contractors, or any other commercial enterprise to self-haul commercially generated waste. Mr. John Hofstad, Public Works Director, stated this public hearing is the continuation of discussion brought to the Board several months