Okaloosa County BOCC — July 15, 2014 — Minutes — reading text

June 3, 2014 Tuesday Meeting The regular Tuesday meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 8:30 a.m. at the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Crestview. Members present were Charles K. Windes, Jr., Chairman; Nathan Boyles, Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Dave Parisot; and Don Amunds. Also present were Gary J. Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office; and Greg Stewart, Acting County Attorney. County Administrator Ernie Padgett was not present. PRESENTATION OF EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS Mr. Windes presented service awards to the following employees: Mark Armstrong----------- Five Years (not present) Jason Autrey------------- Ten Years Steve Hoerter-----~------ Ten Years William Purvis----------- Ten Years Pat Bauer---------------- Fifteen Years Sam Jones---------------- Fifteen Years Jeff Henderson----------- Fifteen Years James Puckett------------ Twenty-five Years Bo Epperson-------------- Thirty-five Years (not present) PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER UPDATES Mrs. Kathy Newby, Public Information Officer, reminded everyone that hurricane season began June 1 and will run_ through November 30. She stated the Ready Okaloosa logo will appear on the screen during meetings with the reminder statement “The first 72 are on you!” Other points were: ®e Disaster Recovery Center update e Mosquito Control will continue a regular spraying schedule (schedule is available on county’s website) e The new cell phone parking lot at Northwest Florida Regional Airport will open on Friday e The ribbon cutting ceremony for Bayview Plaza will be held June 9 in conjunction with ribbon cutting for Veterans Park and opening of Marler Park boat trailer parking June 3, 2014 -1- Minute Book 71, Page 72 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’ S UPDATE In Mr. Padgett’s absence, Administrative Manager Rick Owen brought the County Administrator’s Update. He stated the Board at its May 20 meeting requested additional information on the possibility of placing a sales tax referendum on the November ballot. Mr. Owen reported Mr. Stewart has a presentation for the Board on this issue. Mr. Stewart advised the appropriate option is called a Local Government Infrastructure Surtax which may be for a half percent oer one percent and there is no duration requirement. The surtax is subject to sharing with the municipalities and a formula for the disbursement is outlined in the Statutes. A majority of the cities must adopt a similar resolution as the one adopted by the county government. In order to have the referendum placed on the November ballot, all work must be completed by mid to late August. If approved in November, collection would begin January 1, 2015. Mr. Stewart stated he contacted the Department of Revenue (DOR) to obtain an estimate of revenue from a one percent surtax. Based on December 2013 data, the estimated total collection would be $32,656,033. Using the statutory formula for disbursement, the county would receive $21,797,592 with the remainder going to the cities. Mr. Stewart stated a half-percent surtax was passed for construction of the County Jail in 1989, For the years 1995- 1999 a one percent surtax was approved for construction of schools. Subsequently, the voters defeated a surtax issue for infrastructure needs in 2001 and again in 2006 a surtax proposal for stormwater and transportation improvements was defeated. Mr. Parisot commented that he believes there was a half-percent surtax proposal for schools in 2010 which was also defeated. Upon inquiry by Mr. Windes, Mr. Stewart stated the Board must hold a public hearing and adopt an ordinance to place this item on the bailot. Mr. Amunds recommended the Board determine whether or not there is support from the cities before going forward. Mr. Stewart responded the cities’ support is important and he recommends the Board reach out to the municipalities to see if there is interest. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Stewart confirmed a June 3, 2014 -2- Minute Book 71, Page 73 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners letter from the Chairman to the cities is one way to proceed and to determine support. Mr. Parisot suggested moving forward with the letter, saying some cities meet on an abbreviated schedule during the summer. Mr. Parisot said the April 29-30 rainstorm was referred to as a “100-year storm” but Okaloosa County has had six ‘%“100-year storms” in the last 19 years (October 1995, August 1998, September 2004, April 2005, March 2009, and April 2014). He stated it is just a hopeful thought that such a storm will happen only once every one hundred years. Mr. Parisot said the infrastructure is aging with some of the pipes being 45 or 50 years old. He stated that in his district as the waters recede, more of the drainage pipes are popping out and more sinkholes are appearing. Mr. Parisot said it will take money to fix these problems. He stated that if local government does nothing else, “we have a requirement to take care of the infrastructure.” Mr. Parisot pointed out that all we have been doing is patchwork and the county needs a revenue source for the Public Works Department to replace the aging systems. He added that tourists will pay 40-45% of the sales tax and said perhaps this action could offset the property taxes with a reduction in the millage rate. Mr. Boyles stated it is his understanding it is a majority of cities by population, saying it could be the two largest cities. Mr. Stewart replied that is correct. Upon further inquiry, Mr. Stewart answered approval of the referendum is by simple majority of the voters. Mr. Boyles requested information on the percentage of voters who were against the previous surtax issues which were defeated. Continuing, Mr. Boyles pointed out that if this issue is placed on the November ballot, there could be no reduction in millage rate because the FY 2014-15 budget will already be finalized. Mr. Stewart confirmed this statement. Mr. Boyles said an option is to push the referendum back until early 2015. Mr. Stewart advised if the referendum passes in the Spring of 2015, the surtax would not be implemented until January 1, 2016. Mr. Boyles said the voters have looked skeptically on this issue and he does not want to rush to put it on the November ballot. He stated perhaps the referendum should be on the next appropriate ballot and the Board should get a decision from the voters on that issue before making a decision on ad valorem taxes. June 3, 2014 -3- Minute Book 71, Page 74 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Harris asked for the estimated total of dollars needed for stormwater system repairs. Public Works Director John Hofstad replied the total in 2009 was $55 Million but some repairs have been made. He stated $50 Million would cover the immediate need. Mr. Harris also said he does not want to rush into this, adding we have to “sell” it by informing the public specifically what the money would be used for. He continued, saying we need buy-in from the cities and the revenue cannot be used for swimming pools or dog parks. Mr. Harris stated he favors user fees, such as the surtax, and he would also like to downgrade the ad valorem tax millage. Mr. Amunds agreed any sales tax initiative would need to go into effect before considering a decrease in the millage. He said he is leery of trying to cram the process into 90 days. Upon inguiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Stewart replied the statutory formula is applied unless the county and cities opt to create an interlocal agreement and work out their own formula. He advised if all parties do not agree on the formula, it reverts back to the statutory formula. Mr, Stewart acknowledged completion of the process by mid-August is an aggressive timeline. Mr. Parisot predicted this issue will be kicked down the road. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to bring back options and details of a surtax referendum at the next meeting. As the Chairman began to poll the commissioners for their votes, Mr. Parisot stated there are some citizens in the audience who would like to speak on this topic. Mr. Harold LaFountain, Crestview, stated there are many older subdivisions that were constructed prior to implementation of stormwater regulations. He pointed out there are not only older developments but new subdivisions that flood because they were constructed on wetlands. Mr. LaFountain asked if the people who live in these developments should take care of their own problems or should the average taxpayer be made to pay for it. He concluded by saying more money does not always take care of the problems. Mr. Fred Westfall, Shalimar, stated although he has prepared comments he will not make them because he believes Mr. Parisot has spoken to the issue. He expressed concern there is no “Plan B” and the problem will continue to be kicked down the road. Mr. Westfall referred to the Mission Statement on the county’s website which lists the critical county values. He said the June 3, 2014 -4- Minute Book 71, Page 75 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners first one listed is continual improvement of the infrastructure and asked the commissioners to spend more time on this priority. Mr. Bill Cox, Crestview, said the majority of projects on the $55 Million stormwater list are for South County. He asked how the commissioners can make this fair for North County residents. Mr. Cox stated a one percent surcharge would generate three times what is needed and felt a half-cent would be sufficient. He closed by again asking how would the Board make if fair for all citizens. COMMISSIONER'S MINUTE Mr. Harris stated although all county departments have been working hard since the rainstorm, he wants to send special kudos to the Public Works Department for the work those crews have done on roads and bridges. He asked citizens to be patient because they are doing their best. Mr. Amunds had nothing. Mr. Boyles stated his district encompasses portions of both North and South County. He said we are one county and stormwater is not a North or South County problem but an Okaloosa County problem. Mr. Parisot stated he will be attending the DJJ rulemaking session on Friday along with Mr. Padgett. Mr. Windes announced the bridge workshop will be scheduled for Thursday, July 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. PUBLIC COMMENTS RELATED TO CURRENT AGENDA None. VISITOR - GORDON FORNELL, MID-BAY BRIDGE AUTHORITY, PRESENTATION OF FY 2015 BUDGET Mr. Gordon Fornell, Mid-Bay Bridge Authority Chairman, recognized the members of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority who have held the Authority together over the years. He also recognized Jim Vest and his administrative staff which handle the daily operations. Mr. Fornell reported the Mid-Bay Bridge Connector from the bridge to Highway 85 was opened in January. He June 3, 2014 -5- Minute Book 71, Page 76 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners continued, stating the budget presented for Board approval relates to operation of the local office. Mr. Fornell reported 18,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily and 6,000 to 8,000 are using the connector. Mr. Fornell stated use of the Sun Pass not only saves time at the toll booths but users do not pay an administrative charge on the connector or bridge. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority budget for Fiscal Year 2015. 5 yeas. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the Consent Agenda. 1. County Administrator: Resolution authorizing Surety Land Title to prepare a quitclaim deed for the successful bidder converting her Okaloosa Island leasehold interest to fee simple title (Susan Lynn Humann) RESOLUTION NO. 14-95 2. County Administrator: Proclamation designating July 1, 2014 as Dixie Phonics Day 3. County Administrator: Proclamation designating July 2, 2014 as Destin