Okaloosa County BOCC — May 17, 2013 — March 5 Regular — reading text

March 5, 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 Crestview Courthouse. 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; and Jim Curry, County Administrator. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER UPDATE Mrs. Kathy Newby, Public Information Officer, opened her presentation with a promo for the Okaloosa Today program on Cox Channel 6. She reported that although the covered arena at Baker will be closed April 1-17, the Old Spanish Trail Rodeo will be held on April 12 and 13. Mrs. Newby stated the Florida Department of Health has a vision to be the healthiest state in the nation. She identified the local Health Department programs. Mrs. Newby spoke on the Baker Block Museum “Family Heritage Wall of Honor.” Details on the project and nomination forms can be found on the Museum’s website. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE Mr. Curry stated he has nothing to present today. COMMISSIONER’S MINUTE Mr. Harris – nothing Mr. Boyles stated he would like to have a follow-up discussion on legal services but he is not requesting any action tonight. He advised the discussion may be lengthy and he will leave it up to the Chairman as to when to address it. Mr. Boyles said the second item pertains to the use of local tourist development tax revenues, suggesting this could be on the next agenda. He stated he would like to request the local Legislative Delegation look at the language on the use of the TD taxes, saying perhaps a letter could be sent on behalf of the Board. Mr. Boyles said he has sent a letter to the delegation on this subject as a single commissioner. He was hopeful discussion could be opened at the state level for use of those funds for more than tourist- March 5, 2013 -1- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners related advertising and could be for such things as beach safety and lifeguards. Mr. Amunds stated he has spoken with both Mr. Curry and Sheriff Ashley on this subject to see if the State Legislature will look at the use of these funds for emergency personnel on Okaloosa Island and Destin, as well as for fire districts, lifeguards, and EMTs. He said it is his understanding Sheriff Ashley has a meeting scheduled with the Governor this week. Mr. Amunds stated he has no problem with listing this as a delegation priority or sending a letter on behalf of the Board. Mr. Amunds advised the discussion on legal services will be held at the end of the meeting. Mr. Parisot referred to an email from Governor Scott and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad regarding a $38.5 Million allocation to complete the four-laning of Highway 123, including bridges. He said the funding will be taken from the Family First Fund. Mr. Parisot noted Mr. Curry has drafted a letter in response and requested it be approved. Mr. Amunds directed the letter be sent out. Mr. Windes – nothing Mr. Amunds stated the Board previously authorized the Chairman, County Administrator, and County Attorney to make the decision on an offer to purchase the yacht. He felt Mr. Windes is more familiar with boats and asked that Mr. Windes replace him on this committee. Mr. Windes responded he will be glad to help. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Parisot, to transfer the authority to make decisions on the sale of the yacht from Chairman Amunds to Mr. Windes, in conjunction with the County Administrator and County Attorney. 5 yeas. VISITOR – MICHAEL CHESSER, TAX INCREMENT FINANCING Mr. Michael Chesser said for the record that he does not have a client or office friend with an interest in the subject he will bring forward. He stated the subject he will discuss will help not only Crestview but Niceville and Destin as well with regard to transportation. Mr. Chesser advised that he served on the Transportation Planning Committee for many years, discussing road and bridge projects but there was no money to go forward with any of those projects. March 5, 2013 -2- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Chesser stated he has studied Tax Increment Funding (TIF) in detail and written an article on its application. Escambia County decided TIF was a vehicle for projects and that decision has been upheld by the Florida Supreme Court. Mr. Chesser felt TIF would work in the City of Crestview. He explained that a TIF area would be identified and comprised primarily of land in which development has not occurred because of lack of infrastructure. In the TIF district all existing land and buildings will continue to be appraised and taxed annually, exactly as they had been before. Neither the city nor county would lose current revenue. However, the tax revenue from all future improvements or increases in appraisal values in the TIF district will be captured and applied to infrastructure needs. This revenue in the TIF district would be used to pay off a bond issue which has been secured for a construction priority, such as building a road, drainage improvements, water and sewer project, etc. Mr. Chesser reiterated TIF is a tool to formally dedicate funds for public improvements in which private investment has been stymied by inadequate infrasture. Mr. Dowd stated the Board is familiar with the concept, stating it is very similar to redevelopment areas (CRAs). Mr. Chesser noted the difference is that CRAs are designated blighted areas. He said the TIF will stimulate private investment. Mr. Chesser reported that Eric Davis with the City of Crestview, Elliot Kampert with the county’s Growth Management Department, and Dr. Rod Lewis with the UWF HAAS Center have also been involved in these discussions. Dr. Lewis stated Mr. Kampert provided the initial data for the proposed TIF area in North County. The estimated taxable value of properties in that area is $1.8 Billion with an annual $6 Million in ad valorem tax revenue. Upon inquiry by Mr. Parisot, Dr. Lewis stated that is only the county’s revenue and does not include School Board taxes, water management district, parks or fire districts assessments. Mr. Chesser stated if the Board is not interested in the concept/proposal, please let them know. Mr. Harris responded he would like to know more. Mr. Boyles agreed that it warrants further investigation and he is interested at looking at all revenue tools. He asked if it is possible to take a small bite of the apple and only begin by looking at the access road for Bob Sikes Airport. Mr. Boyles pointed out we have the right-of- way but no money to construct the new entrance road. Mr. Parisot wondered if that could be done because it is Airport March 5, 2013 -3- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners property. Mr. Dowd said the Board would be creating a redevelopment area and using enhanced revenue within that district and he thinks the Board could do it. Mr. Harris said he would give anything for Foy Shaw Boulevard to be built today but that road does not deal with mitigation of traffic on Highway 85. Mr. Parisot stated aside from water and sewer tap fees, the county has no impact fees. He said the county’s philosophy has been not to impose impact fees but to keep the price of real estate down to assist in development. Mr. Parisot felt the county would be losing money because the revenue for development would go into a specific TIF project rather than into the General Fund where it could be used for a variety of concerns. Mr. Chesser replied the improvements and the speed of development would not be there without the TIF infrastructure. He said the TIF allows you to be as imaginative as you need to be. For example, he said the Board could set it up so 100% of the revenue would go to the project and then when proceeds get to a certain level, the percentage could be lowered to 75% or 50% with the remaining percentage going into the General Fund. Mr. Amunds asked if there is some way to talk with Public Works Director John Hofstad or Growth Management Director Elliot Kampert and take a specific example, for talking purposes, so people can have a better understanding of the process. He suggested P.J. Adams Parkway. Mr. Chesser felt it would be easy to accomplish this request, saying the tax rate and ad valorem tax revenues have already been established. He reiterated it would only be the tax revenue for the increased property value and building/improvements which would be diverted. Mr. Harris stated if the county does not consider this option, there will be no growth any way. He said it is an alternate worth studying. Mr. Harris asked Mr. Dowd if taking action requires a simple majority or super majority or if it requires a referendum. Mr. Dowd replied the Board can designate the area by ordinance and no referendum is required. Questions were posed about how to get started and if another revenue source must be pledged to cover the debt. Mr. Kampert said although this is a good discussion it is getting into “the March 5, 2013 -4- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners weeds.” He stated before any real time is spent on this proposal, the Board should decide if it wants to go forward. Mr. Amunds said the volunteer committee is looking for Board direction on whether or not it should continue to work. He added the Board is always open for options, telling staff he does not want this to impact their jobs and to participate only if they have time. Mr. Amunds stated if the Board concurs, the committee can put together more details and walk the halls to update each commissioner. He noted at some point it will need to come back to the full Board. Mr. Harris said he would like to hear from Mr. Hofstad. Mr. Hofstad responded that he has not had much participation but if there is a process to obtain money, he is open to explore those options. Mr. Chesser said 30 to 35 years ago he heard his father (Julian Chesser, former Facilities Maintenance Director) say there is a way to build a new jail. He estimated it would cost $50,000, that it would be round and that he could use prison labor. Mr. Chesser stated the jail was built as his father said but it did cost $75,000 instead of $50,000. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the Consent Agenda: 1. Budget resolutions and transfers: (a) Resolution amending FY 2013 Budget, General Fund (Florida Department of Emergency Management Issues 5 and 17 Homeland Security Grant) RESOLUTION NO. 13-40 (BA #82) (b) Resolution amending FY 2013 Budget, General Fund (Florida Division of Library and Information Services State Aid to Libraries Grant) RESOLUTION NO. 13-41 (BA #83) (c) Resolution amending FY 2013 Budget, Road & Bridge Construction Fund (BankTrust donations for J.P. Adams/S.R. 85 intersection improvements) RESOLUTION NO. 13-42 (BA #84) (d) Resolution amending FY 2013 Budget, Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund (Enterprise Florida grant for Shoal River military buffering project) RESOLUTION NO. 13-43 (BA #85) March 5, 2013 -5- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  (e) Resolution amending FY 2013 Budget, Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund (deferred revenue for Duke Field main and lift station) RESOLUTION NO. 13-44 (BA #86) (f)