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

Amunds confirmed a consensus to remove this item. OLD BUSINESS – REVISION OF RESTORE ACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESOLUTION Mr. Curry said the Board gave direction on the modifications requested in this document at the last meeting. Mr. Amunds asked for comments. Mr. Parisot referred to Page 4 and the following statement: A committee member may not vote on, discuss, or recommend any project for funding, that is sub- mitted by an organization that he/she is employed by or a member of. Any conflicts of interest of this or any other type must be disclosed at the meeting and the proper forms filed in accordance with Florida Statutes. It was his opinion the Statutes do not require an individual to abstain from discussion, saying the person with a conflict cannot vote and must file the proper form. Mr. Dowd replied the Statutes give a prohibition against “participation” and that includes discussion. Mr. Boyles stated Mr. Dowd is correct. March 5, 2013 -16- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Dave Sherry, Okaloosa Island, came forward to request the conflict of interest clause used by Escambia County be inserted in the resolution. He suggested the Board adopt a competitive application process for the 11 seats on the RESTORE Act Advisory Committee. Mr. Sherry said the perception is that some seats have already being handed out prior to adoption of the resolution. Mrs. Rebecca Sherry, Okaloosa Island, reiterated a request to include language similar to Escambia County’s regarding conflict of interest. She felt the current language is weaker. Mr. Harris stated the Board has made no appointments to this committee. He said the League of Cities has indeed voted on whom they would like their representatives to be but the Board has not made those appointments. Mr. Boyles commented that he has learned you cannot make everyone happy and he feels the Board’s job is to do the best it can. He said the best preventive element to keep anyone from doing something wrong will be Sunshine (Law). Mr. Parisot stated there will be more than 11 people involved, there will be working groups to flesh things items. He was of the opinion there would be plenty of opportunities for individuals to speak. Mr. Harris said he believes the Sherrys’ comments have merit and feel the commissioners must be careful with what they say and do. He also said he agrees totally with Mr. Boyles. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to adopt the resolution as written. 5 yeas. RESOLUTION NO. 13-47 NEW BUSINESS – APPROVAL OF FY 2014 STRATEGIC PLAN Mr. Curry stated a Strategic Plan Workshop was held on February 12, 2013, and staff was given direction on final preparation of the Fiscal Year 2014 Strategic Plan. Pursuant to the discussion during that workshop, previous goals on sustainable water supplies and reducing the size of government were eliminated. Two new priorities were added: 1. Developing actions for the RESTORE Act 2. Implementing corrective actions in response to the Auditor General’s Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners’ March 5, 2013 -17- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners  Oversight of the Tourist Development Council and Use of Tourist Development Taxes and Funds Received from British Petroleum Operational Audit dated January 2013 Mr. Curry said two other topics were discussed but no consensus was reached: ranking priories and increasing the General Fund Reserves to a 45-day level. Mr. Harris said he believes the reason the Board did not set a priority ranking is to allow it the flexibility to make changes as priorities change. Mr. Windes, Mr. Boyles, and Mr. Parisot agreed. Mr. Parisot commented that perhaps “c” under Item #7 regarding the Auditor General’s report should be applied to other departments as applicable. Mr. Harris noted that at the Joint Legislative Audit Committee meeting held yesterday he asked for the Auditor General to expand his review to all Constitutional Offices. Mr. Windes agreed with Mr. Parisot’s recommendation. Mr. Boyles said he can recommend taking what has been learned from the TDC issue and applying it to different departments but believes he is hearing something different from Mr. Harris. He stated he does not believe the Strategic Plan is where the Board should dictate to the Constitutional Officers. However, he said he does agree with Mr. Parisot’s comments. Mr. Parisot made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to add “c” under Goal #7 to other county departments as applicable. Mr. Boyles asked the Chairman for confirmation that the vote is on the Strategic Plan with this amendment to which the Chairman replied in the affirmative. 5 yeas. $450,000 FISHING REEF GRANT Mr. Windes stated that he has been under the weather for the last eight or nine days and has been unable to review the information on the $450,000 fishing reef grant the county received. He asked for the subject to be placed on the next agenda for discussion. March 5, 2013 -18- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. _____________________________ _______________________________ DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) **** March 5, 2013 -19- Minute Book 68, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners