Okaloosa County BOCC — February 17, 2015 — County Projects for RESTORE Consideration — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: February 17, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Rick Owen SUBJECT: County Projects for RESTORE Consideration DEPARTMENT: County Administrator BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request Board discussion and guidance for submitting projects from County departments for RESTORE Act Direct Component Consideration. BACKGROUND: Through Okaloosa County Resolution 13-47, the Board established the Okaloosa RESTORE Advisory Committee (ORAC) with the responsibility of developing “an application and application procedure for potential projects or activities to be funded by RESTORE Act funds and solicit and accept all applications.” After developing both the application and evaluation instrument, the “Committee shall review and rank each proposed project and activity based upon the guidelines provided in the RESTORE Act, federal rules, approved Okaloosa County Multi-Year Plan, community needs, desires, and other relevant factors, including the best available science for natural resource protection or restoration projects or activities. The Committee’s rankings shall be compiled in each category. The Committee shall then submit the lists to the Board of County Commissioners for review and approval or disapproval.” For the purpose of submission to the ORAC, Okaloosa County departments require direction on and approval of the Board to submit projects that will benefit the citizens of Okaloosa County and that are in keeping with the requirements of the RESTORE Act. To facilitate discussion, staff is providing several alternatives that will assist departments with this process. 1. The Board can request a prioritized list of project ideas and direct staff to submit any or all of the items on this list to the ORAC for evaluation, or 2. The Board can, without prior review, direct staff to submit any or all projects that are compatible with existing County goals, objectives, and responsibilities and consistent with the requirements of the RESTORE Act for ORAC evaluation subject to approval by the County Administrator. 3. The Board can give direction on the types of projects to submit and then allow staff to develop and submit projects meeting the Board’s criteria for ORAC evaluation. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Board give direction on the types of projects and permit staff to develop and submit for ORAC evaluation. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator