Okaloosa County BOCC — April 27, 2013 — reading text

9.3 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: March 19, 2013 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: James D. Curry SUBJECT: State Legislative Priorities and Discussion DEPARTMENT: County Administrator BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Members of the Board will travel to Tallahassee in the coming weeks to meet with members of our State legislative delegation regarding the legislative priorities previously memorialized by the BCC. The previously approved State Legislative Priorities are being provided to the Board as an update in preparation for the Tallahassee trip. Additionally, request discussion and direction on proposed letter to State Legislature. BACKGROUND: During the Board of County Commissioners' meeting held on October 16, 2012 at 6pm in Fort Walton Beach, the Board held a discussion on the 2013 Legislative issues and priorities for the County. After concluding the discussion, the Board approved the attached list of State Legislative Issues and Priorities. Also attached to this agenda item is the narrative brought to the State Legislative delegation by Commissioner Parisot on February 26, 2013. During the Commissioner's Minute at the BCC meeting held on March 5, 2013 at 6pm at the Crestview Courthouse, Commissioner Boyles requested a letter from the Commission to the Florida State Legislature asking for flexibility in the use of TDD bed tax dollars to help offset the increased cost of public safety as well as the impact on infrastructure during peak tourist season. Attached to this agenda item is a copy of the letter sent from Commissioner Boyles to Representative Matthew Gaetz regarding this subject. Request the Board discuss and provide direction on submitting this letter. OPTIONS: Approve/Disapprove State Legislative Priorities. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends approval of State Legislative Priorities. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: Packet Pg. 1001  9.3 James D. Curry, County Administrator Packet Pg. 1002  9.3.a State Legislative Issues • Support legislation that would provide an equitable share of State DMV drivers licenses with the counties who are providing the drivers license services via the County Tax Collector offices • Support continued State Aid to Libraries. (Library Cooperative) Attachment: Okaloosa 2013 State Legislative Issues (1481 : State Legislative Priorities and Discussion) • Oppose any legislation or rule that would change juvenile detention cost share assessment as determined by the recent DOAH order. (Corrections) • Support legislation that would have DJJ assuming responsibility for all secure juvenile detention – predisposition or otherwise. (Corrections) • Oppose any legislation that would increase the amount of time that a defendant would spend in custody before being placed on pre-trial release. (Corrections) • Oppose any legislation that would limit a defendant’s qualifications for pretrial release supervision or otherwise weaken pretrial services programs. (Corrections) • Support legislation that limits medical costs to 110% of the Medicare rate. (Corrections) • Support legislation that returns retirement age to 55 years and length of service to 25 years for Special Risk Class members. (Corrections) • Support the continuation of Coordinated Transportation Disadvantaged system and to avoid costly duplication of TD Systems (Growth Management) • To enhance and maintain the independence of the state’s five water management districts. Northwest Florida is facing totally different issues than South Florida related to water supply (Water & Sewer) • Oppose the Competitive Consultants Negotiations Act (CCNA). The current system is working great and does not need to be changed. Right now, we select the most qualified consultant for each particular project, and then negotiate to come to terms. If that were changed to make it price based, we could be severely affected by having to hire less-than- qualified engineering firms to perform critical infrastructure projects. To do this would be making the engineering profession a commodity (Water & Sewer) • Support legislation in favor of Self-Performing Construction Projects. The current legislation is transparent and does not need to be changed. If we desire to perform a construction project with our own crews valued at over $300,000, we need to have a Public Meeting to gain Board Approval after proving that self-performance is in the public’s best interest. We can perform the project faster, better, and more economical that contracting it out, in which contractors add markup, profit, per diem, etc. and the quality is often compromised by cutting corners. From year to year, there is proposed legislation that would prohibit self-performance of projects. Such a change to the current legislation would not be in the public’s best interest (Water & Sewer) Packet Pg. 1003  9.3.b Packet Pg. 1004 Attachment: Letter from Commissioner Boyles on TDD Tax Provisions (1481 : State Legislative Priorities and Discussion)  9.3.c Over the past several years, we realize that you have been forced to make some very tough decisions in order to keep our State running and providing vital services to our constituents. The County Commission has faced the same challenges at the local level, having cut millions of dollars from our annual budget and reducing County staff by 135 positions since 2008 while maintaining the lowest county-wide ad valorem rate in the State. We have all answered the call of our citizens to do more with less and the coming year will be no different. While the issues I come to you with today, representing the Attachment: 2013 Legislative Delegation Narrative (1481 : State Legislative Priorities and Discussion) Board, is not inclusive of our entire list of legislative concerns, I ask for your consideration for the following important issues that could affect our county and our citizens. The Board is adamantly opposed to any legislation that would increase the amount of time that a defendant must remain in custody prior to adjudication and oppose any legislation that would limit a defendant’s ability to be granted pre-trial release while awaiting trial. Because of the importance of emerging technology in the areas of research and social media and the role libraries will play in providing this technology to the citizens, we ask your support of legislation that would continue State Aid to Libraries. As the County Department of Corrections is affected by many external cost drivers for inmate health care, it must make special efforts to contain those costs that are within its control. We therefore support legislation that limits our county’s inmate medical expenses to 110% of the Medicare allowable rate or to a lower rate if such can be attained, very similar to the provisions that are afforded the State Department of Corrections. This limitation is one of several that has continued to show improvement in cost containment. The County has been heavily impacted by the elimination of local DMV offices operated by State personnel. Under current policies, the total of the State drivers license fees are remitted to the State with local tax collectors adding a $6.25 surcharge to the costs of licenses which tax collectors retain. We ask your support of legislation that would provide an equitable share of State DMV fees with county Tax Collector offices. In the area of Transportation, we are very thankful that the overpass on Hwy 98 at the entrance to Hurlburt AFB has been fully funded and under contract, and with Governor Scott and Secretary Prasad’s announcement last week of an additional $38.5 million from Florida’s Families First Budget to fund the two bridges and the final road construction phase, that the 4-laning of SR 123 should be completed by 2016. The next priorities for State Transportation funding for our county now become the Foy Shaw Road entrance to Bob Sikes Airport from Hwy 90, and the western bypass for Hwy 85 in Crestview utilizing P.J. Adams and Antioch Road. The south entrance to Bob Sikes Airport will greatly enhance further economic development and job creation in Okaloosa County, while the Crestview western bypass will greatly alleviate traffic congestion on Ferdon Blvd. The citizens of Okaloosa County thank you for your service and count on your continued support. Packet Pg. 1005  10.1 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: March 19, 2013 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Commissioner Dave Parisot SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting Public Input at Meetings Request discussion and consideration of the approval of a Resolution supporting Senate Bill 50 (CS for SB 50) and House Bill 23 (CS for HB 23) which support the right for members of the public to be heard at meetings of governmental boards and commissions. Upon signing by the Chairman, request that the Resolutions be sent to local legislative delegation members as well as to the bill sponsors Senator Joe Negron and Representative Ray Rodrigues. As this is pending legislation, request this Resolution be e-mailed to the respective legislators followed by mailed copies. Request a copy be sent to Barbara Petersen at the First Amendment Foundation, 336 East College Ave, Suite 101, Tallahassee, FL 32301 E-mail: Sunshine@floridafaf.org Packet Pg. 1006  10.1.a Resolution Attachment: RESOLUTION in Support of HB 23 and SB 50 (1483 : Resolution Supporting Public Input at Meetings) A resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County, Florida, supporting Florida Senate Bill CS for SB 50 and Florida House of Representatives Bill CS for HB 23 pertaining to the right for members of the public to be heard at meetings of governmental boards and commissions. WHEREAS, the week of March 10-16, 2013 is recognized as National