Okaloosa County BOCC — April 5, 2016 — Regular BCC Meeting 02.16.2016

February 16 , 2016 Regular Meeting The regular Tuesday meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 6 : 00 p . m. at the County Administration Building in Shalimar . Members present were Charles K. Windes , Jr ., Chairman ; Carolyn Ketchel , Vice Chairman ; Wayne Harris ; Nathan Boyles ; and Trey Goodwin . Also present were Gary J . Stanford , Finance Director , Clerk ' s Office ; John Hofstad , County Administrator ; and Greg Stewart , County Attorney. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ' S UDPATE Mr . Hofstad reported Senator Joe Negron has introduced a general appropriations bill to allocate funding for the Crestview Courthouse . He advised staff will prepare letters of support for the bill and asked for authorization for the Chairman to sign those letters . Mr . Boyles made motion , seconded by Mr . Harris , to authorize staff to craft letters of support for this general appropriations bill and for the Chairman to execute same . 5 yeas . Mr . Hof st ad stated he received a telephone call from our state lobbyist regarding the TDD funding bill authorizing use of up to 10 % tourist tax revenues for public safety in the tourist district . He said there is reluctance to support the bill without a cap . Mr . Hofstad added that other counties are requesting the cap be set higher , perhaps at 15 %. He explained that if 15 % is approved , that would mean an expenditure in Okaloosa County of $1 . 5 Million to $1 . 7 Million for public safety (lifeguards and law enforcement) . Mr . Hof st ad asked the commissioners for input , stressing there will probably be no support of the bill without a cap . Mr . Harris made motion , seconded by Mrs . Ketchel , to support a 15 % cap for use of TDD funds for public safety . Mr . Windes commented it is his belief that if it is left open-ended , " it will not fly . " He said 15 % is fair . Mr . Boyles reaffirmed his position from the last meeting and said he believes in local control . He stated the commissioners are closest to the people and are the ones who are accountable to the people . Mr . Boyles said he does not believe Tallahassee should set a cap . Mr . Goodwin expressed his concern regarding the proposed change in law and setting a cap . He noted there is currently no cap and he will not support the motion because he believes the Board is February 16 , 2016 -1- Minute Book 74 , Page 1 17 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners already vested by l aw to expend those funds . Mr . Harris state these words are appropriate and after further consideration he will withdraw his motion . Mr . Windes announced the motion dies for lack of support . COUNTY ATTORNEY ' S UPDATE Mr . Stewart requested the Board schedule an Exe cu ti ve Session following the regular meeting on March 1 in order to provide an update on litigation with the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) . He advised that he will prepare the public notice for the Session . Mr . Boyles made motion , seconded by Mr . Harris , to schedule an Executive Session to discuss DJJ litigation at the conclusion of the March 1 meeting . 5 yeas . COMMISSIONER ' S MINUTE Mrs . Ketchel congratulated Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson on the success of the Okaloosa County School System and thanked her for making a difference . Mr . Goodwin stated he has nothing . Mr . Harris said he would like to defer his time to Mrs . Jackson and asked her to come forward to provide information to the Board . He noted that Okaloosa County Schools are now Number 2 in the State . Mrs . Jackson stated the School System is looking for help , referring specifically to the Robotics Program . She said they are looking at some parcels for the program and asked if the Board will allow its staff to help look for a potential location to house the Regional Robotics Fair/Competition . Mrs . Jacks