Okaloosa County BOCC — December 16, 2014 — Oct21,2014 — reading text

duties of issuing driver's licenses with a majority of those fees being returned to the State. Mr. Amunds asked if the same scenario applies to the issuance of concealed carry permits. Mr. Anderson replied the Tax Collector receives $6.25 per driver's license issued. He reported there is good news on the horizon, saying they will receive a portion of the $48 fee for driver's licenses which now goes to the State. Mr, Anderson said it will become more of a break-even operation. With regard to the issuance of concealed carry permits, Mr. Anderson stated the Department of agriculture provided his office with the needed equipment and there is no significant expense. October 21, 2014 -17- Minute Book 72, Page 32 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners (NOTE: Mr, Parisot left at 8:15 p.m, and did not return to the meeting.) OLD BUSINESS - OPTION FOR NEW COUNTY-OWNED FACILITY FOR TAX COLLECTOR IN NICEVILLE Mr. Anderson stated a few weeks ago he asked support from the county about getting out of the rental business. He described the activities which are carried out in his Niceville office. Mr. Anderson said the rent on the Niceville facility is “pretty expensive” and there are 11 years remaining on the lease. He reiterated his desire to get out of the rental business and said he wants to partner with the Board. Mr. Anderson requested a loan of $95,000, to be paid in $25,000-increments, to begin the search for a new location. The loaned dollars would be used for site or building evaluations, establishing preliminary cost estimates and providing general due diligence related to the relocation of the Niceville operations. Mr, Amunds said the county should not be in the rental business and made comment about looking at the old Bank of America Building which has been listed for sale. Mr. Amunds made motion to allow Mr. Anderson to weigh out the different proposals and to work with staff on available county-owned properties first. Continuing, he said if there is a need to put money into the search, to approve a $25,000 line item for specs. The motion would include a provision for reporting back to the Board and turning in receipts for expenditures. Mr. Anderson stated he would prefer to look at the properties and to have draws in $25,000 increments and to report back to the County Administrator and Chief Financial Officer on a monthly basis. He said, “Allow me to work,” adding that he does not want to be layered in government. Mr. Anderson stated there will be full disclosure and he wants to get out there and search the market. Mr, amunds responded that county staff is evaluating the Bank of America building. He said that he wants to look at the opportunities before giving the money. Mr. Amunds also noted the agenda request did not have much information in it. Mr. Anderson replied that he has no problem with communication with the commissioners but would like to communicate and work with the Administrator and staff. Upon inguiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Anderson stated he is asking for operational funds. He said October 21, 2014 -18- Minute Book 72, Page 33 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners he never wanted to ask for funds but he just depleted the money im his bank account. Mr. Amunds pointed out the county has three capital projects planned and has been trying to build up Reserves. He expressed concern at taking $95,000 out of the Reserves only one month after adoption of the budget. Mr. Amunds commented that Mr. Hofstad’s threshold is up to $50,000. Mr. Anderson responded that his office turned back more than $400,000. He added “the statutes allow us to work independently of the Bcc.” Mr. Boyles told Mr, Anderson they understand the reason he needs money. He said Mr. Anderson can move more quickly if the Board gives him the money. However, Mr. Boyles said he is accountable to the public for those dollars and this needs to be done the right way. He spoke about an in-depth financial analysis and the likelihood of authorizing a new building against some other property. Mr. Boyles felt allocations could be made subject to monthly reporting. He advised Mr. Anderson he would not get authorization to buy a building without a detailed analysis. Mr. Boyles asked how much money is needed to create a cost scenario for an existing county asset in Niceville. Mr. Anderson’'s answer was between $50,000 and $75,000. He added that initially he only needs $25,000. Mr. Boyles made motion, seconded by Mr. Amunds, to authorize a loan of $50,000 with monthly expenditure reports, to look at an existing county-owned property and to provide an actual cost analysis for construction. Mr. Amunds said Mr. Hofstad should be kept in the loop. Mr. Boyles asked if there is any objection to Mr. Hofetad having direct signature authority with direction to return to the Board with details. Mr. Harris posed a question on the Auditor General’s (AGO) comments on making after-the-fact payments and how the AGO comments will apply to this action. Mr. Stewart replied the AGO’‘s complaint was that advance payments must be approved by the Board and he believes the motion will cover that issue, Mr. Anderson repeated the Board is loaning him money. The vote was taken-4 yeas. (Mr. Parisot was not present.) OLD BUSINESS - APPROVAL OF FY 2015 SECOND QUARTER CALENDAR Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Boyles, to approve the revised calendar for January, February and March 2015. 4 yeas. (Mr. Parisot was not present.) October 21, 2014 -19- Minute Book 72, Page 34 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Walter smith, Niceville, stated that he spoke with General Harris’ office regarding the landfill north of Niceville. He said he was referred to the county. He felt the landfill should be cleaned up, saying Turkey Creek is ‘down wind” of the landfill. Mr, Hofstad told Mr. Smith the landfill he mentioned is closed and is in active remediation through the Florida Department of Environment Protection (FDEP). He explained it is a permitted facility with treatment facilities on site. Mr. Hofstad reported the county received concession that construction of a “pump and treat system” was not required. He said there are a series of monitoring wells around the landfill and assured him the pollution has not exceeded the boundaries of the landfill. Mr. Smith asked why Eglin did not know about these things. Mr. Hofstad replied the county leases that land from Eglin and reassured him Eglin does know what the county is doing. He said the county has people at that site almost daily, pointing out it ig a secluded, abandoned, closed landfill with a locked gate. Mr. Smith asked about the Baker Landfill. Mr. Hofstad answered that landfill is actively treated. When asked if the landfill debris would be removed, Mr. Hofstad replied “We will follow the permit process.” ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. DON W, HOWARD CHARLES K. WINDES, JR., CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Teresa Ward.) October 21, 2014 -20- Minute Book 72, Page 35 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners