Okaloosa County BOCC — March 3, 2015 — Jan 27, 2015 County Priorities Development Workshop — reading text

January 27, 2015 2015 County Priorities Development Workshop A workshop to discuss development of county priorities for 2015 was called to order at 10:00 a.m. at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. Members present were Nathan D. Boyles, Chairman; Charles K. Windes, Jr., Vice Chairman; Wayne Harris; Carolyn Ketchel; and Trey Goodwin. Also present were J. D. Peacock, II, Clerk of Circuit Court; John Hofstad, County Administrator; Lynn Hoshihara sitting in for Greg Stewart, County Attorney; and Gary Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office. Mr. Boyles thanked staff for coordinating the meeting today. He stated in the past we have been reactionary, looking backwards, and picking up pieces. Mr. Boyles said he is optimistic we are going to be looking forward and the purpose of this workshop is to focus on challenges ahead and 1look for actions that are achievable in the next eleven months. He was hopeful there could be a transition to this type of planning before the budget process each year. Mr. Boyles outlined the three items on the agenda for discussion: 1. Improve infrastructure A. Develop a road paving and improvement matrix with quantifiable criteria for the ranking of road pavement and improvement priorities. B. Develop a list of RESTORE Act eligible projects for submittal to ORAC for funding consideration and direct the completion of funding application. C. Create a functional Transit Cooperative to revitalize and redefine the role of public transit in Okaloosa County. 2, Support economic development and diversification A, Adopt a Master Economic Development Ordinance to better coordinate economic development activity in Okaloosa County. B. Complete the site selection process at Bob Sikes Airport and begin recruitment of qualified tenants. C. Inventory and evaluate future economic development sites and industrial parks within Okaloosa County to include infrastructure analysis, etc. Use results of January 27, 2015 -1- Minute Book 72, Page 126 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners analysis to prioritize locations and develop long-term marketing and management plans. 3. Refocus on the customer A, Re-tool the budget presentation and adoption process to improve transparency and develop an annual pre- budget priorities development process. B. Complete a comprehensive review of the Code of Ordinances and Land Development Code (LDC) and adopt changes to simplify and modernize the Code and LDC. C. Improve the fraud reporting process to include improvement of the anonymous reporting system with distribution to multiple independent agencies. He requested the commissioners and staff members to be fully engaged in this conversation. Mr. Harris commented we have a finite amount of money and people. He stated we can prioritize but we must remember Okaloosa County has the lowest tax base in the state and those dollars do not go far. Mr. Harris said the department heads sitting around the table have had to stretch those dollars. Item 1A. Public Works Director Jason Autrey stated the department has taken a first run at ranking projects. He suggested a presentation in the near future to demonstrate how the projects were prioritized. Item 1B. Mr. Hofstad stated when planning for use of RESTORE Act dollars the objective 1is to address pressing county needs. He said there are a number of needs relating to stormwater and roads. Mr. Hofstad said on the heels of the BP Deepwater Horizon O0il Spill, the <county launched into a process of identifying projects relating to the natural habitat for NRDA dollars. He advised they were unsuccessful in their bid to obtain NRDA funds. Subsequently, he said they looked at outfalls into water basins and identified more than 50 which were impacted. Information was gathered regarding costs to retrofit the outfalls. Mr. Hofstad stated he would 1like for Rick Owen, County Administration Manager, to speak on the Okaloosa RESTORE Act Advisory Committee (ORAC). Mr. Owen repored the committee has a process in place for receiving and screening/vetting projects. January 27, 2015 -2- Minute Book 72, Page 127 QOkaloosa County Board of County Commissioners He noted there has not been a formalized process to add county projects to the mix. Mr. Boyles stated this committee is moving forward and many outside entities will be interested in the screening process. He was of the opinion staff should be directed to develop the most important projects and complete the regquisite application. Mr. Boyles said they should have the same scrutiny as any other project. Mr. Windes said this is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get some improvements done. He felt stormwater to be the most important and cautioned against overdoing the number of projects submitted. Mr. Hofstad agreed, saying there is qualifying criteria and staff will update the Board on what projects they would like to submit. Mr. Boyles said it 1is appropriate for staff to bring back, through Mr. Owen, a timeline regarding the actual process to keep departments on notice on submissions. Mr. Hofstad stated he will work with Mr. Owen to bring an update in 30-45 days with the ORAC criteria, as well as the types of projects to be submitted. Item 1C. Growth Management Director Ellict Kampert stated by the end of February we should have three major population centers (Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin) in a cooperative arrangement for public transportation. Mr. Harris stated in the past there was a problem because the cities did not have representation or input. Mrs. Ketchel said she is glad to hear the county and cities are working together. Upon inguiry by Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Kampert explained the difference between fixed route and paratransit. Mrs. Ketchel stated she would 1like to see covered shelters for the bus riders. Mr. Boyles noted public transit has been a contentious subject at each budget hearing. He said he has a vision that a transit cooperative could be developed similar to the library cooperative. Mr. Harris addressed issues about the viability of the transit system because it does not pay for itself. He said those who ride the buses are passionate but there has Dbeen a louder cry from those (the taxpayers) who pay for others to ride the buses. January 27, 2015 -3- Minute Book 72, Page 128 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Boyles asked if there are other infrastructure needs which have not been listed. Water & Sewer Director Jeff Littrell stated we have an aging infrastructure system, saying there are 147 sewer pump stations. He advised the WWTP near the Santa Rosa County line needs major renovation. Mr. Littrell correlated some of the issues to the sheer size and geography of the service area. He underscored the fact the system is very large and disconnected. Mr. Autrey said it takes not only dollars but people to get the work done. He stated he has 17 men in his crews. Mr. Autrey said he can give you the top ten projects but at the end of the day, there is only so much that can be done with the resources he has. Chief Corrections Office Paul Lawson asked the Board to keep in mind that one day there will be a need to expand the jail and it will require significant funding. Mr. Harris pointed out that a number of the county facilities are old and in need of massive repairs. He felt the county buildings should be included in the discussion. Mr. Boyles summarized that work should be done on a road matrix, ranking critical needs in the county, and preparing a matrix of facilities, including the needs of the Constitutional Officers. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the old Fort Walton Beach Hospital. Issues included consideration to demolish a portion of the facility, use by the Council on Aging and Opportunity, Inc. and a suggestion for use as a homeless shelter. Mr. Goodwin said it would Dbe beneficial to undertake a comprehensive analysis of all properties and to identify any surplus properties that could be shed from the county and put back into the private sector. Mr. Boyles stated a new item could be a matrix for facilities and properties (to be listed as Item 1D), saying he realizes that type analysis was done 1in the past. Mr. Harris said the Okaloosa Citizens Alliance (OCA) prepared a comprehensive study and the county did sell some of its surplus property. Mr. Autrey stated Public Works has a 1list of properties, not necessarily facilities, which have been reviewed by the departments to determine if they are needed or surplus. January 27, 2015 -4- Minute Book 72, Page 129 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Windes asked if a comprehensive analysis is needed because tweo vyears ago this was done. He referred to the old FWB Hospital and said portions of that building are beyond repair and could be used for a parking lot. Mr. Boyles said Item 1D will be left as is but staff will be given direction to focus on the old FWB Hospital first. Mr. Hofstad replied he will try to bring something back to the Board for its February 17 meeting. Item 2A: Mr. Hofstad stated the main economic driver in Okaloosa County is tourism and the Department of Defense. He said with Airbus coming to Mobile, Alabama, the Bob Sikes Airport 1is a prime location for auxiliary/support services. Mr. Hofstad asked how do we attract these businesses to our area. Mr. Harris stated Nathan Sparks is doing a great job as the Executive Director of the Economic Development Council (EDC). He listed a number of improvements at the Bob Sikes Airport, including $22 Million in infrastructure upgrades and creation of Foy Shaw Boulevard as the primary entrance to the airport. Mr. Harris stated we also have two other industrial parks in the county, Holt and Fort Walton Beach, and we need to capitalize on them. Mr. Sparks stated he will work with the county to enhance the competitiveness of our community. He reported that he just returned from the International EDC Spring Workshop and told the commissioners that business leaders around the world know about the county’s assets. Mr. Sparks said the voters mandated in August a renewal of the tax exemption for qualifying industries. He recommended a master economic ordinance be drafted and suggested provision for an ombudsman or liaison between the county and the businesses. Mr. Harris asked Airports Director Sunil Harman to comment on the infrastructure placed at Bob Sikes Airport. Mr. Harman stated last Spring the department came to the Board regarding participation in the Gulf Power initiative for industrial park site certification. He said five parcels were designated for the program. Additionally, Mr. Harman stated $27 Million of needed infrastructure has Dbeen addressed over the 1last ten years. He briefly spoke about the plans for the Foy Shaw Boulevard to provide direct access to the airport. January 27, 2015 -5- Minute Book 72, Page 130 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Boyles stated this discussion is more in line with Item 2B and asked 1if there is any link to economic development. Mr. Harman answered he believes there is a link because Bob Sikes Airport is included in the economic development activity and the individuals/businesses who are prepared to invest at the airport and industrial park are looking for incentives. He added that Bob Sikes Airport 1is already supporting a number of defense contractors and we must ensure Congress continues to fund them. Mr. Goodwin stated we must make sure we protect the businesses already in the county. Mr. Kampert referred to the permitting process and stated there is an expedited process for economic projects in the LDC. With regard to creating a post of ombudsman, he said the LDC has provision for the County Administrator to work with the businesses. RECESS - The workshop was recessed at 11:30 a.m. and reconvened at 11:40 a.m. Mr. Boyles stated he would like to give Henry Kelly, Director of Community