Okaloosa County BOCC — April 27, 2013 — 2013 Legislative Delegation Narrative — reading text

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 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.