Okaloosa County BOCC — May 20, 2014 — Agenda — reading text

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: December 3, 2013 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Jeff Littrell SUBJECT: Future Water Supply Planning Update DEPARTMENT: Water and Sewer BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Staff is providing an overall update to the Board on future water supply planning efforts. OCWS is requesting approval from by the Board to move forward with the Shoal River Buffer Land Acquisition with grant funding that has been obtained. BACKGROUND: See attached files: "OCWS Future Water Supply Update" - explains the need, background/history, and next steps. "OCWS Future Water Supply Plan (Map)" - depicts the current plan/strategy, after years of planning. This map shows potential locations for the following infrastructure: surface water treatment plant, off-line reservoir, river intake structure, raw water pumping station, transmission lines, roads, and the Gulf Power transmission line relocation. "2010 Implementation Plan (Updated")" - the BCC approved this plan in February 2010. At the time, it was an unfunded road map. Since then, we have entered into as many partnerships as possible - Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), Eglin Air Force Base, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - to accomplish many items on this Implementation Plan. Items highlighted in green are completed, and items highlighted in yellow are underway. "REPI Map" - this is Exhibit B of the REPI agreements (Readiness & Environmental Protection Initiative) and functions as a road map for the Shoal River Buffer Land Acquisition. The following is the recommended steps to move forward with the Shoal River Buffer Land Acquisition: - Retain real estate attorney to manage closing and ensure all local, state, and federal requirements are met. - Obtain asking price and questionnaire form from property owner. - Conduct 2 land appraisals in conformance with State Statutes & Air Force standards. - Negotiate with property owner and sign contract (will bring back to BCC for approval & execution). - During contract period (6-12 months): - Survey - Environmental Baseline Survey - Title work & insurance - Restrictive Use Easement reviewed & signed by Air Force - Obtain money from Eglin AFB for the land purchase and allowable transaction costs. - Closing - Okaloosa County would now own the property. - Restrictive Use Easement to the Air Force would be executed by Okaloosa County. All land acquisition costs and closing costs are reimbursable through the REPI and DIG grants. However, in moving forward with this process, OCWS assumes the financial risk of any expenses, should we not close on the property. These expenses are minimal compared to the benefit and value of the land to be purchased. Please note that, because we may be beginning the early stages of negotiating a land purchase, the dollars and acreage are not being publicly disclosed at this time. This process is very similar to the same process the State goes through when purchasing land. In putting together the above- mentioned steps, staff consulted with the state, Purchasing, Eglin, and the Clerk of Court. OPTIONS: Approve or deny. RECOMMENDATIONS: OCWS staff recommends BCC approval for OCWS staff to move forward with the Shoal River Buffer Land Acquisition with grant funding that has been obtained. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: Ernie Padgett, County Administrator