Okaloosa County BOCC — May 17, 2016 — Emerald Coast Bridge Authority — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: May 17, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Roland Sims Jr. SUBJECT: Emerald Coast Bridge Authority DEPARTMENT: County Administrator BCC DISTRICT: District: 1, 3 & 5 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Previously, the Florida Legislature created the Fort Walton Beach Bridge Authority to work with the development of bridge access to Okaloosa Island. That entity was dissolved in 1999 by the Florida Legislature and its functions were assumed by a new entity entitled the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority. Though the Authority has not formally met for several years, it has continued to file annual reports and has participated in the Florida Department of Transportation’s presentations related to the study of access to Okaloosa Island. Notwithstanding the Authority’s role, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has filed a notice to declare the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority is inactive. That is a preliminary step to the potential dissolving of the Authority. To allow a complete analysis of the continued need for the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority, including its role in any future studies related to access to Okaloosa Island, and to preserve the County’s rights to present matters related to the Authority’s future role, a petition has been filed with the Department, seeking a review of that determination. BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS: Previously, the Florida Legislature created the Fort Walton Beach Bridge Authority to work with the development of bridge access to Okaloosa Island. That entity was dissolved in 1999 by the Florida Legislature and its functions were assumed by a new entity entitled the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority. Though the Authority has not formally met for several years, it has continued to file annual reports and has participated in the Florida Department of Transportation’s presentations related to the study of access to Okaloosa Island. Notwithstanding the Authority’s role, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has filed a notice to declare the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority is inactive. That is a preliminary step to the potential dissolving of the Authority. To allow a complete analysis of the continued need for the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority, including its role in any future studies related to access to Okaloosa Island, and to preserve the County’s rights to present matters related to the Authority’s future role, a petition has been filed with the Department, seeking a review of that determination. The Authority was originally formed to provide a coordination of efforts for the study of access to Okaloosa Island. With the most recent efforts by the Florida Department of Transportation, it is likely that the Authority will be a potential entity that could assist in this process locally. At this point, it is the position of staff that the determination that the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority is inactive is premature. As it was necessary to file the petition to preserve the County’s remedies, staff needs the Board’s ratification of the authority to file the petition with the Department of Economic Opportunity to seek a review of the status of the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority. If the Board determines that it is not necessary to participate in this review, then the petition would be dismissed. OPTIONS: Approve or disapprove the filing of a petition seeking a determination of the active status of the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board authorize and ratify the institution of the action seeking a determination as to the status of the Emerald Coast Bridge Authority. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator