Okaloosa County BOCC — February 17, 2015 — BCC Minutes Jan 6 2015 — reading text

it will provide the fastest return with development of properties along the roadway. Mr. Chesser stated there are other options to fund this much needed project, such as gas taxes or ad valorem taxes, He pointed out that last year he paid about $100,000 in ad valorem taxes and does not want to pay any higher taxes. Mr. Chesser stated if the North County TIF works well, in a few years the county could establish a TIF for South County. He also pointed out that if the TIF does not work well, “you can unwind it.” January 6, 2015 -6- Minute Book 72, Page 94 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Chesser said Dr. Lewis is present to answer any financial guestions. He noted that Dr. Lewls was formerly with the HAAS Center but is now the President of Career Source Initiative of Florida. Mr. Boyles opened the floor for public comment. Mr. Dave Parisot, Shalimar, distributed a three-page written statement to the commissioners and clerk. He questioned the proposed use of what he called a “rake-off” of property taxes for the next twenty years for the proposed project. Mr. Parisot felt the use of gas taxes to be a better alternative and detailed his rationale for this conclusion. He posed questions on how the proposed ordinance 1s to be implemented and the impact on South County property owners. No other individuals came forward to speak and the discussion was brought back to the commissioners. Mr. Harris stated the Board recently implemented an increase of three cents of the Local Option Gas Tax and still has two cents available. Upon inguiry by Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Stewart explained the ordinance does have a provision to collect the TIF for twenty years but it can be modified by the Board. He stressed to the commissioners they are not locked in and could divert those funds, such as for needs for a catastrophic event. Mr. Stewart reiterated the idea the Board is locked into use of these funds for P J Adams Parkway 1is a mistake, advising the ordinance can be repealed or amended to provide the Board with flexibility. Mr. Goodwin stated until the project 1is collateralized, there 1is no commitment. Mr. Stewart relied, "“yes.” Mrs. Ketchel stated Mr. Parisot made good points. She commented that a thin revenue would limit other projects in the county. Mrs. Ketchel said she knows there is a need to do something for traffic flow and evacuation routes and asked why this has to be wrapped up in a TIF. She asked why money cannot be set aside for this project for a number of years. Mr. Hofstad responded the TIF concept was the solution absent another option. He stressed they do not have an option for funding such a large project. Mr. Hofstad confirmed there are two cents remaining in the gas tax which could be implemented or the Board could reallocate the three cents already adopted. January 6, 2015 -7~ Minute Book 72, Page 95 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners This alternative would require a modification of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects. Use of existing gas tax revenue would require backing out $650,000 for CIP projects. He advised another option is to make it Board policy in upcoming years to set aside money specifically for P J Adams Parkway. Mr. Windes stated a year or so ago he was an advocate for the TIF but it i1s now his second favorite option. He agreed the project is necessary and said he favors the gas tax method. Mr. Windes said people understand the use of Local Option Gas Taxes for specific road construction projects. Mr. Boyles summarized, saying there seems to be five options: (1) do nothing (2) segregate existing revenue into a P J Adams Parkway account, which would displace other projects (3) wuse existing gas tax revenue (4) raise gas taxes (5) adopt the TIF He said the TIF 1is a mechanism to create a savings account, taking money not currently allocated and setting it aside. Mr. Boyles stated it does not eat into existing revenues but could eat into future priorities. He stated citizens are concerned about the creep of government and we need to get ahead of that. Mr. Boyles said he will forego the TIF if it is replaced with a suitable alternative. Mr. Harris stated this directly affects District I and III but also affects the districts in South County too. He noted that he has spoken with City of Crestview officials and did not get the impression the City will "“come on board with it.” Mr. Harris shared that he 1is torn, saying his concern is that it could encumber future Boards and require ad valorem taxes to be raised. Mr. Harris agreed with Mr. Parisot regarding use of the gas taxes. He said the TIF would bring in $250,000 but a half-cent of gas tax would bring in $300,000. Mr. Harris stated he is amenable to going with use of the gas tax, saying it is a user fee and is most fair. Mr. Windes thanked Mr. Chesser for the work he and the team did on the TIF. He asked if the City of Crestview has declined participation. Mr. Chesser replied he has had no answer either way from the City. Mr. Windes said that gives him reservations. January 6, 2015 -8- Minute Book 72, Page 96 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Mr. Windes made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to table consideration of the TIF for the time being and at the next Crestview meeting entertain other options. Mr. Stewart asked if he should prepare an ordinance for that meeting or will it be for discussion only with a future public hearing and ordinance to be advertised. Mr. Boyles replied we should table the discussion for a date and time certain and a subsequent motion should be made for an ordinance relating to use of gas tax. Mr. Goodwin requested clarification on the motion. Mr. Boyles replied the motion 1is to table for a time certain and to consider other options. Mr. Windes advised his intent is to consider use of gas taxes at the next meeting. Mrs. Ketchel asked if we are talking about new gas taxes or existing gas taxes. Mr. Boyles asked for the motion to be withdrawn and Mr. Windes complied by withdrawing his motion. Mr. Boyles stated two commissioners have given consideration to increasing the gas tax instead of adopting the TIF. He said a super majority 1is required to increase the gas tax. Mrs. Ketchel stated she will not support an increase in the gas tax. Mr. Windes said he would like to explore all options, including use of a half-cent of the existing gas taxes. Mr. Goodwin made motion, seconded by Mrs. Ketchel, to table the TIF public hearing until February 3 at 9 a.m. in Crestview. 4 yeas, 1 nay. (Mr. Boyles voted no.) Mr. Harris stated his second for the previous motion was in support of a new penny of gas taxes not for use of existing. Mr. Goodwin made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to direct staff to bring back information on additional options in lieu of the TIF, such as increasing the gas tax or using existing gas or some other form of the existing revenue stream. Mr. Hofstad remarked he thought the consideration was down to two options, saying he gathered from the discussion that increasing the gas tax was not an option. Mr. Goodwin replied he understands Mr. Hofstad’s point and asked why work on an option with no viability. He said he is opposed to raising gas taxes but will not say “never.” Mr. Goodwin amended his motion to direct staff to bring back information on the two options. Mr. Windes stated he is not interested in raising taxes, pointing out that means there are three votes against raising the gas tax. Mr. Goodwin restated his motion: direct staff to return at the February 3 meeting with additional information on the two January 6, 2015 -9- Minute Book 72, Page 97 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners remaining options for P J Adams Parkway. Those options are reallocating existing gas taxes or a saving account from existing revenue sources. Mr. Harris withdrew his second. Mrs. Ketchel then seconded the motion. 3 yeas, 2 nays. (Mr. Boyles and Mr. Harris voted no.) TOURIST DEVELOPMENT - PETER MAYER ADVERTISING REVISED TASK ORDER NO. 148, FY 2015 SMP LEISURE BROADCAST PACKAGES Mr. Ed Schroeder, Tourist Development Department (TDD) Director, requested approval of Peter Mayer Advertising revised Task Order No. 148. The amendment will re-allocate $105,000 from the print campaign to the cable campaign. Mr. Windes made moticn, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve the revised task order. 5 yeas. TOURIST DEVELOPMENT - TOURISM SUMMIT ON JANUARY 21 Mr. Schroeder noted three or four pages have been distributed to the commissioners regarding the Tourism Summit event to be held on January 21. RECESS - The meeting was recessed at 7:35 p.m. and reconvened at 7:45 p.m. WATER & SEWER - FDEP GRANT AGREEMENT FOR LAKE PIPPIN AREA SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Jeff Littrell, Water & Sewer System Director, requested approval of a grant agreement between the county and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for $2 Million appropriated by the Legislature for the Lake Pippin Area Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project. He reported this 1is the last neighborhood in the OCWS sexrvice area with septic tanks and it is their intent to take as many residents off septic tanks as possible. Mr. Windes made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to approve the grant agreement and to authorize the Chairman to execute same. Upon inquiry by Mr. Harris, Mr. Littrell stated this work will be done at no cost to the customers. Upon further inquiry by Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Littrell said these residents are already served with county water. 5 vyeas. HUMAN RESOURCES - CONFIRMATION TO HIRE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR Mrs. Kay Godwin, Human Resources (HR) Director, requested Board confirmation of the County Administrator’s recommendation to January 6, 2015 -10- Minute Book 72, Page 98 Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners hire Jason Autrey as the Public Works Director. She advised that Mr. Autrey has been with the county for ten vyears. He holds a Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Florida and a Florida Professional Engineer Certification. Mrs. Godwin asked if confirmed, for the effective date to be January 5, 2015 to coincide with the pay period. Mr. Harris made motion, seconded by Mr. Windes, to confirm Mr. Autrey as the Public Works Director with an effective date of January 5, 2015. 5 yeas. GROWTH MANAGEMENT - FINAL PLAT APPROVAL, HATTIE'S GROVE SUBDIVISION Mr. Elliot Kampert, Growth Management Director, requested final plat approval for Hattie’'s Grove Subdivision, a proposed 23-lot single-family residential subdivision as submitted by Shannon D. Clatchey with Rare Earth Surveying and Mapping. Mr. Clatchey represents Okaloosa Walton Development Company. The subject property contains 4.66 acres and is located south of Bullock Boulevard in Niceville. Mr. Windes made motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to grant final plat approval for Hattie’'s Grove Subdivision. 5 vyeas. GROWTH MANAGEMENT - BLUEWATER BAY MSBU HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT APPLICATION Mr. Kampert termed this a “housekeeping item.” He said on December 16, the Bluewater Bay Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) requested the county submit an application on its behalf for a Hazard Mitigation Grant. Because the deadline for submission of the grant application was January 6, 2015, the Board granted approval with the proviso that any changes to the application be brought to the Board at this meeting. Mr. Kampert announced the State has extended the deadline until March 9, 2015. He stated that any changes before the final deadline will be returned to the Board for consideration. PUBLIC WORKS - BEACH CLEANING EQUIPMENT STORAGE LEASE WITH DESTIN WATER USERS Mr. Jason Autrey, Public Works Director, requested approval of a lease agreement with the Destin Water Users for 2.15 acres with an annual fee of $11,250. The request also included provision to pro rate the fee for the current fiscal year retroactive to January 1, 2015 ($8,437.50). The subject