SPECIAL MEETING
LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
January 8, 2003
The Special Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on January 8, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners' meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:
Chairman Danny Stevens
Vice Chairman Lilly Rooks
Comm. Sammy Yearty
Comm. Tony Parker
Comm. Nancy Bell
Also present were:
County Attorney - Gregory V. Beauchamp
Clerk of Court - Danny J. Shipp
County Coordinator - Fred Moody
Chairman Stevens called the special meeting to order to discuss revenue sources.
BUDGET
Comm. Rooks recommended reviewing the operation and billing system in Emergency Medical Services. Comm. Rooks said savings could be realized pursuing ambulance fees that are uncollected possibly by using a collection agency to handle collection and billing, allowing partial payments, setting a basic fee for calls responded to where basic medical attention is given by the EMT's or paramedics.
Mr. Barney Cannon said consideration could be given on the acceptance of credit cards when service is provided.
Chairman Stevens explained that an EMS unit is provided a no charge for events sponsored by non-profit organization and a fee is charged for-profit organizations.
Comm. Bell recommended investigating the application of a bottle bill that would allow for revenue to be received from bottles and aluminum. Comm. Bell explained she would secure the information on the action needed to legislatively enact a bottle bill for generating revenue.
Chairman Stevens said impact fees on new construction would allow for additional growth that would generate revenue by the users. Chairman Stevens explained approximately 1/3 of the residents of the county are the main tax base.
Comm. Bell said an impact fee would penalize lifetime residents who wanted to construct a new home and was concerned about the impact on Realtors and would not want it to be unequal.
COUNTY FIRE CHIEF
Mr. Victor Scott said Karen Voyles of the Gainesville Sun has requested an interview and photo shoot of training sessions.
Mr. Scott explained the required 160 hours training for volunteer fire fighters will impact the budget, however, all of the volunteer fire departments should have budgeted for training and it should be paid from their budgets. Mr. Scott said the additional training will provide savings on worker's compensation insurance.
Mr. Scott said he has requested updated rosters from each fire department and will try to determine how many firefighters currently have the 160 hours of training.
BUDGET
Mr. Danny Shipp said a local communication service tax would generate additional revenue. Mr. Shipp explained each of the municipalities have a communication service tax assessed. Mr. Shipp said Levy and Calhoun counties are the only two (2) counties who do not have a communication service tax. Comm. Parker indicated it would be paid for by users.
Mr. Fred Moody said there are franchise fees, right of way fees for local governments and utility fees that could generate revenue.
Mr. Shipp explained there is a possibility of a shortfall towards the end of the fiscal year and sources of revenue need to be identified and utilized for the general fund. Mr. Shipp recommended appointing a committee to review impact fees, local community fees, ambulance services and the impact to the residents. Chairman Stevens appointment Mr. Moody, Mr. Shipp, Mrs. Sheila Rees and Comm. Parker to review revenue options for presentation to the Board.
Mrs. Sandy Fink recommended reviewing employee use of county vehicles and reducing the work force through assimilation.
Mr. Moody explained vehicle use is monitored and employees have not been replaced in various departments, however, there are departments that are undermanned as a result of the demand for services from the growth through out the county and these positions are being filled by transferring employees.
Mr. Greg Beauchamp explained a utility must be owned and operated by a government entity to assess a utility tax and is different from a franchise fee.
COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Stevens requested the commissioners to review the Committees List and advise him of any committee they would prefer to serve on.
ZONING
Chairman Stevens called the workshop to order at 1:00 p.m. to review the division of large tracts of land into smaller tracts of 20 acres or more.
Mr. Rob Corbitt explained concern has arisen on road access from easements on large tracts that are being divided into tracts of 20 acres or larger. Mr. Corbitt said there is also concern on parcels becoming landlocked.
Comm. Rooks said if easements for accessing property that are not to county standards may require the county to perform maintenance in the future on a sub-standard or non-complying road. Comm. Rooks said parcels being landlocked are another concern that should to be addressed.
Mrs. Susan Haines explained there is a concern as to the impact on roads with larger parcels being platted to smaller subdivisions increasing the density in the area and not requiring for the roads to be improved.
Mr. Michael Pardue said a number of large parcels are being sold by timber companies and being subdivided and recommended adopting a criteria for all roads on the large acre tracts to be maintained by a homeowner's association and be private roads.
Mr. Dan Croft said Volusia county allows language in the deeds addressing the maintenance of private roads indicating the governmental entity will not be responsible on plats 20 acres or larger. Mr. Croft said the landlocked parcels can pay a maintenance fee to assist the landowners in maintaining the road for access to their property. Mr. Croft explained the purchasers of these large tracts will pay for the road maintenance.
Mr. Beauchamp said a clause in the subdivision regulation relating to easements needs to be defined on the intent or amended to reflect the extent of involvement the county wants to have on these large tracts.
Mr. Corbitt said a waiver is signed at the time a permit is obtained providing written notice if the road is not within the maintenance system and relating to the flood ordinance.
Comm. Yearty said there should be excessive regulation on the large tracts being subdivided but the county should not have to assume responsibility for road maintenance at a later date. Comm. Yearty explained avenues are being explore to prevent the same type of problem that has occurred with Type II subdivisions.
Mr. Beauchamp explained there are legal remedies to address a land locked parcel and the surrounding land owners having to provide access with remuneration.
Mr. Corbitt explained the definition in Chapter 50-1 of the Land Development Regulations needs to be uniform for the definition of "Easement" relating to subdivisions and zoning.
Mr. Ed Garvin explained Florida Woodlands has an incorporated association with a clause that it will renew every twenty (20) years and the majority addresses changes to the agreement. Mr. Garvin said roads were established and only require limited maintenance and this is funded through the association.
Mr. Beauchamp said they will prepare a draft to reflect the discussion and present it for review and recommendation.
Mrs. Nellie Hudson inquired into being able to subdivide her ten (10) acre tract. Mr. Corbitt explained dividing the property would be affected on the zoning or if it is located within a subdivision. Mr. Corbitt advised Mrs. Hudson to contact his office for him to review her request.
COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Moody advised the workshop on the clamming industry will be scheduled.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.
Danny Stevens, Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Danny J. Shipp, Clerk of Court