SPECIAL MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

September 14, 1998

 The Special Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on September 14, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

Comm. Wilbur Dean

Comm. Sammy Yearty

Comm. Frank Davis

 Also present were:

County Attorney Gregory V. Beauchamp

Clerk of Court Douglas M. McKoy

Administrative Assistant William C. Cobb

 The Comm. Dean called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.. The invocation was given by Sheriff Ted Glass followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mr. Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of the Court said the proposed millage rate is 9 mills. Mr. McKoy said 8.881 mills would go to the General Fund and .119 mills would go to the Health Department in accordance with state laws. Mr. McKoy said the millage rate would remain the same as last year.

Mr. Gene Zeke said his property taxes had increased from property value in 1997 of $6,798.00 to property value in 1998 to $469,625.00 and they had only built two (2) barns. Comm. Dean said Mr. Zeke needed to contact the Property Appraiser to discuss the difference in values assessed.

Mr. Freddy Cloudstone, Mr. Howard Walker, Mr. Rob McIntyre, Mr. Dale Lewis and Mrs. Carol Day said they were concerned about the high millage rate and if the budgets were adjusted to the most economic operation of the tax dollars and on the provision of services for law enforcement, road maintenance, mosquito control, and junk and debris.

Comm. Yearty said the school board has had an increase in their millage rate which will affect the tax bills.

Comm. Yearty after considerable public discussion moved to adopt the millage rate of 9 mills. Comm. Davis seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Hugh Alexander said the Levy County Development Authority has been making progressive in their reorganization. Mr. Alexander said the Authority was presenting their budget for the 1998-1998 fiscal year with a request for $42,000.00 and to bring the balance forward of $28,000.00 from the 1997-1998 fiscal year. Comm. Yearty said the budget presented by the Authority would be reviewed and full consideration would be given to their request.

Mr. Peter Thomas asked if LCR 1003 had been considered for paving. Comm. Yearty said a priority list has been prepared and as funding is available more roads are added to the list. Mr. Douglas McKoy explained that some roads will be paved using the funding from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

Mrs. Robin Anderson asked if county funds were being used for the four laning of Alternate US 27. Comm. Yearty said that project is being handled by the federal and state governments. Comm. Yearty said current studies have based the cost of paving at $60,000.00 per mile. Comm. Dean said it is in the best interests of the county to pave roads when funding is available since it costs $610.00 per year to maintain a mile of paved road and $1,700.00 per mile to maintain the graded roads.

Mr. Douglas McKoy said meetings had been held with the department heads for the various budgets and was presenting the initial 1998-1999 Budget Summary. Mr. McKoy read the proposed budget for each department and commented on any increases to the budget.

Sheriff Glass said he would appreciate consideration being given to amending the increase at the sheriff office of $250,000.00 to $270,000.00.

Comm. Davis moved to adopt the tentative budget for the 1998-1998 fiscal year. Comm. Yearty seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

Don Foley, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court