REGULAR MEETING

LEVY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

October 5, 19 99

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Levy County Commissioners was held on October 5, 1999 at 9:00 a.m. in the Levy County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room, with the following Commissioners present:

Chairman Frank Davis

Vice Chairman Wilbur Dean

Comm. Don Foley

Comm. Sammy Yearty

Comm. Lilly Rooks

 Also present were:

County Administrator - William C. Cobb

 The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.. The invocation was given by Comm. Dean followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

EXPENDITURES

 Comm. Dean moved to approve the following expenditures presented for payment. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 FUND                                                              AMOUNT

 CHECK NUMBERS: 21756- 21765

 GENERAL FUND                                       $501,428.69

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE              516.32

 ADD REVENUE BOND DEBT                       782.50

                                                      TOTAL $502,727.51

 MINUTES

Comm. Foley moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 21, 1999 and special meetings of September 20, 1999 and September 30, 1999. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 LIBRARY

Ms. Claudia Pirone reported the grant application has been submitted within the deadline for the State Libraries grant. Ms. Pirone said installation of the telephone system by BellSouth is proceeding and all libraries should have service by October 6, 1999. Ms. Pirone advised all libraries will have extended hours on Saturday, be open at least one evening per week and have developed a temporary check out system. Ms. Pirone said October will be amnesty month for the return of all books and materials and all fines will be forgiven.

BIDS

Ms. Heather Alexander, Board Secretary opened the following bids for an air compressor for the Fire Departments:

Channel Innovations $38,171.00

CompAir 50,008.00

Ms. Alexander said Channel Innovations is allowing a trade-in of $1,700.00 with their bid. Chairman Davis appointed Mr. Billy Cobb and Mr. Bill Beddow to review the bids with him to determine if all specifications have been met and make a recommendation for consideration.

 CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Mrs. Barbara Locke presented the annual contract for the operation of the Levy County Health Department. Mrs. Locke said the county contribution has remained at $97,480.00 with no major changes expected in the ensuing year. Comm. Foley moved to approve the contract and authorizing the Chairman to sign after a review by the county attorney. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ANIMAL CONTROL

Mrs. Sharon Evirs said there is a severe animal control problem with roaming, threatening dogs in the Fanning Springs Annex area. Mrs. Evirs said requests have been made to the owners to keep the animals restrained or penned with no success and she has not been able to get a response from Animal Control when she has called with her complaints or get satisfactory assistance from the Sheriff’s Office. Comm. Yearty said there is not a leash law but there is an ordinance to prevent dogs running loose that are not properly tagged and are nuisances. Comm. Yearty directed Mr. Benny Jerrels to have the Animal Control officers investigate and attempt to resolve the problem.

 INDIGENT CARE

Mr. Steve Wedener, Hospital Administrator of Nature Coast Hospital said the allocating of a percentage of funds for indigent care through the Health Care Reform Act to the Williston hospital will be used and the support is appreciated. Mr. Wedener said the financial status of the hospital is improving and Ms. Susan Prince is handling Billing and Collection for the hospital efficiently.

 MUNICIPALITIES

Mr. Billy Cobb said the City of Williston is requesting a letter of consent for a proposed voluntary annexation of the Katie’s Korner, Inc. D/B/A Corner Market and Deli and of Department of Transportation property. Chairman Davis requested Mr. Cobb to send a letter of consent upon approval by the county attorney.

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Mr. Cobb said Dr. McCoy has been recertified to be a medical director and has requested being appointed to the position of medical director. Mr. Cobb said he recommended providing Dr. Leonard with sixty (60) days notice of his replacement by Dr. McCoy at the same terms of $1,500.00 per month. Mr. Cobb said if Dr. Leonard does not want to remain as medical director for sixty (60) days that Dr. McCoy can start immediately. Comm. Rooks moved to appoint Dr. McCoy as medical director. Comm. Dean seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

RESOLUTIONS

Ms. Heather Alexander presented a resolution for continuing collective participation with the Small County Coalition for FY 1999-2000 for a fee of $2,150.00. Comm. Dean moved to approve the resolution. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

Ms. Alexander presented the contract with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. for 57,261.00 for providing general mental health, addiction and Baker Act services. Comm. Dean moved to approve the contract with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Justin Watson presented the following request for maintenance on a one (1) time basis:

University Oaks, NE 112th Lane between NE 100th Terrace and NE 107th Terrace, seven (7) loads of rock and grading, with dedicated right of way.

Comm. Dean moved to approve the request for maintenance on a one (1) time basis. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 PLANNING, COUNTY

Ms. Krista Kelly advised the EAR based amendment package submitted to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is being found in compliance with the stipulation of another round of amendments to provide a Capital Improvement Schedule, Future Transportation Map and more specific language in Intergovernmental Coordination. Ms. Kelly said the Capital Improvement Schedule can be submitted to show none and retain the option of being amended. Comm. Yearty requested Ms. Kelly to provide a response to DCA for approval.

Ms. Kelly said the recommendations for an ordinance to address the "mud boggin" moratorium will be submitted for review and the scheduling of a public hearing.

Comm. Yearty said Ms. Kelly will be providing a commentary of the physical impact and the impact to the tax base the prospective purchase of Devil’s Hammock may have on the county.

 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Ms. Paula Lane presented the grant agreement from the Emergency Management, Preparedness and Assistance Trust Fund through the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Comm. Dean moved to approve the grant agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign upon review by the county attorney. Comm. Rooks seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 GRANTS

Mrs. Carol McQueen said road construction is proceeding for the projects being funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for neighborhood revitalization.

 MISCELLANEOUS

Mrs. McQueen said a public hearing will be held on October 13, 1999 to discuss the recommendations of the advisory management group for the management of Andrews Wildlife Management Area for the next five (5) years. Mrs. McQueen said concerns have been expressed on the equality of the state quota system for local residents who are having available private land transferred into public ownership and reducing local land for hunting and she encouraged attendance to the public hearing.

 SALARIES AND WAGES

Comm. Dean presented proposed salary increases for the following department heads:

Billy Cobb $43,679.78

Fred Moody $25,354.97

Kelly Jerrels $35,000.00

James Jerrels $32,500.00

Justin Watson $32,000.00

Jessie Ellzey $27,188.61

Sammy Pruitt $29,000.00

Wayne Hardee $31,580.64

Benjamin Jerrels $30,000.00

James Jones $31,580.64

Robert Corbitt $43,000.00

Krista Kelly $40,000.00

Leo Flynn $17,517.19

Paula Lane $25,500.00

William Beddow $31,668.00

Michael Shenck $20,202.00

Jessie Durrance $25,213.17

Robert Stephens $25,478.54

Comm. Dean moved to approve to approve the salary increases for the department heads. Comm. Foley seconded. Comm. Yearty inquired if Robert Stephens and Jessie Durrance were considered management. Mr. Cobb said Jessie Durrance, Robert Stephens, Billy Ray Wilkerson and Lloyd Harden were paid hourly through the union contract and would need to discuss using a merit raise in order not to violate the union contract. Comm. Dean said the correct classifications would be determined and submitted at the next regular meeting with other recommendations for salary increases. Comm. Dean moved to amend the proposed salary increases for department heads removing Jessie Durrance and Robert Stephens from the recommendation. Comm. Foley seconded and the MOTION CARRIED.

 ANIMAL CONTROL

Chairman Davis asked for the procedure of removing dead domestic animals from county right of ways. Mr. Benny Jerrels said Animal Control will remove the animals if they are called and the Road Department will assist.

 UTILITIES

Comm. Rooks said residents of Springside at Manatee have expressed concerns of the water system being abandoned on October 20, 1999 and wanted to know if the county would be assuming operation of the system. Mr. Cobb said official notice has not been received from the Public Service Commission (PSC) concerning the ownership of the water system but the county will be ready to assume control with the proper notice from the PSC.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED.

 Frank Davis, Board Chairman

ATTEST:

 Douglas M. McKoy, Clerk of Court