[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6244835,"mediaKeyId","3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a","parentId",3228504,"title","County proclaims May National Foster Care Month; Alzheimer’s Association brings 'Brain Bus' to Live Oak","audioSeconds",848,"startMs",1632000,"endMs",2480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a&start=1632&end=2480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a/thumbnail_1632000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244835/Suwannee-County/Florida/County-proclaims-May-National-Foster-Care-Month-Alzheimers-Association-brings-Brain-Bus-to-Live-Oak","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244835-916b56bedf15cc7d7f6ac7ca3c917a8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984275&Signature=IhCIQB0dwayQI75ucPgdnJSvu~ZyH1arOVUQAFgMq6BJRyTd2OA1O50szKZKOV84vxerYrs1~xwTuV6qQh8NzJ0SWgCULL1PQhjTsH~bZdyxAgv1LzJujjExcUmeGODdvSUpmKqRckQEhPcFWt8d9WOlvNbtRN4BCnRsmRZ-Q8N0Bg8xFN8hBn~kDojsnATjg4U63SKZY4SERI6OeFZKURfunml-dSJEmHge5ilqZSQ-jENk58Eswgbja4cR053J~bMjQ0dRuCyWobsRGxlAzcA-HKZgzxYgNB1DsxAziOgD4EvQ3JLRj-9rBCPnFsVIspdNVTe0RJPqySgmjBe0mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Suwannee County","date","2025-05-07T13:21:39Z","article","The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners adopted a proclamation declaring May as National Foster Care Month and heard two presentations about local needs and resources: Partnership for Strong Families described local foster-care placement statistics and the county’s need for foster homes, and the Alzheimer’s Association presented the mobile Brain Bus that will visit rural communities to provide dementia education and services.

Partnership for Strong Families’ recruitment specialist, Sebastian, told the board that while county averages usually show about 29 children in foster care at any given time, the current figure is 59 county children in out-of-home care and the county has 12 licensed foster homes. “We need local people to help local kids,” he said, describing the strain on families and the additional transportation burdens when children are placed in other counties.

Commissioners approved the foster-care proclamation on a motion by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Hale; the vote was 5-0. The board urged residents to consider orientation sessions, volunteering, and community support for foster families.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s program manager, Donna Lee, described the organization’s mobile Brain Bus—one of two large units in Florida—and said it is equipped for private consultations, classes and outreach in rural areas. Lee said her program reached more than 6,000 people last year across a multi-county territory and that she wants the Brain Bus scheduled in Suwannee County starting in July. “If we get ahead of it early, early is the key to this,” Lee said, urging commissioners and residents to invite the bus to local events and sites such as libraries, churches and festivals. Lee also gave the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 hotline number for local use.

Commissioners thanked presenters and encouraged residents to contact the agencies for volunteer or program information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 6, 2025 Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Suwannee County Commission proclaimed May as National Foster Care Month and heard presentations from Partnership for Strong Families and the Alzheimer’s Association, including a mobile 'Brain Bus' visiting rural communities to provide dementia resources and clinical help.","taxTitle","Suwannee County, Florida","taxId",28195,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244840,"Commissioner White seeks board OK to expand county limestone mine by 7.2 acres at roughly $1.028 million",186,5884000,6070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a&start=5884&end=6070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a/thumbnail_5884000.jpg","/articles/6244840/Suwannee-County/Florida/Commissioner-White-seeks-board-OK-to-expand-county-limestone-mine-by-72-acres-at-roughly-1028-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244840-eb823a9fb2eaf99e208526a42fb338d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984275&Signature=XqciUdWNP0NY~RkY1Pa99~6pQ9lr5C8QrDwENG6Bt-V9WqvYQ6tU59Vq9HMqj08bjcKqiEnTkssPDO~nIPbIGfBEMeXDmJ5ZFAv53PyCixOpXB1BiwL-miWKH1awKQJdrsnGO6~Pl0t8OIz8HSYYWu0Th~7qh-Qko3GtgY1qyMrnX~CamM4DznJcAKSs1upd0DEefP498vcChi4mLlzo2HKwzSJPFR3SUJYcLR58q6~dGP0b8sNliV-EN3itRRa6uX4-cWFgp4G~C~eGcmiqhJ4GitA29CqOz6Pkl-sc7oBom57skUfzECOpF23QD~4h81mM~YpCoJ8wSgIvVhnDXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner White asked the board Wednesday to approve proceeding with a negotiated addition to Suwannee County’s existing Hatch mine lease to add about 7.2 acres of lime rock suitable for county road material. He said the parcel would cost roughly a million and $27,744 and described possible payment and extraction terms discussed with the current mining partner.

White told the board the additional area would yield material the county needs for road maintenance and would let the county continue in-house production rather than relying on higher-priced private suppliers. He described two payment/extraction scenarios discussed previously: a shorter repayment term with faster extraction, or the county’s existing contract framework that allowed longer repayment and extraction periods. “That equates to roughly a million and $27,000… I think it was 10 years to pay and 15 years to dig,” White said, adding the current contract terms he described were “20 years to pay and 30 years to dig” for the existing lease.

Commissioners asked staff and the county attorney about next steps. County counsel said a legal description and a survey of the parcel will be required before any amendment can be finalized. No formal vote was taken; the board gave direction to the commissioner and county staff to proceed with preparing survey and contract language for review at a future meeting.","Commissioner White presented a plan to add about 7.2 acres to the county’s Hatch mine to extend limestone production; he described proposed payment and extraction terms and asked the county attorney to draft contract changes and a legal description for the parcel.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244845,"Suwannee County opposes House bill that would restrict use of tourist development tax; board adopts resolution 5-0",120,4845000,4965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a&start=4845&end=4965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a/thumbnail_4845000.jpg","/articles/6244845/Suwannee-County/Florida/Suwannee-County-opposes-House-bill-that-would-restrict-use-of-tourist-development-tax-board-adopts-resolution-5-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244845-8f7a3c843cdf6b3705a892e419bf12e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984275&Signature=dUSqNxWuUW3~42rKPyMhuyFH-6rKjye5jsZlflHtIvR8neQFoGr1PFn~LUz2iQxk4ym-R0ovlOdL49qw8XZEA8UNSH9EN338kFbN175IK1dvlquABDYsYWo6VQGHta899aH3U4fBKqGm-fblPhmYiwz8kOA66D4M~2V8YJ77KNB-h6k8~CV5d3v0ZwauyeUi24VLBawa~9-JrkJ5BbleFnjYWuyAKyAJ~9gY3RmQDi70ni1gJHsTd-L2YSE3hexIab5Aw3vEGt6tZ3Um-gYZ0hyj0La5DHNp-BExQBr09wkSzJwFL8VWC7yvVNLWaFUN7yVUzG6iDdvhaHbDAundTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Suwannee County commissioners voted 5-0 Wednesday to adopt a resolution opposing an amendment to House Bill 7033 (amendment 030825) that would limit authorized uses of tourist development tax dollars and direct most revenue toward a small reduction in property taxes.

Carissa (tourism official) and board members briefed the commission on the local role of the tourist development tax (TDT): the county’s 3% TDT is collected from overnight visitors at hotels, campgrounds and short-term rentals and is used exclusively for tourism promotion and related activities administered by the local tourism office and tourism development council. County and tourism staff said the tax is paid by visitors, not residents, and that tourism supports jobs and local spending that reduce the local property-tax burden.

Carissa told the board that in Suwannee County TDT revenue totaled about $400,000 in fiscal 2023–24 and that tourism’s economic impact is estimated at $109.2 million with roughly 1,476 jobs supported, figures the county cited from Visit Florida data. The proposed amendment would redirect 75% of TDT funds to ad valorem tax relief and dramatically limit tourism promotion uses, the presenters said, producing a de minimis reduction in local property tax but large losses to tourism marketing and events.

Commissioners discussed the potential statewide origin of the amendment and the disproportionate effect on small, rural counties. County attorney and staff noted that the amendment had passed the Florida House on April 25, prompting urgency for a county response. The board approved a resolution directed to the Florida Legislature urging rejection of the amendment. Motion to adopt the resolution was made by Commissioner White and seconded by Commissioner Perkins; the vote was 5-0.

The board asked staff to transmit the resolution to the county’s legislative delegation and to coordinate with neighboring rural counties and local hoteliers; county staff indicated outreach to regional counterparts was already underway.","The Suwannee County Commission unanimously adopted a resolution opposing an amendment to House Bill 7033 that would significantly curtail uses of tourist development tax revenue and redirect most funds toward ad valorem tax reduction, citing the potential harm to local tourism promotion and jobs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244850,"Florida DEP takes septic permitting statewide; Suwannee County told to route septic system permits through regional portal starting Aug. 1",223,3372000,3595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a&start=3372&end=3595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a/thumbnail_3372000.jpg","/articles/6244850/Suwannee-County/Florida/Florida-DEP-takes-septic-permitting-statewide-Suwannee-County-told-to-route-septic-system-permits-through-regional-portal-starting-Aug-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244850-b912750f6237dc79ebb12aa7a17382b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984275&Signature=j938-VdM~iCO1OfeKnaNyELboao2C2Msr1F9KXvJjF0g7EQ4-ar0t8Y-~Z6KyMV-8ERHelSKuVFZMlWgwsibpAtN544z8eFeBEfxG6T0vSaFbB00w5vQntoQ2fijeaSfn7Wlj5w-arR14Z9eS1egvs1rnbvDkXgnZ5dyjanK0jLT~7Oo~V67pruGAWpMUzO04ogTLZ3rXvO7o~-FEhhhzU~WyiBpwKHFNf1w78blu3v8BrnRrVRdoA5GNgkg9s82fHQ8Iht7G~s6rjJdbg5xg2A4tqSaUBf2jQYMFV6m-ybveT7JJ8B0sSeWWBci5~mDrA4mZZnxloU7SkXUC~y72g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Suwannee County staff told commissioners Wednesday that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will move many septic permit functions from local control to a state-run portal and regional processing beginning Aug. 1.

Public works staff described the new process as an online application portal that routes permit requests to regional DEP offices; for Suwannee County the region will be administered from Columbia County and will include Madison, Hamilton, Columbia, Suwannee, Lafayette and Taylor counties. County staff said the DEP indicated about five business days for new construction permit review and about three days for repair reviews, and that the local environmental health office will remain the point of contact for nuisance complaints in the field.

Public works staff and commissioners discussed how the change could affect local applicants. County staff warned that, under the new process, the county may issue building permits as before but could wait for a DEP final before issuing a certificate of occupancy. Staff said DEP would provide a QR code and other contact details to post in county offices and online to guide residents to the new filing portal.

Commissioners asked staff to post clear instructions and make informational flyers available in county lobbies to avoid confusion. No vote or formal action was taken; commissioners asked staff to continue communication with DEP and post public guidance ahead of the August start date.","County staff briefed commissioners that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will centralize septic permitting and inspections through a state portal and regional offices beginning Aug. 1, 2025, requiring operational changes and new public-facing contact points for residents applying for septic permits.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244855,"Suwannee County approves $45,000 change order to finish Charles Springs floating dock project",131,2739000,2870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a&start=2739&end=2870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228504-4ace7c311b1a5fbea7fe79c1cc34c63a/thumbnail_2739000.jpg","/articles/6244855/Suwannee-County/Florida/Suwannee-County-approves-45000-change-order-to-finish-Charles-Springs-floating-dock-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244855-3600d39c0f1f01aacddec0198f869032/orig.mp4?Expires=1774984275&Signature=Z~zzhq95rjErVF3Kwfo4YDhzRCDO8M0xK3Pw~3Zz~bMqeG-URBOvJo12NFXifVIwQaum1rcrOQPYK3rA1txDGmUJ6fr-5rklBQv9EiLQe8N94Mh5rhP9ADMSf5C4plGHRm6SipFs13UUqg1tB8GuGAlIOeiSExDBpzriKxCG~lA6CZbjXi1amXA2dkcxmvbO~KSMGB84Sr~gzMXnStvdO6WY1KljEEddENsYf4JkHyFhV7tnYrklsd~t7qS9KXdZftZZXbHjSMogCrnfj797~MVz97GZawc1e5tRokcwhvmHGgFJBiWH-K7CQPvBzG7rqvGL0xjKXXpfdo1zFInWbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Suwannee County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve Change Order No. 1 with Saltwater Builders LLC, adding $45,000 from the county parks and recreation budget to complete piling work for a floating dock at Charles Springs.

County staff told commissioners crews encountered unexpectedly hard flint rock while drilling pilings and the on-site equipment could not complete the work. Jason Furry, filling in for county administration, said a subcontractor with larger drilling equipment had to be brought in and that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission grant associated with the project did not cover the additional cost. “They projected that to be limestone… they did not anticipate running into Flint Rock,” Furry said.

The additional $45,000 will come from the county’s parks and recreation budget so the contractor could remain on site and the project could continue under the terms of the FWC grant. Furry described the choice facing the county as either paying to keep the contractor working or pausing and rebidding, which would delay the project by at least 60 days. Commissioners approved the change order on a motion by Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner Mobley; the vote was 5-0.

Commissioners and staff discussed similar hard-rock conditions at a nearby site across the river, where crews encountered the same drilling issues. Commissioner Clepper asked whether the adjacent site was worked on prior to Suwannee County’s contract; staff said the two jobs are being performed at the same time and experienced similar conditions.

The board’s approval keeps the dock and associated boat-ramp work moving forward so the county can use the FWC grant funding already awarded. The project manager noted that specialized piling equipment is expensive to mobilize, and that stopping now to rebid could increase overall costs and risk grant timeliness.

The project budget line for the $45,000 is recorded as a parks and recreation expense; the board did not vote to increase grant funding. The county will continue to manage the project and provide updates in future meetings.","The Suwannee County Commission voted 5-0 to authorize a $45,000 change order for unforeseen hard rock encountered while installing pilings for a floating dock at Charles Springs, using county parks funds to cover a grant shortfall so contractors could remain on site.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County proclaims May National Foster Care Month; Alzheimer’s Association brings 'Brain Bus' to Live Oak

Commissioner White seeks board OK to expand county limestone mine by 7.2 acres at roughly $1.028 million

Suwannee County opposes House bill that would restrict use of tourist development tax; board adopts resolution 5-0

Florida DEP takes septic permitting statewide; Suwannee County told to route septic system permits through regional portal starting Aug. 1

Suwannee County approves $45,000 change order to finish Charles Springs floating dock project