Commissioners authorize Lake Cassidy signage using reserve funds; residents push for separate workshop

Holmes County commissioners approved funding and placement of warning and informational signage at Lake Cassidy and authorized county staff to work with the county attorney to create wording; the signs are to be paid from Lake Cassidy funds.

Commissioner Adams summarized insurance-company recommendations about signs and asked the board to allow county staff to produce wording for warning signs and to pay for them from the Lake Cassidy fund balance (approximately $17,000). “Their answer: warning signs should be erected,” Adams said, describing liability recommendations including notices about lifeguards, boats and swimmers. The board voted to authorize Adams to work with County Attorney Corbin and county staff to prepare the signs.

The action followed an extended public and commissioner debate about whether an additional, county-only workshop is needed to finalize operational details for Lake Cassidy. Some residents and Commissioner Angela Dockery urged the board to move forward with tangible steps — including signage, a $1,400 donation to begin livestream backup funding earlier in the meeting, and a $5,000 donation offer for library roof materials — while others asked for an additional workshop so more Holmes County residents could weigh in without attendees from adjoining counties. Commissioners noted the county ordinance and Florida park statutes provide baseline authority but acknowledged gaps that staff will research; staff said they would check statutes regarding pets, vending and alligator warnings. The board did not set a second workshop date at the meeting but directed staff to proceed with signage and other immediate operational tasks.