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Holmes County commissioners press development commission on loan interest, approve multiple contracts and budget adjustments
Summary
At a regular meeting, Holmes County commissioners heard public concern about unpaid interest on a loan tied to the Busy Bee property, directed follow-up but recorded no final vote on repayment, and approved a series of procurement and budget items including a $1.3 million council-on-aging reconstruction contract and a $1.8 million road contract.
Holmes County commissioners on a regular meeting day heard an emphatic request from a resident for the Holmes County Development Commission (HCDC) to address unpaid interest on a county loan tied to the Busy Bee property, debated enforcement options and a funding cutoff for the development commission, and moved forward on several contracts and budget adjustments.
A resident, Richard Wilson, told the commission the Busy Bee loan has been outstanding for roughly three years and urged the county to press the HCDC to return interest the county has paid. “We need that money. We need it back now,” Wilson said.
County Coordinator Nate confirmed HCDC representatives had been asked to return with a proposal twice and that no acceptable response had arrived. Commissioner discussion produced a motion asking the HCDC to deliver a payment plan for a portion of the outstanding interest by Sept. 30 and to pursue a second payment in the following fiscal year; that motion also included a proposal to withhold future county appointments to the HCDC if there is no response. The transcript records the motion and subsequent discussion but does not include a formal recorded vote on that motion.
Why it matters: commissioners sign contracts, manage county budgets and, when necessary, oversee interlocal partnerships such as the HCDC. Commissioners said they view the unpaid interest as a county fiscal concern and discussed using their appointment authority and budget levers to press for a resolution.
Contract awards and procurement actions
- Council on Aging reconstruction: Commissioners voted to move forward and sign the construction contract for the council on aging project with Bear Construction at $1,303,811. The board discussed the project’s grant-supported scope and confirmed a planned groundbreaking on Aug. 26.
- Road project (Brittany Phase 2): The board voted to award the Brittany Phase 2 paving contract to low bidder CW Roberts at $1,808,282, contingent on Florida Department of Transportation concurrence. Engineers said the bid was under the project estimate.
- Dogwood Lake Siphon emergency repair: County staff recommended awarding the emergency repair to CBC Construction, the low bidder at $155,000 (labor $126,425.50; materials $28,574.50). Commissioners discussed funding and the desire to confirm available match funds before proceeding; the board voted to table final action so staff can secure funding and report back.
Budget adjustments and departmental requests
- EMS: The county accepted proceeds from the sale of an old ambulance chassis ($4,100) and directed that amount into the EMS medical-supplies account.
- Fire equipment and maintenance: Commissioners authorized using reimbursement and county budget funds to cover bunker-gear purchases and to create a dedicated account from which fire departments may request repairs and maintenance funding; staff said $42,000 in grant reimbursement will be available to split among departments and the board asked for a request-for-purchase or PO process so the county pays vendors directly.
- Library roof: Commissioners approved covering a $1,600 overage on a library roof repair from county commissioner contingencies.
- Page freezer security: A local donor covered most of the cost of a page freezer security purchase; commissioners moved to accept the donation and authorize the remaining roughly $200 from contingency pending IT review.
Other business and discussion items
- Health insurance: County staff and the insurer reported a negotiated 5% renewal increase for the county’s group health plan, down from an initial 7.9% offer; staff said the change will save the county roughly $73,000 relative to the higher starting figure and will not change plan deductibles or co-pays.
- Power-pole policy review: Building official Keith Bennett presented a review of neighboring counties’ requirements for temporary or miscellaneous power poles and recommended a local change to require an intended-use statement and wiring for that use rather than freely issuing 200-amp poles without further documentation. Commissioners directed staff to digest the information and bring a formal proposal back; no regulatory change was adopted at this meeting.
- Grants and infrastructure planning: County engineers reported progress on the pilot development (road and utilities) and on the Busy Bee infrastructure design; engineers said most county infrastructure design is nearing 90% completion and that construction advertising could begin in September, but stressed many grant deadlines and match requirements remain and that Busy Bee’s on-site design had not yet been submitted by the developer.
What’s next: Commissioners asked staff to return with more information on HCDC communications and the suggested repayment schedule, to confirm funding sources for the Dogwood Lake siphon before signing a construction notice to proceed, and to present a formal power-pole/wiring policy for future action.
