Dade County approves SPLOST funding, amended fire-service agreement and landfill monitoring in unanimous consent vote

The Dade County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously April 2 to approve its consent agenda, which included a $299,312.84 SPLOST payment to relocate water lines at Squirrel Town Creek Bridge, amendments to an agreement with Sand Mountain Fire Protection Services, and continuation of mandated landfill methane and groundwater monitoring.

Elizabeth Zeller, who requested the SPLOST allocation for the Squirrel Town Creek project, told the board: "I'd like to request $299,312.84" to move the county's water line where the recent bridge work required relocation. Commissioners and CFO Rebecca Jones reviewed available SPLOST balances; Jones told the board there have been recent large outlays (including three fire trucks and county water/sewer work) but that funds will be available as new receipts come in.

Chair read details of the landfill monitoring contract with the consultant S & M E, noting the semiannual groundwater monitoring (two events) at $16,500 each, quarterly methane testing at roughly $1,250 per event, and meeting/preparation fees of $3,200 for an annual total the chair summarized as "$41,200." The board approved the contract renewal, which is budgeted.

Also folded into the consent agenda was the Sand Mountain Fire Protection Services agreement. The board approved edits recommended during discussion, including increasing monthly compensation from $2,000 to $4,000 and aligning the agreement’s renewal/termination cycle with other county fire agreements.

Beyond those specific actions, the consent package included proclamations (Child Abuse Prevention Month, Donate Life Month, Lineman Appreciation Day and a 50-year-service recognition for Rodney Ross), appointment of Sarah Lowry to the Trenton-Dade Animal Center advisory board for a three-year term, and a formal update to the county’s public-participation rules that restricts connecting external electronic devices to county computers or audio-visual systems during public meetings.

The board also heard routine reports — construction progress on the elections building, SPLOST outreach meetings scheduled in April, library and recycling updates — and accepted the county financial report. CFO Rebecca Jones reported year-to-date revenue of $12,107,159 versus a budgeted $12,368,954 (a timing gap of $261,795) and year-to-date expenses of $10,836,313, under budget by $81,078. A motion to approve the finance report passed unanimously.

The board recessed and later adjourned after completing the agenda. Several items — notably the special-use permit changes tied to commercial-scale solar and a comprehensive-plan update — were announced for upcoming public hearings with dates provided for public comment.