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Franklin County commissioners unanimously approve grants, ordinances and equipment financing
Summary
At their Jan. 7 meeting the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on multiple items including a $2.5 million airport grant application (contingent on airport board approval), additions to the capital improvements schedule, land-use and zoning changes, and equipment financing for a landfill compactor.
The Franklin County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 7 voted unanimously on a slate of grant submittals, ordinances and procurement actions, approving staff requests to advance projects and sign required documents.
The board authorized submission of an APT grant application for $2.5 million for airport improvements, contingent on approval and recommendation by the airport operations/economic development board. The board also approved moving forward with a preliminary budget for rehab and construction on the Haney project.
Fiscal staff presented a Florida Department of Commerce grant that would cover 73% (up to $32,930) of a $45,000 annual contract with Retail Strategies to support a retail recruitment strategic plan; the county’s share would be $12,070 from an economic development line item. The board authorized the chairman to sign the grant award agreement and to execute a piggyback contract with Retail Strategies pending procurement confirmation from the City of Apopka’s contact.
County attorneys and staff presented and the board adopted an ordinance updating the five-year capital improvement schedule and added Lighthouse Road widening and resurfacing (estimated cost $2 million) to the transportation list. The board also adopted land-use and zoning ordinances for two parcels: 216 Airport Road in Carrabelle (Agricultural to Commercial; A-2 to C-2) and 595 Highway 98 in Eastpoint (Commercial to Residential; C-1 to R-4). Both sets of ordinances were adopted on unanimous 4-0 votes.
On equipment and construction matters, the board approved financing for a factory-certified overhaul of a landfill compactor priced at $559,885.76 with a proposed $100,000 down payment and the balance financed through PeoplesSouth Bank at a 4.30% fixed rate over five years, subject to county attorney review. The board also approved the issuance of a purchase order for a $30,970 upgrade to the county’s E911 recorder system to replace an end-of-life server, to be paid from the E911 fund.
The board approved advancing a Section 6 tourist development tax (TDC) request to resurface additional roadways in the St. George Island commercial district tied to the RESTORE SGI Storm Water Project; the change order quoted $577,351 for resurfacing plus $45,446 in additional CEI services and will require independent professional analysis by the TDC as required by statute. Staff were authorized to forward the request and supporting materials to the TDC for review.
Other approved items included a notice of intent to award a county-wide dune construction contract recommendation and several administrative and project updates. Most motions carried unanimously by the four commissioners present (Chairman Ricky Jones, Commissioners Cheryl Sanders, Ottice Amison and Anthony Croom Jr.); Vice-Chair Jessica Ward was absent.
