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Residents urge caution on Fort White water rates; makerspace, veterans group seek county support
Summary
Speakers at public comment urged the county to keep Fort White water rates low, asked the county to release stored emergency water and building access for a makerspace, and requested a nominal-rate location for a new American Legion post.
Three members of the public used the board's open comment period to press the county on utilities, facilities and veteran services.
Lonnie Harrell (S19), a Fort White resident and town councilman, asked commissioners to 'do your best to keep the water utility rates low' for constituents in Fort White, expressing concern about an initial proposed rate increase and the town's reliance on the North Florida Utility Authority for service. Harrell said the town has a partnership interlocal agreement with Columbia County for utilities and urged caution so history does not repeat itself.
Sean Holmgren (S13), representing Columbia County Makerspace, asked the board to accelerate access to county-owned space in the back of the old Lake City Reporter building so the makerspace can host training and preserve time‑sensitive donations (he cited approximately $10,000 of equipment). Holmgren also asked the county to move or donate 17 pallets of FEMA emergency water currently stored in county space to community centers and food banks so the building can be repurposed for makerspace activities.
Rhysdian Brown (S20), a veteran and officer of American Legion Post 423, told commissioners the newly chartered post needs a temporary or permanent meeting place at a nominal rate to support veteran services. Commissioners responded that they would look for available county facilities and post suggestions publicly.
What's next: Staff said they would follow up on facility availability and coordinate with the makerspace and veteran representatives; no formal board action was taken during the public comment period.
