Taylor County

The proceedings involved two special sessions related to the Fiscal Year 2008/2009 Budget and Millage Rates. The first hearing on September 8, 2008, included an overview of the tentative budget, proposing a General Revenue Fund millage rate of 7.2314 mills and an MSTU millage rate of 1.1523 mills. The Board adopted these tentative millage rates and approved the tentative budget aggregating a total of $49,325,119.00. The second and final public hearing on September 15, 2008, focused on final adoption. Key actions included approving the execution of Certificates of Non-Ad Valorem Assessment for several subdivisions and the Solid Waste Assessment Roll. Subsequently, the Board adopted the final millage rates for the General Revenue Fund (7.2314 mills) and the MSTU Fund (1.1523 mills), and formally adopted the final budget for FY 2008/2009 totaling $48,925,119.00. Final Assessment Resolutions were also adopted setting MSBU assessment rates for Warrior Creek, Deerwood at the Beaches, Ocean Pond, Strickland's Landing, Oakridge Estates Unit One, Bowden, and Steinhatchee Acres Subdivisions. Resolutions were also passed setting the Solid Waste Special Assessment for FY 2008/2009 at $140.00, and establishing a tiered fee schedule for 'Hunting Camps'.

The regular meeting included several key discussions and actions. The board approved the agenda and proceeded with consent items, which involved the examination and approval of numerous invoices across multiple funds, approval for a State-Funded Rural County Spring Grant, approval to advertise a Request for Proposals for the USACE Floodplain Mitigation Drainage Project using American Rescue Plan Act funding, and approval of a closeout package for an FAA Airport Grant. Two public hearings were held regarding updates on the Steinhatchee Coastal Park Project and the Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee Boat Ramps By-Pass Feasibility Study. The board also approved Amendment 2 to a CDBG-MIT Grant Agreement to increase funding for the Doctors' Memorial Hospital Roofing Retrofit and Hardening Project. Citizen requests included discussion on removing the county from a deed for property in Steinhatchee and approval for the Taylor County Horseman's Association to use heavy equipment for arena dragging. Funding for two patrol vehicles and body camera annual payments for the Sheriff's Office was approved to be funded from the one-cent sales tax, and the board discussed a new School Speed Zone Enforcement Program. General business included discussing Emergency Management Operations, approving a supplemental dredging design service task order with WSP for the Keaton Beach Canal System, and reviewing an update on the Georgia Pacific/Foley Cellulose Draft Permit. Further approvals included an agreement with Ready Power, LLC for an Airfield Vault Generator Project and the 2025 Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) Resolution. The board adopted a resolution and approved funding agreements with FDOT for sidewalk construction in Steinhatchee and approved a project submission for the State of Florida Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program for new generators. A petition to abandon and close a portion of First Avenue Northwest in Steinhatchee was denied. Finally, the board approved a request from FDOT for a Temporary Construction Easement for the Main Street over Pimple Creek Bridge Replacement, received informational updates on federal channel dredging, and discussed contributions to the Senior Citizen Center.

The meeting commenced with the Chairman calling the Special Meeting to order after the second budget public hearing. Key agenda items included the approval of the agenda for the session. Under Consent Items, the Board considered and approved the Library Manager's request to close the library on October 3rd and 4th for inventory, and the County Engineer's proposal for CEI services for the San Pedro Road Sheet Pile Wall Project related to sinkhole activity. Under Constitutional Officers/Other Governmental Units, the Board considered the declaration of a Local State of Emergency (LSE) due to Tropical Cyclone Nine, with staff emphasizing preparation for a Category 4 storm and the need for a curfew. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

The workshop meeting included several key discussions. The Clerk provided an update on the Tourism Development Tax, noting the collection amount to date, which prompted a request for the Tax Collector to explain the monitoring of taxes from renters, hotels, and Airbnb at the next session. The Board also discussed draft Personnel Policies, focusing on emergency protocols, employee acknowledgment, and details regarding annual leave payout eligibility, including payouts at the time of entry into the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP). Furthermore, the Board agreed to move forward with the application process for potential funding from the Florida Department of Commerce. Other topics included establishing deadlines for Advisory Board applications and reviewing proposed signage for the Shady Grove Community Center.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. The primary discussion centered on the Taylor County Sheriff's Office special detail operations at the Keaton Beach Boat Ramp and Steinhatchee Boat Ramp. Sheriff Padgett requested the continuation of the detail, stating that one deputy could not manage the coverage alone. Several residents spoke in support, emphasizing the need for law enforcement presence, particularly on weekends and holidays, to manage congestion and improve public safety due to growth in the area. Following deliberation, the Board voted unanimously to continue providing Deputy Sheriffs at both specified boat ramps.