Besides considering whether to hold a public hearing for returning to an elected school superintendent, the Board of County Commissioners has four other hot topics on the agenda.
Escambia Children’s Trust
Since last summer, the Trust and BCC have discussed the CRA funds held in the Trust’s bank account. Neither side wanted to go to court to decide the legal status of the funds. Instead, they have worked since March on an interlocal agreement. Adding to the mix, Mayor D.C. Reeves last month invoiced the Trust for $2.4 million for the City’s CRA funds.
On Thursday, the commissioners will consider a draft proposed by the Trust. In it, the Trust agrees to pay the county $1.19 million, equivalent to the TIF Contributions for FY 2021, FY 2022, and FY 2024, by August 1. The Trust will also pay the FY 2025 TIF funds once that amount is determined. The county will use the funds to further its County Youth Programs and provide and maintain needed preventive, developmental, treatment, and rehabilitative services for county children, including related supplies and equipment.
The agreement will be revisited next summer.
Perdido Key Beach Access
Under the Public Service Consent Agenda is Amendment 4 of the RESTORE Act Multi-Year Implementation Plan (MYIP). The amendment deletes a projects that would have added public access to the beach on Perdido Key and replaces it with a $5 million boat launch expansion at Galvez Landing.
If no commissioner objects, the change will be approved without public discussion.
Parking Garage on Pensacola Beach
Under the Budget/Finance Consent Agenda is $604K contract with Mott MacDonald Florida to provide design concepts for traffic solutions or improved traffic flow onto and off of Pensacola Beach, and for potential parking solutions (parking garage?) to increase parking capacity at Casino Beach.
Moreno’s Employment Contract
The County Attorney has recommended extending County Administrator Wes Moreno’s contract for one year, with an expiration date of Aug. 17, 2026. His initial contract is from Aug. 18, 2022, through Aug. 17, 2025. The contract allowed for one additional two-year term, provided it was approved by a majority vote of the board. The amendment allows for up to two additional one-year extensions, provided they are approved by a majority vote of the board. Moreno can ask for another one-year extension next year.
Earlier this year, Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger failed to get on the agenda a discussion of Moreno’s contract. She had even recruited Moreno’s replacement.
Next summer, Hofberger will be the commission chair and running for re-election. It will be interesting to see how she handles it if Moreno asks for another year.