Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting
Morning Agenda Review
Called to order at 9:03 a.m.
All County Commissioners were present except for Commissioner Marie Young.
Young arrived at 9:30 a.m.
Items to be added to the afternoon agenda:
The board adopted the following two proclamations.
The Proclamation proclaiming March 20, 2008 as “Agriculture Day” in Escambia County.
The Proclamation proclaiming April 2008 as “Fair Housing Month” in Escambia County.
Written Communications to be reviewed at the afternoon meeting.
Communications from Eric Gleaton requesting the board waive the daily fines and court costs in the amount of $4,075, relative to the order of the Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate concerning 5630 West Jackson Street.
“Eric indicated to me he just missed getting his permit,” Commissioner Grover Robinson said still chewing something he had popped in his mouth seconds before speaking.
“I told him we do not forgive the cost associated with this,” Valentino said. “He knows he has to pay some penalties.”
“There was ample opportunity in the 119 days to get his contracts,” Whitehead said. “As I understand he was thirty minutes late getting his contract on the last day. Because of that he wants us to forgive his fines?”
What Gleaton was arguing was that there is five acres of property and the county did not clean all five acres. They tore down the house and cleaned only the “yard” portion.
“If you take away fines where is the leverage to get people to clean up there mess,” Whitehead said.
A note was made that Gleaton had another property with a similar problem.
Communications from Charles R and Robin N. Hall wish to appear before the Board regarding 8731 Doris Avenue code enforcement issues. The county demolished a building on this property.
The board decided not to move on this item until risk management assessed the claim.
Three public hearings will be heard for adopting an ordinance creating street lighting MSBU.
Public hearing for consideration of adopting an Ordinance establishing an Employee Severance Incentive Program.
“This program is the same that is being used by every major corporation in the country,” Whitehead said.
“I am just curious,” Robinson said. “How much are we looking at for this?”
Answer: $1.9 million
“For every dollar in buy out we will lose a dollar in salary,” Whitehead said. “This is the only way it will work.”
Commission Kevin White added an issue to the agenda concerning a cut of 10 percent cut for all county commissioners and state legislators’ salaries.
“I was simply asking for Escambia County,” Robinson said. “This is a statement of leadership. It needs to come from this board. My simple thing is to say ‘Hey, we need to lead by example.'”
“If any one has extra money they can give to a ministry I know of that is going to be helping out those people who are going to be without a job after (budget cuts),” Young said.
“I don’t mind doing something locally,” Valentino said. “My only comment is, in taking a leadership role we need to get the State of Florida on board. If they are not willing to show the will and intestinal fortitude then let us do it locally.”
“I have said for years we are overpaid,” Whitehead said. “But what Robinson doesn’t understand, probably because he doesn’t do his own taxes, he probably pays someone to, is only a portion of his gross income is going to go here. I think you have a well intended but misguided approach. I would much rather write my check for $3,500 or what ever it is to United Way. You’re trying to shame us in to this. I am sorry, I don’t think Escambia County is a worthwhile charity.”
“What you do with your personal money is fine,” Robinson said. “I am just trying to give the money back to the Escambia County general fund.”
“$40,000, which is what would be the impact of this, is not going to make a difference with the $12 million deficit in the Escambia County general fund, but it will make a difference to one of these local charities,” Whitehead said.
Robinson added an item to the agenda for a proclamation of Juvenile Justice Week.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.