by Kathy Foster
Washington County commissioners took time at Thursday’s meeting to recognize Jim Ackerman and the late James “Bo” Ussery.
Both men were praised for their committment to the county and the many hours of dedicated work they devoted to making Washington County a better place to live.
The Washington County Board of County Commissioners took the following actions regarding the day’s agenda items:
- Approved a Small Scale Future Land Use Amendment for property located at 1073 Hwy 277, changing designation from general commercial to low density residential.
- Approved a Small Scale Future Land Use Amendment for property located at 1515 Hwy 90, AMVETS Post 7, from low density to commercial.
- Approved a Special Exception for a Borrow Pit on Perch Pond Road.
- Approved changing a number of text amendments to the County’s Land Development Code.
- Talked with Reed Hoffman, Enterprise Fleet Management, regarding that firm’s vehicle lease offer, but made no final decision and requested Enterprise make the County another offer for fewer vehicles.
- Approved a recommendation for the County to lease a structure across from the Recycling Center on Hwy 77 from the Florida Department of Transportation to house the Washington County EM Services. Randy Truett, EM Director, said the offer was for a 50 year lease that could be ended at any time. Truett said should the county face another emergency such as Hurricane Michael they will be forced to move out of the Emergency Management offices where they are currently housed. Commissioners indicated they would rather have the department in a secure building.
- Approved giving all county employees a three percent raise.
- Approved a supplemental agreement with the Department of Transportation to award work on Bonnett Pond Road to Roberts & Roberts.
- Approved replacing the roof on the Ag Center in Chipley.
- Approved a new color “logo” for Washington County.
Commissioners also voted to approve items on their consent agenda which included the following:
- FDOT Off System Bridge Project Agreement for CR 273 over Hard Labor Creek.
- Local Housing Assistance Plan
- Hurricane Housing Recovery Program Funding/Administration Agreements
- Usery Road Sidwalk Change Order 1 and final acceptance to be executed contingent on final federal documents.
- Purchase of a 1997 E-One 95-foot Aluminum Platform on E-One Hurricane Chassis at a purchase price of $125,000.
- Animal Control Extension
- MOA with the Division of Emergency Management
- Value Adjustment Board appointees Tray Hawkins and Steve Joyner, with Gary Hartman as citizen appointee.
- Contract extension with Cooperative Services Agreement for Wildlife Services.
- Longevity Increase with Retroactive Payment to October 2018.
- Request for Proposals for concrete headwalls, mitered ends, and ditches.
- Ag Center Lease to be signed for 1-year lease with option.
- July vouchers totaling $1,705,563.42.
- Entering into an interlocal Agreement with the Town of Wausau for Code Enfocement.
- Authorization for the Board Chairman to sign a Letter of Engagement with Gray Robinson.
- Authorization for the Board Chairman to sign a contract extension with Fresh Cut Lawns Plus LLC.