MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – august 2, 1965
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Monday, August 2, 1965, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present: Chairman Livingston; Commrs. Theus, Cowart, Dykes and Babb; Clerk Owens; and Attorney Duncan.
tax valuation & equalization
Complaints were heard from the following:
1. Springs Park Area, Inc. – Mr. Maurice Piper and six other property owners appeared and complained of the large increase over last year. No improvements to the property during the year.
2. Francis D. O’Brien – Letter from Dr. O’Brien complaining of $15,500 increase over last year.
3. Orange Sand Company – Mr. Jack Endsley appeared with reference to 10 acres east of railroad in 17/20/25 (Astatula). His company requests adjustment for this part of the sand pit that has been depleted.
4. S. C. Collette of Saltsdale area appeared and complained of increase in assessment. Thinks if taxes are to be increased, the County should clean up the junkyards in this area. A letter from Mr. Collette was also read.
5. E. E. Reed, Jr. of Weirsdale appeared and complained of an increase in the assessment. Mr. Reed advised he is leasing the property for a peach orchard.
6. L. T. Baxter of Tavares had complained to Commr. Dykes of the increase in assessment amounting to $2,600.
All complaining parties were advised that all complaints will be considered this afternoon in the Tax Assessor’s office.
bids
It now being the time advertised to receive bids for trucks for the Mosquito Control Unit, the Chairman directed the Clerk to open and tabulate the bids, whereupon, the Clerk reported receiving bids from the following:
Joe Creamons Chevrolet, Inc.
Eustis Dodge, Inc.
Hodges Equipment Company
Eustis Motor Company
Jungle Auto Service
On a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the bids were referred to the Mosquito Control Director for study and recommendation to the Board.
Later in the day, Mr. Milton appeared and recommended that the low bid of Eustis Motor Company be accepted; whereupon, on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the low bid of Eustis Motor Company for two trucks in the amount of $3,982.58 and an alternate bid on a pickup truck in the amount of $1,654.04 was accepted.
leases – county property
Attorney Duncan presented a lease signed by the Town of Astatula for use of a clay pit for recreational purposes, whereupon, on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Chairman and Clerk were authorized to execute the lease.
road closings
Attorney Duncan presented the petition of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Getford, Jr. to close certain streets in Eustis Meadows, and on a motion by Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, a resolution was adopted authorizing a public hearing to be heard September 13 to consider a petition to close the following described streets:
1. All of Pine Street lying South of North Street
2. All of Park Lane lying South on Broadway
3. All of Market Street lying North of Broadway
4. All of Maple Street lying North of Broadway
5. All of Cherry Street lying North of Broadway
6. All of Mulberry Street except that portion lying within Broadway
7. All of North Street lying between Mill Street and Bay Street, except that part lying between the centerline of Pine Street and the East boundary of Cedar Street and less Canal Street
8. All of Orange Street between Mill Street and Bay Street, except that part included in Cherry Street and except Canal Street.
9. All of Broadway lying between Mill Street and Cedar Street
10. All of Lemon Street lying between Mill Street and Market Street and between Mulberry Street and Bay Street, less Canal Street.
11. All of South Street included within said Subdivision lying between Mill Street and Bay Street, except that portion lying within Market Street and except that portion lying within Canal Street.
12. All that part of Mill Street within said Subdivision.
ALL According to the Plats of Eustis Meadows and Eustis Meadows Town Plat as shown by Plat Book 1, Page 2, public records of Lake County, Florida.
suits affecting county
Attorney Duncan reported the Quo Warranto suit is still pending on the Motion to Dismiss. The Judge has the brief, and we are waiting for a ruling.
commissioners’ districts
Commr. Theus reported vandals in his district are going around in the Silver Lake area deliberately pushing signs down that have been erected by the Engineering Department. Commr. Babb reported he is experiencing the same trouble in his district.
state road department
Attorney Duncan stated he has been advised by the State Road Department they are denying the Board’s request to reimburse the City of Umatilla for expenses incurred in acquiring the road right of way north of Umatilla for the reason the costs were incurred prior to execution of the right of way contract. The Attorney was instructed to contact the City of Umatilla regarding this matter.
schools
A motion was made by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried that Timmy Lee Rakes be admitted to the St. Augustine School for the Blind.
soil survey
A memorandum from the Soil Conservation Service advising a total of 5,070 acres were mapped by the field survey crew during the month of July, making a total mapped to date 194,342 acres.
outdoor recreational facilities
Commr. Dykes advised the beach area on Lake Eustis between the City of Tavares and the Dora Canal on State Road 500 is getting to be a dangerous area for swimmers because of the boats. He will recommend to the Oklawaha Water Authority that the area be roped off for swimmers.
complaints
Mrs. Ruby Shore appeared and complained about the location of road right of way on South Street. The Engineer was instructed to contact the State Road Department and secure from them the correct location of the right of way line and advise Mrs. Shore.
road maintenance – subdivisions
Mr. Jacobs appeared and presented a check in the amount of $64.00 from Minnie Craigmiles to apply on costs of paving Perch Street in Orange Blossom Estates. Mr. Jacobs advised this makes 100 percent of the property owners involved.
engineering department
L. E. Brown appeared representing the Tavares Jaycees and requested the assistance of the Engineering Department in placing buoys in Lake Dora for the Waterama Show the Jaycees are sponsoring on November 14. On a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Engineer was instructed to assist in this matter.
road & bridge department
Engineer Hays was directed to contact the district foremen with reference to purchasing a transport to be used countywide.
municipal corporations
Mayor Joe BonJorn of Clermont appeared and introduced Mr. McIntosh, the new City manager of Clermont.
budget
Clerk Owens presented a letter from the Honorable Ray E. Green, Comptroller returning the approved budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1966. Said budget fixed the millages as follows:
General Revenue Fund 3.000
Fine & Forfeiture Fund .900
Road & Bridge Fund .000
Capital Outlay Reserve Fund (Armories) .000
Capital Outlay Reserve Fund (Agricultural Building) .000
Capital Outlay Reserve Fund (Juvenile Detention Home) .000
Capital Outlay Reserve Fund (County Buildings) .000
Capital Outlay Reserve Fund (Health Clinic) .000
Capital Outlay Reserve Fund (County Home) .025
Bond Interest & Sinking Fund (County Buildings) .530
(A) County Health Unit Fund .280
(B) Water Conservation .600
(C) Southwest Florida Water Management District .122
(D) Oklawaha River Basin .000
(E) Withlacoochee River Basin .509
(F) Auxiliary Operation (Special District South Lake
Hospital District) .333
(G) Auxiliary Operation (Northeast LC Hosp. District) 1.000
(A) Handled by State Treasurer
(B) Handled by Oklawaha Basin Recreation & Water Conservation and Control Authority
(C) Handled by Southwest Florida Water Management District
(D) Handled by Oklawaha River Basin District
Special Tax Levied on all property south of the boundary line separating Townships 20 and 21 South of the Tallahassee meridian (South Lake Memorial Hospital)
Special Tax Levied on all property included in Northeast Lake County Hospital District less Precincts 13 and 21.
Clerk Owens filed the budget as adopted on July 19, 1965 and approved by the Comptroller on July 29, 1965 for the fiscal year 1965-66, said budget being hereby made a part of these minutes.
SEE PAGES 273 through 285
Commr. Dykes raised the question of purchasing the Wells property and was advised by Clerk Owens no money was set up in the new budget for this purchase.
courthouse
On a motion by Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the Clerk was directed to furnish a key to the courthouse lobby doors to the Sheriff’s Department to be used in the event of an emergency.
state agencies
A letter was read from the Florida Inland Sportfishing Hosts withdrawing their support of several points of the Lake Griffin improvement program, specifically wherein the program pertains to any other area than Lake Griffin and wherein the program pertains to any countywide change in bag or size limit.
A motion was made by Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried that before the former resolution adopted on July 12 is drafted, that same be amended designating Lake Griffin as a Fish Management Area and the size limit on bass be eliminated.
A letter from John Irving together with an information bulletin from the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station was filed regarding undesirable Laws Setting Minimum Legal Lengths for Game Fish.
hospitals
On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the action of the Chairman and Clerk in approving admittance for the following to the Southwest Florida Tuberculosis was approved:
Helen Virginia Melton
Camilla Fay (Dykes) Livingston
Willis Cooper
Ethel Lee Pinkney
Charlie Mae Lewis
Notices from the Hospital as follows were filed with the Board:
Clarence Rufus Dawson was given a disciplinary discharge on 7/5/65
Roy Columbus Johnson was discharged with medical advice on 7/14/65
Louise Amelia Schoeller was discharged with medical advice on 7/16/65
Samuel Ernest Moore was discharged with medical advice on 7/23/65
Sanford C. Dodd was discharged with medical advice on 7/23/65
Rasmah Arnold Brown was discharged with medical advice on 7/27/65
budget
A letter from the Lake County Development Commission, Inc. expressing appreciation to the Board for its financial assistance was read, and the Attorney was instructed to contact the State Auditing Department with reference to the procedure for disbursing funds for this Commission.
appointments
Requests from the Governor’s Office for a recommendation for members to the Oklawaha River Basin Board and the Withlacoochee River Basin Board were read, and action was deferred until the next regular meeting.
budget
The State Road Department’s adopted budget for the 1965-66 fiscal year was filed and copy distributed to each Board member, Attorney and Engineer.
state agencies
A letter was read from the Florida Board of Forestry together with an invoice in the amount of $2,000 covering the County’s share of 1965-66 Farm Forestry Project, and the Clerk was authorized to hold the invoice until December.
state road department
A notice from the State Road Department pertaining to traffic regulation changes within the County was filed.
recess and reassembly
The Board recessed for lunch at 12 o’clock noon and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. to take up the remaining items of business.
civil defense
The Clerk reported the Civil Defense Director has notified him the secretary is in the hospital in Lakeland and does not know how long she will be away from the job.
licenses and permits
The Engineer filed the following Use Permits:
Permit #37 to Florida Telephone Corp. for construction and maintenance of poles and buried cable paralleling and crossing County Road 3-4140.
Permit #38 to Florida Telephone Corp. for construction and maintenance of buried cable paralleling County Road 3-4138.
To Sumter Electric Coop., Inc. for the construction and maintenance of power line along County Road 5-7528.
A copy of a letter from the Oklawaha Water Authority to Southwest Florida Water Management District regarding the application of Robert G. Stubbs for a permit to build a retaining wall was read and filed.
A copy of a letter from the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to James A. Livingston approving dredging in Lake Eustis was read and filed.
e. central florida regional planning council
The minutes of the meeting held on June 16, 1965 in Titusville were filed and a copy distributed to each Board member.
plats
Mr. E. T. Hall appeared and presented a plat of Ravenswood Park Subdivision. Owners Ravenswood Development Co., Inc.; John H. Barritt, President; and Hugh S. Bell, Secretary. The Subdivision is located in Sections 2 and 3, Twp. 20 South, Range 24 East. In the absence of the Attorney, Commr. Dykes said the plat meets specifications as far as street width and access roads are concerned. Title opinion from P. B. Howell, Jr., Attorney, states the title is satisfactory, and a letter from the Citizens National Bank advising that a partial release of mortgage releasing streets from the mortgage is being filed. A letter from the County Engineer recommending the subdivision for septic tank-type sewage disposal was filed.
On a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the plat of Ravenswood Park Subdivision was approved, subject to approval by the Zoning Director.
permits
On the recommendation of the Zoning Director and on a motion by Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, a refund to Robert K. Nidy for building permit #4782 in the amount of $59 was approved.
zoning
On a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, a resolution was adopted activating and making effective the provisions of Chapter 65-1783, Laws of Florida 1965, whereby the Rules and Regulations of the Planning and Zoning Commission are extended to all lands in Lake County, exclusive of lands within incorporated municipalities and requesting the Planning and Zoning Commission to prepare the necessary rules and regulations for the Board’s approval.
accounts allowed
On a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, an invoice from T. O. Moorhead in the amount of $1,030.00 for section maps was approved.
On a motion by Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Theus, the Clerk was authorized to expend a maximum of $700 for repairs to old record books, the work to be done by the Dobbs Bros. Library Binding Company.
The Clerk submitted prices from Dotherow Office Supply, Southern Printing Company, F&R Office Supply, Inc. and General Office Equipment & Printing Company for 2,000 Chancery Case Binders and 500 Law Binders and recommended that the low price of General Office Equipment & Printing Co. in the amount of $249.50 be accepted, whereupon on a motion by Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes, the Clerk was authorized to order the case binders from General Office Equipment & Printing Co., and in the event the price quoted in incorrect, that the next low bid of Dotherow Office Supply in the amount of $560.00 be accepted.
On a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the payrolls for the month of July were approved.
communications
A note of thanks for flowers from the family of Mrs. Pearl E. Paul was read.
Letters from the State Board of Health with reference to Bonfire Trailer Park and Ehler’s Mobile Homes were filed.
A letter from the Civil Defense Director to the County Engineer regarding built-in protection as Public Fallout Shelter in the proposed engineering building was read and filed.
Cards and letters of appreciation from the 4-H boys and girls were read.
reports
The report of the Planning, Zoning and Building Department for the month of July was filed.
The report from the State Board of Health regarding Mental Health was distributed to each member.
equalization board
At 2:30 p.m. the Board met as an equalization board in the Tax Assessor’s Office to consider the assessment roll. See page 261.
After considering the complaints made in person and in writing, Commr. Theus moved that the Assessment Roll for the year 1965 as submitted by the Tax Assessor be approved with the changes as made by the Equalization Board. The motion was seconded by Commr. Cowart and unanimously carried, said changes being as follows:
SPRINGS PARK AREA, INC. – 17-20-25 – Beg. SW Corner Govt. Lot 1, run E. 270 feet, N. 488.19 feet, E. 221.6 feet, S. 113 feet to POB, run No. 390.45 feet, N. 53̊ 35’30” W. 62.2 feet, N. to Lake.
Assessment on above reduced from $19,600.00 to $19,300.00
S. C. COLLETTE – 17-18-27 – West 210 feet of the North 960 feet of the East ½ of the NW ¼ of the NE ¼.
Assessment on above reduced from $3,500.00 to $3,200.00
Other complaints as follows made to the Board of Equalization were found to be in keeping with surrounding property assessments, and the Board concurred in the assessments as fixed by the Tax Assessor, R. G. Cassady:
Francis D. O’Brien – 9-21-25 – E ¾ of SE ¼
Orange Sand Company – 17-20-26 Beg. At Intersection of E’ly R/W line of Hwy. 561 and S. Line of N ¾ of S ½ of Sec. for POB. Run NW’ly along R/W 753 ft, E to PT 95 ft. W of C/o of T & G RR, N’ly parallel to and 95 ft W of C/L of RR to N line of S ½ of Sec, E to C/L of RR, S’ly along C.L of RR to S line of N ¾ of SE 1/4, W to POB – Less R/W of T & G RR.
17-20-26 W ¼ of NE ¼ of SE ¼ E of T & G RR, E ¼ of NW ¼ of SE 1/4 , E of T&G RR.
17-20-26 – From SW cor. Of SE ¼ Run N 833.85 ft. E 175 ft., S 550 ft., E 572.8 ft., N 55̊ 59’ E to Hwy R/W, NW’ly along R/W to a Pt. 446.7 ft. S of N line of SE ¼, W 579.85 ft., S 212.15 ft., W to pt. 265.4 ft. E of W line of NE ¼ of SW ¼, N 204.6 ft., W 265.4 ft., S to S line of Sec. E to POB.
E. E. Reed, Jr. 3-17-24 – W ½ of NW ¼ of SW 1/4; E ¼ of NW ¼ of SW ¼
4-`8-24 – E ½ of NE ¼ of SE ¼
L. T. Baxter – Harden’s Plat – Beg 1541.93 feet N and N 52̊ 27’ W 421.14 feet of SE corner of Harden’s Plat, run N 52̊ 27’ W. to Lake, Beg. Again at POB run S. 18̊ 35’ W 153.99 ft.
Hodkin D. & Erma H. Cobb – Mobile Home located in Lakeside Mobile Home Park, Leesburg
William L. Sims, II, of Sims Groves, Inc. appeared in the office of the Tax Assessor with reference to assessment on grove property. Mr. Cassady advised Mr. Sims the increased assessment is because of two 50-acre tracts recently set out in the new grove. Mr. Sims conceded this is correct and was satisfied with the assessed value.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN