MINUTES OF special MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

july 27, 1973

The Board of County Commissioners convened in special session on Friday, July 27, 1973 at 10:30 in the forenoon in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse Tavares, Florida, for the purpose of considering budget requests and any other business which may be brought before the Board.

The Chairman called the meeting to order with the following members present:  C. A. Deems, Chairman; J. M. Hoskinson; Glenn C. Burhans; James R. Carson, Jr.; and Thomas J. Windram.  Others present were:  James C. Watkins, Clerk of Circuit Court; Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; Norma H. Coven, Deputy Clerk; and Doris Babb, Financial Officer.

recreational facilities

Chairman Deems submitted a letter from the Director of the Division of Recreation and Parks of the Dept. of Natural Resources requesting the Board’s comments concerning the State’s purchase of a 1785-acre tract of land on Lake Louisa.  Commr. Hoskinson stated the Resource Survival Committee is interested in the acquisition of the land as a preservation and recreation area.  The members concurred with Mr. Hoskinson, and he moved that a resolution to the Department urging the State to proceed with all diligent speed in the acquisition and preservation of the 1785-acre tract of land on Lake Louisa.  The motion was seconded by Commr. Carson and unanimously carried.

roads – state

The Chairman referred to a letter from the DOT requesting the Board and the City of Clermont schedule a time and place to discuss proposals for the design of SR 50 from SR 561 in Clermont to the Lake County line.  Referred to Commr. JMH.

state agencies

On the recommendation of the Attorney, the Chairman signed the monthly Status Report from the Division of Youth Services regarding the Volunteer Counselor Program for the period June 1- 30, 1973.

budget

Chairman Deems presented a letter from the Dept. of Administration advising an Order has been entered approving the amendment of the Sheriff’s budget in the amount of $30,721.50.

Mr. Bobby Tanner of the Sheriff’s Department was present, and the Board discussed with him at length all of the items included in the Sheriff’s budget requests submitted on May 22, 1973.

recess & reassembly

The meeting recessed for lunch at 11:50 a.m. for lunch at the Silver Lake Country Club, and the Chairman announced the public and press are invited on a Dutch-treat basis and also invited Mr. Tanner to joint them, who declined on the basis that he was needed in the office.

The meeting reconvened at 2:30 p.m. with Mr. Tanner in attendance, and discussion was resumed concerning the Sheriff’s budget until 3:50 p.m., at which time Mr. Tanner left the meeting.

Chairman Deems read a letter from Sam R. Murray asking the Board to delay a decision on the Sheriff’s budget until the Sheriff appears in person.

Clerk Watkins took exception to an article in The Daily Commercial, Wednesday, July 25th, quoting Sheriff Bliss that he had no prior request to appear before the Board before Friday except through the newspapers.  Mr. Watkins said he feels a corrected statement should be issued by the paper.

A discussion followed concerning the correct way to consolidate the Sheriff’s budget.  Attorney Ford was instructed to write the Sheriff asking him to consolidate the items.

On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and unanimously carried, the Clerk and Attorney were instructed to notify the Sheriff in writing of the items reviewed and approved today for his 73/74 budget.

Commr. Hoskinson stated he has talked with the Tax Assessor, and it is Mr. Stephens’ feeling there will be a 10 percent increase in the overall assessments.

For details of discussions of this meeting, see the transcript of the proceedings filed in the Office of the County Attorney.

accounts allowed

On the recommendation of the Chairman and on a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and unanimously carried, Phil J. Yoder was authorized to attend the Pesticide Safety Course in Fort Myers, October 16 & 17.

Employment of William Peshek as a Chemical Technician in the Pollution Office effective July 26, 1973 at an annual salary of $6,000 was approved on a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and unanimously carried.

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

 

 

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chairman

 

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Clerk