MINUTES OF THE CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY commissioners
thursday – MAY 21, 1959
The Board of County Commissioners met in called session in the County Commissioners’ room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Thursday, May 21, at 10 o’clock AM for the purpose of hearing the report on re-evaluation of Hunnicutt & Associates and such other matters as may be brought before the Board, with the following present: Chairman Simpson; Commissioners Theus, Cowart, Bishop, and Cross; Attorney Duncan; and Mr. Hamilton of Hunnicutt & Associates. (Clerk Owens attending Court)
Board called to order by Chairman Simpson.
Mr. Hamilton gave a report on what his Firm has done since he and Mr. Hunnicutt were here. From the study and checking with Mr. Cassady, Tax Assessor, we feel that the re-evaluation should include a complete re-valuation of all real and personal property and feel that the land assessment maps should be prepared as a means of reporting information such as land re-evaluation value, etc. The entire cost to Lake County would be $156,500.00, with the cooperation of the 5 cities that have already re-evaluated allowing us to use whatever information they have. Could have this ready for 1961.
procedure for payment
Send the Clerk of the Board an itemized statement monthly based on the amount of work that has been completed for that month. County withhold 10% of that until the job is completed and this 10% to be paid with the final payment. One factor that might be considered in the bid if required completion bond on the work – 1% per year. Mr. Duncan stated it would take 1.6 mills for the whole work. Mr. Cassady said one mill would bring $60,000.00 per year. Mr. Hamilton said the monthly payments would be $8,700.00 for 18 months. The 1%, which would be $15,650.00, not due and payable until 1961.
Mr. Cassady stated he would only have to change the valuation and thought could do it if could have the information by the first of January or not later than first of February. Mr. Hamilton stated they feel they can get this to Mr. Cassady by the first of February. The latest date to be started would be sometime in August. Started in Tavares today. Mr. Cross suggested – get the governing towns together and have an understanding with them. Five cities have had re-evaluation – Leesburg, Clermont, Mount Dora, Eustis and Tavares. Mr. Theus suggested getting a letter from each of the cities stating they will or will not cooperate. Mr. Simpson thinks should have a definite statement from the cities that they will cooperate. Mr. Cross thinks should have a meeting with the cities that have already re-evaluated. Discussion on this follows:
keeping record up-to-date discussed
Mr. Hamilton stated his Firm has a regular maintenance service. They come back each year and check up on new constructions and new subdivisions, etc. This service is usually done on a cost plus basis, depending on the amount of activities. This service for Leesburg runs about two thousand to twenty-five hundred per year.
Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Bishop that the Board write the five cities that have been re-evaluated recently and request that they write the Board of County Commissioners whether or not they will make their records available to Hunnicutt & Associates without cost in order that the Board might proceed with the re-evaluation of the County. Unanimously carried.
Mr. Duncan stated there is a legal question involved as to whether the Board can enter into the contract unless the millage is levied in one tax year rather than two, which the Board obviously would prefer. Mr. Duncan stated he talked to Joe Henry of the Auditing Department in Tallahassee last night and he did not flatly say we could not do it. He indicated in a general way if continued over a two year period, might work it out. Mr. Duncan instructed to find out definitely about this.
Motion by Commr. Bishop seconded by Commr. Cowart, that the Board take this matter under advisement pending writing of these letters and replies to same and hearing from the State Auditor giving his opinion on same. Motion carried.
The attorney for Hunnicutt & Associates will meet with the Attorney for the Board and workout the contract.
The Chairman thanked Mr. Hamilton for coming to the meeting and giving the Report.
Mr. Duncan discussed the bills which have been presented to the Legislature – Bill for County Officers' fees, excluding the County Board. Plat Law. Mr. Duncan stated we had two hearings on the Plat Law to which the attorneys, abstractors, surveyors and realtors were invited to attend. There were some objections to the bill. All items were taken up at these hearings. Mr. Owens objected to Article 14 which places the responsibility of enforcing the plat law on the Clerk. Mr. Duncan stated all other bills pertaining to Lake County have been passed.
Motion by Commr. Cross seconded by Commr. Bishop that the Board urge the Legislature to pass the Plat Law as it is now before them, with the addition of a certificate of owners as to metes and bounds description. Motion carried.
Motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Bishop and carried, that the following Resolution be adopted:
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, respectfully requests the State Road Department of the State of Florida to make a survey and determine the centerline for a connecting road between State Road S-565 and State Road 561, commencing at the point of curve where State Road S-565 turns from an Easterly direction to a Northerly direction, and thence continuing said proposed road Easterly to connect with State Road 561.
Mr. Goodson, County Engineer, stated several roads that have been returned to Lake County are in bad condition and the State Road Department should be requested to put these in secondary maintenance program, WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Bishop, the following Resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the following described roads were originally a part of the Primary and Secondary Road System of the State of Florida, to-wit:
Begin at the intersection of State Road 44 and old State Road 19, known as Deism’s Corner, thence running North to intersect new State Road 19, a distance of approximately one mile;
Also, old State Road 19 as located prior to the construction of Section 1109 and extending from Tavares to the “Dreamboat;”
Also, old State Road 25 (U.S. 27) extending from the approximate North city limits of Fruitland Park, Southerly through Fruitland Park to intersect new State Road 25-500;
Also, old State Roads 25 and 33 from the Southerly limits of Leesburg, Southerly to re-intersect new State Roads 125 and 33 (U.S. 27); and
WHEREAS, Lake County does not have funds to maintain these roads;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that the State Road Department be requested to place each of the above descried roads under State Road Department Maintenance, and that such maintenance be charged to proper funds available for maintenance.
MEETING ADJOURNED.
/s/ Frank E. Owens /s/ O. M. Simpson
CLERK CHAIRMAN