A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

DECEMBER 20, 1973

A special meeting of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners was called for Thursday, December 20, 1973, at 1:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, for the purpose of receiving recommendations from the Emergency Medical Services Council; also, to discuss with the Tax Assessor and the appraisal firm a contract and time schedule for a revaluation of the County in order to meet the mandate from the State.

The Chairman called the meeting to order with the following members present:  C. A. Deems, Chairman; James R. Carson, Jr., Thomas J. Windram, J. M. Hoskinson, and Glenn C. Burhans.  Others present were:  James C. Watkins, Clerk, Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; Norma Coven and Debby Potter, Deputies Clerk.

The Invocation was given by James C. Watkins, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

holidays

James C. Watkins recommended that December 31, 1973 be declared a holiday because of fuel shortage.  On the motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson, and carried unanimously, the holiday was approved.

public health

The Chairman read the letter from Dr. Langley regarding the recommendation of the Emergency Medical Services Council for the Physicians and Surgeons Ambulance Service.  After meeting with the tentative Emergency Medical Council, Dr. Langley recommended that there was no need or necessity for an additional ambulance service in Lake County.

Commr. Carson received a telephone call from Dr. Tyre reporting that at a staff meeting at Waterman Memorial Hospital the staff does not feel that there is a need for another ambulance service in the County.

Commr. Carson stated the Board does have on file letters from various cities and towns that there is a need for another ambulance service in the County.

Pat Farner, a member of the City Council of Tavares, appeared in support of Physicians & Surgeons Ambulance Service.

William Elmore, representing the people of Holiday Mobile Park appeared in support of Physicians & Surgeons Ambulance Service.

Dr. Langley appeared representing the Emergency Medical Services Council that met December 19, 1973.

Mike Walbert appeared for Charles Cave and presented a letter to the Chairman.  The Chairman read the letter from Charles Cave asking for a certificate of need and necessity.

Frank L. Landrove, with the County Health Department, appeared and reported that if the Physicians & Surgeons Ambulance Service is issued a certificate of need and necessity they will be able to operate county wide, according to State policies.  The responsibility of licensing the services is up to the State and the license would include the entire County.  Attorney Ford and Mr. Landrove left the meeting to place a telephone call to Dr. Huntley, Administrator of Emergency Medical Services.  On returning to the meeting Attorney Ford reported in Dr. Huntley’s opinion competition is bad for established ambulance services.  Also, the $18,000.00 grant applied for by the County will be committed only to the presently operating services.  The grant will be reconsidered if another service is franchised.

On the motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the request for the certificate of need and necessity from Physicians and Surgeons Ambulance Service was denied.

On the motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried unanimously, a resolution was adopted issuing certificates of public convenience and necessity to the following ambulance services:

Lennon’s

South Lake Memorial Hospital

City of Leesburg

 

On the motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the liaison commissioner for the hospital and ambulance services, Commr. Deems, is to confer with Lennon’s, City of Tavares, and other areas where complaints were filed and make recommendations to the Board for upgrading the ambulance services in Lake County.

tax assessments

Don Stephens, Tax Assessor, and Mr. Howze, of Howze and Company, appeared regarding the revaluation for the County.

Mr. Howze reported that his company will computerize the land revaluation and Mr. Stephens’ office will reassess the buildings for 1974 and by March 1, 1975, all buildings and land will be on a completely computerized program. The total cost will be $202,500.

The Board asked Mr. Stephens if Mr. Howze’ proposal is his recommendation and he answered that it is.

The County Attorney recommended the Board postpone any action until he can talk with Mass Property Appraisal, who now say they can do the work in the allotted time.  Attorney Ford recommended the Board meet December 27, 1973, at 1:30 p.m. to take action in this matter.

Commr. Hoskinson moved the Board postpone any action at this time and meet December 27, 1973 in order to allow Attorney Ford time to talk with Mass Property Appraisal.  Commr. Burhans seconded the motion.  Commr. Carson, Commr. Windram and Chairman Deems voted “no.”  The Chairman announced the motion failed to carry.

Commr. Carson moved the Tax Assessor and the County Attorney finalize the contract with Howze and Company that will result in the reappraisal of the County.  Included in the contract will be Mr. Howze’ responsibility to defend all petitions before the Tax Adjustment Board.

Mr. Howze was questioned regarding his past association with Mass Property Appraisal and if he was aware of Mass’ quoted price to do the reassessment when he made his quotation to the County.  Mr. Howze replied he had severed his connection with Mass on September 28, 1973 and did not know of their quotation at the time he made his quotation of $202,500.

Commr. Carson’s motion was seconded by Commr. Windram.  Commr. Hoskinson voted “no.”  The Chairman announced the motion carried.

public health

Attorney Ford presented corrected contract between the County and Lennon’s’ Ambulance Service, Inc., and same was approved as amended and on the motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Chairman and the Clerk were authorized to sign the amended corrected contract with Lennon’s.

maps and plats

The County Attorney presented an affidavit concerning the duplication of the name Morningview Subdivision recorded in Plat Book 20, Page 20, said affidavit corrects the name to Morningview at Leesburg.  On the motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried unanimously, the affidavit was approved for recording and the Clerk was authorized to correct the name on the face of the original plat.

accounts allowed

Glenn Middleton requested $7,647.68 for repairs on two barns in Umatilla and two barns in Mascotte, as follows:

Roof for the big barn in Umatilla                                           $3,781.50

Roof for little barn in Umatilla                                                    902.88

Roof for big barn in Mascotte                                                   2,463.30

Roof for little barn in Mascotte                                                   500.00

 

Also, approximately $2,500.00 for sanitary facilities at the small barn in Umatilla.

On the motion of Commr. Carson seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, the request was approved.

There being no further business to bring before the Board the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

_________________________________                                                                                          ___________________________________

CLERK                                                                                                                                                                                               chairman