A special MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

august 23, 1977

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, August 23, 1977, at the Leesburg Community Center, East Room, to hold a public hearing on the increase of taxes for the support of the Ambulance Service in the Northwest Lake County Hospital District.  The meeting convened at 5:00 p.m.  Present were:  C.A. Deems, Chairman; Thomas J. Windram; Glenn C. Burhans; James R. Carson, Jr.; and J. M. Hoskinson.  Others present were: James C. Watkins, Clerk; Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; and Andrea Gambrell, Deputy Clerk.

tax levy

The Clerk read the proof of publication.  He stated that it was brought to his attention that the percentage increase in the paper was in error, and it should have been advertised as 18.65 % instead of 1.964%.

The Chairman announced that the Board would hear comments from the public that was present, but that the hearing would be re-advertised correctly.

Mr. and Mrs. James Cox requested to know the dollar amount of the increase to expect in their tax bill.  It was explained to them that the millage increase would increase their tax bill by $.09 per $1,000 of assessment.

Mrs. Penny Bolder asked what were the charges of the present ambulance rates charged by the City of Leesburg.  Chief Robert Taylor, Fire Chief of Leesburg, answered Mrs. Bolder’s question.

At this time, Chief Taylor stated that the additional monies would be used to purchase life support equipment.

Jack Bradley, Mayor of Leesburg, presented to those present the losses the Leesburg Ambulance Service has suffered in the past four years.

Mrs. Bolder suggested that the City attempt to obtain donations from residents in the City to eliminate having to raise the taxes.

Commr. Deems apologized to the public present for the inconvenience caused them due to the error in the advertisement.

On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board approved for the Clerk to re-advertise this meeting for August 30, 1977 at 5:00 p.m. in the East Room of the Leesburg Community Center and to change the percentage in the advertisement to read 18.64%.

appropriations/ceta

Mr. Spooner, CETA Coordinator, appeared before the Board to request action on various CETA positions.  Discussion was held.  It was moved by Commr. Burhans to approve priority positions 1-13 as presented by Mr. Spooner.  This motion was seconded by Commr. Windram.  Mr. Ford, County Attorney, stated the Clerk’s Office had been called to find out if any other business besides the millage increase hearing would be discussed at this meeting, and the Clerk’s Office had assured the people there would be no other business taken up at this time.  In view of this information, Mr. Ford suggested that the Board establish a Special Meeting to discuss and take action on the matters presented to the Board at this time.

Commr. Burhans withdrew his motion and Commr. Windram withdrew his second.

Commr. Deems established a Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners for Friday, August 26, 1977 at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida to take action on various CETA items as presented by Mr. Spooner.  This met with the approval of the Board.

There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

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C.A. “Lex” deems, chairman

 

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James C. Watkins, Clerk