Regular Meeting Commission Board Room Dixie County Courthouse 214. - NE Hwy 351, Cross City, FL 32628 December 19, 2024 - 6:00PM The. Board meetings are audio recorded. The public can hear and participate in the meeting via conference call by dialing 1(917900-1022 and enter code. 32628. COMMISSIONERS Jody Stephenson, District 1, Chairman Daniel Wood, District 2 Mark Hatch, District 3, Vice Chairman Jamie Storey, District 4 David Osteen, District 5 STAFE John Jenkins, County Manager Chana Watson, County Attorney Barbie Higginbotham, Clerk ofCourt Verna Wilson, Chief] Deputy Clerk Brenda Royal, Chief Financial Officer. Victoria Darkow, Deputy Clerk CALLTOORDER Martha McCaskill, Administrative Asst/Grant Coordinator Commissioner. Jody Stephenson called thei meeting to order at 6:00F PM. INVOCATION. AND PLEDGE TOTHE AMERICANELAG The Invocation and Pledge to the American Flag was led by Commissioner Mark Hatch. APPROVALOE COMMISSIONI MINUTES 12/05/2024 Regular BOCC Meeting Minutes Seconded by Commissioner Storey. Board approved. Motion to approve 12/05/2024. Regular BOCC Meeting Minutes was made by Commissioner Osteen. VOUCHER APPROVAL Storey. Board approved. CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS Motion to approve the vouchers was made by Commissioner Osteen. Seconded. by Commissioner None present. Regular Meeting Minutes- December 19, 2024 - 6:00 PM- - Page 1 of10 KATRINA VANAERNAM ANDSHEILA FRIERSON.DIXIE COUNTY ANTI-DRUG COALITION Mrs. Katrina VanAernam was not present for this meeting. KAY MCCALLISTER, TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Mrs. Kay McCallister stated that Christmas in Dixie went well and was great for thel kids. She also stated that there were over 50 vendors at the Cracker House Winery event and that all but 18 of Mrs. VanAernam stated that the treel lighting in the coastal communities went well and that there were: at them were from Dixie County. least 75 people that attended in. Jena alone. GREG BAILEY, NORTH FLORIDA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Mr. Greg Bailey was not present for this meeting. JOHN LOCKLEAR, LOCKLEAR AND ASSOCIATES Mr. John Locklear had: nothing to bring to thel Board. CINDYB BELTLIBRARY DIRECTOR Mrs. Cindy Bellot informed the Board ofar new. Ei resource that. the Dixie County Library is utilizing called Mometrix EI Library. She stated that iti is a test prep site for all ages and also offers employment Mrs. Bellot stated that they delivered around 200 library cards to thel Dixie County Highschool that will She updated thel Board about the ongoing progress of restoring the Suwannee Tech Center and stated that Mrs. Bellot stated: that unfortunately the contents were not previously insured and that there were some She reminded thel Board that the library has as subscription to Ancestry.com and that therei is a lot of services. give students access to the site. she acquired around 60,000 dollars' worth ofs shelving at no cost to the County. irreplaceable books that were destroyed. information available on there for the public to use. She thanked thel Board for supporting the library. STEVE FREMEN.CODE ENFORCEMENT & VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER Mr. Stevel Fremen was not present for this meeting. STEVEI HUTCHISON, COUNTY ROAD SUPERINTENDENT Mr. Stevel Hutchison had nothing to bring to the Board. TIM. JOHNSON, SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR Mr. Tim Johnson asked if thel Board would cut the hours back on some oft the County sites and stated that het thinks it would be a goodi idea to save money in the! Solid Waste department. Regular Meeting Minutes December 19, 2024- - 6:001 PM - Page 2 of10 Commissioner Hatch asked Mr. Tim Johnson to put something together and bringi it back to the next County Manager. John. Jenkins asked ift thel Board were going to close the dump sites on Christmas day Board meeting for discussion. and Commissioner Hatch: stated that he would liket to keep them open. LEON WRIGHT, BUILDING AND ZONING OFFICIAL Scott Johnson- Regarding a boat house in Suwannee. Mr. Leon Wright stated that Mr. Scott Johnson had withdrawn the request to speak and sought legal representation. He stated that he anticipates it tol bea a code enforcement case. "Table application 240001 for the Future Land Use Map Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan for Isle at Water's Edge and application 240002 for the Site-Specific Amendment to the Official Zoning Atlas for the Isle at Water's Edge to the January 16th, Mr. Wright stated that this application wasn'ta advertised correctly for the Local Planning Agency Meeting Commissioner Hatch made the motion to table application 24001 until. January 16", 2025, Board of 2025, Board of County Commission meeting". : : 5 and that no action was taken on it. County Commissioner Meeting. Seconded by Osteen. Board, approved. RESOLUTION 2024-119 ARESOLTIONOFTIEBOAEDOFCOUNIYA COMMISSIONERSOFDIXIECOUNTY,FLORIDA, TO APPROVE A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO BE. GRANTED, AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 4.7.5 SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS. OF THE: DIXIE COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS TO PERMIT ONE RECEREATIONAL VEHICLE IN AN RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY/MOBLLE HOME AREA (RSF/MH) ZONING DISTRICT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PETITION DATED NOVEMBER 15,2024. WHEREAS, DAVIDand' VICKIBARBER have filed al Petition requesting Dixie County Board of County. Commissioners to grant a Special Exception as provided in Section 4.7.5 special exceptions oft the Dixie County Land Development Regulations to permit one recreational vehicle in an Residential Single Family/Mobile Home Area (RSF/MH), Zoning District, by Petition dated 11/15/2024; and WHEREAS, the recreational vehicle is to be located on Dixie County Parcel No.: 19-13-12-2952- 000H-0040 (189 SE 867th AVE, Old' Town, FL 32680). (Commission District 31 Mark Hatch). Storey. Board approved. Commissioner Hatch made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-119. Seconded by Commissioner RESOLUTION 2024-120 ARESOLUTIONOFTIE BOARDOF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFDIXIECOUNIY,FLORIDA, TO. APPROVE A VARIANCETO BE GRANTED, AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 12.30FTHE DIXIE COUNTYLAND! DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, TO GRANT A VARIANCE WITHIN SECTION 4.3.7) ESA SUBPARAGRAPHO))OFTHEDIXIE COUNTYI LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS FOR A VARIANCE. FOR A REDUCTION OF SETBACKS ONI NORTH SIDE OF PROPERTY FROM 25 FOOT TO 5 FOOT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW POLE BARN WHICH IS LOCATED Regular Meeting Minutes. December 19, 2024 6:001 PM - Page 3 of10 WITHIN SECTION 4.3.7.. An ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA (ESA)ZONINGI DISTRICT, AS PROVIDED IN THE PETITION DATED NOVEMBER 19, 2024. WHEREAS, by Petition dated November 19, 2024, FLYNN. JOSEPH, has requested the Dixie County Board of County Commissioners to grant a variance as provided in Section 4.3.7 ESA Subparagraph (1) of the Dixie County Land Development Regulations for a variance for ai reduction ofs setbacks on north side of property from 25 foot to 5 foot for construction of a new pole barn which is located within an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA), Zoning District at the following: Dixie County Parcel IDI No.: 24-10-13-00-4878.3600 (8231 NE 824 STREET, Old Town, FL 32680). (Commission District 21 Daniel Wood). Storey. Board approved. Commissioner Wood made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-120. Seconded by Commissioner Ordinance 2024-09 ROBERT JUDD-Appication #20240134 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DIXIE COUNTY; FLORIDA, SERVING AS THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD OF DIXIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING. ATLAS OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, BY AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP CLASSIFICATION FROM RESIDENTIAL, MODERATE DENSITY TO COMMERCIAL GENERAL ZONING DISTRICT ON CERTAIN LANDS WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF DIXIE COUNTY, FLORIDA; REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT; Mr. Wright stated that Ordinance 2024-09 had a 4-1 vote at the LPA Board Meeting. Commissioner Osteen stated that he opposed and made a motion to deny the Ordinance. Mr. Robert Judd explained his situation tot the Board and stated that his intentions for thej property is to use: it as a boat storage. He stated that he is one of the biggest businesses in Commissioner Osteen's district and that when he reopens, he is going to employ 60 full time people to work, Mrs. Martha McCaskill presented a map oft the property for the Board to review. AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVEDATE. Mr. Judd stated that he is asking to go commercial because he' s not allowed to get insurance or anything else because the special exemption is for boat storage, sO that it nullifies it for permits Mr. Paul Greenwell stated that hel has nothing against the boat storage but that he does not want Mr. Wright explained that ifthey do change the zoning it does open up possibilities that someone Mr. Howard Hart stated that hel has lived in Jena since 1974 and that if someone owns a piece of LPA Board member Sarah Ross stated that shel buys land and has never asked for a zoning change. becauseitis a special exemption on a residential lot. anything for commercial use in that area or any RV parks. could put RVs eventually. property that iti is their land to do what they want with. Regular Meeting Minutes- = December 19, 2024- - 6:00 PM - Page 4 of10 She stated that you should do your due diligence when purchasing land and look at the zoning. Mr. Wright stated that Mr. Judd's property has operated as a commercial site since 2015. The Board had discussed and stated that thej previous motion had died. The Board voted to approve Motion to approve Ordinance 2024-09 made by Commissioner Hatch. Seconded by the ordinance for Mr. Judd. Commissioner Storey. Board approved. Commissioner Osteen opposed the motion. Mr. Wright informed the public about the LPA: meeting on January gth at 6:00 PM. :6. 54 Ordinance 2024-10 . ROBERT JUDD-Application #20240135 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DIXIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, SERVING AS. THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD OF DIXIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO AMEND' THE OFFICIALZONINGATLAS OF THE: LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, BY. AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING ATLAS MAP CLASSIPICATIONS FROM RESIDENTIAL, SINGLE FAMILY/MOBILE HOME AND COMMERICIAL, GENERAL ZONING DISTRICTON CERTAIN LANDS WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF DIXIE COUNTY, FLORIDA; REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Motion to approve Ordinance 2024-10. made by Commissioner, Hatch. Seconded by Commissioner Storey. Board approved. Commissioner Osteen opposed the motion. &IT. ADMINISTRATOR SCOTT) PENDARVIS.911 COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Mr. Scott Pendarvis was not present for this meeting. DARIAN BROWN, DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES Chief Scott Garner stated that back when Dwayne Cannon was the County Manager, they had spoken to the State of Florida about acquiring a generator for the High School to run at 100% power. He stated that the School Board applied fori it, but that the State wants it to come through the County. He presentedal 1.5-million-dollar. grant and asked the Board to provide a generator for backup power for He stated that the Board would have to sign the contract and move forward with bidding inj partnership Chief Garner asked for permission from thel Board to goi in with Mr. John Jenkins and sign electronically. shelter at thel Dixie County High School. with the School Board. He stated that iti isa a reimbursement style grant. Regular Meeting Minutes- = December 19, 2024- -6 6:001 PM - Page 5 of10 Commissioner Hatch made a motion to move forward with Mr. John Jenkins and sign the grant ChiefMatt. Ferguson presented. ai thank you letter from ChiefDarian Brown for the Christmas inl Dixie Chief Ferguson informed the Board that their equipment vendor stated that the life packs the ambulances electronically. Commissioner Osteen. seconded. Board approved. event. have installed are now obsolete and that they cannot make parts for repairs anymore. He stated that they are 69,000 dollars each and that they need seven (7) ofthem. Chief Ferguson presented at resolution for a match type of grant. He stated that the grant covers $51,931.45 and that the County would have toj pay $17,310.49 making the Motion to approve and sign Resolution 2024-115 made by Commissioner Hatch. Seconded by : grand total $69,241.94. Commissioner Osteen. Board approved. GAIL: CARTER, INDIGENT CARE Mrs. Gail Carter had nothing to bring to thel Board. HOLLYHOUGITON.COUNTY EXTENSION/ AGENT Mrs. Holly Houghton had nothing to bring to the Board. 46. 3 tci 5 ANGIECROWLEY. HUMANI RESOURCES, ADMINISTRATOR Mrs. Angie Crowley had nothing to bring to the Board. JOHN JENKINS, COUNTY MANAGER Action Items: 1. Request Board approval of a Goal Day for County Employees on Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024. There have been no long-term worker compensation claims for the period ofJ July 1, 2024, to Motion to approve a Goal Day. for County Employees on Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024. There have been no long-term worker compensation claims for the period ofJuly 1, 2024, to present made by Commissioner Osteen. Seconded by Commissioner, Storey. Board approved. 2. Request Board approval of the SHIP Rehab Reimbursement for Ellis Chavous Jri in the 3. Motion to approve the SHIP. Rehab Reimbursement, for Ellis Chavous Jri in the amount of $23,601.00 made by Commissioner Osteen. Seconded by Commissioner Wood. Board present. amount of$23,601.00. approved. Regular Meeting Minutes- December 19, 2024- - 6:00 PM - Page 6 of10 4. Request Board approval to allocate ARPA Grant funds in the amount of$172,738.00: for the purchase ofa 2024. John Deere 524 P-Tier Wheel Loader from Beard Equipment based on Motion to approve to allocate. ARPA Grant funds in the amount ofs172,738.00 for the purchase ofa 2024.John. Deere 524P-Tier Wheel Loaderfrom Beard Equipment based On SWTFrecommendatien made by Commissioner Osteen. Seconded by Commissioner Storey. SWTF recommendation. Board approved. 5. Request Board approval to allocate. ARPA Grant funds in the amount of$130,500.00 for the purchase ofa 2024 John Deere 310P-Tier Backhoe Loader from Beard Equipment based on Motion to approve to allocate ARPA Grant funds in the amount of8130,500.00 fort the purchase ofa 2024. John Deere.310. P-Tier. Backhoe Loader from Beard. Equipment based on SWTF recommendation made by Commissioner Osteen. Seconded by Commissioner Storey: SWTF recommendation. Board approved. 6. Request Board approval to allocate ARPA Grant funds ini the amount of$ $53,000.00 forcanal Motion to approve to allocate. ARPA Grant funds in the amount of $53,000.00 for canal maintenance spraying contract. based on SWTFrcommendation made by Commissioner maintenance spraying contract based on SWTF recommendation. Osteen. Seconded by Commissioner Storey. Board approved. 7. Request Board approval oft the. NFPS TWO for the ERI (Electrical Resistivity Image) Survey Motion to approve the. MFPS TWO for the ERI (Electrical Resistivity Image) Survey in the. amount ofs7,720.00for the Sheriff Evidence Building made by Commissioner Osteen. County Manager John. Jenkins stated that they had aj proposal from the insurance company on the turnkey operations to restore some ofthe County properties due to damage from the hurricane. Assistant County Manager Roy Bass stated that the insurance company had the ability to doa "turnkey". He: stated that there were five (5) properties on there that put the County around $143,344.00 in deductibles, but that two (2) of them have been completed. He: stated they will go ina and repair the other three (3) facilities and have a turnkey ready to go. He explained that all: it would cost is the deductible on the insurance and then when it is finished turn it over to Chief Scott Garner and get reimbursement from FEMA (Federal Management Agency). Motion to approve payment in the amount of$143,344.00 for insurance deductibles for the repair ofthe County facilities from damages due to the hurricane made by Commissioner in the amount of $7,720.00: for the Sheriff Evidence Building. Seconded. by Commissioner Storey. Board approved. Hatch. Seconded by Commissioner Storey. Board approved. Information Items: Regular Meeting Minutes December 19,2024 - 6:001 PM-Page 7of10 1.1 Reminder County offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec 24 and Wednesday, Dec 25, 2024, for 2. Reminder County offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, and Wednesday, Jan 1, County Manager John Jenkins stated that the County: needed toi make a move on getting the old fire station in Suwannee: moved or torn down because iti is the School Board property. Commissioner Hatch stated that they can schedule to get the blocks moved out and will let Mr. Jenkins County Manager John Jenkins stated that. hei received an email from Mrs. Karen Ganus from the School District and that she signed a contract with al FEMA representative and] FEMA. will be staying in the the Christmas holidays. 2025, for the New Year holiday. know more at the next Board meeting. building in Old' Town until January 7, 2025. :E * eNiE. Sss 5 :: *y Commissioner Hatch asked Chief Garner about the building in Old' Town where they used to store the. : :51 Chief Garner stated that they are in thej process of moving thel logistics building over and then they'will be County Manager. John Jenkins asked the Board for authorization forl him to contact the chairman on Motion to give County Manager. John Jenkins authority to contact the chairman to extend the Local State of Emergencies every seven (7) days made by Commissioner Osteen. Seconded. by Commissioner Mr. Wright stated that the building department was contacted' by a cellphone company toj put in a tower at Waldo Park and needed direction on putting Mr. Jenkins in charge of working with the company to get Commissioner Hatch made a motion to approve ofCounty Manager. John Jenkins working with the cellphone company to get the lease secured. Commissioner Storey seconded. Board approved. County Manager John Jenkins stated that the money from the lease will go back into parks and recreation. ambulance, how much longer they would be utilizing that building? moving out of that facility to thel building by thel helipad. Monday mornings to extend thel local State ofl Emergencies as needed. Storey. Board approved. thel lease secured. CHANA WATSON, COUNTY ATTORNEY Attorney Chana Watson stated that they have had 180 applications for the trailers and have given out 93 At this point in time, Attorney Watson requested to stop accepting appliçations per the Boards decision. Attorney Watson stated that she has 581 titles she is waiting to get recorded and that the total cost to record Commissioner. Hatch made a motion to close the program down and: stop accepting applications. so: far. She stated that there is five (5) left and that one is pending approval. the 58 titles is $6,500.00. Commissioner, Storey seconded. Board approved. Regular Meeting Minutes December 19, 2024- - 6:001 PM - Page 8 of10 BARBIE HIGGINBOTHAM, CLERK OFCOURT Mrs. Barbie Higginbotham stated that Mrs. Jacki Johnson'sl last day ist tomorrow and that the Clerk's office will bel holding a reception for her from 10:00 AM to 12:001 PM for anyone that would like to stop in and say goodbye. COUNTY COMMISSION ITEMS Commissioner David Osteen asked everybody tol keep al local family int their prayers and wished everyone He also stated that Governor DeSantis gave the State of] Florida employees an extra day off and would like to make ai motion to givet the County employees December 23d off as well. Commissioner Osteen thade a motion to give the County employees December, 23, 2024, off Commissioner Jamie Storey wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Commissioner Mark Hatch wished everyone al Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Commissioner. Daniel Wood wished everyone al Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Commissioner Jody Stephenson wished everyone al Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. al Merry Christmas. Commissioner Storey seconded. Board approved. PUBLICCOMMENTS AND CONCERNS Mr. Jim. Zuberich from Steinhatchee Boating Advisory Commission asked for al Dixie County Commissioner to get a representative to attend thel Boating Advisory Commission meeting and spoke Mr. Jenkins statedi that an agent with FWC( (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation) is handling all oft the Mrs. Karen VanAernam from Cross City Restore and Renew held a Christmas decorating competition for She stated that the Clerk's Office was the winner for the door decorating competition and awarded the The businesses also took part in decorating for Christmas and Mrs. VanAernam presented the winning about all of the derelict vessels. removals of the vessels from the Steinhatchee River. the County and presented two (2) trophies. trophy tol Mrs. Barbie Higginbotham. trophy tol Mrs. Cindy Bellot for the Dixie County Library. ADJOURN Commissioner Wood made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Storey seconded. Board approved. Regular Meeting Minutes- December 19, 2024- - 6:00) PM -] Page 90 of10 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DIXIE COUNTY, FLORIDA AT Anes babiMags SRfhp Barbie Higginbotham, Clefk-Auditor PLEASE BE ADVISED that ifay person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearings, he/she will need a record ofthe proceedings, and for such purpose, he/s she will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the "Persons with disabilities requesting reasonable accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact The Board meets thej first Thursday of each month at 10:002 AM and the third Thursday ofeach month at 6:00 PM. Individuals that would like to be placed on the agenda should call Barbie Higginbotham, Clerk ofCourt, by testimony ande evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. (352) 486-4931 (Voice & TDD) or via Florida Relay. Service at (800) 955-8771." 4:00 PM on the Friday Preceding the Board meeting, at (352) 498-1200. Regular Meeting Minutes- December 19,2024- - 6:00PM-P Page 10of10