Money Matters
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Contracts Awarded
The Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the following contracts:
1. Award of Contract No. 19-T00109/DK to Sunstate Meter & Supply, Inc., for
Purchase of Meter Boxes (Amount: $194,357.75)
2. Award of Contracts to Avcon, Inc., and Michael Baker International, Inc.,
for Airport Engineering Services (RFQ 18-RG0128/PH)
3. Final Close-Out of Contract With Florida Safety Contractors, Inc., for
Deltona Boulevard Sidewalk Local Agency Program Project
(No. 18-CG0073/BH; Amount: $86,995.94)
4. Four-year Renewal of Contract No. 14-R00045/TKB With CalAmp
Wireless Networks Corporation for Vehicle and Equipment Telematics
Including Negotiated Changes and Annual Spend Amount
5. Renewal of Contract With Presidio Holdings, Inc., for VMware Software
Maintenance Renewal (Amount: $73,546.11)
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Grants
Taxiway A Reconstruction
The Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the final grant application for Taxiway A Reconstruction at the Brooksville Tampa Regional Airport (BKV). BKV’s Taxiway A was designed/constructed in 1942 and serves as the full length parallel taxiway to Runway 9-27. Located on the north side of the runway, this primary taxiway also provides aircraft access to the departure end of Runway 21. The taxiway has been rapidly deteriorating over the last few years, with chunks and chips of concrete breaking along the joints. The project will include the reconstruction of Taxiway A and associated connector taxiways, the decoupling of the Runway 21 safety area, drainage improvements and construction management services. If all schedule(s) A thru D of the bid are funded, the FAA will be providing $7,009,990 in financial assistance. The remaining share will be funded through additional FDOT grants and Airport funds.
In November 2018, a grant proposal was submitted to the FAA for $10.4 million, however the FAA responded that they only have $4 million available.
Mohsen Mohammadi, PhD, PE of American Infrastructure Development explained to the board that the project could be completed with the reduced funding Using “value engineering” and multiple timelines. Mohammadi added that the new runway could still cost approximately $7 million.
Mohammadi explained that a significant amount could be saved by milling sections of the runway, and overlaying asphalt, rather than replacing and carrying away the old concrete. It is not a common practice in Florida, but has been done at airports throughout the country. The method may necessitate the need for crack repair ten years from now, but it is still a viable cost-effective option.
Additionally, Airport Manager Kevin Daugherty reported that a joint participation agreement from the state of Florida will provide additional funds of $315,000 matched by the same from the airport. Daugherty said, “The airport brought back some money, and we were able to capitalize on that.” This too was approved unanimously.
Hernando County Drug Court Grant
Hernando County Drug Court received a ‘subgrant’ of $25,563.00 covering the period of 10/1/2018 – 3/31/2020.
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S&P Global Ratings
Downgraded
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Doug Chorvat informed the board that his department received a letter stating in part, “S&P Global Ratings has reviewed the rating on the above-listed obligations. Based on our review, we have lowered the underlying rating (SPUR) from “AA-” to “A+” while affirming the stable outlook.”
Budget Manager Amy Gillis and Financial Advisor Julie Santamaria gave a short presentation on the ratings system used, explaining that the rating reflects the future outlook, possibly up to two years from now.
Ratings are based on a review of the county’s financial performance, economic environment and management practices.
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Mosquito Control Budget
Each fiscal year, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services requires a written Agreement with each County requesting State appropriated funds for Mosquito Control Operations. Prior to the new fiscal year, a Detailed Work Plan Budget (DWPB) must be submitted outlining how the County plans to spend both Local and State appropriated funds for Mosquito Control services. The DWPB requires the approval of the Board and the signature of the Chairman.
The board unanimously approved the proposed operating budget amount for FY20 of $821,047 in Mosquito Control Local Fund 1171 and $81,605 in Mosquito Control State Fund 1181 for combined Local and State funds amount of $902,652.
Appreciation MATTERS
Thank you to Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport
On May 14, 2019, the Brooksville – Tampa Bay Regional Airport was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Special Operations Command, Special Operations Command Central and the Joint Communication Service Element for the County’s continued support of the MacDill Air Force Base Joint Airborne Program.
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Thank yous to Utilities Department Staff
The Hernando County Utilities Department (HCUD) received several complimentary notices from the public and organizations expressing their appreciation of service by HCUD staff. The commendation emails and letters provide a brief overview of staff’s exceptional customer service to the public.
People MATTER
Clifford Manuel, Jr., and Morris Porton were appointed to Board of Construction and Regulation Until December 31, 2022.
Teresa Robinson was appointed to Fine Arts Council Until December 31, 2022.
Development MATTERS
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Trilby Crossing Development, Water and Sewer
The BOCC approved 5-0 funding for Trilby Crossing, a residential development consisting of approximately 400 single-family residential units on property located east of Lockhart Road and south of Old Trilby Road. The Hernando County Utilities Department (HCUD) has the capability to provide water and sewer service for this project. As such, in consideration for HCUD providing water and sewer service for the homes in the project, the developer (LGI Homes-Florida, LLC) has agreed to provide certain upgrades and improvements to the nearby Lockhart Water Treatment Plant to ensure it can provide required pressure and flow for fire service at higher elevations within the project. Funds will be available for Utilities Dept. portion (District) in FY20 Budget, for an estimated amount of $780,000.
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Rester Road Sand Mine
A number of residents of Rester Road spoke during the Citizen’s Comments portion, urging the board to accept a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), denying the introduction of a sand mine, which could only be accessed by the rural road.
The item was pulled from the Consent Agenda and voted upon; it was denied in a 4-1 vote. Commissioner John Allocco voted against the denial for what he said was a lack of due process, because the applicant had not given a presentation yet.
The purpose of the sand mine would be to provide sand to various area vendors for construction and the like, and would increase traffic on the road, adding large trucks to the current traffic.
Residents also cited safety concerns, two mentioning that minor children have been injured in incidents on the road.
Allocco responding first, voiced concern that the petitioner had not been given a chance for a presentation. “Now, if it’s a safety issue, it will show itself. We have not been presented anything up until this point.”
County Attorney Garth Coller clarified the law governing the matter, reaching the conclusion that the board is not required to hear or overturn a decision by P&Z, but it is the decision of the board. Coller also mentioned that the case could proceed to the court system.
Reminding the audience of prior decisions regarding property rights, Commissioner Jeff Holcomb recalled other discussions where a property owner wished to preserve or otherwise prevent development on property they do not own.
Holcomb went on to say that he agrees with Allocco, allowing the petitioner to present to the board for the sake of proper process. However, he did end by saying that he would probably not vote to reverse the P&Z decision due to the safety issues. Rester Road was described by Commissioner Wayne Dukes as more of a “trail.” The single lane right-of-way is only wide enough for one vehicle at a time, and if two vehicles meet coming from opposite directions, one must pull over to allow passage.
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We covered the following matters from the June 25 BOCC Meeting last week:
Restructuring of County Government
Rep. Ingoglia’s Legislative Session Update
We also covered the BOCC workshop on the Financial Sustainability Study.
