COMMISSIONERS APPROVE MOVING FORWARD

WITH BEACH RESTORATION PROJECT!

   Six recommendations of the SJPBAC were presented to the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners at their regular meeting last night, July 11th, by County Administrator Don Butler.  Below are the recommendations made, as well as the resulting vote of the Commission on each recommendation.

   THANK YOU to the Commissioners, the folks on the County staff, Paula Ramsey Pickett and everybody at the TDC, all the members of the SJPBAC committee and subcomittees!  Additionally, another HUGE THANK YOU to each and every one of you who wrote letters of support last fall, completed your survey cards and/or voted in the referendum!  Working as a community, the dream of a restored beach in 2007 will become a reality.  There is much more work to be done, but we can all be proud of the fact that although we are one of the smallest counties ever to undertake beach restoration, we have accomplished so much in just one year.

    Also, this week's issue of the Star should be online later today or this evening.  Follow THIS LINK to their homepage to read the article when it's uploaded.

    Finally, you'll be hearing from the SJPBAC in the near future concerning the next steps needed to be undertaken.  We also are still looking to finalize one or two secondary beach access points.  Those of you who have expressed an interest in helping, thank you.  If anyone else is willing to explore whether or not they can provide an access, please email info@savethecape.com.

Recommendations for the BOCC from the SJPBAC

July 11, 2006

The SJPBAC is pleased to report that the gulf-front and gulf-interior referendums passed with an overwhelming majority.  The SJPBAC recommends the following actions be taken by the BOCC at this time:

1.      The MSTU for the bayside be rescinded. (approved 5-0)

2.      The County move forward with the beach restoration project. (no motion required.)

3.      The Board set the millage rates at our projected amounts of 4.4 mills for gulf-front properties and 1.6 mills for gulf-interior properties in the current budget to be assessed on the October tax bills.  (approved 4-1)

4.      The Board take the steps necessary to secure the bond at the appropriate time in the amount of $10.1 million. (approved 4-1)

5.      When presented, execute the contract(s) with FDEP for permitting, design, and construction. (approved 4-1)

6.      Set Erosion Control Line according to the recommended time table from MRD Associates. (approved 4-1)