By ASHLEY AMASON �
The City Council unanimously voted to donate two lots to Habitat for Humanity at the July 12 meeting. President of the Habitat for Humanity Board, Matt Parker said supporting Habitat is “supporting your local community.” Habitat has built homes for 20 families in Walton County since its inception.
Councilman Don Harrison declared “[I support the mission] of Habitat for Humanity wholeheartedly.” Councilman James Huffman added, “If you haven’t been to a Habitat dedication you need to go…it is one of the most touching, rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.”
Parker asked for the city’s partnership to provide an asset by building homes on the intended lots, located between N. 7th and 8th St. on E. Chaffin Ave. In doing so the city would generate income by way of property taxes and water and sewer revenue. The city agreed, and one of four new homes is planned for construction this September.
The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce introduced its new president and CEO, Kitty Whitney. Only her 13th day as CEO, Whitney said she was “hitting the ground running” and looked forward to serving the city in whatever capacity possible. Chamber Vice President Valencia Williamson updated the Council on upcoming activities including Christmas in July (a toy drive for children in partnership with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office) and the quarterly first Friday breakfast, which will be held Aug. 6 at Site C-6. Commenting on the 3,500 calls and visits received at the Chamber’s DeFuniak Springs office, Williamson said, “We are always here to serve DeFuniak Springs and Walton County.” The Council held a public hearing and adopted both the local mitigation strategy, which outlays how federal funds would be used in the event of a natural disaster, and the development technical standards which provide uniform measures for engineers and contractors in new construction. No public comments were given on either.
Under Assistant City Manager Bill Holloway, the Council approved the purchase of a seven-ton multi-purpose tilt trailer in the amount of $7,275, and 200 roll-out garbage carts in the amount of $9,746.
With funds from an 80/20 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation, the motion passed to purchase a one-acre parcel at a price of $14,500 and a 4.3-acre parcel at a price of $75,000, both located on Gene Hurley Rd. The lots are intended for future improvements to the City of DeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport. Utilizing grant funds, the city’s cost is approximately $17,900 plus closing costs.
Alex Gacic of Preble-Rish Engineers updated the Council on its findings in the space needs analysis. The study shows city facilities including City Hall, the City Annex, the police department, and fire department currently have 16,678 square feet of space, but need 34,390 square feet to perform efficiently. By 2020, the study estimates 39,853 square feet will be needed for city facilities. Preble-Rish engineers noted they found “code deficiencies in all city structures to one degree or another,” but the DeFuniak Springs Police Department is the worst.
The Council will review the space needs analysis and meet with Preble-Rish at a later date.
Finance Director Sara Bowers presented the Council with the revenue and expenditure reports and briefly discussed the millage rate for 2010-2011. After receiving the taxable value from Property Appraiser Patrick Pilcher, Bowers said, “This is the largest drop I’ve ever seen in 20 years of working for the city.” Bowers explained keeping the millage rate at 4.5 mills would equal a $40,000 cut to the budget.
“I’m not in favor of raising the millage rate,” Harrison said.
Huffman agreed, “A $40,000 hit compared to what other government agencies are experiencing is almost nothing. If we can keep taxes where they are…that’s what reserves are for.”
No motion was made, but a budget hearing will be held Monday, July 19 at 5:15 p.m.
In closing comments, Harrison mentioned Howard Rinker resigned from the Christmas Reflections Committee and a volunteer to take his seat is needed. To contact Don Harrison about this position, call 892-8500.
