Minutes

Board of Commissioners Meeting · 2026-06-16 · minutes

[201 E. GREEN STREET] Taylor County Board of County Commissioners meeting on June 16, 2026, addressed various items including the approval of invoices, the draft RFP for design-build of Fire Station 7, review of the Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan, non-renewal of a pharmacy services contract with Diamond Pharmacy for inmate medication at the Taylor County Jail, and approval of Contract 4734-137-R with the Florida Department of Emergency Management for Wilder Creek Flood Risk Reduction. The board also considered resolutions for unanticipated monies, received RFPs for CDBG MIT and DR Grant Administration, heard a presentation on a feasibility study for Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee Boat Ramps, and received information on the Emergency Watershed Protection Program and potential for a kayak launch at Hampton Springs Park. An ad valorem tax exemption request for Roy's Restaurant was recommended and approved for drafting an ordinance. The board approved the utilization of Hodges Park for a sponsored fireworks event on July 3, 2026, despite concerns about debris. Funding of $40,000.00 was approved for millings at specific roll-off sites, with one commissioner dissenting due to concerns about the longevity of millings. Applications for FRDAP and RIF grants were approved for submission, including for Steinhachee Coastal Park and airport hanger construction. Amendment 1 to FDEM Grant Agreement D1551 for $5,050,000.00 for dredging canals at Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee Boat Ramp Basin, and design/engineering/permitting/dredging at Dekle Beach, Dark Island, and Cedar Island was approved. The board approved construction of two picnic areas, concrete pads, picnic tables, a sand volleyball court, and playground equipment at Hodges Park. Guidelines and budget for a Cold Weather Warming Center were approved. Speed humps were approved for construction at the end of CR-14, funded by District 1 paving funds. The meeting also included a notice of non-renewal for the Master Pharmacy Services Agreement with Diamond Pharmacy for the Taylor County Jail, effective at the end of the current contract term. An agreement for waiver of local match requirements for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for Hurricane Idalia was noted, with Taylor County as the subrecipient and a total award amount of $36,277.50. [201 East Green Street, Perry, Florida 32347 (Taylor County Administrator's Office); case FEMA-DR-4734-FL (Federal Award Identification Number), H1346 (Agreement Number), 4734-137-R (Project Number)] This document is a Sub-Recipient Agreement between the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management and Taylor County for Flood Risk Reduction. The agreement is funded by FEMA HMGP award 4734-137-R and associated Subrecipient Agreement H1346. The total federal funds obligated are $103,650.00, with a total subaward period of performance from March 09, 2026, to September 30, 2027. The agreement outlines terms and conditions for fund disbursement, record retention, audits, reporting, and procurement, emphasizing compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Taylor County is the sub-recipient, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management is the pass-through entity. The agreement details responsibilities for monitoring, default, remedies, termination, and intellectual property rights. It also includes mandated conditions related to public records, employment of unauthorized workers, and procurement standards. [near the Wilder Creek area; case DR-4734-137-R] This document outlines the terms and conditions for a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) award to Taylor County, Florida, for flood risk reduction improvements near the Wilder Creek area. The project is currently in Phase I, focusing on preliminary engineering designs, surveys, permitting, and bidding. No construction activities are approved at this time. Phase II will involve upgrading culverts under Pharo Morgan Road and Morgan Whiddon Road to improve stormwater runoff capacity and protect against a 50-year storm event. The total project cost is $145,110.00, with a federal share of $108,832.50 and a state match of $36,277.50. The period of performance is from March 9, 2026, to September 30, 2027. The document details numerous compliance requirements for contractors and subrecipients, including merit-based selection, anti-kickback provisions, labor standards, clean air and water acts, suspension and debarment, anti-lobbying, and contracting with small and minority businesses. It also specifies environmental compliance, historic preservation, and accessibility standards. The Sub-Recipient (Taylor County) is responsible for procuring services and ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The document emphasizes that all contract awards must be based solely on technical merit, cost-effectiveness, and demonstrated ability to perform the work. [108 North Jefferson Street, Suite 102, Perry, Florida 32347 (for proposal submission); Pharo Morgan Road, Perry, Florida, 32347; Morgan Whiddon Road, Perry, Florida, 32347; Keaton Beach; Steinhatchee; case 10183, MS045, MS047 (CDBG-DR/MIT contracts); 4734-137-R (Flood Risk Reduction project); H1346 (Contract number for Flood Risk Reduction project)] Taylor County is seeking grant administration services for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) projects. The projects include Critical Facility Hardening (DMH) with contract number 10183 for $2,500,000, a paving project (IRP-Steinhatchee Roads) with contract number MS045 for $1,050,000, and an Emergency Shelter project (IRP-TC Emergency Shelter) with contract number MS047 for $4,969,425. The grant administration services will cover project monitoring, reporting, financial record keeping, environmental reviews, and coordination with state and federal agencies, architects, engineers, and contractors. Proposals are due by June 12, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Clerk of Courts, 108 North Jefferson Street, Suite 102, Perry, Florida 32347. Proposals will be publicly opened on June 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. during a Board of Commissioners meeting. Taylor County is also undertaking flood risk reduction projects with project number 4734-137-R and contract number H1346, involving culvert improvements under Pharo Morgan Road and Morgan Whiddon Road in Perry, Florida. This phase focuses on surveying, engineering, design, plans preparation, permitting, and bidding, with no construction approved yet. The project aims to upgrade from 42-inch Corrugated Aluminum Pipe (CAP) to 3-barrel 3-foot by 6-foot box culverts to address stormwater runoff capacity issues and protect against a 50-year storm event. Additionally, Taylor County is involved in boat ramp improvements at Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee, as detailed in a feasibility report by AVCON, INC. [Keaton Beach Boat Ramp Corridor: 20131 Keaton Beach Road 32348, Perry, FL; Steinhatchee Boat Ramp Corridor: 1st Avenue Southeast between Main Street and 2nd Street East 32359 Steinhatchee, FL] This feasibility report evaluates potential improvements for the Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee boat ramp facilities in Taylor County, Florida, to address localized traffic congestion and operational bottlenecks, particularly during peak seasons. The report examines existing conditions, analyzes traffic data, and proposes several alternatives for each location. For Keaton Beach, alternatives include a 'No-Build' scenario, constructing a bypass road (KB-2), and local roadway widening (KB-3). The bypass road (KB-2) is not recommended due to significant environmental impacts and right-of-way acquisition challenges. Local improvements (KB-3) are considered more cost-effective but limited by existing right-of-way. For Steinhatchee, alternatives include a 'No-Build' scenario (ST-1), improving local roads with a short bypass (ST-2), a medium bypass by connecting existing segments (ST-3), and a long bypass along Central Avenue (ST-4). The short bypass (ST-2) offers limited relief. The medium (ST-3) and long bypass (ST-4) alternatives provide more substantial traffic relief but involve new construction on undeveloped land, leading to higher costs, environmental impacts, and right-of-way acquisition needs. The report also details environmental considerations, geotechnical findings, construction constraints, and utility coordination requirements for all proposed alternatives. Taylor County is considering improvements to boat ramps at Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee. A feasibility report evaluated various alternatives for roadway and drainage enhancements. The report concluded that while local improvements are more cost-efficient, there is greater public interest in projects elsewhere, leading to no further action recommended at this time. The data serves as a baseline for future consideration if priorities change. Traffic analysis indicates current levels of service are adequate through 2050, with modest growth projections. Geotechnical reports for Steinhatchee drainage improvements at 4th Street/Allen Lane and 13th Street East/Central Avenue detail subsurface conditions and provide recommendations for culvert and drainage designs, noting slightly to moderately aggressive soil conditions for steel and concrete. [4th Street and Allen Lane; 13th Street East and Central Avenue; case NV5 Project No. 24-0629] This document is a Geotechnical Engineering Report for the Steinhatchee Drainage Improvements project, located in Taylor County, Florida, specifically at 4th Street and Allen Lane, and 13th Street East and Central Avenue. The report details soil conditions, including SPT N-values, soil models, internal friction angles, unit weights, unconfined compression, and modulus of subgrade reaction. It provides recommendations for retaining walls, box culvert foundations, and concrete end-wall foundations. Key findings include that soils are slightly to moderately aggressive for steel and concrete. The report also discusses construction considerations such as dewatering, clearing and grubbing, and embankment recommendations. Specific recommendations for box culvert foundations at 4th Street, Station 301+00, indicate a nominal bearing capacity of 5,500 psf and an allowable bearing capacity of 2,475 psf. Concrete end-wall foundations are recommended with an allowable bearing capacity of 2,500 psf and a modulus of subgrade reaction of 50 pci. The report also includes detailed soil boring logs and laboratory test results. [case 01551] Modification #1 to Subgrant Agreement between the Division of Emergency Management and Taylor County, Florida. The agreement, originally for $5,050,000.00 with a period of performance from April 22, 2024, to June 30, 2026, is amended to extend the period of performance to April 30, 2027. The scope of work includes dredging of Keaton Beach Canal System, Steinhatchee Boat Basin, Canals at Dark Island, Cedar Island, and Dekle Beach. Eligible costs cover dredging, permits, design, engineering, construction, and acquisition of spoil sites. The total budget remains $5,050,000.00.