One notable matter discussed was the provision of disaster assistance loans by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses impacted by Hurricane Gaby. A representative from the SBA laid out the specifics of the low-interest loans, with rates at 2.83% for homeowners, 3.25% for renters, and 4.0% for businesses. Emphasizing the importance of community awareness, the representative clarified that individuals who had previously received assistance could still apply for new incidents.

Following the SBA discussion, public comments brought to light a dispute involving PAWS, a local community organization. Kathy Wildenauer, president of PAWS, addressed a letter from Nina Johnson, chairperson of the Steinhatchee Community Projects Board, which stated that PAWS was barred from attending future meetings due to purported disruptive behavior. Wildenauer expressed confusion over the exclusion, noting, “I don’t understand how we can be restricted from joining those meetings,” and highlighted PAWS’ active participation and voting rights in the community projects board. Questions arose about whether the Steinhatchee Community Projects Board could exclude organizations from meetings held in a county-owned public building. Commissioner Bishop clarified that access to public meetings could not be prohibited, asserting, “it’s a public building… if somebody gets out of hand… it has to get way out of hand for this board to… exclude individuals.”

Mike Garner, president of the Steinhatchee Garden Club, echoed Wildenauer’s concerns, advocating for transparency in the operations and financial activities of community organizations. Garner emphasized the need to adhere to the original purpose of the Steinhatchee Community Center and stressed, “it is not anyone’s right to change bylaws and procedures without full disclosure.” Both organizations had received letters of exclusion, raising governance concerns about the community projects board.

In another significant topic, the board addressed funding for hospital roof repairs through a state Department of Commerce development mitigation program grant. A hospital representative highlighted the urgency of replacing the over 20-year-old roof, which had sustained damage during storms, such as Hurricane Debbie. The board had recently received an award letter for a $1.6 million grant to replace the roof, a swift process in government funding terms. The representative underscored the importance of accepting this grant to ensure the hospital remains operational during future storms and noted that the funding would cover the cost of a construction inspector to oversee the project.

Despite concerns about regulations, potential litigation, and the need for separate audits due to the grant amount exceeding $750,000, the consensus was that the grant process had been manageable. The representative expressed confidence in the Department of Commerce’s support. The board also reviewed an environmental assessment for the project, which was categorized as exempt, easing the grant fund receipt process. Staff worked closely with the Department of Commerce to expedite necessary forms and obtain historical clearance.

The board also considered a proposed policy for federal awards related to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and other funding. This policy is required for the hospital roof project and does not override any previously approved policies. Discussions clarified that the project would involve repairing damaged areas rather than a complete replacement, adhering to environmental and health regulations.

Another item of note was the approval of a catastrophic inmate medical insurance contract. With a deductible of $440,000 per inmate and coverage limits up to $250,000, the proposed policy has a maximum coverage of $1 million for covered expenses. A 3% increase per inmate this year would lead to a fiscal impact of $23,280, exceeding the budget. Consequently, a motion was made to table the contract until the next meeting to negotiate reduced costs.

Additionally, the board addressed legal counsel needs for the planning board attorney and animal control. A motion was proposed to allow the county attorney and County Administrator to negotiate contracts for attorney services, reflecting past difficulties in hiring attorneys and a desire to secure the best possible deal for the county.

The meeting also included discussions on airport construction funding, with a proposed Federal Aviation Administration grant for $14,668 for high mast lighting installation. This grant, combined with another entitlement grant of $159,581, would cover the entire project cost. The importance of energy efficiency was discussed, with suggestions to use timers for lighting to manage utility costs effectively.

Finally, during the informational segment, the scheduling of public hearings for the budget was announced for September 16 and September 23 at 5:01 PM. Public comments also highlighted concerns about the county’s website updates, particularly regarding the posting of amended agendas. The board acknowledged community involvement and thanked attendees for their participation.