11/21/2008 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner O'Bryan inquired about the total balance in Sebastian's CRA funds, and Mr. Minner said they have about a half million dollars a year, but have it split into specific projects that are allocated. Chief of Environmental Planning, Roland DeBlois, responding to Commissioner Flescher's questions of where the County stood with regards to bond money, and how much we have available, disclosed that there was about a $738,000 balance, and was expecting, in a year from now, a reimbursement on one of our investments for Sebastian Harbor Preserve Property in the amount of $5.5 million. He thought the other issue was, would this qualify for use of the bond funds, which he explained. Chairman Davis was not in favor of using bond funds and asked Administrator Baird if we did this for educational, and eco -tourism purposes, what would be the most reasonable non -ad valorem fees for this $500,000 to come from. Administrator Baird said it would probably be the optional sales tax and we would probably have to go back and reprioritize our budget because sales tax is off and if the Board thought this was a priority they could take other capital projects and put this in. Chairman Davis then questioned the use of impact fees, and Administrator Baird said we could not legally use the recreational impact fees because the County does not collect them in Sebastian. Attorney Collins explained the legal use of recreational impact fees, which has to be expended on recreational improvements to parks and recreational facilities under the jurisdiction of the County, and that would not be the case here. He said they have to be used exclusively in the areas where they are collected, and if we were collecting in the unincorporated areas we could not spend it in the cities, so the impact fees were pretty much off the table. 5 November 21, 2008 Special Call Meeting