1/5/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

BEACH ACQUISITION PROJECT Chairman Bird reported that the sub -committee appointed to study beach acquisition had several unanswered questions about the State's priority list which could not be resolved over the phone, and therefore, several County officials traveled to Tallahassee to meet with members of the Department of Natural Resources staff. It became apparent we would not be on the initial list that the Governor and Cabinet will scrutinize on January 11th, but we were assured, in light of the fact that the bond referendum did pass, that if we submitted the additional information needed in a timely manner, it would culminate in our being included on a priority list in March. Staff is working on the additional input that the Department of Natural Resources requires, and the next action that needs to be taken by the County Commission is to determine a percentage we will be willing to pledge to participate. Staff will come back with that recommendation at the next meeting. Chairman Bird felt that getting in the game a little late gave us an opportunity to look at what is being prioritized and the percentages pledged. Commissioner Scurlock raised the question of who would hold title to the property - the County or the State. He did not want to contribute to the purchase of this property and not be able to have control over it. The Administrator and Community Services Director believed that it was very likely that the State would hold title, and Mr. Thomas believed that the County could work out a lease or management agreement for a long period of time, which, in effect, gives the County control of the park. We have this arrangement on Wabasso Beach. Commissioner Fletcher felt the people authorized the Commission to purchase property in their name, not the State's.