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This expressed two areas of concern (1) the ever increasing millage being imposed by St. John's River Water Management District and (2) the lack of accountability and responsibility of the District Boards which are appointed by the Governor as opposed to elected officials. I added orally at the presentation concern about St. John's River Water Management District request to the Commission to raise the statutory millage cap if SWIM funds are not forthcoming from the Legislature. This information only became available at the afternoon session of the Commission on January 19, 1995. The Water Management Review Commission was created by Chapter 94-270 of the laws of Florida. A copy of this chapter is attached as Exhibit B. The duties and responsibilities of the Commission are to hold at least 5 public hearings throughout the state, one in each district. The Jacksonville meeting was primarily for the St. John's River Water Management District; however, the 5 districts did present a consolidated legislative wish list which is attached as Exhibit C. Chairman Lewis raised questions similar to the county concerning lack of accountability by appointed Boards. The Districts budgets are reviewed by a number of agencies but they have no power to alter the budget, only the Legislature can do this and according to Chairman Lewis they seldom if ever alter the submitted budgets. St. John's River Water Management District wants the millage CAP raised so it can still fund SWIM if the Legislature doesn't. Chairman Lewis indicated that the District shouldn't pick up the SWIM program. Federal and State do this too often --set up a program anti gradually withdraw from it leaving the locals to pick up the tab. The Commission is comprised of 21 members. Senator Patsy Kurth is a member. A complete membership list is attached as Exhibit D. The Commission is required to present its findings by December 1, 1995, and then it is dissolved. Commission members advised me that if the Board of County Commis- sioners wants to pursue these concerns it should adopt a resolution with concrete legislative proposals and physically present these proposals at one of the future meeting as follows: Hollywood (Feb 16-17), Tallahassee- (March 16-17) , Live Oak (April 20-21) , Clewiston (May 18-19),, Pensacola (June 15-16) and Sarasota (July 27-28). ON MOTION by Commissioner Bird, SECONDED by Commissioner Eggert, the Board unanimously (4-0, Chairman Macht being absent) authorized the County Attorney to prepare a resolution and bring it back to the Board for adoption before presenting it to the full Water Management Review Commission in Hollywood, Florida, on February 16-17. Commissioner Adams asked if the Board was amenable to her going to Hollywood and presenting the resolution which would give her the opportunity to talk out some technical and protectoral problems and advise them of why we are interested in having a commission that will listen to us. The Board indicated their approval. FEBRUARY 7, 1995 109