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"The special magistrate shall hold hearings in order to define the area or areas of dispute, to determine facts relating to the dispute, and to render a decision on any and all unresolved contract issues." Here, pursuant to Section 447.403(3), the Special Magistrate held a hearing to, among other things, define the areas of dispute. And, considering the parties' evidence and legal arguments, the Special Magistrate determined that Local 2201's union business bank proposal was not an issue that was properly before him. As such, the Special Magistrate determined that he could not legally make a recommendation regarding Local 2201's proposed union business bank. Under the law, the BCC is not allowed to consider and/or take action on any issue on which the Special Magistrate has not made a recommendation. In fact, the BCC would commit an unfair labor practice in violation of the Florida Public Employees Relations Act if it considered and/or took action on Local 2201's proposed union business bank. As PERC explained in Communications Workers of America, Local 3170 v. City of Gainesville, 20 FPER ¶25226 (1994), "a recommendation as to the resolution of the disputed issues by a neutral third party" is a "critical element of the impasse process," and is a "statutory requirement" for the legislative body to take action. Going one step further, PERC concluded that even if the special magistrate did not issue a recommendation due to misunderstanding, as Local 2201 argues in this case, "the debilitating impact upon the impasse process remains the same." For these reasons, the BCC cannot, and should not, consider and/or take any action regarding Article 6 — Union Activity. 2. ARTICLE 14 — UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT Issue• The only paragraphs of this Article that remain in dispute are ¶¶14.01 and 14.02. Paragraph 14.01 currently contains a list of uniform items and equipment that the County is required to provide to the bargaining unit employees. It also states that in addition to the enumerated equipment (i.e., "protective clothing and devices; bunker coat and bunker pants made of Nomex or similar material, boots, helmets, shatter -resistant face shield, gloves, safety glasses for welding and metal cutting") the County shall provide other safety equipment "deemed necessary by management." The County is proposing to change the language of 1114.01 due to the insistence by bargaining unit employees that the language of that paragraph entitled them to a new complement of uniforms and equipment every year, instead of replacing them only when they are worn out or damaged. Local 2201 proposes that ¶14.01 remain status quo with the exception of deleting management's right 4