Laserfiche WebLink
can make a comprehensive proposal on the purchase of land. He asked the Board to <br />consider looking ahead 15 years by taking the money left in LAAC funds and consider the <br />purchase of property as per Mr. Mensing's suggestion. He felt it would be advantageous to <br />borrow the money and buy such property now because that land will be fast disappearing. <br />He believed the community would support preservation of land that is so beautiful. <br />When Chairman Macht questioned, Assistant Administrator Baird advisee the County <br />could not use arbitrage on the bond interest for that purpose. <br />Chairman Macht was not sure citizens would support another $15 million bond issue <br />to preserve land. The LAAC has been able to leverage funds by combining with State and <br />Federal monies. He. hoped the LAAC chairman will encourage another study toward a <br />referendum. <br />Commissioner Neuberger thought Mr. Williams should be the LAAC chairman, and <br />Vice Chairman Ginn agreed he should at least be on the committee. <br />In response to Vice Chairman Ginn, Assistant County Administrator Baird explained <br />that a general obligation debt would have to go to referendum or the Board could proceed <br />with a revenue bond without a referendum. <br />Guy Barber was of the opinion that the County is going to build buildings, to lease <br />space, to create shortage, to build new buildings. He cited as an example the County's lease <br />of jail beds to Federal prisoners and suggested the County use the lease money to build and <br />not use tax money. He opposed a branch library going to the Indian River Community <br />College campus and argued it should be built in south Indian River County. Hie opposed <br />the amount ofthe expense proposed for the Administration Building and opposed partnering <br />with other government entities. He felt this Commission is trying to tie up the p:-oceeds of <br />the 1 -cent sales tax for the next 19 years. <br />Assistant Administrator Baird explained this is a 5 -year plan which the Board had <br />March 11, 2003 <br />18 r <br />