Local watchdog Jerry Couey and others spoke out this morning against Santa Rosa County spending money renovating the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room. Commissioners on Thursday will decide whether or not to spend $147,0787 on the project, which is aimed to improve the “aesthetics” and “functionality” of the space.
Couey stated that citizens are angry over the matter. “They want roads,” he said. “Please do the right thing and put this off.”
District 2 Commission Candidate Jeff Snow also asked the board to reconsider the spending, pointing out that State Legislators are working on a plan to ask voters if they want to abolish property taxes over the next 10 years. He also mentioned that the Local Option Sales Tax is up for renewal in November. “We could lose a lot of funding…put a hold on anything that is not extremely critical at this time.”
Pea Ridge resident Sherry Chapman told commissioners the money could be used in a better way. “I think this is a ‘want,’ not a need…I would rather put (the money) into infrastructure, farmland preservation or fire districts – things that matter every day.”
Commission Chairman Colten Wright defended the spend, stating the project has been planned for “quite some time” and was budgeted.
However, District 1 Commissioner Bobby Burkett agreed with the citizens, stating that spending the money on renovations isn’t critical right now, noting the financial uncertainties Snow brought up. “I just don’t think it’s a wise decision to make at this time.”
Subsequently, on Thursday the board will vote to approve or deny a contract with Parks & Long in the amount of $147,078 as the apparent lowest responsive bidder for the ceiling and flooring upgrades to create a “bright, unobstructed view from the audience to the dais and improve acoustics for speakers.”
Staff recommended commissioners approve spending the money. If the board goes along with that recommendation, work is scheduled to begin on March 13 and is expected to take approximately one month. During renovations, meetings will be relocated to the Tiger Point Community Center in Gulf Breeze.
***Three quotes were received; however, the lowest bid was incomplete and did not include all items necessary to fulfill the scope, as indicated in red on their proposal. The other responsive bid by Springhill Construction & Fabrication was for $198,735.
