DeSoto County public meetings in 2021

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners is holding a special meeting to conduct interviews. The session is focused on two specific legal firms.

• Interview with Gray Robinson Law Firm
• Interview with Henderson Franklin Law Firm

The DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting to interview two law firms, Gray Robinson and Henderson Franklin, for potential legal services. No decisions were made; the meeting was procedural, ending with adjournment.

• Interviewed Gray Robinson Law Firm (no action taken)
• Interviewed Henderson Franklin Law Firm (no action taken)

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners will discuss county commissioner redistricting and a variety of land use ordinances. The meeting includes public hearings on a biosolids processing facility and a rezoning request for Maronda Homes LLC of FL.

• Bid award to Jesse’s Services Inc for housing project at 9923 SW Madison Ave
• Lease-purchase agreement and refinance for a 826K Landfill Compactor
• Special Exception request for VCH Citrus LLC Biosolids Processing Facility
• Rezoning ordinance RZNE-0022-2021 for Maronda Homes LLC of FL
• Interlocal Agreement for Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority South Booster Station

The Board approved a rezoning of 12.15 acres from Agricultural-5 to Planned Unit Development for a Maronda Homes truss plant, with a 4-1 vote. They also approved the purchase of Liberty Avenue right-of-way for $18,866, adopted several ordinances, and selected Gray Robinson as special counsel.

• Approved rezoning of 12.15 acres for Maronda Homes truss plant (4-1)
• Approved purchase of Liberty Avenue right-of-way for $18,866 (unanimous)
• Adopted budget amendments for FY 2021/2022 (unanimous)
• Approved refinance of 2016 compactor lease and lease-purchase of 826K landfill compactor (unanimous)
• Approved contract with Tremco for courthouse window repairs (unanimous)
• Approved interlocal agreement with Peace River Manasota for South Booster Station (unanimous)
• Selected Gray Robinson as special counsel (unanimous)
• Adopted revised county commission districts based on 2020 census (unanimous)

Tourism Development Council

The Tourism Development Council will review a presentation from Visit Florida and discuss tourism trends. The body is also discussing adventure travel and wedding venues within DeSoto County.

• Presentation by Sam Rubenzer of Visit Florida
• Discussion of Adventure Travel Tourism in DeSoto County
• Discussion of Wedding Venues in DeSoto County
• Review of 2019 Trends Snapshot
• Review of TDC financials

The DeSoto County Tourism Development Council approved the October 12, 2021 meeting minutes unanimously. Members heard a presentation from Visit Florida's Sam Rubenzer on state tourism recovery and partnership resources, and discussed adventure travel trends and a potential local ambassador campaign—both discussion only. One item (21-451) was tabled due to permitting. No public comments were made.

• Approved October 12, 2021 TDC minutes (unanimous)
• Tabled item 21-451 due to permitting

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will review a special exception request for a biosolids processing facility. The body is also considering amendments to land development regulations regarding definitions and family cemeteries.

• Resolution 21-474: VCH Citrus LLC Special Exception for Biosolids Processing Facility
• Ordinance 21-471: Amending Land Development Regulations definitions
• Ordinance 21-473: Amending Land Development Regulations regarding Family Cemeteries

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners will discuss budget amendments for fiscal years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. The meeting includes public hearings on land development regulations and a quasi-judicial hearing regarding the Island Walk rezoning. The Board will also consider contracts for sidewalk design and roof replacement.

• Rezoning and density bonus ordinances for Island Walk (RZNE-0016-2021 and RZNE-0017-2021)
• FDOT LAP Sidewalk Design Services agreements for C.R. 760A and S.W. Welles Ave.
• Emergency Operations Center contract for roof replacement with Garland
• Budget amendments for General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, and Enterprise-Cap-Agency Funds
• Ordinances to amend Land Development Regulations definitions and family cemetery rules

The DeSoto County Board of Commissioners, with three of five members present, approved two budget amendments, a temporary use permit extension, two FDOT sidewalk design agreements, an EOC roof replacement contract, property insurance appraisals, and first readings of two land development ordinance amendments. The Board also approved a comprehensive plan amendment transmittal and a rezoning ordinance for Island Walk, increasing the planned unit development from 600 to 650 net units. The Board deferred the redistricting map decision and the nomination of Chairman and Vice-Chairman to the December 14, 2021 meeting.

• Approved budget amendment resolutions for FY 2020/2021 and FY 2021/2022 (Enactment Nos. 2021-074 and 2021-075).
• Approved a temporary use permit extension for Reardon until February 2022 (Enactment No. 2021-32).
• Approved FDOT LAP sidewalk design services agreements for C.R. 760 A and S.W. Welles Ave (Enactment Nos. 2021-076 and 2021-077).
• Approved a contract with Garland/DBS, Inc. for Emergency Operations Center roof replacement.
• Approved property insurance replacement cost appraisals.
• Approved first reading of ordinances amending Land Development Regulations for definitions of farmers markets and family cemeteries.
• Approved transmittal of the Comprehensive Plan Property Rights Element amendment (Enactment No. 2021-078).
• Approved the Island Walk rezoning ordinance, increasing the PUD from 617 to 650 units (Enactment No. 2021-09).

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners will review budget amendments for the Clerk of Courts, Supervisor of Elections, and Utilities Operations. The meeting includes a presentation on redistricting and a discussion regarding special counsel assignments.

• Presentation on redistricting
• Budget amendments for Clerk of Courts (2021-171) and Supervisor of Elections (2021-172)
• Budget amendments for Utilities Operations Debt and SHIP (2022-19, 2022-12)
• CDBG Rehabilitation change order for 1162 SW Melody Dr.
• Agreement amendment for lobbying and grant networking services with The Southern Group of Florida, Inc.

The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included accounts payable, a lobbying agreement amendment, capital purchase orders, prior meeting minutes, and utility position reclassifications. Three budget amendment resolutions (Enactment Nos. 2021-071, 2021-072, 2021-073) were adopted unanimously. A change order for a housing rehabilitation project at 1162 SW Melody Dr., Arcadia, was approved to exceed the maximum award due to health and safety issues. The Board also agreed to apply redistricting to the City of Arcadia and review it again on November 23, 2021, and scheduled special counsel interviews for December 14, 2021.

• Approved consent agenda including accounts payable, lobbying agreement amendment, capital purchase orders, and prior meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Adopted budget amendment resolution 2021-071 for FY 2020/2021 (unanimous)
• Adopted budget amendment resolution 2021-072 for FY 2021/2022 (unanimous)
• Adopted budget amendment resolution 2021-073 for FY 2020/2021 (unanimous)
• Approved change order for CDBG rehabilitation at 1162 SW Melody Dr. to exceed maximum award (unanimous)
• Agreed to apply redistricting to City of Arcadia and review at November 23, 2021 meeting
• Decided to conduct one-on-one interviews with two law firms for special counsel, with presentations on December 14, 2021

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners will hold a workshop regarding clay settling areas. The session includes presentations from invited guests from Mosaic and DeSoto County.

• Mosaic Workshop - Clay Settling Areas

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will review several land use actions including density bonus and rezoning requests. Items include the Island Walk project and a rezoning ordinance for Maronda Homes LLC of FL.

• Island Walk Rezoning Ordinance (RZNE-0016-2021)
• Island Walk Density Bonus Ordinance (RZNE-0017-2021)
• Maronda Homes LLC of FL Rezoning Ordinance (RZNE-0022-2021)

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners is meeting for a workshop to discuss the County's Waste Water Utility System. The discussion will cover system rehabilitation, expansion, and funding.

• Waste Water Utility System rehab and expansion
• Utility funding
• ERU allocation
• Mandatory connections

The Board of County Commissioners held a utilities workshop to discuss the wastewater utility system, including rehabilitation, expansion, funding, and ERU allocation. Chairman Deriso directed staff to draft an ordinance amending the Mandatory Wastewater Connection Ordinance to allow the Utility Director, in consultation with the County Engineer, to waive connections when not in the County's best interest or when it creates an unreasonable burden. Staff was also directed to draft an ERU allocation ordinance and send letters to developers requesting take-down schedules. No formal votes were taken; the workshop was informational and directional.

• Directed drafting of amendment to Mandatory Wastewater Connection Ordinance to allow waivers (Chairman Deriso)
• Directed drafting of ERU allocation ordinance (staff direction)
• Directed sending letters to developers requesting take-down schedules (staff direction)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is meeting to discuss amendments to Land Development Regulations. The primary action item involves prohibiting phosphogypsum stacks within DeSoto County.

• Land Development Regulations Amendment to Section 20-141 and 20-972(A) prohibiting phosphogypsum stacks
• Land Development Regulation amendment to Section 20-128(1)(a) and 20-128(1)(c)(1)

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners is meeting to present and discuss the tentative budget and millage rates for 2021-2022. The session includes a public comment period regarding these financial proposals.

• Resolution 2021-2022 Tentative Millage Rates
• Resolution 2021-2022 Tentative Budget

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners is meeting to vote on several bid awards, including road improvements on Hillsborough Ave. and a human resources study. The body will also discuss a floodplain management ordinance and a grant for repairs to the DeSoto County Courthouse.

• Bid award to Ajax Paving Industries, LLC for FDOT SCRAP Hillsborough Ave. Road Improvements
• Grant agreement with the Office of the State Courts Administrator for DeSoto County Courthouse repairs
• Bid award to Evergreen Solutions, LLC for Human Resources Compensation & Classification Study
• Amendment to the Floodplain Management Ordinance
• Employment contract for Emergency Management Director Richard Christoff

The Board unanimously approved a consent agenda including a school/library resource-sharing MOU, surplus declarations, and a Tourist Development Council resolution. It adopted a Floodplain Management Ordinance amendment and awarded bids for Community Development Block Grant housing projects and the FDOT SCRAP Hillsborough Ave. road improvements to Ajax Paving Industries. The Board also confirmed Richard Christoff as Emergency Management Director and approved a $350,000 check for courthouse window repairs.

• Adopted Floodplain Management Ordinance amendment (Enactment No. 2021-004).
• Approved bid awards for Community Development Block Grant and State Housing Initiative Program.
• Awarded FDOT SCRAP Hillsborough Ave. road improvement contract to Ajax Paving Industries, LLC.
• Confirmed Richard Christoff as Emergency Management Director and approved his employment contract.
• Adopted resolution accepting additional FDOT funds for Hillsborough Ave. (Enactment No. 2021-047).
• Approved grant agreement with Office of State Courts Administrator for courthouse repairs.
• Adopted resolutions extending 2021 tax rolls and excluding tax notices of $5.00 or less.
• Approved consent agenda including MOU with school district and library cooperative, and TDC appointments (Enactment No. 2021-046).

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is meeting to review a rezoning ordinance request. The primary action item involves a proposal from Smally Family Land Corp.

• Ordinance/ RZNE-0015-2021 Smally Family Land Corp. 21-331

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners will consider several development plans and a Floodplain Management Ordinance amendment. The meeting includes decisions on right-of-way vacations and a temporary use permit for equipment storage.

• Amendment to the Floodplain Management Ordinance
• Development plan reviews for Four Marnan Inc. and Penn Arcadia, LLC
• Temporary Use Permit for Daughtrey equipment and construction materials storage
• Public hearing requests for right-of-way vacations for Ernestine and Jaishri Tyler and Erik and Trisha Howard
• Utility Service and Conveyance Agreement for Planet Fitness in Arcadia

The DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution for budget amendments affecting the 2020/2021 adopted budget, including sheriff operating and capital road grant projects. They also approved several development-related items, including a temporary use permit for equipment storage, a special exception for a single-family residence, and development plans for a campground and a commercial parcel. The Floodplain Management Ordinance was tabled until September 14, 2021.

• Adopted budget amendment resolution for FY 2020/2021 (unanimous)
• Approved 2018/2019 closeout and interim SHIP annual reports (unanimous)
• Approved temporary use permit for equipment and construction materials storage for Christopher Daughtrey (unanimous)
• Set public hearings for September 28, 2021 for two right-of-way vacations (unanimous)
• Approved amendment to Water Quality Sampling MOU with Mosaic, reducing notice time from 72 to 24 hours (unanimous)
• Approved utility service and conveyance agreement with PF Arcadia for Planet Fitness (unanimous)
• Approved special exception for site-built single-family residence on commercial neighborhood property (unanimous)
• Approved development plan for Four Marnan Inc. campground at 2998 NW Highway 70 (unanimous)

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners is meeting for Budget Workshop #3. The primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2021-2022 Budget.

• Discussion of 2021-2022 Budget

The Board of County Commissioners held its third budget workshop for FY 2021/2022, reviewing a total county budget of $102,532,686 across all funds. No formal decisions were made; the board discussed fund balances, grant-funded projects, and budget adjustments. The board agreed to skip an additional workshop and proceed to the first public tentative budget hearing on September 14, 2021.

• Agreed to proceed to first public tentative budget hearing on September 14, 2021

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners is meeting for Budget Workshop #2. The primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2021-2022 Budget.

• Discussion of 2021-2022 Budget

The Board of County Commissioners held Budget Workshop #2, reviewing proposed 2021-22 budgets from constitutional officers and county departments. The only formal decision was setting the maximum millage rates for TRIM purposes: general operating at 8.6060 and Law Enforcement MSTU at 2.5735, with final rates to be adopted later. No other substantive decisions were made; the workshop was informational.

• Set maximum general operating millage at 8.6060
• Set maximum Law Enforcement MSTU millage at 2.5735

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners will discuss a rate increase for curbside collection and a first read of the Floodplain Management Ordinance. The meeting also includes voting on several grant agreements and contract change orders for county infrastructure.

• Resolution for Curbside Collection Rate Increase
• First read of the Floodplain Management Ordinance amendment
• Budget amendments for Economic Development, Property Appraiser, Utilities, SHIP, E911, and ARPA funds
• Contract award for custodial services to Greenscape Enterprises Inc.
• Agreement for general planning services with Green Street Associates, LLC

The Board unanimously approved a consent agenda including accounts payable, surplus property, and grant agreements. They also approved a budget amendment resolution (2021-034), a custodial services contract with Greenscape Enterprises, a curbside collection rate increase to $204.66 per residence (2021-036), and a first read of a floodplain ordinance amendment. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved consent agenda including accounts payable, surplus property, and grant agreements (unanimous)
• Approved EMPG-ARPA grant agreement (unanimous)
• Released accumulated interest on James Carver's demolition liens contingent on payment (unanimous)
• Approved culvert paving restoration contract change order #1 (unanimous)
• Approved custodial services contract with Greenscape Enterprises (unanimous)
• Approved wastewater treatment plant repair change order #2 (unanimous)
• Adopted budget amendment resolution 2021-034 (unanimous)
• Adopted curbside collection rate resolution 2021-036 at $204.66 per residence (unanimous)