BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — County Manager Scott Kornegay has been asked to negotiate a contract for legal services with Bradley, Garrison and Komando.
The law firm includes former Florida Sen. Rob Bradley, Sam Garrison and Rich Komando, all of whom practice municipal law. Garrison and Komando are also criminal defense attorneys.
Kornegay, a former city manager, is also familiar with the firm because it represents Keystone Heights, as well as Orange Park and Baker County, among others. Kornegay said he has been pleased with his working relationship with Komando, who would work directly with Bradford County. Kornegay recommended the board allow him to enter contract negotiations.
To accommodate the law firm’s schedule, the county commission will need to move its evening meeting back to the third Thursday night of the month.
Clerk Denny Thompson is negotiating a contract with James Moore & Co. to perform the county’s annual financial audits. It was the only company to respond to the county’s advertisement.
Both contracts will come to the commission for final approval.
Prior attorney Will Sexton has taken a job elsewhere, while previous auditor Purvis Gray decided against continuing its contract with the county.
Borrow pit approved north of Lawtey
Bradford County commissioners have approved a new borrow pit north of the city of Lawtey.
According to Zoning Director Randy Andrews, the borrow pit will be 5 to 6 acres in size. The parcel is 326 acres and belongs to Rayonier. It lies west of U.S. 301 and east of Northwest 265th Street. It is around 3 miles north of Lawtey.
The zoning director said the road is uninhabited and the borrow pit is not near the highway.
Rayonier’s Brenton French said the clay rich soil found at the site would be excavated and used to cap a landfill. He said it would be a short project.
Tourist, ambulance funds approved
In other business, the commission approved Tourist Development Council funds for:
—Rural County Days registration in Tallahassee (funding with EFI grant): $750.
—Strawberry shortcake supplies for Rural County Days: $2,125.
—Christmas on Call Street promotion for Starke Downtown Merchants: $5,000.
—Keystone Airports 80th Anniversary Celebration promotion: $6,500.
The commission also approved $380,000 to remount two ambulances for Bradford County Fire Rescue. The funds will come from the $500,000 set aside in contingency for the department.
