BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — The city of Starke is using a state grant to carry out much needed roofing work at the police department.
Built in 1965, the former highway patrol station is touted to be one of the most secure facilities in the county. It has been suffering from water infiltration, however.
The state owns the building, and legislators earmarked just over $200,000 for the reroofing and purchase of a generator.
On Dec. 6, the city commission approved a resolution piggybacking on a bid between BBG Contracting Group and Florida State College. Mayor Scott Roberts will negotiate a contract on the city’s behalf with a maximum cost of $200,000.
Police Maj. Barry Warren said inflation and supply chain issues are forcing the department to focus on the reroofing project. Even that wouldn’t have been possible had they not found BBG’s state bid.
As for the generator, its price jumped $16,000 with a delivery delay of 13 months, according to Warren. They will ask the state for another award to fund that purchase.
Starke commissioners also approved a deal with Capital City Bank to provide interim financing for the construction of the wastewater treatment plant. The terms include loaning the city nearly $10.7 million at 3.95% interest. The amount reflects the loan portion of the funding USDA has approved for the million Starke project.
The construction bid alone was nearly $23.4 million. USDA is also providing nearly $16.4 million in grant funds for the wastewater treatment plant project.
In other business:
Alvin Hunter Jr. is a veteran who has approached the city commission about founding an advisory council to assist local government in addressing veterans’ services. The council would be made up of veterans bringing concerning matters to leaders’ attention and work with other veterans’ groups on recognition.
Issues he mentioned included mental health, discrimination against minority veterans and trouble receiving adequate health care. These are local issues as well as federal issues, he said.
“With the help of support of all levels of government, we can get action,” Hunter said.
