BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Staff Writer
LAKE BUTLER — The Union County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting Jan. 17 after a long meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board earlier in the evening.
After the lack of any public comment, the board recognized the Union County Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Commissioner Mack Johns introduced Volunteer Firefighter Mickey Forster, who talked a little bit about how the honoree was chosen (by his peers at the fire department) and what criteria they used to make their selection (participation, frequent response and attention to duties). Forster then called up Volunteer Firefighter Rob Koch to accept his plaque and have a picture taken with the commission. Forster told the commission that Koch had served the county for approximately 25 years.
In other discussion and action, the Union County Board of Commissioners:
—discussed the need to complete the remodeling and repair of the commission’s office building. County Coordinator Jimmy Williams asked that the commission approve the needed repairs, painting the walls and replacing the carpet and the floor in the conference room.
The board instructed Williams to create an estimate of the funds needed to get the job done at the least possible cost and bring it to then at the next meeting. The funds will most likely be taken out of the ARPA funds the county still has as it is an approved expense.
Williams also informed commissioners of the county’s vehicle needs. He said the pickup truck at the building department and is used by the building inspector is breaking down frequently and needs to be replaced. The extension office has no vehicle but needs a mid-size passenger van for 4-H member transportation. The road department needs two 15-passenger vans for inmate transport, solid waste needs a mid-size pickup truck for departmental use and recreation needs a 3/4-ton van for equipment and inmate transport. He also said the commission office needed a midsize SUV if possible.
Commissioner Perez said he would rather not buy a vehicle for the commission office, while Commissioner Johns said that the road department’s needs should be seen to first because their vehicles were in really bad shape. The board instructed Williams to research the cost of the needed vehicles, using the state contract discount, and report back to them. The cost is an acceptable expense for the ARPA funds and they could be used to pay for the vehicles.
—heard a question for Lake Butler Rotary Club’s Treasurer Becky Elixson, who asked the board if the county could donate $4,000 to help pay for the fireworks for Independence Day as it had in the past. Clerk of Court and Comptroller Kellie Rhoades said the amount was in the budget and that a check could be cut as soon as the club brought her an invoice.
Elixson said the event is being planned for July 1 to make the most of the funds available. She said that to do the fireworks on July 4 would cost $1,000 for each minute of the show.
—approved the hiring of a new IFAS Extension Service Director for the Union County office. The new hire is Jim Devalario, a veteran extension agent and plant pathologist.
—heard a request from Williams to clarify their motion on what they want done in the county’s parks. He said, in various parks, there were needs for new playground equipment, equipment repair, fencing and, in one case, some lighting. He asked the commissioners to look at the parks in each of their districts and determine the needs they want to address. He can then compile a list of needs and prices and present it to the board at its February meeting.
