| Mission Statement |
| |
| "Serving you, meeting today's challenges and focusing on the future" |
| Vision Statement |
| |
| "To make Putnam County local government the most responsive and effective government in Florida, while making |
| Putnam County the best place to live, work and raise a family" |
| October 2009-September 2010 |
| Property tax reform and the passage of Amendment 1 both resulted in annual revenue reductions which continue to create a difficult situation for the county in being able to move forward on critical infrastructure projects and those which would improve quality of life. This makes it even more important that the County broaden its tax base through economic development and the creation of jobs. The Business Park on St. John’s Avenue should be a major attraction to companies and businesses considering relocation. Previously, the County, in partnership with a private developer, constructed a 52,000 square foot industrial shell building in the Park. This building remains available, and it is hoped that this will aid in attracting a prospect that has an interest in a facility which can be readily completed to expedite start-up in a new location. Some prospects have demonstrated increased interest in the building in recent weeks. Successful marketing of this structure may lead to the construction of another building or the extension of infrastructure within the Park. The County has changed the future land use map to designate several properties for large scale industrial use in order to provide some diversity in location for businesses which may have an interest in Putnam County. |
| |
| Improving roads through resurfacing, widening and turning “dirt to pavement” will continue to be a major priority for the County both now and in the future. The evaluation of alternative asphalt mixes has aided in stretching available dollars to maximize the number of miles that can be improved. While the one cent infrastructure surtax, approved in a referendum in September 2002, provides the primary source of revenue for these road projects, the County continues to pursue grant funds from both the State and Federal governments. Additionally, the Board of Commissioners adopted ordinances in May 2009 to increase gasoline taxes resulting in more revenue available for transportation infrastructure. Proceeds from these increased taxes began to be received in January 2010. Federal funds are earmarked for 309C which is in design and construction is expected to be initiated in the coming fiscal year. Road projects undertaken using the surtax dollars were limited during the year due to accelerated spending to accomplish multiple projects in the past and the need to repay principal and interest of Board-authorized borrowing against the expected surtax proceeds; however, it is anticipated that several roads will be identified for improvement in the coming year and that accumulated surtax dollars and gasoline tax proceeds will be allocated for those projects. |
| |
| The East Putnam Regional Water System was a project that was a long time in the making, but water service was initiated on November 1, 2009. Approximately 1,100 users had signed up for the high quality water produced by the water treatment plant. The system consists of a reverse osmosis treatment plant, storage, transmission and distribution lines. The $26 million project was funded from state, federal, water management district, and local sources, and the County will be expanding the service area for this utility system as funds become available. |
| |
| The Parks and Recreation Department coordinated the formal dedication of the amphitheater and related amenities at the West Putnam Recreation Complex in November 2009. The project features the County’s first skateboard park as well as the amphitheater. Applications for funding through the Florida Communities Trust program for acquisition of land in the Georgetown and Nine Mile Swamp areas received approval during the year. The County will be proceeding to finalize acquisition of these future Parks and Recreation properties in the coming year. Matching funds that may be required to be paid from local funds will come from the one cent surtax. |
| |
| The County’s consultant for solid waste provided a design and secured permitting for a new class I area at the landfill for the disposal of household solid waste. The construction of this cell was awarded in July 2009, and construction was completed a year later. As soon as the space in the cell currently being used is filled to capacity the new cell will be activated. This will occur early in the coming fiscal year. Life expectancy of the new cell is approximately five years. |
| |
| The existing jail facility continues to be a situation that must be addressed in the future. A needs assessment indicated that a two hundred bed expansion, renovation of existing cells and improved and expanded ancillary services is necessary. The estimated costs vary, but approximately $15 million may be required if all aspects of a proposed project are pursued. The anticipated increased operational costs have slowed progress on this project during a time when limited resources make it difficult to consider undertaking a project of this magnitude. The County will be evaluating possible alternative construction options, i.e., pre-cast concrete, prefabricated steel cells, etc., and an architect has been engaged to provide final cost information regarding alternatives. It is anticipated that the Board of Commissioners will review the architect’s recommendations during the second quarter of the next fiscal year. |
| |
| A consultant previously conducted a needs assessment of the court functions and judicial offices. An increasing number of court cases requiring the assignment of additional court personnel have created overcrowded conditions in the courthouse and in offices that support the judicial process. A Task Force recommended that the County consider a new, stand-alone structure to address the space requirements and enhance security for the judiciary and support functions. To this end, a fifty-six acre parcel of property adjacent to the existing jail was acquired in January 2006. Regrettably, progress on this project has been brought to a halt by limited resources with the cancellation of the Seminole Electric expansion project being the most significant factor. However, the relocation of some county offices in August 2008 has resulted in some vacated space in a building adjacent to the courthouse that could be used as relief for court-related functions and may obviate the need for immediate action on a future judicial center. During the year an architect completed design of a criminal courtroom to be housed in the former Planning and Development facility. A bid to perform this work for $596,000 was awarded in September, and the contractor is expected to begin construction early in the next fiscal year. |
| |
| The need for a centralized wastewater treatment system in the East Putnam area is essential to abating pollution of the river and reducing contamination of water supply wells. The County negotiated with the Florida Department of Corrections to partner in utilizing parts of its facilities as a segue to a Regional County Wastewater System in that area. Leases and agreements for services have been executed, and a consulting engineering firm for the design, permitting and bidding of a wastewater system has been approved. The resolution of some administrative issues is imminent, and the County hopes to move forward with design in earnest. Bids on the proposed $9 million first phase of the system may be solicited before the end of the next fiscal year. |
| |
| In October 2006 the county implemented impact fees on new construction to generate revenue to offset the capital costs of providing infrastructure for essential county services that are impacted by growth. Ordinances were prepared to implement impact fees for schools, fire, transportation, EMS and parks and recreation and collection of the fees began in April 2007. In February 2009 the County adopted a one year moratorium on impact fees as one means to help stimulate the local economy. In February 2010 the Board of Commissioners extended the moratorium for an additional twelve months, and given the continued state of the economy, it is reasonable to expect another extension of the moratorium. |
| |
| The County was successful in obtaining CDBG-Disaster Recovery grant funds of approximately $1.2 million to assist in repairing infrastructure that was damaged during the storms of 2008. The funding will be used to repair and upgrade the Paradise Point wastewater system and the Port Buena Vista water/wastewater systems. The County was also successful in securing a CDBG-Economic Development grant for $750,000 to expand infrastructure to serve one new business and one expanding business. Work to be covered by each of these grants will be initiated mid-year of the coming fiscal year. |
| |
| In the coming year the county will oversee the construction of a portion of a bike trail along US17. This will be one component of a network of bike trails to make Putnam County the Trail Hub of Northeast Florida. In May 2010 the county designated 185 miles of paddling trails in the County and declared the County as the Paddling Hub of the St. Johns River and Northeast Florida. |
| |
| The County will administer grant funds in excess of $1 million from the Florida Division of Emergency Management for a project to retrofit the Middleton-Burney School as a certified Red Cross shelter to be used when local emergencies are declared to exist. This work would not begin until the end of the school year. |
- Communicate, inform and educate openly and effectively
- Deliver services in a professional, respectful and courteous manner
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity in all action
- Value all contributions of our culturally diverse communities and customers
- Achieve results through teamwork
- Foster a positive, "can do" attitude
- Encourage and support innovation
- Practice long-range planning
- Provide solutions to challenges
- Customer-Focused Government
- Growth Management
- Natural Resource and Open Space Preservation
- Economic Development
- Transportation and Infrastructure Enhancements
- Families, Neighborhoods and Communities
Commissioner's Statement
|
The Board of County Commissioners serves as the legislative and policy making body for Putnam County.
The governing body has the power to perform the following duties: approve the budget, set millage rates and adopt
ordinances and resolutions necessary to carry out the operations of all County departments and programs.
The Board also has the power to adopt its own rules of procedure, select its officers and set the time and place of
its official meetings.
The Board also prepares and enforces comprehensive plans for the development of the County.
|
Minutes / Agenda Searches
Minutes Searches include all Department, Committee and Board Minutes
NOTE:
Most of our Documents are only available in Acrobat Reader Format (PDF).
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher to view these documents.
Documents and Forms DISCLAIMER:
Online versions of Putnam County, FL Documents and Forms are posted for your convenience only. Our
goal is to make this information available as soon as possible, but please be aware that online Documents
and Forms are subject to change.
The County does not warrant or make any representations as to the quality, content, accuracy or
completeness of the information, text, graphics, links and other items contained on its web pages. Also,
the County will, in no event, be liable or responsible for damages of any kind arising out of the use of
online Documents and Forms.
|
|
