Us
Print
E-mail
Rate
DuPree steers motion for IDA
Accounting system will return to office of County Clerk.
By MICHAEL MITSEFF
mmitseff@lakecityreporter.com
Freshman Dist. 3 Commissioner Jody DuPree got off to a fast start Thursday in just his second meeting of the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners.
DuPree made a motion to move the Industrial Development Authority accounting system back under the County Clerk’s office, thereby saving the county the cost of paying for two audits.
The motion passed 4-1, with Dist. 1 Commissioner Ron Williams voting against the motion.
The move will take place after the IDA’s year-end audit is completed, according to DuPree.
Also on Thursday, the board also elected Dist. 4 Commissioner Stephen Bailey as the new board chairman and Williams as the new vice-chairman.
n In other business, Columbia County Paramedic Anthony Davis strongly stated his support for combining the county’s EMS and fire departments, creating the Columbia County Fire Rescue.
“I think the board received it well, now we just have to sit back and wait to see if they’re actually going to move forward with consolidation,” Davis said. “It’s out of our hands now; we’ve voiced our opinion so it’s completely up to (the commission) if they are going to let us do our jobs.”
The change would allow paramedics and firefighters who are certified in both disciplines to utilize either skill during a call. Currently, they cannot perform multiple functions.
Davis said his previous position was in St. Johns County (Saint Augustine) where the county combined EMS with the fire department to create the St. Johns Fire Rescue.
“Now they are one of the premier departments in the state,” Davis said, noting that he moved back to Columbia County for personal reasons and because he had heard that Columbia County was looking to implement fire rescue.
Davis also said that the men who initiated fire rescue in St. Johns County offered to help Columbia County with consolidation.
“When is it the right time to do it? How much does a life cost in Columbia County? Is it going to take two or three more people who could have benefited from our cross training?”
County Manager Dale Williams said for him it was a foregone conclusion, but implementing the consolidation in a slowing economy may not be possible in the coming year.
Ron Williams said a combined fire rescue would also help to lower the county’s ISO rating. Bailey agreed with Williams’ assessment and added that “fire rescue is the only route to go.”
Though no action was taken on consolidation, the issue is still being studied by the county manager and his staff.
n Also, the Rev. Sam Taylor, speaking on behalf of the proposed Community Mercy Center for the Homeless, asked the board to give the ministry a long-term lease for the county’s Boys Club property.
Ron Williams said the Columbia School Board has a right of first refusal if the county does not use it, which it intends to do.
Weaver said the building was not suitable because there was no sewage system and to install one would cost the ministry a lot of money.
The board did pledge its help to Taylor to find a home for the ministry.
Weaver appointed DuPree and Dist. 5 Commissioner Scarlett Frisina to form a search committee with members of the City of Lake City City Council along with Taylor and others.
DuPree made a motion to move the Industrial Development Authority accounting system back under the County Clerk’s office, thereby saving the county the cost of paying for two audits.
The motion passed 4-1, with Dist. 1 Commissioner Ron Williams voting against the motion.
The move will take place after the IDA’s year-end audit is completed, according to DuPree.
Also on Thursday, the board also elected Dist. 4 Commissioner Stephen Bailey as the new board chairman and Williams as the new vice-chairman.
n In other business, Columbia County Paramedic Anthony Davis strongly stated his support for combining the county’s EMS and fire departments, creating the Columbia County Fire Rescue.
“I think the board received it well, now we just have to sit back and wait to see if they’re actually going to move forward with consolidation,” Davis said. “It’s out of our hands now; we’ve voiced our opinion so it’s completely up to (the commission) if they are going to let us do our jobs.”
The change would allow paramedics and firefighters who are certified in both disciplines to utilize either skill during a call. Currently, they cannot perform multiple functions.
Davis said his previous position was in St. Johns County (Saint Augustine) where the county combined EMS with the fire department to create the St. Johns Fire Rescue.
“Now they are one of the premier departments in the state,” Davis said, noting that he moved back to Columbia County for personal reasons and because he had heard that Columbia County was looking to implement fire rescue.
Davis also said that the men who initiated fire rescue in St. Johns County offered to help Columbia County with consolidation.
“When is it the right time to do it? How much does a life cost in Columbia County? Is it going to take two or three more people who could have benefited from our cross training?”
County Manager Dale Williams said for him it was a foregone conclusion, but implementing the consolidation in a slowing economy may not be possible in the coming year.
Ron Williams said a combined fire rescue would also help to lower the county’s ISO rating. Bailey agreed with Williams’ assessment and added that “fire rescue is the only route to go.”
Though no action was taken on consolidation, the issue is still being studied by the county manager and his staff.
n Also, the Rev. Sam Taylor, speaking on behalf of the proposed Community Mercy Center for the Homeless, asked the board to give the ministry a long-term lease for the county’s Boys Club property.
Ron Williams said the Columbia School Board has a right of first refusal if the county does not use it, which it intends to do.
Weaver said the building was not suitable because there was no sewage system and to install one would cost the ministry a lot of money.
The board did pledge its help to Taylor to find a home for the ministry.
Weaver appointed DuPree and Dist. 5 Commissioner Scarlett Frisina to form a search committee with members of the City of Lake City City Council along with Taylor and others.
 |
||
| Obama savors relaxed moments |
D D D wrote on Dec 5, 2008 8:55 AM:
CM "