Navarre sea turtle center funding in question
- June 22, 2015
- / Louis Cooper
- / government
The future of local funding for the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center will be discussed when the Santa Rosa County Commission meets this morning.
On June 11, commissioners voted to temporarily suspend payments on two allocations totaling more than $200,000 to the sea turtle center until the project’s leaders account for the money already spent.
An update on the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center is set for this morning’s meeting, which starts at 9 a.m. at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Office Complex, located at 6495 U.S. 90, Milton (behind McDonald's).
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The agenda for the meeting is available at http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/agendas/06.22.15backup.pdf.
The meeting is broadcast online at http://www.santarosa.fl.gov//bocc/BOCC_Calendar/.
Generally, the commission’s Monday meetings – called “committee meetings” – are used to discuss items and set the agenda for Thursday’s regular meetings, where final decisions are usually made.
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The suspension of payments came at the request of Commissioner Rob Williamson, whose district includes the Navarre area. At the June 11 meeting, Williamson said he asked for an update on where the project stood shortly after taking office last fall and had yet to hear anything.
Specifically in question is a $165,000 allocation in District 4 recreation funds and $43,915 in Tourist Development Council money.
"We are now seven months removed, and we still don’t have a clear accounting," Williamson said. "I've heard they’re going to come in under budget. If they know they are going to come in under budget, they should be able to answer these questions. To me, it’s pretty straight forward.”
Williamson specifically questioned whether the TDC money could legally be used for a veterinarian tech and a volunteer coordinator. County Attorney Roy Andrews said funding the positions is dubious.
“In order for TDC funds to be expended appropriately, they have to be for the primary purpose of promoting tourism," Andrews said. "That’s a pretty good stretch (for those positions).”
In a written statement, members of the board of the sea turtle center said they were surprised by Williamson's statements, claiming to have been in regular contact with the commissioner.
"All of the NBSTCC grant accounts are in good standing and invoices are paid-in-full, and there are still funds available which have not been used yet. These are the funds being 'suspended' by Commissioner Rob Williamson," according to the statement. "The work under way now at the center is all being paid for privately and this action has no bearing on our being able to complete the project."
[caption id="attachment_25046" align="alignright" width="450"]
Santa Rosa County Commissioners will discuss funding for the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Photo credit: Santa Rosa County[/caption]
According to the update provided for today's meeting, the center's main 15,000-gallon sea turtle pool and filtration system is complete, as is the Interpretive Center and the facility's lighting, new floors and interior painting, and the building and parking lot expansion.
Work is continuing on graphic exhibits, separate aquarium exhibits and the center's shop, Seamore Store.
Other items on the commission's agenda include:
— Replacing security equipment at the Santa Rosa County Courthouse.
Brooke Jones, court operations manager, is recommending the county replace the security x-ray machine and failing cameras in three courtrooms at the courthouse. The current x-ray machine has been in service since 2002. A replacement device will cost about $28,400. Replacing the three cameras would cost about $4,070.
— Discussion of rural transportation priorities to be submitted to the state Department of Transportation. Recommendations include four-laning the northern stretch of State Road 87 near the Alabama state line, adding paved shoulders to sections of Munson Highway and Chumuckla Highway, and adding sidewalks to various streets in Jay.
— Discussion of allocating $10,000 to promote the 2015 Navarre Fishing Rodeo, set for Oct. 3-4.
Santa Rosa County Commissioners will discuss funding for the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Photo credit: Santa Rosa County[/caption]
According to the update provided for today's meeting, the center's main 15,000-gallon sea turtle pool and filtration system is complete, as is the Interpretive Center and the facility's lighting, new floors and interior painting, and the building and parking lot expansion.
Work is continuing on graphic exhibits, separate aquarium exhibits and the center's shop, Seamore Store.
Other items on the commission's agenda include:
— Replacing security equipment at the Santa Rosa County Courthouse.
Brooke Jones, court operations manager, is recommending the county replace the security x-ray machine and failing cameras in three courtrooms at the courthouse. The current x-ray machine has been in service since 2002. A replacement device will cost about $28,400. Replacing the three cameras would cost about $4,070.
— Discussion of rural transportation priorities to be submitted to the state Department of Transportation. Recommendations include four-laning the northern stretch of State Road 87 near the Alabama state line, adding paved shoulders to sections of Munson Highway and Chumuckla Highway, and adding sidewalks to various streets in Jay.
— Discussion of allocating $10,000 to promote the 2015 Navarre Fishing Rodeo, set for Oct. 3-4.
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