Lakey cites 2008 accomplishments

As 2008 comes to a close, Jackson County Administrator Ted Lakey took a look back at the year in county government.
In reviewing the accomplishments and challenges of a difficult yea that included state spending cuts, skyrocketing fuel costs, property tax reform and other budget crunchers, Lakey said he still thinks 2008 ended on an unexpectedly positive note.
“I was really surprised at what we were able to get done in a year that was overshadowed from the beginning by doom and gloom,” Lakey said. “It started out bad enough with all the funding cuts we knew about, but then the prison bed program was cut. That alone meant $450,000 to our county.
“Then on top of that, the fuel costs were increasing so much that we had to reserve money for the possibility that it was going to keep on going higher. There were funds that we couldn’t put into accounts that we would have liked to use on services. It was like you’re swimming upstream,” he said.
Among the other frustrations were library funding cuts and the rising cost of health insurance for employees that cost the county 19 percent more than last year.
Despite those disappointments, Lakey said, the county was able to maintain a good level of service to the public and complete several special projects.
Helping the
private sector

He cited the June opening of Green Circle Bio Energy, which brought around 55 jobs to the area and made Jackson County home to the largest alternative energy wood pellet plant in the world.
The plant, located on 225 acres in Cottondale, can produce 560,000 tons of pellets a year. The pellets are shipped to European markets, going from the plant via rail to Port Panama City.
Late in the year, a new water bottling plant also announced plans to open for business here, bringing 31 new jobs to the community and putting a formerly unoccupied building back to use in the Marianna Industrial Park.
The old building vacated several years ago by the Russell apparel company had briefly been used as a branch distribution center for WestPoint. But that was eventually abandoned by WestPoint.
The new occupant, Ice River Springs, will bottle natural spring water and purified, re-mineralized drinking water.
Jackson County also learned that the new, privately managed prison in Graceville is planning an expansion which will create more jobs. That news came almost as soon as the prison opened.
The county participated in various ways to help make these private sector developments happen, but it also had some of its own projects to see about.
“The largest county project of the year was the completion of the new Emergency Operations Center,” Lakey reported.
Funded mainly through state and federal grants, the 8,000 square foot building houses the EOC and the fire/rescue operations. It allowed these departments to move out of the old county jail, which was built in the late 1940’s and had multiple problems.

Road projects of 2008

A number of road projects were completed this year. Messer Road was widened and resurfaced, from State Road 69 to Cloud Road, a distance of roughly 4.3 miles. The $1.5 million dollar project was funded with a DOT grant and a $4,385 local match. 
Welcome Church Road was widened and resurfaced from Messer Road to River Road , a distance of 4.6 miles. This $1.1 million dollar project was also funded from a FDOT grant, and $181,674 in local matching dollars.
Phase III of the Peanut Road improvement project was finished this year, as well.
The $2.3 million project was funded by local gas tax money.
“All grant applications, design, contract documents and bidding for these road projects were done in-house, providing for a substantial savings to the county,” Lakey said.
In addition to finishing these improvements, several other road projects were started in 2008.
Church Street is being widened and resurfaced from Alliance Road to U.S. Highway 90, a distance of 6.4 miles. The $2.4 million dollar expense is being paid through an FDOT grant and a $700,000 match from the county’s share of a 1 percent sales tax. About 60 percent of the project is now complete.
Wintergreen Road is being widened and resurfaced from SR 69 to Basswood Road, a distance of almost 6.9 miles.
“The total cost of this project is $ 2.14 million, with the majority of funding coming from a DOT grant with a local match of $645,000 coming from the 1 percent sales tax,” Lakey reported.
Construction is just beginning.
In addition to these resurfacing projects, six dirt roads received paving and drainage improvements; milled asphalt was placed under four roads; and there was a major upgrade of cross pipes on Sandridge Church Road. 

Infrastructure improvements
Funded by the Department of Environmental Protection, county water lines have been extended down Panhandle Road and Pelt Street to homes and businesses with contaminated wells, Lakey reported.
Other water extension projects were completed this year as well. Water and wastewater lines were extended from Interstate 10 and Highway 231 south to the Green Circle Bio-Energy plant, and down Highway 90 to the entrance of Indian Springs. Service was also extended to the new EOC Building. 
A portable sewer pump was purchased to serve in the event of power outages that could affect the operation of lift stations. The county utilities department has 188 customers.

Parks improved
A performing arts pavilion at Citizens Lodge was completed in time for the Marianna Arts Festival this past spring and was a focal point at that event. Funding for the project was provided by a $200,000 state grant, and tourism development money. Lights were added to walking trails around Citizens Lodge, and the small lake on the property was restored.
At Spring Creek Park, a new parking lot was built, along with a new 500-foot board walk. The old parking lot was paved, and two additional canoe launches and a fishing pier were added.
At Blue Springs Park, new hiking trails were added, and the park was opened to cave diving year-round. Divers from all over the country come to the park, and the extension of the diving season is expected to bring many more out-of-town dollars into the local economy.
At Cypress Park, the community building there has been remodeled and handicapped parking added.

Recycling program recognized
The county recycling department, headed by Chuck Hatcher, won the “Outstanding County or City Recycling Award” given by Recycle Florida Today this past year.
A recycling program was started with Chipola College and the county’s post offices in 2008.
An electronics recycling program was implemented, and a grant was obtained for a temporary hazardous waste containment unit.
The number of recycling drop-off centers was increased, and a year-round white goods recycling program was also begun this year. 

Community Development active in 2008
The Jackson County Community Development Department had a busy year, the county administrator noted.
Director Joan Schairer and staff reviewed 372 residential development orders and 24 small and large scale general development orders.
The department was also busy with major comprehensive plan amendments.
The capital improvements element of the Comprehensive Plan was also updated. This tracks budgeted projects and measures whether the stated levels of services for roads, storm water drainage systems, etc., are maintained.
The county also had to do an Evaluation and Appraisal Report related to the comprehensive plan.
Schairer reported that the EAR review revealed the need for revisions to the plan. The county and a consultant are currently rewriting the EAR-based amendments.

Miscellaneous notes
This was the first year county administrative staff worked directly with the Compass Lake in the Hills’ taxing unit budget. 
Jackson County applied for and received funding through the Florida Department of Agriculture for funds to conduct mosquito control in Jackson County.
All board meetings and summaries are now updated on the county Web site, http://www.jacksoncountyfl.com.
Call-takers in the E911 Department answered more than 21,386 calls to 911 in 2008. There were 331 new residential addresses assigned, and 25 new business addresses assigned. Department Director Christine Daniels was also involved in the 2010 preliminary census, and in getting grant funds for software upgrades to the 911 system.
Jackson County Library Director Joan Rountree, the Jackson County Library Board and the Friends of the Library renovated the main library in Marianna. It got new paint and carpeting, computers were upgraded, a book-signing was held this year, and the library’s volunteer program increased.
On May 12, the new Marianna Community-Based Outpatient Clinic opened to serve area veterans.  It is located at 4970 Highway 90 in Marianna. 
Jackson County Extension reports that the county agricultural complex on Penn Avenue in Marianna hosted 480 meetings, and the Ag Center on U.S. 90 west of town hosted 54 events.
Lakey also noted that “Jackson County will truly miss long time Extension Direct Ed Jowers,” who is retiring this year. 
“Ed directed the activities of agents working with small farms, pest and crop management, family and consumer science, 4-H and livestock,” Lakey said.