Leon County Commission Meeting Briefs: January 28, 2025

Below are the news briefs from the Leon County Commission meeting held on January 28, 2025.

The Board approved Consent Items 1-19.

The consent items included approval of procurement awards related to Fiscal Year 2025 Insurance Coverage Renewals and approval of an agreement for security guard services.

The consent also included three status reports: Annual Status Report on the Leon County Water Quality Monitoring Program and the 2024 Water Quality Report, Food Distribution and Healthcare Services in Woodville, Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Performance and Financial Report, and the Annual Sustainability Program Status Report Including the Semiannual Report on Curbside Waste Collection

Consent Items Pulled for Discussion

Item 20: Feasibility of Placing a Storm Shelter in Woodville, pulled by Commissioner Caban. The Board voted 7-0 to delay consideration of this item for three months.

GeneralBusiness

Item 21: Capital Area Justice Ministry Proposal and Leon County’s Ongoing Commitment and Efforts to Increase Affordable Housing. The Board voted 5-2 against a Capital Area Justice Ministry (CAJM) proposal that would reallocate 20% of the County’s portion of the Blueprint infrastructure surtax to establish an “Affordable Rental Housing Land Acquisition and Leaseback Program.” County Commissioners Bill Proctor and David O’Keefe voted for the proposal. Those voting against included commissioners Brian Welch, Nick Maddox, Rick Minor, Carolyn Cummings, and Christian Caban.

Item 22: Contract Award for the Leon County Solid Waste Facility Class I and Class III South Landfill Closure Project. The Board voted 7-0 to approve the contract award for the Solid Waste Management Facility Class I and Class III South Landfill Closure project to T & K Construction LLC in the amount of $16,706,516 and to authorize the County Administrator to execute the agreement subject to legal review by the County Attorney.

Item 23: Contract Award for Additional Lobbying Services for the 2025 State Legislative Session. The Leon County Commission voted 4-3 to award a contract to the Southern Group for supplemental lobbying services for the 2025 State Legislative Session.

Item 24:Full Board Appointments to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. The Board voted to appoint four eligible applicants to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for three-year terms ending on January 31, 2028. The appointees were Lawrence Tobe, Michael Parker, Danielle Andrews and Christie Perkins.

Scheduled Public Hearings, 6:00 P.M.

Item 25:  The Board voted 7-0, during the First and Only Public Hearing,  for an Ordinance Amending Chapter 4, Article II, of the Leon County Code of Laws regarding Animal Control to Prohibit the Retail Sale of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits. The amendment prohibits the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in unincorporated Leon County.  The proposed Ordinance would not prohibit retailers from holding pet adoption events in coordination with animal shelters and animal rescue organizations.  It would also continue to allow breeders to sell animals directly to the public at non-retail locations and allow for private sales between individuals. The amendment also grandfathers in one business that currently sells rabbits.

Item 26: The Board voted 5-2 (Minor, Okeefe against) – during the First and Only Public Hearing – to adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 6, Sections 6-32 and 6-34, and Chapter 14, Section 14-56, of the Leon County Code of Laws relating to Hearing Procedure and Administrative Fines and Liens.