Fla. County OKs EMS-Fire State Study
Jan. 07--SEBRING -- Commissioners approved a study to determine where to build future fire and EMS stations, and they learned in Tuesday's meeting that the landfill closure fund was $1 million short.
The needs assessment will examine the current locations of Highlands County's EMS and fire stations and match response times across the county.
"It's going to take 120 days to perform?" Commissioner Don Elwell asked. "I agree it needs to be done, but do we want to wait that long? Should we move forward with the EMS stations? We have the plan partially finished. Isn't it possible to expedite the timeline to maybe four or five months?"
The county has delayed construction of three EMS stations while waiting for a contract to be prepared. In the meantime, the downtown EMS station is in a 1923 house; the Valerie Road station is in a 1950 home; and the main EMS station shares a manufactured home with Harvey Craven's administrative offices.
"It's only 11 years old," the Highlands County EMS director said last month. "But it's got a lot of, I guess you call them environmental conditions." The roof leaks. The septic tank must be pumped every few months. The heating and air conditioning system is insufficient.
On Sept. 16, commissioners ordered a needs assessment from Fitch and Associates, a Missouri firm that consults on EMS and fire stations. When that report comes on March 30, commissioners can make decisions.
Commissioners have been discussing the downtown station on Eucalyptus Street for at least a decade. Earlier this year, a budget was developed to replace it, but line-item funding was removed while administrators re-evaluate the options.
Since Sun N' Lake supervisors decided to end their full-time, paid fire service and contract with West Sebring volunteers, the county has tentatively agreed to build a combined EMS, fire and sheriff's substation next to Florida Hospital Heartland.
"It looks like we're really building in another redundancy," Commissioner Jack Richie said. "Is it necessary to go through this process? We've had Sun N' Lake under consideration for year. I will not vote for onto anything that dips into reserves; $42,000 is not a lot of money, but ... it's not something you can dip into every day. Is this an emergency? I don't think so."
"This is the first time we've looked into this in over 20 years," Elwell argued. "The county has certainly changed in 20 years. It's grown in certain areas and not in others... The question is where the buildings need to be and what is the cost? One more station, one less station, and will that reduce our response time?"
Commissioners approved the contract, 4-1.
Last year, commissioners hired consulting engineer Jones Edmunds to determine whether the county has enough money in the bank to close the landfill, when that becomes necessary.
Yes and no, said Highlands County Public Works Coordinator Jennifer Willis. The 31-acre landfill on Arbuckle Creek Road is already 59 percent full. At the rate of 68,000 tons of waste in 2013, the landfill must close in 2025. A separate 11-acre construction and demolition debris fill will close around 2032. The ag plastic fill will last until 2092, though.
In 2002, it was estimated $3.4 million would be needed to close the landfill. Last year, engineers re-estimated the cost at $4.8 million. After the landfill closes, groundwater, surface water, wells, leachates and the gas system must be monitored. Landscape, erosion and the security system must be maintained.
Jones Edmunds outlined two options to close the landfill: Option 1 will close it as is for $5.9 million, but Option 2 will close it 11 years. For $7.7 million.
There is enough money in the escrow account to close the landfill now, but the county will be $990,000 short in 2025, Jones Edmunds said.
Jones Edmunds and Gavarrete suggested transferring $400,000 landfill closure account, but commissioners voted 5-0 to wait two months, until more figures come in.
Now that this study is finished, said County Engineer Ramon Gavarrete, the county can proceed with a tipping fee study.
Cleve Prescott asked commissioners again to either force the current landowner to take care of his family's cemetery, or for the county to maintain it.
"It's being destroyed by neglect," said Prescott, who currently lives in Texas. His grandmother sold the property, and it's now owned by the Hollenbergs.
"Have you spoken to the owner of the property?" Commissioner Ron Handley asked.
"The guy who owns it doesn't care," Prescott said.
"The county has no mandate," County Attorney Ross Macbeth said. "There are two statutes providing for abandoned cemeteries. Both require the property owner maintain it. If he doesn't, the family has the right to do it. The county is also authorized to."
Commissioners voted to send a letter to the property owner.
Jana Phillips, director of the Sebring Air Expo, asked that an ambulance stand by during the week of Jan. 13-17, and that the expo be charged 50 percent less.
"That's about $100 an hour, and that won't even cover expenses," Elwell said. "I'm not n favor of setting that precedent." The board agreed.
The board did accept bids on 21 vacant lots and a sand pit, which totaled $15,070.
"The clay pit is still available for mining," Macbeth said. "We're still taking clay out of the pit."
The pit went to Humberto Ambriz for $6,870. He also paid $2,780 for the former WIC building in Avon Park, and bought several lots, two for $127 each.
Director of Development Services Mark J. Hill asked the commissioners to authorize $25,000 for the a vision plan for Sebring Regional Airport and Spring Lake. They approved, 5-0.
Commissioners also released the covenants and restrictions on a mobile home at 21 Eden Lane in Lake Placid, which allowed Anita Zahn to sell the property.
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