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The Commission Connection - District 1

November 2020

Hello Franklin County!

I would like to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! Yes, it is that time of the year already. I know it is a little early, but this is the newsletter for the month of November.

I am glad we have times like Thanksgiving on our calendar. We all need these times where our focus shifts to our family. My family and their futures are what frames all that I do or attempt to accomplish. I am sure you feel the same about your family.

Take this time and enjoy every minute you can. We will never have the ability to reclaim time that has passed.

Eastpoint Civic Association

1st Competitive Florida Community Engagement Meeting

The Eastpoint Civic Association, in partnership with the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC), will be hosting a Community Workshop on Monday, November 2, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. under the pavilion at the Eastpoint Volunteer Fire Department located at 24 6th Street in Eastpoint.

The Community Workshop is the first in a series of community engagement activities as part of Eastpoint's participation in the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Competitive Florida Partnership Grant Program.

The purpose of this workshop is to gather input for Eastpoint's future Economic Development Strategy. Please join us for this exciting opportunity to shape the economic landscape of our town.

If you are unable or hesitant to attend due to COVID-19, please contact Caroline Smith to receive project updates and provide input via e-mail or telephone.

Caroline can be reached at:

(850) 488 - 6211; ext. 108 or

csmith@arpc.org

Talking about the County budget

What are the trends in the millage rates?

The total budget for 20/21 is $62,287,079. The adopted millage rate was 5.7761. The total projected amount of ad valorem proceeds are $12,365,955. The percentage of the budget funded by your ad valorem tax dollars in 19.85%. This means that over 80% of this budget in funded through fine and forfeiture, grants and other one-time allocations that Franklin County is receiving. This is the first time that this percentage has been under twenty percent in more than a decade.The millage rate has not been increased since the 13/14 budget year.

Important Information

Commission Notes

CARES ACT Business Grants

The Commission was recently informed on changes and additional requirements on the CARES ACT funds. The changes specifically involved the administration of the business grants program. We are striving to use these CARES ACT funds to help our businesses as we begin to get past the economic impacts of the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Eastpoint Channel Dredging

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has the permit to dredge the channel in Eastpoint. The County is using some funds it is eligible for from the BP oil spill to complete the dredging. We are waiting to have the signed final agreement from USACE in order for the Commission to approve it and have the Chairman sign it.

This project can then be started. The Corps have confirmed that there will not be any bid required to undertake this project. They have the permit and will be using one of their current contractors to perform the work. Franklin County has been assured that there will be no other delays past the signing of the MOU which will ensure the funds needed to complete the task have been obtained. We have been informed that we should expect this MOU on or before the end of November.

This project has been needed for a long time. The current push to see this project happen has been supported by myself and the other Commissioners. This dredging will have significant impacts on the economy of Eastpoint.