Century Gas Department Losses Top $1 Million In Four Years
November 5, 2019
Financial losses for the Town of Century gas department have surpassed $1 million during the last four fiscal years, and the town still can’t account for a large portion of the natural gas it purchases for resale. But they are continuing to work on several steps to curb the financial bleeding.
The gas department lost $222,304.75 for the fiscal year ending September 30, even after a $10,000 influx from the water department and $41,000 from the garbage fund. That loss total does not include another $125,000 in depreciation but does include $78,000 for new meters that are still being installed.
The gas fund lost $527,738 during the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years according to a grand jury investigation, and about $322,000 in FY 2018, according to a financial audit.
In September, the town could not account for 45% of natural gas purchased for resale, Town Manager Buz Eddy said. They’ve attributed the difference to inaccurate meters, a small number of users not receiving bills, and billing inaccuracies. The missing gas is not leaking.
The town has several major steps planned in the near team to reduce the gas department’s financial slide and perhaps even turn a profit.
Currently, Pensacola Energy is under contract to replace 10 commercial gas meters, including the meter at Century Correctional Institution, and the town is considering a proposal from Florida Public Utilities to replace the remainder of the commercial meters and all residential meters to increase billing accuracy. The town will also seek proposal for handheld meter reading devices to reduce human error.
The natural gas bill for Century Correctional Institution, the town’s largest natural gas customer, will be recalculated to account for meter inaccuracies.
Also during the previous fiscal year, the general fund had income about $75,000 greater than budgeted, water and sewer nearly $90,000 greater than the one cent that was budgeted, and garbage fund about $9,950 more than the zero projected.
Monday night, the Century Town Council approved a resolution amending the previous year’s budget to reflect the differences.
Century’s entire budget for the current 2019-2020 fiscal year is about $3.64 million for all departments.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northview NJROTC Earns Awards At Louisiana Drill Meet
November 5, 2019
The Northview High School NJROTC earned a long list of awards Saturday at the Pearl River High School Drill Meet in Pearl River, Louisiana:
2nd place female curl ups — Sarius Davis
2nd place male curl ups – Keaton Brown
2nd place male curl ups overall
3rd place in the run overall
3rd place armed basic
1st unarmed basic
2nd place academics
3rd place color guard
2nd place personnel inspection
3rd place overall drill meet
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Nearly Complete On $1.3 Million Carver Park Area Drainage Project
November 5, 2019
Work is approaching completion on a $1.3 million drainage project in the Carver Park area of Cantonment.
The new drainage system is was installed in the Washington, Ransom, Booker, Webb, Lincoln and Louis streets areas, and the project is reported to be 98% complete.
The Carver Park Drainage Improvement Project consists of installing a new stormwater conveyance system with outfall to a new dry stormwater pond located east of Ransom Street. The project includes construction of shallow roadside swales, ditch bottom and curb inlets, approximately 4,900 linear feet of stormwater transmission pipes, and the relocation and installation of approximately 1,900 linear feet of water main lines.
Work started back in November 2018 and is expected to be completed by November 18. It was funded by Local Option Sales Tax dollars.
Pictured above and first two photos below: Work on a Cantonment draining project as seen last week. Pictured bottom three photos: The project on August 10. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
August 2019 photos below.
Anne Fillingim Named Jim Allen Elementary Teacher Of The Year
November 5, 2019
Anne Fillingim has been named Jim Allen Elementary Teacher of the Year. She is the guidance counselor at Jim Allen. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Charter Committee Examines Its Role
November 5, 2019
The Century Charter Review Committee (CRE) took another look at the town’s charter Monday night, and they took steps to establish their identity and roles.
Early in the meeting, member Mary Hudson Bourgeois brought forward a list of items for the committee to consider before actually tackling the charter. Her list included a better location that council chambers that would facilitate a roundtable type discussion setting for 10 members and the need for an agenda.
She also requested that meetings not be held immediately prior to council meetings, which limits the amount of time the committee has for deliberations. And, she suggested that the committee should have a chair and vice-chair.
Committee members agreed, and on a vote, Hudson was elected chair, and Shelisa Abraham was named vice-chair.
In future meeting, the committee intends to early-on tackle the possibility of adding a city manager to the charter, Century’s overall form of government, and review charters from other cities and towns in Florida.
The next meeting date and location for the Century Charter Review Committee had not yet been set. All meetings are open to the public.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Child Neglect After Boy Gets Lost In The Woods
November 4, 2019
A Cantonment woman was charged after a child was found walking out of a wooded area unsupervised.
Collean Tiffany Cozart, 31, was charged with felony child neglect last week and later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
A resident of Hillock Drive reported that a boy and his dog had walked from the woods behind his property, and the boy stated that he became lost while walking the dog. The age of the child was redacted from the arrest report.
The deputy transported the boy and his dog back to his residence where Cozart was responsible for watching him.
Cozart said the child had been watching television about 30 minutes prior, according to an arrest report, and she did not know he was missing. The report states the child had walked about a half mile through a heavy wooded area once he left the residence and had been gone for an estimated hour.
The incident was also reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Tate High Recognizes Sherrie Swenson As Ms. Spirit
November 4, 2019
Tate High School has recognized Sherrie Swenson for raising almost $600 for Tate High School’s Ms. Spirit during Homecoming. The proceeds benefit Special Olympics. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
McDavid Tree Farm, Escambia Forester Honored As Best In Florida
November 4, 2019
The Russell Brothers Farm in McDavid was recently recognized as the 2019 Florida Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year., and Escambia County’s forester was named the Tree Farm Inspector of the Year during an event in McDavid.
The farm was originally purchased by Jay and Clara Russell in 1946. Since Jay and Clara have passed on, the name on the deed has changed, but it remains family land that plays a central role in keeping the family together.
John Russell lives on the property, managing it for the family, and hosting a large family gathering each Thanksgiving. They enjoy hayrides together hoping to catch a glimpse of wildlife and marvel at the growth of young longleaf pines.. Other times of year the Russell’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren hike down to Pine Barren Creek in the north part of the property to explore and play in the water.
The 109-acre property off Highway 164 has seen some changes over the years. Former row crop land is now a young but rapidly growing longleaf pine stand. A mature natural longleaf stand that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 has been replaced by younger pines with native grasses and wildflowers. A hay field separates the pine stands.
Pine Barren Creek has always cut across the northern boundary of the property and is surrounded by a variety of hardwoods many of which are more frequently seen in areas north of Florida.
Several of those generations, including John, his nephew Wade and Wade’s young children, were on-hand to mark the occasion. The event, featured during Working Forests Week, included a two-hour tour of the property showcasing the time, effort and outcomes of decades of work by the Russell family.
“Sixty-five percent of Florida’s forests are privately owned,” said State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service Jim Karels. “Partnerships with families like the Russell’s are key to protecting our state’s top agriculture commodity and ensuring our forests are available for future generations.”
The Florida Forest Service’s Cathy Hardin, County Forester for Escambia County, was recognized as the Florida Tree Farm Inspector of the Year. This is Hardin’s second recognition, receiving, receiving the award in 2014 for her work in Gadsden County near Tallahassee.
“I do this because I am passionate about the land and love to help care for God’s creation,” Hardin said. “My ability to get things done revolves around the landowners and our forest rangers. I appreciate them so much and the opportunities I’ve been given.”
The American Tree Farm System is a nationwide community of more than 90,000 individuals and families joined by their desire for sustainable management of forests. These landowners share a commitment to protect watersheds and wildlife habitat; to conserve soil and provide recreation for their neighbors; and, at the same time, to produce the wood that America needs for thousands of useful products. Florida has more than 1,100 certified Tree Farms, accounting for over 760,000 acres.
Pictured above: Wade Russell (left) and John Russell (center) were honored last week for their work on the Russell Brothers Farm as Florida’s Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year for 2019. Steve Lloyd of the Florida Tree Farm Committee also is pictured. Pictured below: Cathy Hardin, center, receives her plaque for being named the Outstanding Tree Farm Inspector of the Year for 2019 from Jim Karels (left) Florida State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service, and Steve Lloyd of the Florida Tree Farm Committee. Pictured bottom: Dozens of people took part in a tour of the 109 acre property. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Eight Area Teams Make The Playoffs
November 4, 2019
Eight North Escambia area teams are in the playoffs. Six of the teams are in Florida, and two are in Alabama.
FLORIDA
Region 1-1A Quarterfinals
Jay (4-6) at Northview (7-2)
It’s a rematch in Region 1-1A between the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals. Just last Friday night, Northview bat Jay 40-7. For more details on the matchup, the 1A brackets and rankings and more, click here for an earlier story.
Region 1-3A
Pensacola Catholic, ranked No. 1 in the region, has a bye Friday night and on November 15 will play the winner of Trinity Catholic vs. Trinity Christian.
Region 1-5A Quarterfinals
Baker County (6-4) at Pine Forest (7-2)
Region 1-6A Quarterfinals
New Smyrna Beach (7-3) at Escambia (10-0)
Washington (8-1) at Daytona Beach Mainland (5-4)
ALABAMA
3A – AHSAA
The defending state champion Flomaton Hurricanes (9-1) will open the first round of the 3A state football championship at home against Opp.
AA – AISA
The Escambia Academy Cougars will host Lakeside on Friday, November 8.
Pictured top: The Northview Chiefs defeated the Jay Royals on Friday, Nov. 1. Pictured below: The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated Escambia County High School on Sept. 27. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
November 4, 2019
Here is the schedule of public meeting set for this week in Escambia County:
Monday, November 4
District 5 Town Hall with Commissioner Steven Barry – 5:30 p.m., Milestone Baptist Church, 3800 Pine Forest Road, Cantonment
Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee – 6 p.m., Beulah Middle School, 6001 W. Nine Mile Road
Tuesday, November 5
Planning Board – Rezoning – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Amalgamated Transit Union 1395, Public Works #1332 Collective Bargaining Session, 10 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Education Committtee Meeting – 3 p.m., 207 E. Main St.
Wednesday, November 6
Contractor Competency Board Committee Meeting - 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Contractor Competency Board Public Meeting – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Technical Committee – 10 a.m., 4101 Orange Beach Blvd., Orange Beach
Amalgamated Transit Union 1395, Public Works #1332 Collective Bargaining Session, 10 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program Policy Board Meeting – 1:30 p.m., 4099 Orange Beach Blvd., Orange Beach
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board Meeting – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach
Thursday, November 7
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.