Gulf Power Asks For Delay For Customer Storm Restoration Charge
March 19, 2019
Gulf Power wants to delay a plan for a few months to collect an estimated $342 million from customers for Hurricane Michael recovery costs, according to a filing with the Florida Public Service Commission.
The utility had asked the PSC for permission to start collecting the costs in April, but now they want to delay that until July.
The increase amounts to about $8 a month for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month of electricity, which the company said would still make the average customer’s bill lower than the January 2018. Commercial and industrial customers will see bills increase by 3 to 8 percent depending on their rate plan.
The Public Service Commission was set to consider the plan at an April 2 meeting, but now Gulf Power wants the PSC to hear the request on May 14.
“Hurricane Michael was the most destructive hurricane to ever hit Northwest Florida, with Panama City and the surrounding areas of Bay County nearly destroyed, including critical infrastructure and the energy grid that serves our customers,” said Gulf Power President Marlene Santos is a news release.. “We know that many of our customers continue to face challenges due to the aftermath of Hurricane Michael and we have worked hard to propose a plan to the Florida Public Service Commission that takes this into account and supports our ability to continue to serve them with reliable service now and into the future.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Council Seeks Help After Grand Jury Recommendations
March 19, 2019
At their first meeting after the release of a scathing grand jury report that found gross mismanagement, the Century Town Council is reaching out to the Florida League of Cities for help.
The grand jury found that the town of Century is in a state of financial emergency, and the current administration and council have failed to act in the best interest of the community. “Town officials have shown a clear lack of knowledge and understanding as to the operations of a governmental organization,” the grand jury report stated.
The council voted unanimously Monday night to accept help from the Florida League of Cities and Bob Inzer, the League’s financial advisor.
“He is available to travel from Tallahassee to spend two or three days making an assessment of the Town’s needs and developing a plan to implement the needs. The Florida League of Cities would send Bob Inzer to Century at no cost to the Town,” Ann Brooks, council president, said. It is expected that he will complete his review by mid-April.
After completion of the review report and recommended plan of action, the council will decide if they need to employ a consultant to perform an operational audit and make recommended changes.
At Monday night’s meeting, the council did not directly address any of the other recommendations and findings by the grand jury, including recommendations that the town divest the water, sewer and gas departments.
The grand jury findings were as follows:
1. We find that the Town of Century is in a state of financial emergency. The current administration and Council have failed to act in the best interest of the community. Town officials have shown a clear lack of knowledge and understanding as to the operations of a governmental organization.
2. The current administration and Council have failed to prepare and approve a budget that is realistic or financially solvent.
3. We find that the administration and Council have improperly borrowed funds from the gas tax account and the Local Option Sales Tax account.
4. We find that there has been a lack of accountability between the Mayor and supervisors and between supervisors and employees.
5. We find that the Mayor has failed to follow proper procedure when approving the use of Town equipment and manpower on private property. This appears to be as a result of a misunderstanding of public purpose and the definition of private and public property. Regular consultation with the Town’s attorney may prevent this type of misunderstanding in the future.
6. We recommend that Century sell the assets of its utility services, sanitation, natural gas, and water and sewer, and use the proceeds to repay the amounts borrowed from the restricted fund. The loss of
customers and problems with the operation of these services make it unlikely that they can ever consistently produce a profit for the Town in the future.
7. Amendments should be made to the Charter or ordinances to provide that the Town will be solely responsible for roads, parks, and land use programs.
8. We recommend that this matter be brought to the attention of the State Auditor General’s Office and that forensic financial audits be done for the past five years. Any irregularities should be referred lo the appropriate agencies, including professional licensing boards if such action is warranted. All contracts for third party professional services should be audited as well.
9. We recommend that Century seek the assistance of a municipal consulting firm to assist in the development of policies and procedures. As part of this process we recommend that an operational audit be done. These policies should provide both job descriptions and salary ranges. All employee benefits should be consistent with industry standards. Employee handbooks should be updated and should contain an anti-nepotism provision. The Florida League of Cities may be able to assist in this matter.
10. All loans by Century should be clearly listed on all appropriate financial statements. No person who has an outstanding loan from the Town should be able to run for any Century public office. Loans should not be made to any Town employee or official.
11.We have heard testimony that there is a lack of written contracts and that contracts do not have expiration dates. All contracts should be reviewed and amended as necessary. All businesses or individuals providing professional services to the Town should have written contracts containing appropriate expiration dates.
12.We recommend additional training in the area of Sunshine and Public Records. This may be done by the Town’s attorney, the First Amendment Foundation or the Attorney General’s Office. We request that the Office of the State Attorney continue to investigate allegations of missing public records as well as the failure to properly respond to public records requests.
13.We recommend that before funds are spent that they be clearly allocated and approved. We have heard testimony that economic development funds may have been spent without proper county approval. In addition, all expenditures must comply with the limitations set forth in the Town Charter.
14.The State of Florida and Escambia County should investigate the misappropriation of gas tax and LOST funds.
15.Spending restrictions should be placed on any funds provided by outside governmental entities that are not otherwise limited in their use. Prior approval should be obtained by the Town before these funds are spent. Specifically, before any funds provided to the Town of Century by Escambia County can be spent, the County should review the proposed expenditure and determine that such expenditure is appropriate.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Dog Bites Woman In Cottage Hill
March 19, 2019
A woman was bitten by a dog Sunday afternoon in Cottage Hill.
The incident occurred about 5:20 p.m. in the 2000 block of Chavers Road. An adult female was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The owner surrendered the dog to Escambia County Animal Control, and the dog will be held in quarantine for 1 0 days, according to Kaycee Lagarde, spokesperson for the county. Escambia County Animal Control cited the dog’s owner for a animal nuisance with an attack.
Authorities have not said how the woman came into contact with the dog.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
DeSantis Signs Smokable Medical Marijuana Bill
March 19, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into a law a legislative appeal of Florida’s ban on smoking medical marijuana on Monday.
But the smokable medical marijuana won’t be available right away because there must be rules written to govern its use.
“Over 70 percent of Florida voters approved medical marijuana in 2016,” DeSantis said in statement.
“I thank my colleagues in the Legislature for working with me to ensure the will of the voters is upheld. Now that we have honored our duty to find a legislative solution, I have honored my commitment and filed a joint motion to dismiss the state’s appeal and to vacate the lower court decision which had held the prior law to be unconstitutional.”
Under the law, a “35-day supply of marijuana in a form for smoking” will be allowed, as long as it is not more than 2.5 ounces unless an exception is approved by the Florida Department of Health. The medical marijuana cannot be smoked in public and must be purchased from a licensed provider.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried called the bill a landmark victory.
“It’s a triumph owed to the relentless advocacy of Floridians who refused to be silenced. Our state must not disregard the voice of its people – when the people’s will is nullified by those with authority, liberty cannot survive,” Fried said. “Patients should be able to access medicine in the form their doctor determines best for them. Whether it’s smoking medical marijuana or other delivery mechanisms, treatment decisions should be made by physicians, not politicians.”
Driver Downs Utility Pole In Highway 95A Crash
March 19, 2019
There were no injuries when a driver crashed into a utility pole Monday night on Highway 95A south of East Kingfield Road.
The wreck caused a power outage in the area and closed Highway 95A during repairs.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Krist Barbour, click to enlarge.
Tate Opens With Aggie Classic Win; Miller Tops Northview; Pine Forest Over Baker
March 19, 2019
Tate 6, Nolensville (TN) 3
The Tate Aggies beat Nolensville (TN) Monday 6-3 on day one of the Aggie Classic.
Jordan Jarman earned the victory on the hill for Tate Aggies Varsity. He surrendered no uns on one hit over four innings, striking out three and recording no walks. Sam Shackle opened on the mound for Tate, giving up three run and one hit in two innings.
Mason Land led Tate at 3-4 at bat with two runs and three RBIs. Also for Tate: Hunter McLean 1-3; Raymond Lafleur 2-4; Chase Tolbert 1-3, R: Jadon Fryman 2-3, R; Trevor Norton 1-1, R, RBI.
The Aggies will face Washington (OK) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Tate High School.
In other games Monday (not part of the Aggie Classic):
T.R. Miller 7, Northview 6
T.R. Miller and the Northview Chiefs were tied 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday night when Miller scored on a single for the win.
Jacob Bryant opened the game for the Chiefs, giving up four runs on three hits two innings, striking out two. Nick Venable threw four and a third innings in relief out of the bullpen.
Jackson Moore homered in the seventh inning as he went 1-4 with a run and two RBIs. Venable, Billy Rolin, Adam Aliff, Seth Killam, Bryant and Ben Wilson also had hits for the Chiefs.
Pine Forest 4, Baker 3
The Pine Forest Eagles beat the Baker Gators 4-3 Monday night.
Jared Riddell pitched the win for Pine Forest. He went two innings, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out one and walking none.
Timmy Williams, John Pinette, Nolan Rigby, and Josh Roberts each collected one hit to lead Pine Forest.
Century’s Water, Wastewater Boss Resigns; Council And Mayor Disagree Again Over Hiring Process
March 19, 2019
Century’s mayor and council once again disagreed over their hiring process during a Monday night meeting.
Water and Wastewater Superintendent Alicia Jernigan has resigned her position effective March 22. Mayor Henry Hawkins recommend that assistant Heath Burkett, who holds state certifications, be promoted into the position. He also recommended that a new desk clerk be hired from a recent pool of applicants for a billing clerk position.
But Council President Ann Brooks told the mayor he could not hire anyone without advertising the positions, and the council took no action of the recommendation for Burkett.
The council and mayor were an impasse for several weeks earlier this year over the hiring of a billing clerk. Hawkins wanted to promote from within for the position, but the council deadlocked over the promotion.
The town attorney said the council essentially has veto power to disapprove of the mayor’ choice, but the council could not direct the hiring of a person not recommended by the mayor. The council eventually interviewed the mayor’s choice and hired her as clerk.
Escambia County Selected For New Workforce Initiative
March 19, 2019
FloridaWest today announced that Escambia County is one of five communities joining the Inclusive Development Network (IDN), an ambitious new initiative designed to advance inclusive workforce development within the selected regions through a focus on reaching underserved populations. Cleveland, Ohio; Corpus Christi, Texas; Coweta, Oklahoma; Spokane, Washington; and Pensacola, Florida, were selected from more than 35 applications for the Network’s first cohort of communities.
“Escambia County and Greater Pensacola are looking forward to a great future and we need that prosperity to include all of our citizens, “ said FloridaWest CEO, Scott Luth, “By participating in this innovative network, we can build a greater future for all of us.”
An initiative of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), the Inclusive Development Network will work to identify and implement strategies that reduce equity gaps in local workforce development. Participating communities were selected based on their geography and size, as well as their existing and proposed reach with underserved populations.
FloridaWest EDA will assemble a leadership team in partnership with Achieve Escambia and Careersource Escarosa that includes representatives from business and industry, education, government, and the community. Through a specialized planning process facilitated by CAEL, the leadership teams from the selected communities will hone inclusive workforce development strategies to create education, job and career opportunities for residents of all demographics.
Backed by grants from ECMC Foundation and JPMorgan Chase & Co., the Inclusive Development Network will be supported by partnerships with national experts.
Cleveland, OH; Corpus Christi, TX; Coweta, OK; and Spokane, WA were selected along with Pensacola from more than 35 applications for the Network’s first cohort of communities.
Flames Seen At Highway 95A Propane Facility Are Normal
March 18, 2019
If you see flames coming from a propane facility on Highway 95A just north of West Roberts Road, it’s not a problem. Officials said the company is “flaring” propane from the tank in a controlled environment.
“We are performing required maintenance to our bulk tank to remain compliant to our safety and regulatory standards,” said Samantha Nelson, spokesperson for Blossman Gas. “We are removing the gas from the tank and burning out the vapor.”
Nelson said the process should be completed on Monday.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to at least one call reporting the fire on Sunday, and the flare continued to burn Monday afternoon.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Fire Heavily Damages Cantonment Mobile Home
March 18, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a mobile home in Cantonment Monday afternoon.
The double-wide mobile home fire was reported about 12:20 p.m. in the 900 block of Booker Street.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, and there were no injuries reported.
The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were among the responding units.
Photos by Kristi Barbour for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
