Langford is new commission chair

By John M. Ayers

The Gilchrist County Commission elected a new chairman in their Monday, Nov. 21, meeting when Tommy Langford was elected to the position.
The board also elected Commissioner Sharon Akins Langford as vice chair.
In other business, Commissioner D. Ray Harrison, Jr. questioned the number of vehicles and the use of county trucks at Hart Springs Park.
Mitchell Gentry, park manager at Hart Springs, attended the meeting to answer questions from the board about the vehicle use at Hart Springs. He explained the park has two trucks: an SUV and an older model pickup. The SUV is used by the manager to travel on county business and to pickup and drop off canoe rental users. The older model pickup is used to haul off trash when it is picked up around the park and at the Hart Springs Boat Ramp.
“I am in question of the need of two trucks at Hart Springs Park,” said Commissioner Harrison.
He pointed out the county could get rid of the use of the SUV and reduce the expense at the county owned and managed park.
“I have no problem with the use of the two vehicles at Hart Springs,” explained Commissioner Kenrick Thomas.
Mitchell Gentry asked the Commission to allow Hart Springs to purchase a phone card for $39.95 that would allow the use of wi-fi for campers at the Hart Springs Park. Gentry told the Commission that visitors to the campsite this day in age demand computer use for updates in their day-to-day activities. The motion to approve the purchase of the phone card for $39.95 was made by Commissioner Thomas, and Commissioner Durden agreed with a second. The Commission approved of the purchase by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Harrison asked staff if an eleven-day vacation for Park Manager Mitchell Gentry was approved by the County Administrator before the time off in October. Commissioner Harrison was told by staff that the paper work had been misplaced prior to the vacation, but new paper work had been submitted and would be signed off on as soon as possible.
Otter Springs Park Manager Kadie Ogden requested the Commission to allow Otter Springs to participate in a Groupon offering for an Annual Pass sales program. She explained through the limited time internet program, an Annual Pass would be sold for $37.00 which is at half price of the Annual Pass. This is the second time the Groupon program has been used by Otter Springs. The first time the program sold fifty Annual Passes. The Park Manager explained that this program allows Otter Springs Park a greater coverage area to attract more people to take advantage of this beautiful facility. Commissioner Harrison gave a motion to approve the request, and Commissioner Durden agreed with a second. The Commission approved the request by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Kenrick Thomas asked how things are coming involving the improvements of the manager’s residence at Otter Springs. County staff reported the discussion of a new residence has involved a mobile home for $50,000, a modular home for $75,000 and a site built home for $125,000. Gilchrist Clerk Joe Gilliam told the board that Gilchrist County would have to borrow the money to purchase or build the residence. At this time the park manager is residing in a very old mobile home that has some serious repair issues, explained Commissioner Thomas. He explained that he was in favor of asking the SRWMD to deed Gilchrist County one half acre of the park property to locate a mobile home on the property.
Commissioner Harrison asked if SRWMD is willing to sign the mortgage to go into debt to buy or construct a manager’s residence on the park property. “I’m not willing to support borrowing money to build anything on land that Gilchrist County does not own,” Harrison explained.
Kadie Ogden explained to the board that Otter Springs Park has turned into a 24 hours a day, seven days a week under-taking. She explained that the use of the Otter Springs Lodge by wedding groups has turned into an every weekend occurrence. From time to time she has to go down to the lodge and clean up to have the rental facility ready for the next user later that day.
Commissioner Thomas made a motion to have the attorney contact SRWMD to check and see if they would deed Gilchrist County one half acre of property to place a new residence on that land. Commissioner Durden agreed with a second for further discussion. Chairman Tommy Langford called for a vote. Commissioners Thomas and Durden voted in favor of the motion. Commissioners Harrison and Sharon Langford voted against the motion, and the chairman broke the tie when he voted in favor of the motion. The attorney will contact the SRWMD Governing board and provide an answer to the Gilchrist Commission in a future meeting.