Alachua County commission meeting: voting system contract approved, Watermelon Pond plan adopted; quarterly reports accepted

The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners voted June 9 to approve a contract with Dominion Voting Systems and a companion budget amendment for new voter-tabulation equipment, adopted a revised management plan for the county'owned Watermelon Pond Preserve and accepted constitutional officers'quarterly reports for fiscal 2015 quarter two.

The board approved the agreement with Dominion, the budget amendment and a resolution to receive and expend unanticipated revenue after purchasing manager Larry presented the procurement history and staff recommendations. Commissioners asked where the $527,780 in unanticipated revenue would come from; staff said it represented funds returned by the supervisor of elections and interest. The motion to approve the contract passed on a voice vote.

The board also adopted a revised Watermelon Pond Preserve management plan that adds two parcels (the Metzger tract and a smaller parcel described as the Right tract) to the preserve and updates the 2010 management plan. Susie Hedrick, site manager in the county's Environmental Protection Department, told commissioners staff circulated the draft to county departments and held a May 4 public meeting in Archer; neighbor Earl Poucher supported the plan but raised concerns about fence locations and legal access to a privately owned inholding; county staff agreed to review access and title issues.

County manager and staff presented constitutional officers'quarterly reports, noting expenditure trends and that most constitutional officers'personnel services were under 50 percent expended at midyear. Commissioners pressed sheriff's office financial staff on cash-basis reporting and payroll timing; Patty Justice, chief financial officer for the sheriff, said the quarterlies are prepared on a cash basis and payroll is paid in arrears, which affects midyear percentages. The clerk explained that withheld amounts for a DJJ (Department of Juvenile Justice) cost-share dispute are being recorded as a liability until a final determination.

The meeting included robust public comment on local law enforcement and marijuana policy. Several members of the public criticized comments by a commissioner reported in local media and urged careful attention to process and public safety.

Votes at a glance

- Approve modified agenda with supplemental items: motion carried (motion introduced SEG 058; outcome recorded SEG 063'SEG 066).
- Approve Dominion Voting Systems contract, budget amendment and resolution: motion carried (motion introduced SEG 1440; outcome recorded SEG 1468).
- Adopt Watermelon Pond Preserve management plan (staff recommendation): motion carried (motion introduced SEG 1400; outcome recorded SEG 1409'SEG 1411).
- Accept constitutional officers FY2015 Q2 reports: motion carried (motion introduced SEG 1684; outcome recorded SEG 1690'SEG 1693).
- Approve letter of support for state grant for Cape Museum: motion carried (motion on floor SEG 2266; outcome recorded SEG 2276).

The board recessed to a special session with the county attorney later in the afternoon.