News Cast for June 12th:
The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board learned there is more submerged vegetation in Lake Okeechobee.
The note the lake recovery is on schedule to last more than the 90 days at 12 feet or less.
District officials said June would be critical to the recovery and were privately hoping for less rainfall this month.
They note it could take one year to realize the full effect of the drawdown and recovery.
Ben Butler said it is hard to make the LOSOM plan perfect because the system is rigged against the district.
“It looks like we have had a successful lake recovery but we do have other issues. We have to keep reminding ourselves that (the system) is a delicate balance.”
District staff said there were no algae blooms in site on the lake.
Okeechobee County Commissioners said they are concerned about the state budget delay.
Commissioners said they are worried about the chances of any local projects being funded this year.
They also expressed concerns about the discussion about lowering sales tax revenue and the elimination of property taxes.
Commissioner Terry Burroughs said the bad news is the house is crazy.
“You pay property taxes for the services that you utilize in the community. Until the governor can quit this rhetoric we are going to have a serious problem.”
He said many legislators don’t understand what county government does.
“They don’t understand what you do. They don’t understand what the tourist development council. They don’t have a clue. Some of them might know something. They just pass bills because they think it’s the right thing to do.”
Highlands County was the latest county to life their burn ban on outdoor burning. The recent rains have reduced the drought index in most of the region.
County Commissioner Don Elwell said one area of the county has been soaked with rain while other areas have received very little rain.
“Venus was not getting a lot of rain while other areas were getting several inches of rain.”
Fire Chief Kelly Duppenthaler said fire danger is going down.
“North of our county is moderate fire danger, most of the areas south of us are low.”
Glades County lifted its burn ban on Tuesday.
Okeechobee County investigated another case of child pornography.
A tip was received by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in January.
Deputies conducted a search of a residence on SE 8th Drive and arrested Robert Daniel Chittenden on seven felony charges related to child pornography.
The sheriff said Chittenden is a registered sex offender who is currently on probation for a 2018 conviction.
Court records show Chittenden was convicted of 15 felony charges related to child pornography possession in that case.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing as they are continuing to inspect and analyze the suspects electronic devices.
The Pahokee City Commission began discussion on a recent audit that showed $3 million in grant funding for the city may have been mismanaged.
The marina had three docks renovated for just under $1 million in recent years.
The restaurant lease with Muck Tavern was terminated after operations for one year and a period where it was closed. They collected $1 in rent from the tenant for the first year.
The audit said the city paid $150,000 for a deck and fishing pier that was never built.
A County Judge ordered the city be paid back but it didn’t happen.
City Manager Michael Jackson said the audit found the city lacked sufficient documentation on much of the money they have spent.
“The auditor could not determine if they were valid public purchases.”
Vice Mayor Sanquetta Cowan Williams questioned whether items and paper work was taken from city hall.
“Somebody actually took the paper work from city hall. Does that mean somebody actually took the papers from city hall, and that was the reason they couldn’t verify stuff, this was removed from city hall?”
Commissioner Everette McPherson said the city must have a level of transparency for the public so they can move forward.
He said it is a good thing that this a public discussion so people can realize that the city wants to move forward and do the right things for the right reason.
The city of Moore Haven said they have not gotten any plans from a new property owner in the marina.
City Manager Larry Tibbs said 8.7 acres of land was recently purchased and could be developed.
He said while there are no official plans the city has had some general discussions with the new property owner.