News Post February 20th:
Okeechobee County Commissioners continue to discuss the merits of impact fees versus developer’s agreements as they look to handle and pay for new growth.
The recent discussion led to some differences of opinion among local lawmakers and contractors on how best to pay for infrastructure needs.
Commissioner Terry Burroughs said he would support adding more special assessment districts in the county.
“I agree with the fact to create assessments for these areas. We get blasted when it rains and drainage doesn’t work because homeowner’s associations are defunct.”
Superintendent of Schools Dylan Tedders told commissioners that many of our schools or at or near capacity.
“We know that Central is old, Yearling is an old school, we have 38 acres in Oak Park, we do have the freshman campus in two years and we could do something there.”
Businessman Keith Walpole said the county is below recommended service areas in a lot of areas.
“We struggled with growth and paying for things as we go. You can’t negotiate these things. Every successful county around us charges impact fees. There is a reason for that. Growth costs a lot of money.”
He noted the large development north of town west of 441 north would currently not pay impact fees and will cost the county a lot of money.
“It will decrease the quality of life for the rest of the community. Its another stop light. That doesn’t benefit anybody. It benefits the development. It’s a safety feature for them. How do we say it’s a benefit to other taxpayers.”
The Okeechobee County School Board received $5,000 from the Aileen S. Andrew Foundation to help fund athletics and extra-curricular activities at Okeechobee High School.
The board honored John Raddatz who through training and class work became a certified playground safety inspector.
Several teachers were honored for 10 years of service to the school system. The list included Deanna Breaux, Maribel Castaneda, Christen Coleman, Sylvia Coleman, Addys Duhart, Cynthia Hart, Nicole Hurst, Angela Jones, Carl Maxwell, Amanda Meisel, Heidi Moore, Melissa Peaden, Shane Peterson, Jimmie Rhuda, Samantha Sapp, Myranda Striebel, Ana Todd, Jerri Tope, Celine Treamer, Jenelba Vazquez, Angie Voelker, Brandi Weeks, Elizabeth Wehde, Jeffery Whitlock, Sara Wilson, Richard Wohlschlegel, and Alejandra Zapata.
The board approved a resolution proclaiming February as Black History Month.
The district now has 1,200 students enrolled in 16 career and technical education programs. 602 students have received some kind of industry certification in the past year.
Amanda Reidel was appointed alternate member to the Treasure Coast Council on Local Governments.
The board also voted to expel for a semester two students who possessed illegal drugs on campus.