Holmes County BOCC plans to create Licensing Board

BONIFAY – The Holmes County Board of County Commissioners agreed to look into developing a Licensing Board after a large number of contractors visited their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday morning with concerns of unlicensed contractors doing construction work within Holmes County.

Director of the Building Department Roger Williams was asked how much authority he had in demanding that the contractors be licensed and Williams had to explain that there was a homeowners exemption that to an extent work done to a home falls on the responsibility of the home owner.

If the contractor is unlicensed and something should happen, he explained that the homeowner would have to assume responsibility.

“People need to be aware of the risks they take when hiring an unlicensed contractor,” said Commissioner Kenneth Williams. “What we need is to educate people to become more aware of the potential liability for not being informed.”

One of the visiting contractors, Joshua Smith, said that their main concern is that it all remains legal.

“It’s our lively hood and all we want is an equal playing field,” said Smith. “A Licensing Board would not only provide equal opportunity, but it’ll also take some of the weight off of Roger Williams and off of the BOCC.”

Another visitor was Holmes County Chamber of Commerce President Mike Alvis.

“The key is public awareness and encourage you to join your chamber of commerce and make the public aware,” said Alvis. “This kind of discussion excites me because it means growth and the chamber has an excellent forum with an abundant resource of information; I highly encourage you to join today.”

Also visiting was Bonifay City Council member Richard Woodham, who encouraged the BOCC to take action in building the Licensing Board to enforce and encourage that when construction is need to be done, that people go with a licensed contractor.

“We’ve got a special meeting set for July 19 so we can set up a Business License Ordinance for the city,” said Woodham. “It’s our responsibility to make sure that we enforce guidelines that keep our citizens safe.”

Bonifay City Council set July 19 at 6 p.m. as the date for a special called meeting to immediately address the city’s Business License Ordinance during their regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening.

“I know emotions run high when it comes to your lively-hood,” said Chairman Monty Merchant. “If the contractors could use some of that energy on developing this Licensing Board we could meet to develop a fee and set the criteria.”

Emergency Management Service Director Jerome Szczekot presented the BOCC with his requests for Emergency Management Services.

The BOCC approved of Szczekot’s request for a new engine for Unit One for $10,000.

“I’m about fed up with Fords,” said Williams. “We spent less for them but we’re paying for it now; we could go in and patch it but on emergency vehicles that isn’t recommended.”

Szczekot recommended that they begin pursuing the possibility of purchasing a new ambulance.

“We don’t have to take action now,” he said. “This is just putting in the request to get the ball rolling.”

This included looking into possible grants to pay for it and what make to get, explaining that Bay Medical was using Dodge and Jackson County is using Chevy.

He also recommended supporting Bay County during the oil spill clean up effort.

“They may call on us for resources,” he said. “My recommendation is that we send down one paramedic and one emergency medical technician.”

He explained that the county would be responsible for overtime but Bay County would reimburse the county at almost $2,200 a day in gross net income and the men being used would be on their regular days off so the county would not experience a loss.

“We need this in writing before we can make any decision,” said Williams.

County Attorney Brandon Young requested that Szczekot present documentation of reimbursement dates and rates.

The BOCC received an invoice for recent repairs to two guardrails, the first one being a mistake.

“They fixed the wrong guardrail to begin with and we’d be within our rights to deny payment, however the other guardrail was in need of minor repairs as well,” said Commissioner Jim King. “I recommend we pay them half for the first one and in full for the second one.”

The BOCC approved of King’s recommendation.

The BOCC approved of putting out bids for a qualified planner, as the deadline for the EAR is August 9.

Jim Brook with the Development Council gave his update.

“In regards to the Interstate Industrial Park we’re trying to develop ideas of how to utilize these facilities and improve the chances to create jobs for the local community; in the last month we’ve had three potential offers,” said Brook. “I would encourage you to remain faithful when a possible prospect shows interest that we will be able to call on you for services.”

There is also $2,500 in TDC matching funds for a grant that encourages rural tourist development.

“That building is just sitting there and we need jobs,” said King. “We need to see what’s going to be done.”

Williams said that he had received a call from a resident on Reed Lane that needed the road graded. At first he said he didn’t think it was county maintained until he looked into the matter and saw that it was.

“I don’t know how it made it off the list, but it is a county maintained road,” he said. “I had all of the residents sign and give the ok, now I request that the road be placed back on the 911 list of county maintained roads.”

The BOCC approved of Williams request.