Live Oak — Tuesday evening’s Suwannee County Board of County Commission meeting offered plenty of discussion revolving around issues associated with Tropical Storm Debby.

Among concerns over infrastructure repairs, the BOCC debated pumping water from private properties, structure repairs and moving equipment from one district to another.

The BOCC approved payment of $84,978.26 for restoration of county buildings damaged during Tropical Storm Debby. According to Suwannee County Administrator Randy Harris, the courthouse vault, the clerk’s offices, the supervisor of elections office and tax collector’s office were all affected by the storm. Harris emphasized that the Live Oak branch of the Suwannee River Regional Libraries sustained only minor damages from seepage associated with Tropical Storm Debby.

After considerable discussion about infrastructures, the consensus of the BOCC was for the county to handle as much of the repair work as it can and rely on the normal bid process for larger or specialized jobs.

A concern that Harris presented to the Board is that the Florida Department of Transportation informed him that they will not assume the number of repairs that they had first indicated. Harris told the Board that state officials initially compiled a list of about 20 or 25 roads they planned to bid out, but later told told him that was not going to happen. However, the state came back later and said that they would undertake some of the roadwork.

“It doesn’t appear that they’re going to do any of this or the bridge repairs they said they would do,” Harris stated. “They have provided us with five dump trucks and barricades and we are grateful for that.”

During its meeting, the BOCC voted unanimously to offer relief to county residents in the form of waiving permit fees for storm related damages. However, permitting will still be required and all work is expected to conform to any regulations that apply. The BOCC also voiced concerns over residents being taken advantage of by con artists during the aftermath of Debby.

The lingering issue of flooded homes was discussed during the meeting and District 1 Commissioner Jesse Caruthers urged the county to pump water from flooded areas where possible. Local resident John Howell addressed the Board and asked for the county to pump water from his property, onto a nearby area. According to Howell, the effort would help relieve several nearby homes. However, County Attorney Hal Airth warned of using public funds to pump off of private property.

According to Harris, the county is awaiting direction from the Attorney General’s office on a different issue and hopes its response will be broad enough to direct the county in undertaking such projects.

Other concerns raised during the Tuesday evening meeting revolved around moving road equipment from one district to another. Harris stated that he viewed the equipment as county equipment and when the need arises, he would utilize such equipment where it is needed. District 3 Commissioner Ivie Fowler stressed that he wanted to be made aware of such measures before removing equipment from his district.

In addition to storm related discussion, the BOCC voted 3-2, with Caruthers and Fowler voting against, to set the tentative millage rate for the 2012-13 year at nine mils. Suwannee County Clerk of the Court Barry Baker told the Board that the maximum rate the Board could set is 10 mils. Baker added that the rate could be reduced, but not increased.  The current rollback rate is at 8.2476, according to Baker.

During the meeting, Rossie Williams asked the Board to consider funding football equipment for the Suwannee Dog Pound, a football league associated with Pop Warner Football. Although Williams was told the budget year didn’t look very promising, he was encouraged to return to the Board during the budget workshops, which will be held at 8 a.m. on Aug. 8 and 9.

Little discussion was held in the meeting about “Project Christmas.” However, the Board granted Harris approval to look into the purchase of right of way access into the original catalyst site, off of 169th road.

The meeting was recessed until 9 a.m. Thursday, when the Board will reconvene at the county offices to determine if an extension of the state of emergency is needed.