From Staff Reports, PNJ.com, 12/14/15: 

Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is hosting a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Santa Rosa Island Authority to inform the community of proposed expansion of its reclaimed water system on Pensacola Beach. The proposal entails constructing a 2.4-million gallon storage tank and pumping station in the same vicinity as the three potable tanks on the beach.

Tim Haag, ECUA director of governmental affairs, said the five-phase reclaimed water system will cost an estimated $3.9 million. Northwest Florida Water Management District awarded a $425,000 grant to ECUA for the construction of the storage tank and pumping station with the requirement that the initial phase be completed by October of 2017. ECUA already budget $1.5 million for the project and another $1.6 million will be coming over the next six years. The utilities company will seek additional grant funds through the RESTORE Act process.

ECUA initially proposed constructing a 750,000-gallon storage tank and pumping station in an area south of the Via de Luna tennis courts and north of the walking oval, near Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church and Pensacola Beach Elementary School. The estimated cost for that five-phase system was $3.1 million.

At a public meeting last month, the beach community voiced its frustration with the selected location and the limited potential benefit of installing a storage tank that only holds 750,000 gallons. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of discharge would still flow into the Sound on peak days.

The current ECUA reclaimed water system provides irrigation water only to the Santa Rosa Island Authority for a limited portion of the Via De Luna Right-of-Way. The ECUA potable water system provides the majority of water currently used for irrigation on the beach.

The Island Authority uses about 10 to 15 percent of the reclaimed water for irrigation with the remainder discharged into the Sound from the treatment plant. Haag said the Island Authority typically pays $3,000 to $3,500 for reclaimed irrigation water, an estimated savings of about $10,000 from the potable rate for the same amount of water. He said the utilities company is exploring how to provide reclaimed water to beach residents, too.

(PNJ 12/10/15, Thomas St. Myer) 

A public backlash from its initial proposal last month sent Emerald Coast Utilities Authority back to the drawing board for potential expansion of itsPensacola Beach reclaimed water system.

ECUA unveiled a modified proposal Wednesday night at the Santa Rosa Island Authority board meeting with a new location for a storage tank capable of holding three times the amount of water initially proposed and with the potential to further reduce discharge into the Santa Rosa Sound.

The utilities company is proposing to construct a 2.4-million gallon storage tank and pumping station in the same vicinity as the three potable tanks on the beach. The Island Authority board unanimously approved a public meeting for ECUA to discuss its modified proposal at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Island Authority facility.

Terry Preston, of Pensacola Beach Advocates, credited the utilities company for addressing public concerns with the modified proposal. Preston ultimately favors moving the ECUA plant off the island entirely, but she said the new proposed site fits with what is already on the beach.

"My preference would be to tell everybody out here you can only plant drop-resistant, salt-resistant stuff," Preston said, "but if we're going to allow them to plant soil and they're going to throw water on it, I'd rather use reclaimed water than potable water."

Tim Haag, ECUA director of governmental affairs, said the five-phase reclaimed water system will cost an estimated $3.9 million. Northwest Florida Water Management District awarded a $425,000 grant to ECUA for the construction of the storage tank and pumping station with the requirement that the initial phase be completed by October of 2017. ECUA already budget $1.5 million for the project and another $1.6 million will be coming over the next six years. The utilities company will seek additional grant funds through the RESTORE Act process.

ECUA initially proposed constructing a 750,000-gallon storage tank and pumping station in an area south of the Via De Luna tennis courts and north of the walking oval, near Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church and Pensacola Beach Elementary School. The estimated cost for that five-phase system was $3.1 million.

At a public meeting last month, the beach community voiced its frustration with the selected location and the limited potential benefit of installing a storage tank that only holds 750,000 gallons. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of discharge would still flow into the Sound on peak days.

The fact only the Island Authority and commercial property leaseholders stood to benefit from reclaimed water system expansion further alienated the beach community.

The current ECUA reclaimed water system provides irrigation water only to the Santa Rosa Island Authority for a limited portion of the Via De Luna Right-of-Way. The ECUA potable water system provides the majority of water currently used for irrigation on the beach.

The Island Authority uses about 10 to 15 percent of the reclaimed water for irrigation with the remainder discharged into the Sound from the treatment plant. Haag said the Island Authority typically pays $3,000 to $3,500 for reclaimed irrigation water, an estimated savings of about $10,000 from the potable rate for the same amount of water. He said the utilities company is exploring how to provide reclaimed water to beach residents, too.

The possibility of moving the ECUA plant off the island dominated a significant portion of the conversation Wednesday. Haag estimated the total cost for that project to be in the $50-million ballpark. ECUA board member Dale Perkins said that is perhaps a possibility someday, but at $50 million, that is a long ways from being feasible.

"If we were to tell everybody in the county that has say an ECUA account, we're going to add $4,000 to your bill and we'll let you pay it over time to move that plant, we'd have a full meeting," Perkins said. "Or if we told everybody on the beach, we're just going to confine it to the beach, but everybody on the beach we're going to have an MSBU of $30,000 and we'll take that thing off the beach, we'd have a full meeting. There would be objections to that."

To read the original article, click here.

ECUA’s current wastewater treatment plant on the Beach produces approximately daily approximately 800,000 gallons of reclaimed water.  About 10-15% is currently used for irrigation and the rest is discharged into the Santa Rosa Sound.  Instead of discharging the majority of the reclaimed water and using potable water from the mainland for irrigation, ECUA is in the planning stages of extending the reclaimed water system on Pensacola Beach so that more cheaper reclaimed water may be used for irrigation.  A reclaimed water storage tank is necessary for this transition.

The current planned location for the storage tank is between the Catholic Church and the elementary school. 

ECUA will host a town hall meeting related to the proposed storage tank and pumping station for the ECUA reclaimed water system on Pensacola Beach.  The meeting is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2015, at 6:30 pm in the SRIA Board Room.

Pensacola Beach is changing.  Management of some core services of the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) have been moved to Escambia County. These include Public Works (maintenance) and Public Safety (lifeguards). Residential and Commercial lease fees have been cut in half.  What should the future look like?

This survey is designed to collect your thoughts and preferences for mapping the future of Pensacola Beach. Deadline for response is October 22, 2015. 

     The initial survey had an error.  Please take the revised survey now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q888RYX

Escambia County District 4 Commissioner Grover Robinson will host a town hall meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Island Authority conference room (1 Via De Luna Drive).

Residents are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting, which will include several key County staffers.

(by Thomas St. Myer, Pensacola News Journal): 

Just three days after the Board of County Commissioners shed some light on its feelings about the uncertain future of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, the Pensacola Beach Advocates will host a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church.

PBA President Benjamin Stevenson said the primary purpose for the meeting is to introduce beach residents to county directors and staff who will be responsible for providing services on the beach. The county is assuming control of the Public Safety and Public Works departments from the Santa Rosa Island Authority, effective Oct. 1.

The county commissioners discussed the transition of the two departments and the future of the Island Authority for about 18 minutes at their Thursday morning committee workshop.

Last month, the commissioners voted to cut the roughly $8 million Island Authority budget in half and slice commercial and residential lease fees in half in correlation with the county seizing control of the two departments. The county will fund the operational budgets for the departments with an escrow currently set aside for land taxes that holds about $7,600,000.

Stevenson complimented the Island Authority for its incredible care of the beach, but he is confident the county will hold up to its promise to maintain those lofty standards.

"County officials will succeed out there as well," Stevenson said.

The Island Authority will be down to three departments — financing, administration and lease, and environmental and developmental services. Lease fee collections will fund what remains of the governing branch.

Commissioner Wilson Robertson (District 1) questioned why the Island Authority is losing only half its funding, if the county is absorbing the expense for two departments that exceed half the previous SRIA budget.

"At what point do we look at half the budget and say, 'Well, you don't have half the responsibility and operations you used to have, so do you still need half the budget?'" Robertson said.

Chairman Steven Barry (District 5) said, "This board's going to make that decision. We can make that decision today."

The island falls in the district of Commissioner Grover Robinson IV. Robinson suggested to his fellow commissioners that they seek input about services from island residents over the next year or two before possibly cutting further into the Island Authority budget.

Robinson favors ultimately eliminating lease fees. If that occurs, the Island Authority will essentially lose all of its funding.

"First, we have to know if (beach residents) want to keep (the services) or not," Robinson said, "and if they want to keep them how are we going to fund them? Because there's going to need to be something separate than what we pay in generalized ad valorem taxes."

Despite the uncertainty, the Island Authority will remain a governmental branch for the foreseeable future.

The Florida legislature created the Island Authority by Special Act in 1947. The Special Act states the legislature is the only governmental branch with the power to disband the Island Authority. Robinson said eliminating the Island Authority is not among the items on the wish list submitted by the county to the legislature.

No matter what happens to the Island Authority, the commissioners agreed enhanced services will be required for the island.

"If you take a snap shot from today to five years from now, there's going to be a revenue generating structure of some sort that wraps the island for the enhanced services," Barry said. "Now probably in five years maybe there will not be lease fees, maybe a special taxing district, an MSTU (Municipal Service Taxing Unit) to the island.

"There's got to be something, then, that those revenues are staying and are specifically segregated to stay and enhance services on the island, and I don't know what exactly that will be called, when does that happen? I think we start that discussion."

Pensacola Beach Advocates meeting

•When: 6 p.m. Monday

•Where: Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 920 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach

•Purpose: For island residents to meet county directors and staff who will be responsible for providing services on the beach and to discuss the lease-fee reduction setup with Island Authority staff

(By Thomas St. Myer, pnj.com) 

A potential bombshell slowly defused Wednesday night at the Santa Rosa Island Authority board meeting after board members discussed the future of executive director Buck Lee and his potential successor for about 30 minutes.

Chairwoman Tammy Bohannon caught the rest of the board members off guard when she proposed Lee be paid through May 23, but that he step aside Oct. 9, three months before his planned retirement date of Jan. 15. She cited the urgency to transition to a new director with the county assuming control of the Public Safety and Public Works departments Oct. 1 as reason for him to move up his last day as executive director.

Her proposal came after Lee read a two sentence statement about his retirement. Lee missed out on the opportunity to announce his retirement last month, leaving the meeting early due to illness.

"I thought I was going to read my two little sentences and leave," Lee said.

Board member Karen Sindel said, "How'd that work out for you?"

"Not very well," said a good-humored Lee, who joked about his refusal to mow grass and the possibility of someday working at Ace Hardware.

Jerry Watson told fellow SRIA board members that he preferred Lee stay through the transition. Dave Pavlock then questioned why the rush to replace Lee. A few of the board members asked Lee if he wished to push up his retirement.

"Let's come back and talk about this in committee, if that's the board's desire. … That won't be today. At the earliest, it'll be 30 days after that," Lee said.

The board agreed, assigning the proposal to its administrative committee.

Board members spoke for nearly 15 of the 30 minutes about a potential successor for Lee. Pavlock reiterated his preference the board promote from within. Sindel followed by a few other board members tabbed Paolo Ghio, director of developmental services, to be interim director.

That prompted Robbie Schrock, director of administration, to announce the three Island Authority department directors — her, Ghio and Dottie Ford — formulated a plan for board members to consider at a later date.

Schrock said they already spoke to four board members about their plan to replace Lee, with Sindel and Janice Gilley as the exceptions.

Pavlock complimented Ghio as a director, but he suggested Schrock succeed Lee.

"I do appreciate that. We do have a plan A and plan B on just what our personal ideas are," Schrock said to the board. "We are all three on the same page, and we have a great thing going on the island."

Schrock encouraged the board to let the directors speak to each of the board members before they decide on a successor.

Lee cited the uncertain future of the Island Authority for why he opted to retire two to three years earlier than he initially planned.

Bohannon hinted that the Island Authority will last at least through the year. County commissioners reportedly authorized the county administrator and attorney to discuss with the Island Authority board about a joint request to change the Special Act in time for the next legislative session, but Bohannon said, "I've been told that's completely off the table."

The Florida legislature created the Island Authority by Special Act in 1947 and is the only entity that possesses the power to disband the SRIA.

The discussions about Lee and his potential successor perhaps overshadowed a tribute to Bob West, the public safety director who is retiring effective Sept. 30. Bohannon presented West a plaque after spending about two minutes rattling off his impressive accomplishments in 12 years as director.

"The reality is it's not me," West said. "There are so many cogs on this great big wheel that have turned things around, and I'm just really proud to be one cog on this wheel."

(by Thomas St. Myer, PNJ) 

Anyone spending money on a hotel room, dinner, souvenir or the sort on Santa Rosa Island will soon pay anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars less, assuming the sellers cooperate.

Last week, the Santa Rosa Island Authority sent a letter to commercial leaseholders about its lease fee reduction policy, which takes effect Oct. 1. Island Authority percentage fees will be reduced in half for full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants, beer and wine, professional services, retail sales, room rental, and other sales and services.

Holiday Inn Express General Manager Beverly McCay demonstrated how that reduction will save patrons renting a hotel room. The Island Authority collects 2.5 percent in fees for room rentals, which will decrease to 1.28 percent. That perhaps seems miniscule, but McCay used an example in which a patron renting a $100 room would save nearly $10.

If someone rents a hotel room today for $100 that total is multiplied by 2.55 percent for the Island Authority. That $102.55 is then multiplied by 11.5 percent (7.5 percent for state tax and 4 percent for tourism development tax) equaling $125.62. After Oct. 1, that same room will cost $116.47.

"Every little bit helps, but it's a little bit," said McCay, who falls in line with the overwhelming majority on the Island that argue since they pay property taxes they should have title to the property and should not have to pay lease fees.

The percentage fee reduction results from the Board of County Commissioners voting last month to cut the Island Authority budget in half and hand control of its Public Safety and Public Works departments to the county. In turn, commercial and residential leaseholders will pay half their previous lease fees.

Keisha Turner, an accounting specialist for the Island Authority, said commercial leaseholders are within their rights to decline the percentage fee reduction, but if they choose that option, they will be required to pay the Island Authority the same amount as the previous year.

"Whatever fee they charge the customers, we'll charge them," Turner said.

Tom Carmichael, co-owner of two Pensacola Beach establishments in Capt'n Fun Beach Club and Jubilee Oyster Bar & Grille, said he swallows the liquor sales percentage fees rather than charge patrons the extra 3 to 5 percent for the Island Authority. He then pays the Island Authority thousands of dollars out of pocket. Carmichael is unsure that will change with reduced percentage fees.

"It's difficult when you're a straight-up beer place," he said in reference to Capt'n Fun. "It's so competitive. A few cents is a big deal when you're talking about a single drink."

The News Journal obtained a copy of the 99-year lease between the Holiday Inn Express and Island Authority. Percentage fees the hotel chain agreed to pay the Island Authority in its initial 15 years included:

•2 percent of gross receipts from food sales, beer and wine, plus six cents per square foot per year on ground rental on ground space occupied by facilities for preparation and service of food

•5 percent of gross receipts from sales of all alcoholic beverages other than beer and wine

•5 percent of gross receipts from all other sources except room rentals

•5 percent of first $12,500 of gross receipts per acre of demised premises

•3 percent of the next $12,500 of gross receipts per acre of demised premises

•1 percent of any gross receipts in excess of $25,000 in each of the first five years

•2 percent of excess during the succeeding five years

•2 ½ percent of such excess for the remainder of the term of the 99-year lease after the first 10 years of business.

When asked why anyone would be willing to open a business on Santa Rosa Island and pay numerous lease fees as opposed to opening that same business in downtown Pensacola, McCay said, "Insanity. At this point until something is done to alleviate lease taxes, it's insanity."

For a link to the article, click here.

For those of you who missed it in the most recent edition of the Island Times, the SRIA published their official policy on Lease Fee Reductions.  The document is available here: Lease Fee Reduction Policy - Final.pdf.  As a reminder to all members, there will be a membership meeting on Monday, September 14, 2015 at the beach Catholic Church starting at 6 p.m. where the new changes will be addressed, questions will be taken, and we will have the opportunity to discuss with our membership what the future may hold.  Officials from Escambia County and the Island Authority will be speaking.  Take a look at the SRIA's policy statement and come join us at the meeting.  Hope to see everyone there!

(PNJ 9/2/15, by Will Isern) It’s no secret Santa Rosa Island has a traffic problem.

With the exception of the early birds, anyone who has tried going to Pensacola Beach during the weekend this summer has likely sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

The lone stop light on the beach at the intersection of Via De Luna and Fort Pickens Road can create back ups stretching to the Bob Sikes Bridge toll booth. Pedestrians crossing the street from Casino Beach to the Quietwater Beach Boardwalk create further delays, not to mention a safety hazard.

The problem isn’t new, but has become increasingly worse as tourism numbers have continued to rise year over year since the BP oil spill.

“It’s a good problem to have, but it is a problem,” Escambia County commissioner Grover Robinson said.

The Board of County Commissioners is well aware of the issues beachgoers encounter, and will begin on Thursday to take steps to alleviate some of the traffic congestion.

But first they will do what governments do: conduct a study. Commissioners on Thursday will consider allocating $450,000 of local option sales tax money to update the 2010 Pensacola Beach Master Plan to determine how best to alleviate the traffic congestion.

As part of the update, whatever engineering firm the county hires will also be responsible for designing some short term fixes like traffic modifications for the Casino Beach and Circle K parking lots, as well as some potential long term improvements like a pedestrian flyover at the stop light and a relocation of the Santa Rosa Island Authority building.

As part of the same agenda item, commissioners will also consider allocating $1.25 million for drainage improvements on the island. Drainage problems exist on some of the residential back roads and in the Casino Beach parking lots.

“I tell people, I can’t help it if the bay rises, but if it rains and you get a lake in your front yard, we should be able to do something about that,” Robinson said.

In coming from local option sales tax, the two expenditures on the island highlight the county’s newly expanded role on Santa Rosa Island following the reduction of the Island Authority.

“The people who are paying taxes expect to get the same services everybody else is,” he said. “It’s time to start taking that money back there and start fixing things.”

For the original article, click here.