Budget - The County has finalized the budget for fiscal year 2007/2008, which starts October 1, setting the millage rate at 4.5426 mills. (The countywide millage rate for 2005/2006 was 5.3709; for 2006/2007 it was 4.8409.) During this past year, the County reduced personnel, operating and other expenditures in the General Fund by $18.5 Million.  In the coming months we will continue to review all County operations so that we can begin prioritizing our services. This prioritized list will be used in the allocation of funding for future years.

Event Center - The "event center" received it's official name at a recent Commission meeting.  A naming contest, endorsed by Charlotte County, was sponsored by the Charlotte Sun newspaper.  The winning name was the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center.  The new facility, replacing the former Memorial Auditorium which was destroyed by Hurricane Charley, is expected to open in the fall of 2008.

Medial Clinic - The Commission recently voted to approve a lease with the St. Vincent de Paul Medical Clinic.  This new clinic will serve our uninsured population and will be staffed with volunteers from the medial community.  The Commission also voted to waive $48,000 in fees for the clinic which will be located on at the Family Services Center on Gilbralter Drive in Port Charlotte.

Ask the Chief - Question:  Chief DiDio, “Why does a Fire Engine respond to Medical Emergencies and vehicle collisions?”  Answer: There are many different reasons why Fire Engines respond to emergencies with the rescue. Some of the Department engines are Advance Life Support Engines, which means that there is a paramedic on board to begin rapid treatment of medical or injury emergencies. If an ALS Engine is closest to the emergency and can arrive on scene before the rescue then treatment can start immediately. Sometimes the units will arrive at the same time. If the emergency is life threatening, both units will respond and utilize all personnel to care for the patient. On vehicle collisions, fire engines respond in order to check for hazards and are utilized in situations where extrication is necessary.  Have more questions about our Fire/EMS operations?  Check out the "Ask the Chief" feature on our publications webpage along with a variety of other columns, booklets and flyers on County issues.

New Operating Hours - The Charlotte County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is announcing new operating hours for its Recreation Centers, the Sports Park, Libraries, and the Historical Center. The new hours will go into effect October 1, 2007. For a detailed list, visit our website.

Grant Helps Replace Trees - Charlotte County received $107,000 in an Urban and Community Reforestation Grant to restore and replace trees in public areas damaged by the hurricanes of 2004. The funds were provided by the U.S. Forest Service, via the Florida Division of Forestry, Urban Forestry Program. These funds were allocated for restorative pruning and tree replacements in various county parks and roadway medians along US 41 and Murdock Circle.

Placida Boat Ramp Closure - Due to boat ramp replacement, the Placida Boat Ramp will be closed beginning Monday, October 1, 2007 and will reopen on February 3, 2008.  The new boat ramp will consist of replacement of existing surface and a new dock.  Boaters are encouraged to use Eldridge Marina adjacent to the Placida Boat Ramp, Ainger Boat Ramp on Placida Road, or the Gasparilla Marina on Gasparilla Road.  For more information contact the Charlotte County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department at 941.625.7529.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

MEETINGS

Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners holds its regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.  Land use issues are addressed on the third Tuesday and Commissioner's Roundtable is held on the first Tuesday of each month. These meetings are held at the Murdock Administrative Complex, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, Room #119.

To view the agenda for the Board meetings click here: Commission Agenda.  The meetings can also be viewed live on CCTV20, (Comcast Channel 20) or can be viewed via live stream on our website - Streaming Video 

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A variety of government meetings are archived for on-demand viewing. Check out our inventory here: On Demand Video

Charlotte County has dozens of official meetings and activities each month.  For an itemized listing click here: Meeting Calendars

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