Charlotte County Rumor Central

Setting the record straight...

Status of Winchester Blvd.

What we have heard: Why was the Winchester Blvd. expansion project cancelled?

Reality: The Winchester Blvd. expansion has not been canceled. The County has been working on obtaining the necessary permits. It has taken three years to obtain a permit from US Fish & Wildlife. Once it was received we could move forward to obtain the other required permits, the last of which is from the US Army Corps of Engineers. We expect the Commission to sign off on this permit at a Board meeting in September. Once permitting is completed, the project will go out to bid.

County Layoffs Affect Many Job Classifications

What we have heard: As the County continues to downsize operations and reduce the workforce, only union jobs have been targeted for elimination.

Reality: On July 22 the Board of County Commissioners officially eliminated 81 full-time positions, based on departmental recommendations during the budget review process. Of those positions eliminated, 22, or 27%, were non-bargaining positions. Non-bargaining positions include supervisory and management staff, as well as accountants and project managers.

Political Signs Disappear

What we have heard: County employees are removing political signs for no reason.

Reality: Charlotte County employees who work for the Code Enforcement office are following the established rules for sign placement. Pursuant to Florida Statute Section 106.1435(3) and Charlotte County Zoning Ordinance 2008-003, signs posted in the right-of-way are prohibited. The County has been removing both political and commercial "snipe" signs of this type for years. This is a year-round activity, not just confined to the election season. Signs in the right-of-way can constitute a hazard. If the owners of the signs contact the County within five days, the signs will be returned, provided a $20 removal and storage fee is paid.

Murdock Village Interest Payments

What we have heard: Has the County negotiated new terms on the Murdock Village redevelopment project to reduce the interest payments? How much is County paying? Is the Murdock Village redevelopment project still costing the County $14,000 a day in interest on borrowed funds?

Reality: The daily interest payment has been reduced to approximately $8,100 per day, due to the County’s recent ability to renegotiate the terms of the loans. The two loans that are funded by external sources total $93,300,000. The terms of the loans were recently up for renewal which allowed the County the ability to negotiate a better term based on a variable interest rate loan that reduced the interest payments to $7,332 per day. The new term also gives the County the ability to pay down the loan earlier than the term. An internal borrow of $12,200,000 was also initiated.

The County will continue to review the financing structure on these loans to insure that the County is receiving the best rate and structure possible until the property is sold. In addition, the County is reviewing options to reduce the principal amount of the loans which in-turn would further reduce the interest payments.
So, this is not a rumor, the County is paying interest on the money it has borrowed for the Murdock Village redevelopment project. It is a planned expense and will be compensated for in various ways over the life of the project.

Once-a-Week Automated Garbage Service

What we have heard: What are the facts on the Automated Garbage program?

Reality: The new Automated Garbage service will make it easier for residents to get their garbage to the street or curb. Each home will receive, free of charge, a 96 gallon cart. The cart will hold 3 to 4 garbage cans worth of garbage. Residents can also request a smaller, 64 gallon cart which will hold 2 to 3 garbage cans worth of garbage. There will be just one pick-up each week, with garbage, recycling and yard waste collected on the same day. The new garbage trucks feature an automated arm that will grab, lift and empty the carts without the driver leaving the truck. The carts have wheels, which will make it easy to get it to the curb, they will not tip over (up to 40 mph winds) and the lid is permanently attached. Delivery of the carts will begin in September, and once-a-week garbage service will begin on October 6th. For more detailed information, click here.

Botanical Gardens Proposed in Punta Gorda

What we have heard: The County has not been supportive of the Botanical Gardens proposed for Punta Gorda.

Reality: On April 9, 2008, this project was submitted to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a special exception, which was granted. As is the County’s normal process, the project components will be addressed in greater detail during the Development Review Committee (DRC) review. As of this date, the owner of the project has not yet submitted his project for DRC review, therefore the County has not been asked for further comment or approvals. Charlotte County fully supports economic development and encourages clean, safe industry that will provide jobs for our residents and improve our quality of life. We look forward to working with the owner/developer on this project.

Geo-Tubes Supported by Residents

What we have heard: The geo-tubes installed at Englewood Beach are working well to reduce beach erosion. Now the County has decided to remove them for no reason.

Reality: The County installed the geo-tubes several years ago as an innovative project under the direction of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The goal was to reduce beach erosion to protect our shoreline; to reduce the costs of continual beach renourishment projects; and to reduce the repetitive dredging of Stump Pass. During a recent inspection the DEP determined that the geo-tubes were not effective, and in fact may be detrimental to the environment. On February 22, 2008 the County received an official order from DEP to remove the tubes or face a fine. The deadline was extended when the beach recently became a nesting site for Wilson Plovers, an endangered species of shore bird. The deadline for removal of the tubes is December 31, 2008.

Financial Concerns?

What we have heard: Comments regarding Charlotte County declaring bankruptcy

Reality: While Charlotte County is facing financial challenges associated with specific revenue reductions related to Ad Valorem (property tax revenues) and other misc. revenues such as state shared sales tax and Communication Service fees, Charlotte County remains fiscally stable and in not in jeopardy of going “bankrupt”. Our challenge is to continue to maintain the highest possible levels of service to the citizens of Charlotte County with limited financial resources.

Fishing Piers and Boat Ramps

What we have heard: The County intends on closing fishing piers and boats ramps at certain parks at 9:00 p.m.

Reality: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Marine Advisory Committee and the Beaches and Shores Advisory Committee will be holding a joint meeting to discuss the hours of operations of these amenities. The joint meeting will be held at the Port Charlotte Beach Recreation Center on June 17th at 9:30 a.m. All recommendations put forth by these Boards and Committees will be brought back to the Board of County Commissioners for their direction.

Fertilizer Ordinance - Too Tough or Not Enough?

What we have heard: Some say that the new fertilizer ordinance is not tough enough, while others think compliance is a burden on local commercial landscapers.

Reality: Charlotte County’s Fertilizer Ordinance was created, considering the best available science and the most practical approach in protecting our community’s water bodies. The ordinance enables residents to have green healthy lawns and gardens while preventing nutrient pollution.

The County solicited input from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices, and the FDACS Florida Consumer Fertilizer Task Force Model Ordinance (the BMP Training Manual includes input and support from the Florida Turfgrass Association; the Florida Pest Management Association; and the Certified Pest Control Operators Association) in the creation of this ordinance. The County understands and believes this ordinance is a significant first step in educating both residents and commercial fertilizer applicators in the use and application of fertilizers, and is an ordinance that can be accepted and adopted by our residents.

Charlotte County will continue to evaluate nutrient pollution issues, including rain event run-off. As the scientific community develops sound research-based, un-biased scientific evidence with regards to nutrient pollution, their findings will and can be considered by Charlotte County for adoption within the Fertilizer Ordinance.

Charlotte County’s web site has the most current list of (known) stores that sell the required 50% slow release nitrogen fertilizers. The County solicited all known retail and wholesale outlets, seeking their participation and support of the Fertilizer Ordinance and to begin offering for sale the code compliant fertilizers. Go to the County web site www.CharlotteCountyFL.com , then under Popular Links click on the “New Fertilizer Ordinance” for a list of current locations where you can purchase the 50% slow release nitrogen fertilizers. This Florida Yards & Neighborhoods web site also has additional fertilizer and lawn care information for residents.

The Fertilizer Ordinance requires commercial applicators to be trained and certified in Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices, and display on their vehicle a decal demonstrating their certification. Charlotte County requires that only one person in charge at the work site, be certified. It would not be necessary for all employees to be certified, if the business had multi-personnel crews.

Charlotte County accepts and recognizes commercial businesses that have Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices training certifications from surrounding Lee and Sarasota Counties, and therefore they would not need or have the added expense of attending Charlotte County training workshops.

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