About Us

The Big Bend Water Authority was created by Interlocal Agreement pursuant to Section 163.01, Florida Statutes. The counties of Dixie and Taylor are the Parties to that agreement.

The Board of Directors is the head of the Big Bend Water Authority. The Board consists of three (3) representatives of each of the Parties, and each representative is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governing body of the Parties. A seventh board member is elected by the six (6) appointed representatives. The Board's officers consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, each of whom shall serve for a term of one (1) year, or until their respective successor is elected and qualified. The Board is vested with all the powers of the authority.

The General Manager is the Chief Executive Staff Officer of the Big Bend Water Authority, who serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The General Manager administers the Big Bend Water Authority, organizes staff efforts and employs necessary staff with Board approval.

The General Counsel is the Chief Legal Officer of the Big Bend Water Authority, and also serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The General Counsel provides legal advice and support to the Board of Directors and the General Manager.

 

BIG BEND WATER AUTHORITY

1313 1st Ave SE, P O Box 670

Steinhatchee, FL 32359

(352)498-3576

FAX (352)498-3624

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BOARD MEETING MINUTES

April 1, 2021

 

BBWA Board Members present: Howard Hart, Wendell McKinnon, Stan Ridgeway, Michael Newman and Margaret Corbin and W.C. Mills

BBWA Board Members absent:  Melvin Corbin III

 

BBWA Employees present: Mark Reblin, Garrett Dodd, Laura Valentine and Vickie Webb

Via teleconference: BBWA Attorney Mark Logan

 

I.       Call to order: Chairman Hart called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

II.     Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance:  Chairman Hart gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

III.  Approval of agenda: Chairman Hart asked for approval of the agenda.  Board Member Ridgeway made a motion for approval and Board Member Mills seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous.  

IV.  Approval of February invoices:  Chairman Hart asked for approval of the February invoices.  Board Member Ridgeway had a question as to who/what the vendor Endress & Hauser was.  Chairman Hart stated that it would be a good idea to get a motion for approval and second, then have a discussion about the invoice(s) in question.  Board Member Ridgeway made a motion for approval and Board Member Mills seconded the motion. GM Reblin stated that it was a valve supplier.  Board Member Ridgeway also had a question about Notary Public Underwriters.  Did this mean we, BBWA, has 2 notaries in the office.  Laura Valentine states that yes, herself and Vickie Webb were both notaries.  Chairman Hart asked if there was a charge for this service.  Laura Valentine stated that there was no charge.  Board Member Ridgeway also wanted to confirm what Dave Sydmonds was, Chairman Hart responded it was chemicals. The vote for approval was unanimous.

V. Approval of February financials: Board Member Mills made a motion to approve the February Financials.  Board Member Newman seconded the motion.  Chairman Hart asked if there was any discussion, all those in favor say I.  The vote was unanimous.

VI. Approval of March minutes: Chairman Hart asked for approval of the March minutes.  Board Member Mills made a motion to approve and Board Member Ridgeway seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.

VII. Citizens Input:  Chairman Hart asked if there was any citizens’ input.

VIII. Mark Reblin:

1.     Sewer Project Update:  GM Reblin stated that the project had a 30% design and plans are complete.  Moving forward, BBWA needs to acquire an additional piece of land for another pond.  After the wetland’s delineation, it was determined that 4-5 acres was needed.  GM Reblin stated that he was going to speak with Mr. Cooey about purchasing the property he has, but the entire 15 acres wasn’t needed because only part of it was usable.  Mr./Mrs. Cooey said that BBWA would have to get an exception from the county to purchase only 5 of the 15 acres, because it was only able to be split/sold into 15-acre parcels.  GM Reblin stated that he would request this from the county.  Board Member Ridgeway made a motion for GM Reblin to enter into negotiations with Mr. Cooey and the county, and present to the board the best resolution/deal that he could get.  Board Member Mills seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous. 

2.     Miscellaneous: 

a.     GM Reblin stated that he needed approval for an amendment to Work Order #1 for additional expenses (coming out of the grant money) for the Sewer Project. Board Member Ridgeway made a motion to approve, Board Member McKinnon seconded.  The vote was unanimous.

b.     GM Reblin stated that he had a potential customer that has 1 parcel of land that consists of 6 lots and this person wants to put at least 12 RV Hookups, 2 RV Pads per lot, on the property.  They want to know if 1 main sewer can and water meter can be installed and the RV Pads be all tied into the main can(s).  The question to BBWA is, how many sewer cans and water meters is required for this.  Currently, the policy is 1 sewer can and water meter per lot.  GM Reblin asks the board what is the best option for BBWA and this potential customer moving forward.  The Board decided to have GM Reblin ask the potential customer put their request in writing and bring it back to the board for further discussion and a decision.   

IX. Mark Logan:

      a. Miscellaneous: None

X.  Board Members’ Request: Board Member Newman stated that he had a question concerning the sewer expansion work being done on 5th Ave.  Board Member Newman wanted to know if this type of work was in the budget and being placed out for bid or was it just automatically given to one contractor.  GM Reblin responded that no, it wasn’t in the budget, it was by the request of several customers to expand the sewer service to them.  The work wasn’t placed up for bid, that timing was an issue for that.  Customers request service in a timely matter and placing the work up for bid would delay the installation time frame which in turn delays BBWA collection of fees.

XI. Announcements: The next board meeting is Thursday, May 6 at 5pm.

XII. Recess: Chairman Hart called a recess at 6:10 pm for 10 minutes, the Public Meeting on the Water Facilities Plan began at 6:20 pm.

XIII.  Discussion/Consideration of Water Facilities Plan Resolution (Mike Murphy):  BBWA Engineer Mike Murphy made a presentation of the previously approved Water Facilities Plan Options (3 & 5).  Board Member Ridgway had expressed some concern about some things included in the Water Facilities Plan so BBWA Engineer Mike Murphy explained/answered these concerns.  After much discussion, it was decided that a 10” line to go across the bridge would be included in the Water Facilities Plan. It would be best to have it already in the plan than not, and have to revise the plan to include it. Engineer Mike Murphy asked if there were any comments from the public and there were none. Board Member Ridgeway pointed out there was one project to put a 200,000 gallon storage tank in Jena with pumps and chemical treatment  and it was decided not to be done.

XIV.  Reconvene Meeting:  The BBWA Board Meeting reconvened at 6:47pm.  Board Member McKinnon made a motion to approve the Water Facilities Plan, Board Member Mills seconded the motion. 

XV.  Adjournment.   The BBWA Board Meeting adjourned at 7:08pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

___________________                                                          _______________________

Laura Valentine, Clerk                                                      Wendell McKinnon    

                                                                                               Vice Chairman