The renewing of the lease for the Longleaf Alliance’s headquarters at 8831 Whiting Field Circle has come with it a request from Commissioner Jayer Williamson to revisit how the county handles nonprofit organizations asking to use surplus county property as the Longleaf Alliance leases its building at $10 a year.
During Monday’s discussion of the resolution to extend the conservation group’s lease to three years, Williamson said he would vote against doing so because the board has not discussed a new procedure. In previous discussions, Williamson promoted a more public policy for letting nonprofits use county property at or near free including a sort of RFP to get the best usage out of said property. He said Monday, “I know this meets the state statute but we talked about a board policy that maybe would go above and beyond that.”
According to Florida statute 125.38, if a nonprofit organization, “should desire any real or personal property that may be owned by any county of this state or by its board of county commissioners, for public or community interest and welfare,” then the organization “may apply to the board of county commissioners for a conveyance or lease of such property.” The statute goes on to say the board can lease the property at a nominal price or otherwise as it sees fit. The statute requires the board adopt a resolution showing the application has been made, the purpose for the property, and the rental cost. Lastly, “no advertisement shall be required.” The Longleaf Alliance has applied to renew its lease for its headquarters at 8831 Whiting Field Circle and the backup documentation from Monday’s Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners committee meeting contains the county’s resolution to continue the lease at $10 a year for three years with a one year extension.
Commissioner Bob Cole asked the county attorney Roy Andrews if the state statute had been challenged. Andrews said to his knowledge it has not or it has not been challenged successfully. “The board can restrict themselves more than the statute does,” he said. Cole said since the statute is in place and hasn’t been challenged then an additional ordinance would be “something we’re all against, more government.”
Williamson did not reply, but Jerry Couey, who has appeared before the board on this matter multiple times, balked at the characterization of an additional board policy as more government. He said, “What I’d like to see is government that is responsive and follows procedures that are in place.”
With Williamson’s objection noted, Salter moved the matter to Thursday’s agenda. Keep up with the Santa Rosa Press Gazette to see what policy may develop.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Longleaf lease draws attention to property policy