Right now, the rocket does not know what the T0 is, but coming up at T-minus 33 seconds, control shifts from the ground launch sequencer to the rocket's onboard autonomous launch sequencer, or ALS. The rocket will count itself down, but honor any holds that could come from the ground. Now, shortly after liftoff, Houston will take control of the rocket, and my colleague Gary Jordan will take over commentary. GLS, go for a left. Great call out. The rocket is on its own. Four brave explorers ready to ride the most powerful rocket
NASA has ever launched. Sound suppression water is flowing. 15. And here we go. 10 9 8 7 RS25 engines lit. 4 3 2 1 booster ignition and liftoff. The crew of Artemis 2 now bound for the moon. Humanity's next great voyage begins. Good roll pitch. Roger. Roll pitch. Houston now controlling the flight of Integrity on the Artemis 2 mission around the moon.
Integrity AMT high on time passing 30 seconds onto the flights. Integrity passes the alternate veilestone. Mission control Houston seeing good performance on four main engines. Space launch system core stage integrity 3 m in altitude traveling more than 12,200 mph. Mission to elaps time passing 1 minute. Approaching max Q on possibly on. Stan, we have you loud and clear on. Have you the same communication signal transfer
confirmed as Integrity and its crew go supersonic approaching 90 seconds into the Artemis 2 mission. Integrity is 14 m in altitude, 8 m downrange, traveling more than 2600 mph. 1 minute 50 seconds of mission elapse time. Standing by for main engine throttle down to 85% ahead of solid rocket booster separation expected at the 2 minute 9second mark. We see throttle throttle down. Confirm separation. Main engine's throttling up. Guidance converged. Integrity guidance converged. Performance nominal. Upper stage RCS ready. Copy. All stand.
Integrity. SM priming complete. SM priming complete. 2 minutes 45 seconds of mission elapse time into the Artemis 2 mission. Thrusters on integrity and upper stage confirmed in a ready state ahead of service module fairing separation. 3 minutes into the flight. Integrity 49 mi in altitude, 78 m downrange. Now passing 5,000 mph. standing by for launchboard system jettison. Houston integrity. Good. Last jettison. Great view. Copy. Jettison. T Eco 8 plus 02. We see you sail on board, Stan. And Houston has you loud and clear on Dedras at the common line.
Outstanding, Stan. We have you. Ready. 3 minutes 50 seconds into the flight of Artemis 2. Wiseman, Glover, Cook, and Hansen cross the boundary to space with good com checks. GPS signals acquired after last jettison. Now working on internal checks to verify. Shout out to our CMR team for making that happen. [applause] All right, with that we're going to call this meeting to order. Thank you so much for being here and being present. Please turn your cell phones to the vibrate silent or off setting. The board of county commissioners allows any person to speak regarding an item on the agenda. This speaker is limited to three minutes unless otherwise determined by the chairperson to allow
sufficient time for all speakers. Speakers are asked to refrain from abusive or profane remarks, disruptive outbursts, or protest that or other conduct which interferes with the orderly conduct of this meeting. Upon completion of the public comment period, discussion is limited to board members and questions raised by the board. We have our invocation tonight by Bishop William Wack. Bishop, if you'll approach and thank you for being here tonight. Thank you. Oh good and gracious God, as Christians celebrate Holy Week and prepare
to celebrate Easter on Sunday around the world and our Jewish brothers and sisters prepare to celebrate Passover, this is a time of remembering. We remember that you call us to yourself, that you have rescued us from slavery and sin and call us to something more perfect, something more eternal and beautiful. Bless us. Help us to be grateful as we remember and look back for all that you have done for us and all that you do for us now. Help us in all of our deliberations, especially in this meeting today. Help us to know what to do that your will may be done that we may give you glory and that we may
build up our community, our county, our city, this place in your glory. Bless us always and keep us mindful of your great blessings in our life. For you live and reign forever and ever. Amen. Amen. Thank you so much. We appreciate it. Commissioner Kohler, will you lead us in the pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Are there any items to be added to the agenda? Commissioner Coler says no. Commissioner Barry,
no. Commissioner May, no. Commissioner Stroberger, no ma'am. Wonderful. Thank you all. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? Do we all in favor? Would be 50. Thank you. Um uh we have the commissioners forum. Commissioner Kohler, if you'll start us off. Good morning or good afternoon, Madam Chair, and good evening to everyone in the audience. I don't really have too much. Just a couple things I would like to highlight since we just met last week. Uh this last Friday and Saturday we had the uh consulant general Nano from Japan come to our
community. He had reached out to me in advance. Um Al you probably remember Alice and I brought you in and we become friends. I was with him a few few weeks back in Miami for the um emperor's birthday. But um the real story is is that it highlights our Japanese American community here in Escambia County. And he has an affinity for this area. So sorry I missed that. But for all the all the folks that are involved in jump and that serve most of these folks are from uh obviously related to military folks in the that have come to the United States. So uh great to great that
we have that community that is engaged and uh even though it's a small community, it's a very vibrant one in Escambia County. The second thing you probably saw this week um Congressman Patronis put out that they're looking at a VA hospital here in Escambia County. That's great news. That um has been on the docket probably 30 years. When I was DHB, we looked at doing a VA sharing agreement at that time. Uh that would bring about $3 million uh dollars in just in ER visits. But the deal is
we have the enrollment here. And that's the thing. So if you look at Buxy, there's about 19,000 enrollies in that what we call a prism. In the in the area in Escambia County, there's about 41,000 without 100,000 folks that could be eligible plus for that if it happens. Um I'm sure Commissioner Strober and I will work with the Northwest Florida Defense Coalition. We had met Secretary Collins u before the election and I think he will be receptive and hopefully uh that will be on the radar screening and happen for Scami County. It's a much needed
project. It's been well overdue. And the last thing, um, for me as a believer, um, Easter is a special day for billions of people across the across the world. It's a holiday of hope and the resurrection of Jesus. And I hope everyone has a great Easter and enjoys this weekend. Thank you. Thank you. Um, first I want to congratulate Mary Jane Gardner. She's the uh she's the media specialist commonly or formerly known as a librarian uh at Tate High School. She was recognized this week by uh Ski County uh the Ski County School District as the
librarian of the year for the public school system. And I certainly want to congratulate Mary Jane. Uh this past weekend was uh was a great event in the north end uh up on uh the 4 property in North Molino. Uh we had the North View FFA Blue Jacket Jamberee and an Easter egg drop and Hunt as well as the Gulf Coast Agriculture and Natural Resource Youth Organization. Uh they're a big livestock show where they have you know cows and chickens and uh show hogs and goats and
it's uh it's quite a big affair. Um it highlights the 4H property you know 130 140 acres that we acquired now better than better than 10 years ago. It's turned into just a huge huge event. It's bigger than it ever was when it was held at uh Langley Bell Center on NineM Road. we have more more young people participating every year than we ever had there as well as more animals being shown. Um the move to that part of the county also uh allowed it to partner with the Northview FFA Alumni Association and the Blue Jacket Jamberee which uh it just makes it like a
an entirely fun Saturday all day event uh at the 4 property up there and it's just been a huge success. That wouldn't be wouldn't be the case without the support of this board. It's one of the uh uh one of the things that Commissioner May and I uh one of the battles that we tackled early on in our tenures and uh it's turned out to be a a huge success. So, I want to thank uh uh Nick Simmons. I don't think Nick is here, but um Nick does a great job every year. He usually has uh you know his children as well participating in the livestock show, but he
certainly does a great job of uh making sure the property is ready for the show and working with GCA and our YO as well as with the Northview FFA uh to put on a good event every year. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. First, I want to congratulate Dave Scott and the UWF team and President Manny Diaz uh for going division one for WF athletics. Uh [snorts] many of us will be out there tomorrow uh to se celebrate that with them. But certainly uh know Commissioner Barry was a a baseball star at some time in his career uh at at University of West Florida. So go Argos
and [snorts] uh it is our flagship university. So we certainly uh congratulate them. I want to thank Claire Long and her staff for the summer employment program. And not only her, but all of the directors uh who think it not robbery to bring young people in and to train them and not think of this as a a a work program, but a training program to give them an opportunity uh to replace those of us who may be uh at the end of our career and end of our tenure. Uh and we certainly recognize [snorts] that it's sometime it's burdenome, it's troublesome
and it's hard uh to train young people, but if we don't give uh our local residents and our children an opportunity, who will? And so I do appreciate those directors and managers and staff uh that are accepting uh young people uh many who have had u disadvantages in their life and opportunity uh to be employed uh within Scamia County. And so, uh, it's truly, uh, grow your own. And so, Claire, thank you and and and your staff, uh, for that. Uh, certainly [snorts] want to give a, um,
shout out to Cindy Bear Bonner for Rally for Cancer, uh, raises each year millions of dollars, uh, for young people, uh, who have who have cancer. And I'd be remiss if, um, this week I I didn't thank Rick Brier, who is here with FPL, uh, because of his efforts. many of our not forprofits are being very blessed uh uh because of the work that Rick is doing throughout our community. So Rick, we certainly appreciate the great work that you're doing. But in the end, uh today is a special day for Escamia County. It's a special day for the state of Florida, special day for the United States and the world uh to take an orbit
a cross uh of the moon. Uh, I was very blessed uh to have Lieutenant Cedric Jessup uh who um is a brother-in-law but a dear friend uh to bring Victor Glover uh to Pensacola uh to celebrate. And Victor left something that I want to present. And I told Victor the day that he would uh orbit the moon that I would present this uh to Escambia County. And I would read it. And it is certainly authentic uh certificate of authenticity that the United States was flown aboard the International Space Station during expedition 6465. It launched to space on crew
dragon resilience and return to Earth cargo dragon January 13, 2021. Flying in space for 60 days, orbiting the earth 960 times, traveling more than 60 million miles. Crew 1 astronauts Mike Hopson, Victor Glover, Sharon Walker, Sor Noit launched aboard Crew Dragon Resilient on November 15, 2020 at 7:20 p.m. from Kennedy Space Center and returned to shores of the Gul of Mexico on May 2nd, 2021. The Brazilian crew flew in space for 167 days, obtained Earth uh
orbiting the Earth 2,672 times at an altitude of 250 status miles, traveling more than 70 million miles at the speed of 7,500 miles per hour. Victor Glover presents this to Escamia County and all of the children. And all of these things are authentic that flew the orbit. So, we want to thank Victor for that. and we all just witnessed him orbiting the moon and he was in Pensacola and he wanted me to present this to our county and to our community. So, thank you so much. [applause]
[laughter] You flew a lot today. Yeah, not that not that much. Not 60 million miles. [clears throat and cough] Um on Monday night I attended the American Legion 240 uh veterans town hall. Um they told us that there's over 145,000 veterans in the Florida panhandle and um the trust score is up from like the mid 80s. Mike, you might know more about what the score used to be,
but it's at 90.8 now. So I think it's gone up considerably. And under Secretary Collins, I think it's uh things have improved a lot. The VA performance has improved enormously. It was a constructive meeting with veterans and spouses telling awful stories about the treatments that they received, um, their treatment delays, and the not always good outcomes that they had. I met a man who retired in 2000 who had a 100% disability rating,
but he didn't get his VA benefit until December just last year. and he's like 75 years old. We still have work to do to get our local uh VA understaff our understaffed VA system where it needs to be properly resourced, responsive, and accountable so that no veteran waits decades for care and benefits they've earned. Um, on April 11th, there's a Sarrento Road stakeholder meeting that's uh um it's about the safety analysis they've been conducting on Sarrento Road and Gulf Beach Highway.
The purpose of meeting is to validate the safety problems, confirm crash data trends, if that's the fatality serious industries, the types of crashes, identify the hot spots. Um, those would be the curves, the intersections, low visibility segments. The idea is to ground truth in what the data says versus what the locals experience or or think they experience. What I expect the discussion will likely emphasize is the curvature and speed mismatch, uh, nighttime crashes, the lack of shoulders, uh, so there's no recovery space, the low lighting, deer activity,
um, evacuation rule of that road, and the 94% speed compliance stat um, versus the severity of the 6% that don't obey the speed limit. Um they may highlight that a small percentage of drivers cause a disproportionate a disproportionate amount [clears throat and cough] a number of the severe crashes. I think we probably all know that already. The bottom line is this meeting is about moving Sarrento Road from a known problem to a funded solution and stakeholders are not
just participants there. They'll help shape the outcome and those stakeholders know who they are. Um, in other news in British Columbia, Canada, um, in August of 2025, Canada ended their longest trial ever. This result this this this trial may uh result in land seizures. In Richmond, British Columbia, they sent out notices. The mayor sent out notices to homeowners that said their property is located in the claim area area and that the court has declared Aboriginal title to private property
and that may compromise the status and validity of their own land ownership. This case costs an estimated $100 million US in more than 10 years to prove land rights in Canada. That's the level of scrutiny required when affecting property rights, private property rights. Even in Walton County, customer use was pushed through with ordinance and then challenged because of courts uh challenged because courts, not counties, determine where those rights exist. And it that was a 10-year proposition, I believe, too. So, that's all I have. Thank you.
Wonderful. Thank you. Good evening, and thank you for being here tonight. I appreciate everyone who has showed up and for those of you that are tuning in at home. I know we met less than a week ago, but we still have agenda an agenda with over 25 pages of progress for our community. I want to take a moment to highlight a few of the wonderful things that we have going on here in Escambia County. First, a shout out to Petemore Chevrolet for the sponsorship of two 2025 Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup trucks for the lifeguards on Pensacola Beach. That is coming
to us with a zerocost lease. And these vehicles will help our residents and visitors stay safe while they play at our beaches. Project Leopard is on the agenda tonight. This is a proposed expansion of an existing advanced manufacturing operation in Escambia County. And it is expected to create 300 net new full-time jobs with an average annual wage of over $75,000 a year and an additional $22,000 per in benefits per employee. This company is also proposing a hund00 million capital investment. So, thank you for investing in our community and thank
you for investing in our people. If you are in a business looking to expand, I encourage you to reach out to Florida West about opportunities and partnerships available here in Escambia County. I'm excited about the $2.7 million in restore dollars that are going to Pensacola Beach Bob sites fishing pier rehabilitation project. This spot helps keep our waterways accessible for local residents that fish for fun and also fish for food. Lastly, we're working on adding sidewalks on Johnson Avenue to make our streets safer for pedestrians and children that are waiting on the
school bus. Um, I know I said it this morning, but I want to say it again. Wes, welcome back. Do you have anything you want to say? Thank you, Madam Chair. It is great to be here. I guess the last meeting I was in was January 23rd. It was my birthday. I turned 60 years old. Uh little did I know two days later I wouldn't be able to get off the couch and walk to the restroom. So uh I've been through an ordeal uh out of nowhere clearly out of the blue. But I appreciate the patience of the board and the willingness to work with me during this time. My wife Carla who has done her best to take care of me. Debbie Debbie Bowers and all the staff and directors that
have rose risen to the occasion. They always kept me in the loop. Debbie called me and filled me in of all the good stuff that was going on. I think she kept some of the problems to herself. So, I appreciate that. Uh, and all I'll say, let me give a shout out to HCA Florida West Rehab Center, the doctors, the nurses, all the occupational therapists, physical therapists. They put you through the paces over there. And I'll tell you, I saw a little video says, "How can you tell if somebody needs encouragement?" Well, if they're alive, they need encouragement. So, we keep that
in mind when you're working with people close to people. always give a a kind word and thank you for what they do and it's great to be back. I have missed it greatly. I promise you. Thank you. Wonderful. Thank you. Next are proclamations. Do we have a motion to adopt? Second. All in favor? Wonderful. 5. I appreciate it. Uh Commissioner Barry, you're presenting the first proclamation. Everybody, is that your speech? Lovely. You got you got it written out. That's perfect. You're you're already ready. If you if you wrote one for me, I I for you forgot to give it to me. Uh I would certainly
have uh would certainly have entertained it. Um and I I did ask to uh present this proclamation for employee of the month. I think this is the first time that I've ever done it. But um you know there's uh you know very very few folks that uh that I knew from before and uh that I had worked with before uh and saw the saw the type of person that they were and you know the heart for service and the heart for our community that I know that you have from you know working with you more than 10 years on the Miracle League board. um that started probably close to 20 years ago now as time time passed quickly. But you know, not having not having children out there. Um and you know,
the the thousands of hours that you volunteered over that period of time and still continue to I think speaks a testament to uh the type of person that you are and not surprised at all to uh recognize you as employee of the month. So Schemy County has established an employee of the month program to recognize one employee to represent various departments. Whereas Gregory Wiggins, mosquito control supervisor of the mosquito control division of natural resource management department, began his employment with the county on June 17, 2014, has been selected employee of the month for April 2026 for the standards of excellence he displays in the performance
of his duties. And after the retirement of the previous division manager in early 2025, Greg ser served as the interim mosquito control division manager for several months, assuming manager level responsibilities during a period of significant challenges while also carrying out his daily responsibilities to ensure continuity until a new division manager came on board. Greg took the initiative also to earn the mosquito director's certification, an elite credential required by the Florida Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, where he demonstrated the knowledge of state statutes and administrative code as well as mosquito biology
and control methods. He worked closely with Escami County Health Department's epidemiology team during West Nile virus outbreak in the summer of 2025 by coordinating mosquito surveillance and control operations based on locations of reported human cases, ensuring resources were directed where they were needed the most. He's a trusted leader known for his good judgment, fairness, and commitment to doing the right thing. Additionally, he leads with humility, consistency, and a steady focus on what is best for the team and the division's operational mission.
Gregory Wiggins truly embodies the qualities of what the employee of the month award stands for. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the board of county commissioners of Escambia County, Florida, hereby commends and congratulates Mr. Gregory Wiggins in his selection as employee of the month for April 2026 board of county commissioners of Escambia County, Florida. Ashley Hoffberger, chair, District 4. Steve Stroberger, vice chair, district 1. Michael Coler, District 2, Lumen May, District Three, Steven Barry, District Five. Comes with a check, a pin, and u another type of lapel ornament of some sort. But the uh check is uh the check is here. Congratulations, Greg. [applause]
You know, it's it's nice to wake up every morning and go to a job that you enjoy going to. It makes life so much easier. And I I have one of those jobs. I can't stand to take vacation. I like going to work every day. Usually by the end of summer, our administrative assistant Amy's fussing at me about you're you got to take couple of weeks vacation or you're going to lose it. But I I'm thinking about work when I'm not there. I and it's because I I enjoy serving our community and I
appreciate the opportunity that the county's given me to to work for the citizens of Escambia County. Over the over the past 12 years, I've had the pleasure of meeting many of the citizens of our county, meeting with them, working with them, trying to solve their needs, and I hope to be able to do that for many more years. I've also been able to meet a lot of fine county employees, a lot of hardworking county employees and build relationships and friendships with them. And many of them, most of them in fact, are probably a lot more deserving of this than I am.
But I'm truly humbled to be nominated, let alone to be selected for employee of the month. I've had the the pleasure of working for and working with some very great people, past and present. And there's a few that I would like to to recognized tonight. And I'll I'll start with u [clears throat] our department director Chips Kersinfeld and Deputy Director Tim Day and Felicia Knight, our uh director's aid. Last year was a bit of a challenging time
for me with the retirement of our manager and I was trying to juggle the duties of uh supervisor as well as the the acting division manager and but they always gave me encouragement and support when I needed it and I appreciate that from them. Our manager Andrew Ruiz, he's a wealth of knowledge. He's been with us since about November. Um, in fact, he's the one that nominated me for this. I'm glad he didn't let me know he did or
we would have probably had a discussion. But in in in any event, I appreciate him every day. He's been with us for about five months and I think I've learned more from him in that five months than I have the last five years. I also want to thank our administrative assistant, Amy Benner. She has been a great sounding board for me over the years. She has one of those jobs that we take for granted. She does so many things behind the scenes and she doesn't get near
the recognition that she deserves, but but I appreciate her every day with the job she does and the professionalism that she she carries it out with. But most of all, I want to thank those employees that worked directly under me that I supervised. I had their job for many years. I was out in the field. I know how difficult their job is. I know the challenges they have. And without them, I I could not do my job. They're smarter than me. They work harder than I do. And
they make me look like a much better employee than probably what I deserve. So, thank you. [applause] They're going to do a group photo. It's photo time, guys. Come on up. [applause] Wonderful. Our next proclamation is going to be presented by Travis Tommpkins. Commissioners, this is a it's an honor and a privilege to be able to present this proclamation to Waterfront Rescue Mission uh for the service that they do for our community and especially for recognizing them uh for the cold weather sheltering that they've provided for the last three years.
Waterfront Mission has faithfully served individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Escambia County for more than seven decades, providing emergency shelter, meals, recovery programs, and supportive service grounded in dignity, compassion, and hope. And for the past three consecutive years, Waterfront Mission has served as the designated emergency cold weather shelter for Escambia County, responding at the request of Escambia County Emergency Management whenever temperatures are forecasted to fall below 40° and declared cold weather events.
Waterfront Mission transitions into emergency shelter mode, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and suspending normal operating procedures to ensure that no individual seeking shelter is turned away during lifethreatening weather conditions. And throughout these emergency activations, Waterfront Mission shelters an average of 194 individuals per night, providing warmth, safety, and care to some of the community's most vulnerable residents. and Waterfront Mission serves more than 600 meals daily during cold weather emergencies,
ensuring those seeking refuge receive nourishment in addition to shelter. And at the highest point of sheltering during a recent cold weather event, Waterfront provided refuge to 210 individuals in a single night, including 51 women, demonstrating its capacity, preparedness, and commitment to serving all who are in need. and the leadership, staff and volunteers of Waterfront Mission exemplify ex extraordinary dedication and selflessness by expanding services,
relocating resources, and working around the clock in partnership with Escambia County to protect lives during severe weather conditions. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the board of county commissioners of Escambia County, Florida, does hereby recognize, recommend, and express its s it sincere gratitude to Waterfront Mission for its unwavering service, partnership, and lifesaving response during cold weather emergencies. [clears throat]
And be it further proclaimed that the board acknowledges Waterfront's mission, vital role in Escambia Countyy's emergency response system, and extends appreciation to its staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters whose collective effort make this critical work possible. Board of County Commissioners, Escambia County, Florida. Ashley Hoffberger, Chair, District 4. Steve Stroberger, Vice Chair, District 1. Michael Kohler, District 2. Lumen May, District 3. Steven Barry, District 5. Thank you for your service. [applause]
Thank you for uh My name is Frederick Henderson. I'm the director of the Waterfront Rescue in Pensacola. Just want to thank uh this entire community along with the commissioners and ones who've came to visit and see what we do. Waterfront Rescue Mission on severe weather nights turn into an emergency room. People who the least, the lost, the left out, the ones who've been rejected, the ones who have no place to go. It's a matter of safety for us. We want to make sure that the people in our community
who are out on the street have a safe place to go. But you need to understand what that means. That means that we serve the mentally ill, the intoxicated, children and women and families in all in one location. It is a severe undertaking. And I just want to know want you to know as the director that our staff is tasked with serving those individuals. A lot of overtime is involved. A lot of work is involved. A lot of patient is involved. And
I just two of my staff here on the women's side, Hunter Vic and Crystal Broton, I want you to know and along with the other staff do a tremendous job in serving those who are least lost and left out. and we couldn't do it without the help of Escambia County and and them and Red Cross and other ones helping us in that in that role. Thank you. God bless. I appreciate all of you. [applause] Pastor Fre, Pastor Frederick, Pastor Frederick, Pas, thank you. Uh I was at your church on
Saturday at a funeral. Uh and thank you for what you do in district three. Uh your church is just a beacon of hope. I mean, as they say, we're on the alphabet street, but uh you you give a lot of hope on the alphabet street, and uh we couldn't do what we do without you. So, we appreciate all that you've done, and uh sorry I didn't get a chance to speak on Saturday, but uh it was a very crowded funeral, but thank you for what you do. Thank you. God bless you, Commissioner. Okay. Uh Christa Brandt, if you'll come up for Valerie's house. I guess they didn't come.
Yes. Thank you. We'll take care of that. And then Commissioner May, you have the next proclamation. It's an honor to present this proclamation and will I want to thank you um I mean because your cultural sensitivity uh to downtown and making sure that downtown is available and open to everyone and um your happy hours are certainly happy for all ages. So, it's an honor to be able to read this to you. Whereas, Escami County recognizes organizations that enhance the quality of life for local residents by fostering community engagement, cultural enrichment, and economic vitality. Whereas, together we weather as together we
weather has demonstrated a strong commitment to building connections with the community through international program and exclusive experiences that unify the people of our community. Whereas for the past 5 years, Pensacola Happy Hour hosted by Together Weather has served as a dynamic community gathering that highlights local businesses, creativities, entrepreneurs, and local leaders while encouraging networking, collaboration, and civic pride throughout Escambia County. Whereas Pensacola Happy Hour has grown into a signature existence that strengthens relationships, support local establishments, showcases the vibrant culture, and the spirit of
our community. Whereas the success and longevity of Pensacola happy hour reflects the dedication, vision, and leadership of the Together Weather team that and their continued efforts that have made a lasting impact on community connections and engagement. Whereas highlighting the importance of this initiative like Pensacola happy hour that contribute to a thriving, connected, and empowered community and residents. We now therefore proclaim that the board of county commissioners of Escambia County, Florida does hereby commend together we weather in recognition
of five long years of Pensacola happy hour and expresses our sincere appreciation for your contributions to strengthening our downtown, our community, our local businesses and enriching the lives of residents throughout Escami County. Board of County Commissioners Ashley Halberger as chair, Steve Stroberger, vice chair, Michael Colola, District 2, Lumen May, District 3, Steven Berry, District 5. Willow, thank you for your service. [applause] Yes, sir. Uh, first I want to um thank everybody involved and um recognizing Pensacola Half Power Hour and Together Weather. Um, we've been downtown
for 5 years. I still feel like we're a hidden gem. Um, if you don't know about Pensacola Happy Hour, it takes place at uh Museum Plaza every year from Good Friday to the Friday before Labor Day. Um, we bring people together with entertainment, but then we also um offer resources to the community. Um, when we say Pensacola Happy Hour is not about drinking and all that. It's uh about mental health. So, it's all about giving you a place to come from. come to. It doesn't cost you any money, you know, just to get away from the your your regular life,
the the hard things that you may be going through. So, um I appreciate everybody involved. It's uh we hope to be there 50 more years and beyond. So, appreciate it. [applause] Wonderful. So many great things to celebrate tonight and we appreciate you all being here to share in that. Uh, did the clerk's office receive the proofs of publication for the public hearings on the agenda and the board's regular weekly meeting schedule? Madame Chair, the clerk's office has received all proofs. Do I have a motion that the board move to wave the reading? We
all in favor by vote. Thank you. I appreciate it. Um, our first public hearing is public hearing to consider the petition to vacate a portion of an alleyway in block 61 of Beach Haven subdivision. This is in district two. Madam clerk, do we have any speakers on this? Uh, Melissa Pino. Okay. Why am I not surprised? No. [laughter] Come on. I told you. Um, [clears throat] thank you, Chairman Hoffber. Melissa Pino 413 Southeast Bob. And I want to make clear really not crazy enough that I came all the way down to the meeting for a vacation. [laughter] We missed public
forum. Should have realized it was going to go um slow. had intended [clears throat] to ask about the policy that I asked you about in the email, but we'll save that for May. Um, and we got Santana tickets tonight. And the last time we missed a concert was for Grover on the Roundabout. We missed the Steve Earl, so ain't nothing worth sticking around for tonight. We're heading off after this issue. But in case you guys think I'm crazy about how nuts vacations are getting, and this is no fault of Commissioner Kohers. Couple of weeks ago at the Warrington
Revitalization Committee, the president Jane Birdwell brought a guest Vicky Haynes Campbell to encourage everyone to consider the alleys on the west side open season and advocate that we were all supposed to start coming to our government and asking for free land, asking to vacate. Now, I understand this process perfectly. I know, Miss Rogers, that you guys are just vacating the public use of it and that the public will never need it in the future. But then, of course, the moment the board votes for it, the use of that land
automatically endures to the abuing homeowners and then so much to the point that they even get taxed on the next cycle. And of course, one or a bunch of them are always up to grab that land up. So, um, she got booed down pretty bad on the idea of taking alleys in Navy Point. Uh, but it was all over D2 and it was positioned because we're so we're so blighted. We're such a mess that basically the only way that the county can get their arms wrapped around it is
we just got to start coming for the alleys and every little bit of land we can think about. Now again, this was not Commissioner Kohler's idea, and he was lovely and very gracious at that meeting with another officer from a different board from a different district come and plant a flag in in his district. [snorts] Think about that budget hearing meeting you guys had tonight or this morning that was so bad that the chair is actually suggesting
maybe we need to defund more health care services bringing well no a possibility lake view asking questions about Lake View and community health. I'm saying that that's how bad this is, right? And yet we're going to continue giving away taxpayer land in gritted alleys that the abuing homeowners are just going to get because they're standing by waiting to take title. I really think you guys need to rethink this policy. Um the last one that went in
D2 was a developable lot worth probably somewhere upwards of $50,000. Thank you. Thank you, Mel and board. This this property abates both sides of the property owners on both sides of the vacation. So, I I didn't have an issue with this one. So, I I'll move 531 if there's a second. ABC and D. ABC and D. Yeah. All in favor? Five. Thank you. Next public hearing is public hearing to consider an ordinance authorizing a countywide referendum to be
held on the statewide primary August 18th, 2026 as requested by the Escambia County School Board. We do have three speakers on this. Our first speaker is Lily Eubanks and after Lily is Craig Jones. As a retired teacher with over 30 years of experience, I'm upset that the school board wants to do away with the best educational practice of having an appointed school superintendent. It was just in 2018 that the citizens of Escambia County uh voted to join 99% of the nation and have a
hired superintendent who had educational training to run a large school district instead of someone more interested in politics than in best practices for schools. During those less than eight years of trying the new system, superintendents had to deal with COVID and postcoid issues and with years of book banning. This was hardly a fair trial. It is also it is excuse me it has
is very disappointing that in addition to trying to switch back to including politics in our school system the school board wants the referendum put on the August primary ballot instead of the general ballot in November. It is well known that turnout in midterm primaries is very low compared to the general election, especially in closed primaries like states like Florida. Many voters don't bother to vote in primaries because they don't believe there is anything
for them to vote on. Everyone in Escambia County deserves the chance to vote on this referendum. School referendums belong on the general ballot. That's where Escambia Countyy's parents, families, and full communities are present. Please do what is best for the citizens of Escambia County and vote no on putting this referendum on the primary ballot. Thank you. Okay, our next speaker is Craig Jones and then Derek Scott. You will be after Craig Jones. Hello, my name is Craig Jones. My wife, Linda Fussell, usually speaks for us,
but she has laryngitis tonight. So, tonight's my turn. I don't take a position on the issue that you're addressing. I take a position on the quality of elections that we hold. School referendums belong on the general ballot. That's where the full community is present. You're considering whether to put it on the primary or the general. There's only three months difference, so time is not an issue. If you put the referendum on the primary, you silence approximately half of the parents who would show up. Research shows ballot placement
is not just procedural. It determines who gets counted, whose voices matter, and whose do not. In Florida primaries, independents are conditioned to sit out August elections. Even though they can technically vote on referendums, the habit is built in. To them, primary Mary means partisan, not to me. In Escambia's 2024 primary, just 5% of voters were independents. In the general election, that number quadrupled to 19.3. That's not a rounding error. It represents tens of thousands of people who do show up in the November election, but not August.
Put a school referendum on the primary and one in five Escambia voters are silenced. In addition, primaries are wider in Escambia County, 24% in the primary. Voters made up 82% of the elector being white. In the general, that figure dropped to 76. African-American participation grew from 12.9 in the primary to 16.8 in the general. Hispanic turnout from 3.4 to five. And Asian participant also went up. put a referendum in a primary and Escambia's minority voters lose thousands of voices at the ballot box.
Escambia has faced a superintendent question six times in the last 50 plus years. Five times voters chose to keep it elected once in 18 did they approve a change and then by less than 1%. That narrow outcome illustrates the risk of instability. Decisions made by smaller representative electorates do not stick. they invite relitigation. A decision to place the next referendum on the primary guarantees a cycle of division because decision will again be made without the broadest participation. Put a school referendum on a primary ballot, you guarantee
the fight won't be over because the entire county didn't get to decide. When questions tied directly to schools are placed on the primary ballots, the outcome is shaped by smaller, older, wider, more partisan elector. That's not neutrality. It's distortion. According to Opal Research, in 2025, parents and younger voters, those with the most at stake, are nearly twice as likely to participate in the general election as primary. Why not wait three months, get their vote? School referendums belong on the general ballot. [clears throat] That's where legitimacy is learned. Thank you for
your time. Derek Scott, you're next. Thank you. Place this on the primary. Thank you. And Derek is our last speaker on this item. Uh good day, commissioners. I want to be clear about what's happening here. This isn't about just where to place a rep referendum. It's about who gets to decide the future of public education here in Escambia County. If you place the on the 2026 primary ballot, you are knowingly limiting participation. Primary elections here are consistently drawing a smaller,
less representative electorate. In Florida and across this country, primary voters skew older with a disproportionate uh share being 65 ages 65 and above and are more likely to be white and partisan, particularly Republicans in closed primaries. That's not speculation. That's just fact. But in Escambia County, we have a more diverse population. We have young families. We have working families, residents, independents, and a significant uh black and uh people of color
population whose voices deserve equal weight in a decision of this magnitude. Choosing a primary election means choosing an electorate does that does not reflect the full demographic of reality in this county. And let's call it what it is. It's a structural change on how we govern our schools. This will impact every parent, every student, every educator. Decisions on that scale should not be made by a narrow slice of the population. They should be made by the full electorate.
Now, compare that to the general election where turnout is at its highest, participation is broadest, and the voters actually reflect Escambia County as a whole. So, the question isn't procedural, it's more ethical. Do you want a decision made by most people or by the convenient subset of folks? Because if this referendum passes on a low primary turnout ballot, there will always be a question about whether it truly reflects the will of the people. In 2018,
we decided this by the majority of Escambia County residents on the general election ballot. So, you have an opportunity to get this right and do this the right thing. I'm going to ask that you vote this referendum down and send it back to the Escambia County School Board to workshop it to be placed on the 2026 general election ballot where every voice has a fair chance to be heard. Thank you for your time. Thank you. And Robert Bender, our supervisor of elections, is here. Robert, do you want to come up and explain the the process and how things end up on the ballot
and then what our role is in that? And thank you for being here tonight. We appreciate it. No. Thank you, Madam Chair. Board, good to see you again. Um, no, I'm I am here to answer any questions you may have. Um, I I defer any questions about the the the board's uh job or duties to the mad madam attorney. Um, but uh again, able to answer any questions. Um I didn't hear all the facts but um you know we did have about 25% turnout in the 2024 primary uh 2018 general. The last time we had an open gubinatorial we were at 61% turnout.
Um but but again that's up and again I know that was what the school board asked for. Uh and so I am here to answer any questions about timelines or anything like that. Wonderful. Thank you board. Uh let's see. First was Commissioner May. Um, I almost called you Commissioner Bender, but Supervisor Bender, uh, we don't have to send it back to the school board. We can make a decision whether or not it's on the primary or the general. Correct. Oh, we have to send it back to workshop it. I would defer to legal. Oh. [laughter] Oh, that's good. As a reminder, we had this discuss. We did send this back at
one point to the school board. They reconsidered and have sent it back with a specific request that it be placed on the primary ballot. Your role in this is essentially ministerial to put it on a ballot and direct that the superintendent of I the supervisor of elections place it on a ballot. This board did have a discussion and directed that we request an attorney general's opinion about whether or not we had any authority to move it to the general election. That request was put in per your vote back in the fall. As of to the best of my knowledge as of today we
have not received an opinion from the attorney general's office. We have checked. We When did we send it to the attorney general? I didn't pull the exact date, but I believe it was in October. We just didn't We just didn't get a response back from the attorney general. We did specifically reach out to the opinion section and informed them after we sent it to them that a drop dead would be the last day of March because we were really trying to make sure we were protected in the event we were going to put this on the primary ballot. They said they would do their best, but we have
not received any additional communications from them that I am aware of. That's real convenient. My advice to you from a legal perspective would be to do as requested by the school board. Their council is present in the audience this evening. If you wish to ask questions of her, but my advice to you would be without an attorney general's opinion, you should proceed as requested by the school board. Well, I mean, and I get that. I mean that's your legal opinion but that's not statutoily that we have to proceed by the recommendation by them. I mean
we we requested something uh from the attorney general. They didn't give us any reply. Correct. As of today we have not received a request. I mean I mean so there there there's nothing there's nothing illegal unethical about not following the recommendation of the school board. Correct. What was the question? That's what we asked them if we had any discretion. They have not responded in an absence of any additional guidance. My legal advice would be to do as requested by the school board. I get and that's fine. I mean, mom, can I come in at 12? She doesn't answer. So,
I'm going to come in when I get ready. So, that's fine. And and and so, [snorts] let me be candid. And Linda, I hope that your voice is good. I always believe in the democracy of America, what gives opportunity for the most people uh to voice their vote. And so, I I appreciate the opinion of the attorney. Uh, and each of us have our own choice to do what we do. I'm I'm I I certainly recognize that it was a 3-2 vote uh by the school board and and the representative of district three and obviously another representative wanted to bring to the general election. There's without a doubt that the most people will be in probably the most contested
governor's race in November that in in recent history, property taxes will be there. uh we will have the most citizen participation uh in the general election and it will not be in the primary election and unfortunately you know that seems to be you know politically motivated to put it in the primary when we have the least amount of votes and votes who probably have the opinion of where this should go and you know I've I've supported appointed superintendent since it inception so uh Derek as I told you Lil as I told you I'm certainly going to support you know and I
typically don't go against legal advice but I So, we get one more lawsuit and we lose, we'll be fine. Uh, I'm certainly not going to support putting it on the primary. I support putting on the general election. Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioner Barry. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I don't disagree with anything that any of the speakers said. Uh, I don't I just our venue, in my opinion, is not the venue where the argument uh where the argument really lied in this instance. I mean, the school board took the item up multiple times. Uh there were and I
don't watch their meetings, but I'm told that there were speakers there. That would have really been the opportunity to uh to advocate for the you know to advocate for your position and to uh you know state the case. They're an elected body the same as the same as we are. um you know and I the district 5 representative you know voted in the uh you know in the affirmative or the on the winning side and um you know I told him you know a year ago when he uh when he approached me that I would respect the actions of their board as a whole and um you know I think they're it's not
necessary for Miss ODM necessarily to say this but I do believe that comments have been made in their board meetings that you know she feels pretty strongly that their actions and their request um you know should be abided by our board. We did ask him to take a second look at it. It came back to us again in this way. Um we have plenty of uh you know we have plenty of our own affairs to tend to and this is uh you know this is one that's really you know from my point of view it's really a schoolboard issue and uh you know I'm going to support the request that came from the school board. Commissioner Kohler. Yeah ma madam chair and and I appreciate the comments and
commissioner Barry I kind of feel like you do. It seems like a pastor. I don't even support this. I believe in appointed um versus elected, but I also believe that the school board has uh the right as an elected body. Um, I think it should more than likely be on the primary, but my concern is is there any precedent, Allison? Um, as far as legal, I know we didn't get anything back from the attorney general, but is there any other case studies out there in something like this where because I I believe that and I don't know if Miss Odum would want to say that the school board would
potentially sue us, right, if we didn't do it is what I've been told and I have no interest in that over this issue. Is that correct? I can you just give me yes or no if that's true? Yeah. So I if they could sue us like that doesn't make any sense. Why would it even come to this board? I mean I mean we have no authority over it. Why would it be sent? That's like understand what I was. I mean so if if they're going to say well you can't do anything about it. You have to follow whatever they say. Then they don't need to send it to the county. I I I think that's incorrect. I mean I bet you can get five different legal opinions on that. There's no You say, "Well, it's whatever the school board says." says, "Well,
why would the school board send it here? Why would the legislator say send it here if we have no authority? You're saying we have responsibility with no authority?" That's not democracy. Clearly, I agree. It's not the first time. Hey, it's not the first time. Oh, no. No. I mean, I'm not arguing. And so, I mean, it's it's like it's like unfunded mandates. It's like doing uh 4% and 9% tax rate. Well, we have to do exactly what the school board says, but we have to vote on it and put it on the record. That's not a good and you say the attorney general has not given an opinion. Why haven't they given an opinion? I mean, you know, so listen, I mean, it
is what it is. I certainly recognize exactly where my colleagues will be. Um, we're not going to, you know, laboring all day, but regardless, I think that there if there's ever an opportunity to eliminate voter suppression, give every person an opportunity to vote, we should give it at the chance that allows for the most people to come out. And statistically, historically, more people come out in a general election than a primary election. And there are more people on that ballot. That gives all the people the opportunity to make a decision about the education of their children. Commissioner Barry, and that and that is the
I presume that's the argument that David would have made at school. I presume, but [snorts] but um I move that we adopt the ordinance to uh uh to place it on the uh statewide primary ballot. I second it. All in favor. Okay, that is 41 with Commissioner May voting against it, I'm assuming. Absolutely. Okay, understood. Thank you. Okay. Um, next we have the ter hearing and I'm going to pass that to Allison. There's a lot of legal ease in that and I appreciate you taking the lead. Thank you, Madam
Chair. And if we could please have Mr. Jay Frasier on behalf of FPL, he is approaching the podium. Commissioners, a member of the audience, uh, if I can beg your patience, we do have a statement. I am going to read into the record. That's a necessary step as part of this particular hearing on behalf of FPL uh, and commissioners who have previously sat through TER hearings. This this one is a wee bit different. Uh so just bear with me as I read this into the into the record. This is a public hearing with respect to the county's potential issuance of not to exceed $100
million in aggregate principal amount of Escambia County, Florida industrial development revenue bonds. Florida Power and Light Company project series 2026 known as the bonds. The proceeds of the bonds will be loaned to Florida Power and Light Company, a Florida corporation, or one or more of its subsidiaries, affiliates, or related entities known as the borrower for the principal purposes of number one, financing or providing for reimbursement of all or a portion of the cost of
the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, installation, development, and equipping of a solid waste disposal Facilities related to recycling of landfill generated methane realized from the decomposition of garbage into renewable natural gas, including landfill gas collection and conveyance systems, purification and refinement systems, blowers, compressors, pipes, monitoring control systems, site improvements, and other assets necessary to support the recycling
of the landfill methane. and B, functionally related and subordinate facilities necessary to the operation of the foregoing facilities described in Above, including but not limited to mechanical and electrical auxiliary auxiliaries, controls and instrumentation, plant utilities, related building and structures, associated site development, and other functionally related and subordinate facilities collectively known as the project. number two, funding any necessary reserves for the bonds and three paying costs related to the
issuance of the bonds. The project is or will be located at the Purto landfill located at or contiguous to 13009 Bula Road in Canto, Florida 32533-8831. And the project will be owned and operated by the borrower. The bonds shall be payable solely from the revenues derived from a loan and other financing documents to be executed between the county and the borrower. Neither the bonds nor the interest thereon shall be an indebtedness
of or a pledge of the taxing power or any other revenues of the county, the state of Florida, or any political subdivision or agency thereof, but will be special and limited obligations of the county payable solely from the sources identified above. This public hearing is required by section 147 subf of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended. The public hearing for this matter is now open. I have presented the proof of publication of the notice
of the public hearing which was published on March 25th of 2026 in the Pensacola News Journal. It is found in the backup of the materials for the meeting this evening in your agendas. Is there anyone in the audience who wishes to be heard on this plan of finance for the projects described? Are there any speakers who have signed up for this item? Madam Chair, we have no speakers. I'm sorry. We have no speakers signed up for this item. Thank you, Madam Chair. Are there any commissioner questions of Mr. Frasier who is representing FPL at this hearing this evening about the project?
Mr. Frasier, did you have any statements you wanted to make this evening as part of the hearing? just uh I'll keep it short and sweet. Appreciate uh Madame Chair and commissioners for consideration of this matter. It's very important financing for FPL and appreciate your time tonight. Thank you, Mr. Frasier. The public hearing for this matter is now closed. We will need a motion and a vote on items A and B from your agenda. Do we have a motion? Move item A and B. Items A and B. Second, somebody second. All in favor? That would be 40 with Commissioner May out.
Thank you. Thank you for your attendance. Thank you, representatives of FPL. Thank you, Madame Clerk. The clerking controllers report, please. Perfect. Quickly, we have one item on the agenda for your approval. That'll be the February investment report. Thank you. We have no speakers. Move the clerk's report. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor? That would be 40 with Commissioner May out. Horus, the growth management report. Yes. Um, we have the 5:45 public hearing concerning the adoption of an ordinance amending the bridge land use map s small scale map amendment SS 2026-02 to review and adopt. We do have two speakers on
this. Regina Smith is our first speaker and I'm being told she has a visual aid. Is Regina here? She's gone. And then Meredith Bush is our second speaker. Good evening, commissioners. Meredith Bush. Uh, I'm here on behalf of the applicant. It was recommended for approval. This smallcale amendment is part of a savings clause application. I'm happy to take any questions. Do we have any questions? Do we have a motion? Second. All in favor? Oh, I'm sorry. Miss Smith just came in. Am I
Okay. Um I'm I'm here I'm here in response to last week's um meeting that they had board meeting and um I just want to say when you reduce the budget when you take away things from people there friction develops. So, I I think that um when um Commissioner Hoffberger and Pam make [clears throat] decisions at different times, make decisions at different times
to lower the budget in different ways that it's really important that we listen and that we learn from each other why that's so important because the national government is trying to do it. So we also on the local level need to lower budgets and cut too because we're not always about winning. Sometimes we have to lose together, you know. But according to your um agenda tonight, I was here a couple months ago and I was trying to tell
some ideas about how to better prepare areas that are being developed because um a lot of us are getting tired of seeing the virgin uh wilderness lost on 98 and along Gulf Beach Highway. And um formally I I was a planner at one time and I'm just submitting an idea where
when you go down the road you continue to see the natural virgin land but um at a point you can drive around inside the natural um wilderness area and create your development so that people continue to see um the land as it's always been and able to see beaches available. Um not a bunch of buildings against the beach and they
can't see the beach anymore. So, there's all kinds of things we can do to make it better than we're doing right now because we're just trying to cover up everything that's natural. And I'm just presenting an idea to show how we can better present our land use so that we we're satisfying both our economic needs and also our environmental and keeping our
environment um the same. Um, and the last thing I want to say is we have an economic development um, group. Thank you so much. Your time is up. We do appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the visual. Um, we had a motion. We had a second. All in favor? That would be 50. Thank you. Um, horse. Next. Yes. The next one is again the small scale map amendment to review and adopt 2026-03 to review and adopt. We no speakers.
All in favor? Five vote. Thank you. Then we have the resoning uh case uh 2020-06-05. This is from conservation to public reasonzoning. All in favor would be 5. Thank you. Then we have the 547. That is the adoption of the of the official zoning map for 2026-05. Do we have a second? All in favor? Thank you. The next we have a reasonzoning case- Z2026-02
from high density mixeduse to HCLI. We have no speakers. Do we have a second? All in favor? That would be 50. Thank you. For item number six, we do have one speaker. That's Meredith Bush. I'm in support of the next three. Okay. 548 is a adoption of the official zoning map. Do we have a second? Okay, that's all in favor. 50. Thank you. Then we have the the next Bzoning case for 2026-03
from high density mixuse again to heavy commercial live industrial. Do we do we have a second? Who second that? Wonderful. Thank you. All in favor? 50. Thank you. Well, the next item is the adoption of the official zoning map. Okay, Meredith, you're just waving in support. Yeah. Okay. Do we have a second with Commissioner Ray's motion? Okay. All in favor? 5. Thank you. We have another one on Border Street 20226-04 from high density mixeduse to heavy commercial light industrial.
Uh Meredith is here, but we Okay. Do we have a second? All in favor? Okay. 5. Thank you. The next is the adoption of the official zoning map. Okay. Meredith, you're okay. Do we have a second? Okay. All in favor? 5. Thank you. And lastly, we have our consent agenda for May the 7th. Do we have a second? Okay. All in favor? 5. Thank you. Thank you, Horus. We appreciate your time. Thank you. Okay. West, the county administrator's report, please. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair.
There are 10 items on the technical public service consent agenda. There are no changes. Please hold car 1-7 for speaker Chris Plate. I move the balance. All in favor? 50. Thank you. Chris, if you'll come up and speak to item number seven, which is project leopard. Thank you so much. Good evening, um, Wes. Glad you're back. Um, so it's my great great pleasure to present to you tonight Project Leopard. Uh, we were anticipating releasing the name of the company. Uh, but it is April Fools, so we had some quick adjustments to make and due to the
company being publicly traded, they have some quiet periods around where they produce their earnings reports. So, we hope to be releasing the name at the end of the month. [cough] So the um and also please understand that this project is under an NDA. So Project Leopard is seeking a resolution of support for an EDA for potential expansion of an existing manufacturing operation right here in Escambia County with a capital investment of $100 million in both building improvements and new machinery and equipment. The company is also
considering the creation of 300 new jobs with an average wage of approximately $75,000 per year. That's close to 35% above our current average. It is important to understand our community has been in competition also for this project with the state of New York and the country of Poland and other facilities where it's within the company's footprint. So incentives are an important factor as we look move forward with this location decision. Project Leopard is exactly the type of project that aligns closely with our economic development
priorities. It brings high new high wage jobs, significant capital investment, and precision manufacturing activity to our region. The expansion incorporates new production equipment and technologies to support production alongside the facil's existing existing operations and is expected to generate substantial economic activity throughout Escambia County with supporting local suppliers, contractors, and service providers. If project leopard is granted this resolution support for the edate, it will provide the needed support for this investment
and will reinforce the firm's long-term commitment to Escambia County and strengthen the region's position as a national player in manufacturing. Beyond its economic development, Project Leopard, the company represented, has shown enduring commitment to this community through meaningful support of local philanthropic uh initiatives, making the company not only an exemplary partner for us on in our local um commerce, but also in community giving. While Florida West again is the tip of the spear and manages these projects, it takes so many people to bring it to fruition.
And so in this case, we've been working very closely with the state of Florida, the secretary of commerce, department of commerce, and uh select Florida as well as the Scampi County staff, Pensacola State College, the University of West Florida, Career Source, Escarosa, Florida Power and Light, and Florida Golf and Atlantic Railroad, and many others. So, thank you again for your consideration of this resolution tonight for Project Leopard and their potential growth in precision manufacturing here in the county. so I can address anything at least that I can um
about the project. Commissioners. Okay, great. Thank you so much. Thank you for bringing this in. And the the average salary is amazing. So, I think we would all like to see more projects like that. We're excited for this to be one. Thank you. Do we have um any discussion, Commissioner Stroberger? Any discussion? No. I say move uh I move items 7 A and B. Okay. Do we have a second? All in favor? 50. Wonderful. Thank you, madam. Madam chair, can I just make a comment on one thing? I want to give a shout out to natural resources on car 1-8
and obviously I was in favor of it, but it's the property on Branus Avenue. It's been blighted for the whole time I was here. Tim, your work to move this state this project forward um save the county the money on the abatement and the timeline to move that that property. will more likely be a hotel um will add to many of the complaints I've received in Warrington for the last three years. So, I just want to thank you very much for your hard work. Thank you. Wonderful. Thank you. Uh was the budget and finance consent agenda, please? Thank you, Madam Chair. There are 19 items on the budget finance consent agenda. There
are no changes. There are no speakers. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor? Wonderful. 50. Thank you. That concludes my report. Okay. Um short and sweet. Welcome back, Allison. The county attorney's report. It should have been here for the last couple months. Wes. [laughter] I watched. I watched. I know. I think we're all jealous. No changes. No changes. No speakers, buddy. I don't know. Thank you, Madam Chair. There's one item on the county attorney's report. The housing finance authority, I believe, has representatives here if you have any questions. Commissioners, I move the item. Okay. Do we have a second? All in favor? 50. Wonderful.
That is it. Do we have any announcements? Great. Meeting adjourned. Thank you all.