Board Goal Setting - The Board of County Commissioners held two goal setting sessions in April.  The purpose of the sessions was to identify key priorities for the next 12 months. The top issues were determined to be: Budget and tax reform, growth management and the comprehensive plan, MSBU issues, water quality and supply, and the mining excavation ordinance. The Comprehensive Plan, water issues, excavation ordinance and MSBU's are being discussed at a variety of meetings and public hearings. County budgets are currently undergoing their annual review process in preparation for the 2007/2008 fiscal year, which begins October 1.

Excavation Ordinance undergoing review - The Board of County Commissioners has directed staff to look at revising the excavation ordinance in light of the large number of mining permits that have been applied for over the last year.  The public has expressed concern about the impact of the mining operations on the environment and our road system.  As a result, the County has been holding a series of public meetings trying to reach consensus between the public, mining operators and environmentalists. Proposed changes to the existing ordinance will be reviewed by the Commissioners some time in May.  If you wish to watch the meetings, check out our on-line video archives. Click on Public Forum of Excavation Ordinance.

MSBU/MSTU's - Municipal Service Benefit Units (MSBU) and Municipal Services Taxing Units (MSTU) are special units through which specific services are provided to neighborhoods or districts.  These services can include road maintenance and improvements, drainage, as well as waterway dredging.  Every year at budget review workshops residents are given an opportunity to speak about their MSBU assessments before rates are established.  Many do not understand how the MSBU/TU's operate, and some believe that there should be a better way for the County to provide these services.  The Board of County Commissioners heard a presentation this month regarding the MSBU program.  The entire study, as well as information on the MSBU/TU programs can be found on-line. The study makes a number of recommendations to improve the MSBU/TU system, which will be addressed by County staff over the coming months.

New on the County Website - The public can view the Development Review process (DRC) on-line. Visitors to the website can access plans, read staff comments and follow the progress of site plan reviews. Application for DRC review can also be made on-line.  The Development Review Committee is composed of members who are designated by the County Administrator to review site plans for preliminary and final approval, as well as PD approval, for recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners. These designated county officials represent various departments within the county. Their primary function is to review site plans/planned developments for compliance with county ordinance/regulations.

Register for Charlotte County Summer Camp programs on-line. Payment is also accepted on-line via credit card.  The website offers complete program descriptions and indicates the number of openings available.

Permitting Stats for March

• 74 Single-Family Homes issued in March 07 - down 79.4% from March 06

• 8 Multi-Family permits issued in March 07 - down 46% from March 06

• 28 new Commercial permits issued in March 07 - down 24% from March 06

• 2410 misc. permits issued in March 07 - down 25% from March 06

• 2396 customers served

• 19,286 inspections in March 07 - down 25% from March 06

County Construction Updates - We are pleased to announce the following events:

• Oyster Creek Park Grand Opening - April 27, 5:30 p.m., San Casa Road, Englewood

• Florida Street Operations Center - May 2, 10:00 a.m., Florida & Carmelita, Punta Gorda

• East Port Environmental Campus Operations Building - May 21, 11:00 a.m.; Harbor View Road, Port Charlotte

• Event Center Groundbreaking - May 24, 11:00 a.m.; U.S. 41 and Retta Esplande, Punta Gorda

• Public Safety Complex Grand Opening - June 1, 10:00 a.m.; Airport Road, Punta Gorda

• Charlotte Sports Park Stadium Groundbreaking - July 18, 11:00 a.m.; S.R. 776, Port Charlotte

Libraries Use Statistics

• 87,200 visitors to all of our libraries in March, an average of 3,300 per day and a 32% increase over March 06

• 83,800 items were checked out, an average of 3,100 per day and a 40% increase over March 06

• Over 1,000 new library cards were issued

Please remember that Charlotte County is under water restrictions.

• In March the Sheriff's Office issued 148 warnings and one citation for water restriction violations.

• Charlotte County Utilities Meter Services issued 56 warnings.

Commissioners' Roundtable - The Board of County Commissioners will meet on May 1, 9:00 a.m. to be briefed by staff and to discuss the following topics:  Review of regional growth planning and mitigation of species.  The meeting will be held at the Murdock Administrative Complex, Room #119 and is open to the public.

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 Administrator's Overview is held on the first Tuesday of each month. These meetings are held at the Murdock Administrative Complex, 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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