- April 23, 2024
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While the Sheriff’s Operations Center remains clouded by reports of mold, the Flagler County Commission voted 4-0 to build a temporary solution for storage of evidence.
The commission voted on March 15 to buy about 8 acres of land on Justice Lane near the jail to be used as a qualifying range and training classrooms for both deputies and firefighters. On April 1, the commission agreed to expedite the construction and use it first as an evidence storage area. Once a long-term solution is found for the Sheriff’s Operations Center, the storage area can be converted to classrooms as was originally intended.
Commissioner Dave Sullivan, who previously opposed the plan because it was shortsighted, voted in favor on April 1.
“I think we are making progress toward a bigger plan that will be coming forth shortly, I hope,” Sullivan said.
General Services Director Heidi Petito said the facility should be ready in about three months.
In response to an April 1 public comment by Dennis McDonald, Flagler County Attorney Al Hadeed said that the County Commission did not have authority to revoke the certificate of occupancy for the Sheriff’s Operations Center.
McDonald, who has fought the county on legal issues for years, said the county has been spending too much money on legal fees on the Ops Center.
“Step up and address this situation,” McDonald told the commissioners. He added, “It’s all within your purview.”
But according to Hadeed, the county’s building official is the one who has the authority to grant or revoke a certificate of occupancy, not the County Commission. Moreover, Hadeed said, “the building official advised me that he had substantial conversation with Mr. McDonald on his assertion, and he explained why he cannot revoke the certificate of occupancy.”
When it was announced that County Commissioner Joe Mullins was excused from Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Dave Sullivan said, “I heard a rumor that Joe Mullins was elected to the Augusta City Council and will be splitting his time between here and there.”
After a pause, Sullivan said, “April Fool’s.”
